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top646 com login The 2024 presidential election was close, not a landslide - ABC NewsFRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

NoneBryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media

The name Boris Epshteyn—which belongs to a top aide to Donald Trump—has appeared in not one but two jaw-droppingly scandalous headlines out of the president-elect’s camp in the past week. Last Monday, it broke that Elon Musk had reportedly confronted Epshteyn at a Mar-a-Lago dinner table with an accusation that he had leaked potential Trump cabinet picks to the media, sparking a “massive blow-up.” But an even bigger bombshell dropped yesterday, when it emerged that Epshteyn was being investigated by the Trump transition team’s own lawyers over credible concerns that he shook down potential Trump administration candidates for hundreds of thousands of dollars. While he now appears poised for a fall from Trumpian grace, Epshteyn had until recently held a key position in Trump’s inner circle on the back of a precipitous rise. ADVERTISEMENT So here’s what to know about the man who has been one of the president-elect’s most influential advisors—from his personal ties to the Trump family, to his early days as Trump’s personal “TV attack dog,” to his emotionally explosive run-ins with the law, to his eyebrow-raising connections to Russia, to his latest headline-grabbing scandals. Entrance Into the Trump Orbit How did Epshteyn go from a bit player in Republican politics to holding the ear of a once and future president? Epshteyn first entered the Trump orbit when he became college buddies with his second-eldest son, Eric Trump. The two overlapped at Georgetown University in the early 2000s, and Epshteyn attended the younger Trump’s wedding in 2014, according to The New York Times . Epshteyn said he was “proud to call [Eric Trump] a friend” after the latter gave a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Before signing on to Team Trump, Epshteyn’s political claim to fame was his brief post-law-school stint in 2008 as a communications aide for late Sen. John McCain’s unsuccessful presidential campaign. After that, he was a managing director for a small investment bank, West America Securities, whose CEO was a close friend of his uncle, per the Times . Epshteyn’s time there ended, though, after the firm—known for its run-ins with regulators—was in 2013 effectively shut down by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Although he made occasional television appearances as a Republican analyst in 2012, it was during Trump’s first presidential campaign, in 2016, that Epshteyn made a name for himself as Trump’s “TV attack dog,” as the Times dubbed him at the time. He became a recognizable character on cable news, brazenly defending Trump against scandal upon scandal in the lead-up to his first presidential win. “Boris takes a certain amount of delight in trying to bully the interviewer,” MSNBC host Joy Reid told the Times in 2016. “He sees every night as combat and he goes in as very combative.” “Boris is abrasive,” she added. “That is who he is both on the air and off.” Epshteyn’s dauntless belligerence apparently impressed Trump, who named him a special assistant in his first administration. After-Hours Legal Troubles Epshteyn’s pugnacious personality apparently bleeds into his personal life, as well. In 2014, he faced assault charges over a bar fight in Scottsdale, Arizona, per the Times . They were dropped, however, after he agreed to take anger-management classes and perform community service. That wasn’t the last of Epshteyn’s explosive encounters with law enforcement, however. He was arrested again in Arizona, in 2021, after repeatedly groping two women in a nightclub. Epshteyn pleaded guilty after prosecutors reduced the charges from attempted sexual assault and assault-touching to just disorderly conduct. He was ordered to pay a fine and serve probation. The arrest was captured in police body-cam footage that emerged in August 2023, while Epshteyn was working on Trump’s second successful campaign for president. Ties to Russia Epshteyn, who was born and raised in Moscow, has raised eyebrows for his outlook on Russia and his efforts to influence Trump on the matter. Broadcast news outlets were admonished by Media Matters for allowing Epshteyn to appear on behalf Trump, and sometimes offer defenses of Russian President Vladimir Putin, without disclosing his own business ties to the country. He was reportedly consulting for companies operating out of Eastern Europe and moderated a 2013 investment conference panel titled “Invest in Moscow!” that featured mostly Russian government officials. Earlier this month, the Times reported that Epshteyn had made a bid to be a special envoy to the Russia-Ukraine war in the upcoming Trump administration despite having no foreign policy experience. On a plane flying to Washington, D.C., for Trump’s post-election meeting with Joe Biden, Epshteyn tried to convince the president-elect’s team that he was worthy of the role because he had relatives on both sides of the conflict. Reportedly, several people on the plane were shocked and troubled by the prospect—but Trump was not among them. Although he did not promise him the position, he listened to Epshteyn’s case with apparent interest. Efforts to Overturn 2020 Election Epshteyn, along with Rudy Giuliani, was one of the lawyers who masterminded Trump’s efforts to prevent Joe Biden from taking office after he beat Trump in the 2020 election. He was a leading figure in the team’s Washington-based election-overturning “command center” during the days leading up the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted insurrection. He has openly admitted to working on the infamous “alternate electors” scheme, which intended to implant pro-Trump electors in key states that the former president had lost. Earlier this year, he was indicted for his efforts to flip the election outcome in Arizona. Epshteyn also reportedly masterminded Trump’s legal strategy in the face of an array of criminal investigations over the past several years, urging Trump to delay the proceedings as much as possible, according to the Times . The aggressive strategy appears to have paid off, with Trump back in the White House and the Justice Department’s charges against him dropped. But other members of the president’s legal team have been unsparingly critical of his advice. “I don’t know where [Epshteyn] filed his law license,” an anonymous source close to Trump t old Politico . “They must be selling them at 7-11. I don’t think it serves the president well to be taking legal advice from Boris and hopefully he will see that sometime soon.” Butting Heads With a Billionaire Last week, Elon Musk, a relative newcomer to the Trump circle, is reported to have loudly and publicly accused Epshteyn of leaking Trump administration picks to the media. The “huge explosion” was the boiling of persisting “tensions” between the two men, according to Axios. Epshteyn reportedly pleaded ignorance to Musk’s allegations. Before the blow-up, Musk had questioned whether Epshteyn—who reportedly pushed for Trump’s most controversial and eventually flubbed cabinet nominee, Matt Gaetz—has had an undue level of influence on the president-elect’s picks. Neither the transition team, Epshteyn, or Musk commented to Axios on the report. Pay to Play Now, Epshteyn has suffered a blow that might just knock him back out of the Trump orbit—although only time will tell. The transition team’s own lawyers found evidence that Epshteyn had asked for thousands of dollars from officials in exchange for the aide’s efforts to have Trump name them to the new administration, according to The New York Times . Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, was one of the people who was approached by Epshteyn about a possible deal. The men met in February, and Epshteyn asked for a monthly fee of $30,000 to $40,000 in exchange for his support. Bessent reportedly turned down the offer. Epshteyn also solicited $100,000 from another unnamed figure, described as a defense contractor, although they too declined the offer. Former Gov. Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens also told the transition team, according to CBS News, that “Mr. Epshteyn’s overall tone and behavior gave me the impression of an implicit expectation to engage in business dealings with him before he would advocate for or suggest my appointment to the President.” “This created a sense of unease and pressure on my part,” he added, explaining that he was worried about the ethics of Ephsteyn’s implied deal. “Very specifically, I was concerned that there was an offer to advance a nomination in return for financial payments,” Greitens said. Epshteyn has denied the allegations against him. “I am honored to work for President Trump and with his team,” he said in a statement to the Daily Beast. “These fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.” Trump’s transition team appeared to suggest Wednesday that the scandal was behind them. “As is standard practice, a broad review of the campaign’s consulting agreements has been conducted and completed, including as to Boris, among others,” spokesman Steven Cheung told the Beast. “We are now moving ahead together as a team to help President Trump Make America Great Again.”

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( MENAFN - APO Group) The government will enhance support for the Kenya Navy to boost its ability to safeguard the country's maritime borders. President William Ruto said this will include investing in advanced technologies and modernising the navy's fleet. He said the government will also bolster the skills and operational capacity of navy personnel. “Our singular focus will be on maintaining a high state of readiness to ensure that we respond swiftly and effectively to an increasingly dynamic security environment,” he said. Speaking during the Kenya Navy's 60th anniversary at the Kenya Navy Base, Mtongwe, in Mombasa County, he commended the navy for its unwavering commitment to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The strategic importance of the Kenya Navy cannot be overstated. It serves as a deterrent to external aggression, a safeguard of our sovereignty and a defender of our territorial integrity,” he said. He noted that, even though the navy is the youngest branch of the Kenya Defence Forces, its track record is one to be proud of. “As Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, I am immensely proud of KDF's achievements as an institution, and particularly of the Kenya Navy,” he said. The President said the Navy has been instrumental in unlocking Kenya's immense untapped potential in the blue economy. “By investing in maritime infrastructure and enhancing its security, we not only improve our naval capabilities but also create opportunities for wealth generation and job creation,” he said. President Ruto commended the synergy between the navy and the Kenya Coast Guard Service, which formed the cornerstone of Kenya's National Maritime Defence Strategy. He stated that the two institutions protect the country's coastline, combat illegal activities, secure maritime resources and safeguard sea lanes of communication and trade. “Their collaboration exemplifies the spirit of multi-agency synergy and the whole-of-government approach that is essential to our national security,” he said. President Ruto, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, called on members of the disciplined forces to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and excellence. “By working together as one team, we will overcome any challenge, transcend every obstacle, navigate the uncertainties of the future and continue to make the Kenya Navy a source of pride for our nation,” he added. During the colourful event, President Ruto unveiled a commemorative book, 'Kenya Navy at 60'. Chief of the Defence Forces Charles Kahariri said the Kenya Navy has continued to defend Kenyan waters and maritime interests since its establishment. “This has earned the Kenya Navy admiration both at home and abroad,” he said. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said Kenya Navy's contribution to the blue economy has boosted the actualisation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. “Our efforts in protecting our maritime ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of maritime resources contribute to the prosperity of our nation,” he said. Also present at the function were Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (Treasury), Salim Mvurya (Trade), Margaret Nyambura (ICT), Governors Abdullswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Fatuma Achani (Kwale) and MPs MENAFN14122024004934011406ID1108993368 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.School property tax debates past, present and yet to come will once again haunt the state’s elected officials in the new 109th Legislature. One of western Nebraska’s five state senators will push for millions of dollars in extra tax relief after the Unicameral’s summer special session “frontloaded” a 30% K-12 school income tax credit onto December’s 2024-25 property tax bills. Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering cites a State Capitol argument whether doing so deprived property owners of their 2023-24 income tax credit. Gov. Jim Pillen, who failed to win enough support for sweeping tax changes in the extra session, meanwhile renewed his efforts with a “2024 School Property Tax Report” released Nov. 8. It included data on 2024-25 K-12 districts’ aid and property tax requests. Lowering the former typically boosts the latter, it said. Senators need to seek “predictability of aid given to school districts,” it added, to “allow Nebraska to have sustained property tax reductions for the first time in its history.” Telegraph analyses found mixed pictures on both questions for western Nebraska property owners, at least regarding the 2024-25 tax bills they’ll get in the mail next month. A formula provided by state budget officials shows the K-12 income tax credits — which thousands of Nebraskans never claimed — will refund 30% of all property owners’ eligible 2023-24 school taxes as a second direct discount on 2024-25 property tax bills. But it won’t equal a 30% break on their latest school taxes for the three Lincoln County agricultural operations and two of the three North Platte homes the paper tracks each “budget season.” Why? It’s mostly because LB 34’s K-12 school tax credit will continue to run one year behind, as the income tax credit did from its debut in 2020. The bill also excludes the schools’ portion of their older but smaller 2023-24 Property Tax Credit Fund break — also taken off December tax bills — and the homestead exemptions some homeowners receive, said Lee Will, director of the state Department of Administrative Services. Those factors yield effective 2024-25 school tax discounts from 26.5% to 27.3% for a ranch northwest of Sutherland and farms with mixed soil types southeast of Maxwell and north and west of Wallace. They’ll be worth 28.3% for The Telegraph’s Home 1, located north of North Platte’s Union Pacific tracks, and Home 3 in southwest North Platte. The picture is more complicated for Home 2, north and east of Home 3 near Westfield Shopping Center, which has received a full homestead exemption since 2021. The Nebraska Taxes Online website won’t report parcels’ 2024 homestead exemption status until final tax bills are sent out. If Home 2’s full exemption was renewed for 2024, that most likely will again cancel out the home’s tax bill. But if not, it won’t get the new K-12 tax credit this year — because its owners didn’t have to pay taxes in 2023. A trio of term-limited lawmakers, including Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, contend that property owners are being shortchanged by the school income tax credit’s transition to a direct discount. LB 34 dealt them a “missing year” of tax relief, the lawmakers argued, if they paid their 2023 school taxes during 2024. Hardin said he’ll introduce a bill to make up the perceived shortfall. “We took the 2023 monies and flipped them end for end and said we’ll get them in 2024,” he said. But LB 34 didn’t deprive any property owner of a 2023 school tax break, countered North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson. Instead of claiming it when they do 2024 income taxes after New Year’s, he said, they’ll get it before Christmas off the top of their 2024 property taxes. In fact, Jacobson added, Nebraskans who paid their 2023 property taxes last December can get both the 2023 K-12 income tax credit — if they claim it — and the direct 2023 discount next month. “We told people it’s not that anybody lost out,” said Jacobson, who hopes to join the Revenue Committee in 2025. “It’s that some people double-dipped.” Even if there were a “missing year,” he said, it’s highly unlikely the Legislature can find $560.7 million — the amount allocated for K-12 income tax credits for 2023 — on top of the $750 million for the new direct discount. The Legislature’s Tax Rate Review Committee told senators Wednesday that the state’s budget balance by 2026-27 could be more than $432 million below its legal minimum reserve if lawmakers make no changes. “If anybody thinks a bill’s going to pass the Legislature that will cost $500 million to ‘make people whole,’ that’s not going to happen,” Jacobson said. The same cloud hangs over Pillen’s renewed call for even higher property tax relief, acknowledged as Nebraska’s largest single budget item in the governor’s Nov. 8 report. It lauded the 244 school districts for holding statewide growth in their 2024-25 property tax requests to 2.8% — the slowest pace this century. Senators slapped a basic 3% lid last year on how much K-12 districts can charge. But four fast-growing metro-area districts — Lincoln, Millard, Papillion-La Vista and Gretna — accounted for 82% of the $76.1 million in school property tax growth over 2023-24, the report said. Those four also lost a combined $56.3 million in state aid. The aid formula founded in 1990 “has become a large reason as to why some local school districts continue to need to increase local taxes,” the report said. The correlation between school-aid cuts and higher tax requests didn’t hold up universally, according to the Telegraph’s analysis of Pillen’s report. Eleven of west central Nebraska’s 40 districts, including Hershey, Cozad and Gothenburg, both absorbed state-aid cuts and raised their tax requests by more than the 2.8% statewide average. But 13 others, including North Platte, Sutherland and Wallace, held their tax-request growth below the average despite losing ground in state aid. North Platte’s aid fell by 4.4% over 2023-24, but its tax request rose just 1.1%. Pillen’s report acknowledged that state-aid levels don’t explain all K-12 tax increases. They “could be due to a loss in state aid ... increasing needs in the community or simply from overspending,” it said. Stuart Simpson, who will retire in June as North Platte’s executive director of finance, said the aid formula is meant to adjust for each district’s unique circumstances. It steers “equalization aid” to districts with educational “needs” that cost more than their “resources,” mainly property taxes. But Simpson said it’s how the school-aid formula measures “needs” — largely student populations, family incomes and families for whom English isn’t their first language — that so often frustrates taxpayers and lawmakers. “You can’t compare North Platte to Scottsbluff or Lexington or Alliance or McCook,” he said. The formula “is trying to address the needs of school districts compared with the economic development in the community.” If the Legislature “pushes down the property taxes” with more dollars, “they’ll push more into equalization aid to support a school district,” said Simpson, who became Alliance’s school finance director the year the current aid formula was founded. “But how can you do it when you have a shortfall?” A summer 2024 Unicameral special session changed a potential 30% income tax break on Nebraska property owners' 2023 school taxes into a direct discount on December's 2024 property tax bills. Schools' share of other 2023 property tax credits, including homestead exemptions, are excluded from the new direct credit. Here's the estimated 2024 school tax breaks from "frontloading" the former income tax credit for The Telegraph's sample North Platte homes and Lincoln County agricultural properties: *Received a full homestead exemption in 2023, canceling out potential school property tax credit. Home 2 likely will pay zero in 2024 property taxes if its full homestead exemption is renewed. Sources: State of Nebraska, Lincoln County; Telegraph analysis Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Special projects reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Ho, ho, how good is your festive health knowledge? Try our quiz to find if your star shines bright, or you’re still holding the wooden spoon from Stir-Up Sunday *Oh, and look out for elvish tricks, multiple correct answers and even deductions for bloopers! 1 True or false? Being hit in the eye with a champagne cork can cause blindness. 2 True or false? Making sure champagne is well chilled not only makes it taste better, but it will also reduce your risk of flying cork injuries. 3 Which of these decorative Christmas plants and berries should you keep well away from children and pets? A. Holly B. Ivy C. Poinsettia D. Mistletoe 4 And which of them is likely to cause a reaction in people with an allergy to latex? A. Holly B. Ivy C. Poinsettia D. Mistletoe 5 True or false? Vintage Christmas decorations may be pretty, but they can also be harmful to your health. 6 High heels may be the perfect accessory for a glittery festive frock, but they can be a painful fashion choice because they increase the weight being carried by the ball of the foot. But by how much? A. 32% B. 48% C. 55% D. 67% 7 If you’re starting your celebrations with buck’s fizz on Christmas morning, which orange juice will provide the most antioxidant vitamin C? A. Pasteurised or from concentrate juice B. Freshly squeezed C. There’s no difference 8 There are plenty of good reasons to tuck into Christmas pudding as this traditional dessert is bursting with nutrients including energy-boosting iron found in dried fruit, cholesterol-lowering nuts and antioxidant spices. But do Britons love it or hate it? A. Most UK adults like it a lot B. Most don’t like it at all 9 Completing a jigsaw is a Christmas tradition for many families, and studies show that puzzles improve cognition. How many jigsaw puzzle pieces do you have to put together for a ‘clinically relevant’ cognitive gain? A. 5,000 to 7,000 B. 7,001 to 9,000 C. 9,001 to 10,000 D. More than 10,000 10 True or False? The 1987 Christmas edition of the British Medical Journal warned of a link between child obesity and bright clothes. 11 Hiding silver coins in the Christmas pudding is: A. A fabulous festive tradition B. A serious health hazard 12 Christmas is a time for giving and many health charities are appealing for donations. What percentage of people say they are more likely to donate money at this time of year? A. 42% B. 56% C. 62% D. 78% 13 YouGov polling shows that health charities make up the top five most popular charities in the UK. Can you rank them from most popular to fifth most popular? A. Alzheimer’s Research UK B. British Heart Foundation C. Cancer Research UK D. Great Ormond Street Hospital E. St John’s Ambulance 14 They say it’s better to give than receive, but which of these health benefits are associated with gift-giving and generosity? A. Lower blood pressure B. Reduced dementia risk C. Increased happiness D. All of the above E. None of the above 15 Christmas is clearly very exciting for a lot of men, because researchers have discovered a rise in the number suffering penile fractures — a painful medical emergency caused by the penis being bent during over-enthusiastic sex. How big is the rise between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day? A. 13% B. 23% C. 33% D. 43% 16 It’s best to avoid using bitter almonds if you’re making marzipan. A. True B. False C. Use sweet or bitter almonds and add extra sugar, it makes no difference 17 Cinnamon adds spice to many sweet and savoury Christmas dishes, and the ‘cinnamon challenge’ — eating a spoonful in under 60 seconds without drinking anything — often circulates on social media at this time of year. Is it: A. Harmless fun B. A seriously silly idea 18 It’s estimated that we consume 6,000 calories on Christmas Day. How many steps would you need to take to burn that off? A. 50,000 B. 100,000 C. 150,000 D. 200,000 19 The final Gavin and Stacey Christmas special will air on Christmas Day. Which of these health benefits could flow from watching it? A. It reduces stress B. Helps weight loss C. Improves blood sugar control D. Improves asthma symptoms 20 True or false? The Christmas spirit can be detected by brain scans. 1 True: 1pt. Ophthalmologists at Cambridge University who highlighted the danger in a BMJ article warn that a cork can travel at 50mph and being hit in the eye can cause blindness, retinal detachment and dislocation of the lens. 2 True: 1pt, chilling reduces pressure in the bottle, and cork velocity. 3 Score a point each for A, B and D. Holly berries, but not the leaves, are poisonous; all parts of mistletoe except the berries are toxic and all parts of ivy are toxic. Poinsettia has a reputation for being poisonous, but this stems from one unconfirmed death in 1919. 4 C: 1pt. Poinsettia comes from the same plant family as natural rubber latex and 40 per cent of people with latex allergy also react to poinsettia. 5 True: 1pt. Up until the mid-1900s asbestos was commonly used to mimic snow on Christmas decorations or reduce the fire risk associated with lights and other decorations. 6 B: 1pt. Dutch orthopaedic researchers who tested 10 women wearing heels and flats found that heels increased the pressure time integral, which calculates the cumulative load on the foot, by 48%. 7 B: 1pt. Analysis by Spanish researchers found that, compared to freshly squeezed juices, commercially produced juice lost between 30 and 40% of its vitamin C. However the commercially produced juices had higher levels of the cholesterol-lowering antioxidant naringenin. 8 B: 1pt. Polling by YouGov shows we’ve fallen out of love with Christmas pud, with only 20% of adults liking it a lot, compared to 31% who say they don’t like it at all. 9 Score a point for C or D — German researchers compared 100 over-50s who worked on jigsaws for 30 days with a control group, and calculated that you need to connect 9,108 pieces to improve visual-spatial cognition. 10 True: 1pt. Medical journalist Caroline Richmond concocted the new theory in a spoof article to test public susceptibility to fake news — long before the term was coined. Readers and an allergy charity fell for her fiction, even though it referenced the Dye Related Allergies Bureau (DRAB), a subsidiary of the Food Additives Research Team (FART). 11 B: 1pt. Dental researchers who served up 40 puddings, each with a concealed 50p, 20p, 10p or 5p coin found 23 (58%) caused dental trauma, four were swallowed and one caused a student to choke and require the Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge the coin. 12 A: 1pt. According to a report published last year, 42% of Britons are more like to donate money at Christmas. 13 E, B, C, D and A: 89% of those polled had a positive opinion of St John Ambulance, followed by the BHF (86%), CRUK (84%) GOSH (83%) and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Score 1pt for each answer in the correct position. 14 Score 3 points if you said D, and a point each for A,B and C. Studies confirm that giving reduces blood pressure and dementia risk and increased levels of serotonin make us feel happier. Lose 3 points if you answered E! 15 D: 1pt. German researchers found that penile fractures requiring a hospital stay go up by 43% from December 24 to 26. 16 A: 1pt. Bitter almonds contain cyanide. Concentrations vary, but around 50 bitter almonds would contain a lethal dose. Sweet almonds have only a trace. 17 B: 1pt. Cinnamon is a lung irritant and the challenge has led to hospitalisations due to respiratory distress Even relatively small amounts can also cause gastric pain, seizures and hallucinations. 18 C: 1pt. On average we burn 40 calories per 1,000 steps, so it would take 150,000 steps, around 75 miles. 19 Score a point each for A, B and C — studies confirm a good giggle lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol; helps people with metabolic syndrome lose weight and reduces spikes in blood sugar. But deduct a point for D, laughter can actually trigger an asthma attack. 20 True: 1pt. Using fMRI imaging, Danish researchers showed that in people with a tradition of celebrating Christmas, festive images light up areas of the brain associated with spirituality and shared emotions. 20 points or more: You are Santa’s health superstar! 10-19 points: Your health and wellbeing Noel-edge is bright 0-9 points: Oops, you’re more of a turkey than a cracker...

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas won the Big 12 title in 2023 on its way out the door to the Southeastern Conference. It was still swinging open when Arizona State waltzed in and won the league title in its debut season. And now the old Big 12 champs meet the new Big 12 champs on the path toward a potential national title. The fifth-seeded Longhorns and fourth-seeded Sun Devils play News Years Day in the Peach Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff . Both had their doubters they could get here. Texas (12-2) still had to prove is was “ready” for the SEC. Arizona State (11-2) was picked to finish last in the Big 12. But the Sun Devils quickly started winning and having fun in some new road environments in college towns smaller than some of their stops in the more cosmopolitan old Pac-12. All-American running back Cam Skattebo led the barnstorming tour. “We were not used to getting tortillas thrown at us at Texas Tech. You're not used to some of these environments," Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said Monday. “When you're in the Pac-12, you're playing in Seattle, you're playing in L.A., you're playing in Salt Lake City. We got to face a lot more small college town football with really, really great environments. ... It was definitely fun to join a new league," Dillingham said. And Dillingham laid down some Texas roots. The Sun Devils are recruiting Texas players out of high school, and the current roster has six transfers who started their college careers in burnt orange in Austin. “The guys we’ve gotten from Texas and coach (Steve Sarkisian's) program have been unbelievable,” Dillingham said. “We know what we’re getting when we’re getting a guy from that program, and that’s a guy who has worked really hard, competed and been pushed. Those are the things that we like to bring in.” Safety Xavion Alford was named All-Big 12 . Defensive end Prince Dorbah is another Sun Devils starter. Defensive lineman Zac Swanson, who has two sacks this season, is another former Longhorn who said he relished a chance to beat his former team. Recruited by Texas out of Phoenix, Swanson was a reserve in 2022 and 2023 behind future NFL draft picks T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. “That's a team who kicked me out and said I'd never I was never going to be good enough to play there,” Swanson said last week. “That's something that has been on my agenda for a while.” Dillingham joked he'd like to get more Texas transfers this week. Sarkisian simply noted that he wished he'd signed Skattebo, a Californian who transferred from Sacramento State after the 2022 season. “I was unaware, so kudos to them. They found him, he's a heckuva player,” said Sarkisian, who also is a California native. Sarkisian said he was impressed by the Sun Devil's first-year success in the Big 12. “We were in that Big 12, what, for 27 years? We won four. This is their first year in and they won a Big 12 Championship. It’s a really hard thing to do,” Sarkisian said. “They’re playing with a ton of confidence right now. The last two months, I think they’re playing as good a football as anybody in the country.” Despite wining that last Big 12 title and a playoff appearance in 2023, Texas still faced skeptics that the Longhorns would take their lumps in the SEC this year. Texas was more than ready for the league and the Longhorns made it to the SEC championship game. Their only two losses have been to Georgia, the No. 2 seed in the playoff. Sarkisian still remembers his 5-7 Texas debut in 2021. The program wasn't ready for the SEC and the playoff back then, but it certainly is now. Texas is the only one of last year's four playoff teams to make the expanded 12-team field this year. “There’s a lot to be proud of, but mostly I’m proud of our veterans, our leaders, our seniors, because those guys went from 5-7 in year one, they went through 8-5 in year two, and they didn’t jump ship. They hung in there with us. They believed in what they were doing,” Sarkisian said. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballNagpur: The Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav concluded in spectacular style on Monday evening with a sensational live concert by popular singer Jubin Nautiyal. The star's electrifying performance had the youth swaying to his tunes, turning the event into an unforgettable musical fiesta. The grounds of Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education were packed to capacity well before the concert began. Enthusiastic fans queued up from noon, eagerly awaiting the musical sensation. The venue echoed with cheers as Jubin set the stage ablaze with his hit numbers like ‘Kaise Jiunga Tere Bina', ‘Raataan Lambiyan', ‘Tera Ban Jaunga', and ‘Kinna Sona'. Jubin connected deeply with the audience, saying, "It feels like coming home, thanks to Nitin Gadkariji, who brought me back to this beautiful city after four years." His soulful renditions and heartfelt interactions had fans singing along in unison, creating a magical atmosphere. The concert was a mesmerising blend of versatility and energy, captivating the audience with a medley of Hollywood hits, classic and contemporary Bollywood numbers, soulful qawwalis, and heartfelt ghazals, all delivered in his unique style. Known for his devotional renditions, Jubin also performed spiritual songs from Jagarata and his iconic track ‘Mere Ghar Ram Aaye Hai', which gained fame during Ayodhya's Ram Mandir inauguration. The crowd, particularly the youth, resonated with every note — singing along, dancing to his rocking performances, and lighting up the venue with mobile flashlights in unison at his request, creating a magical atmosphere. The concluding day began earlier with a rousing performance by the Gajvakra Dhol Tasha Pathak, which was followed by the stellar act of the Shiv Navyug Pathak, India's first drum and flag team comprising of young children. Their synchronised beats and energetic display earned thunderous applause from the audience. Union minister Nitin Gadkari , the visionary behind the festival, expressed his gratitude to the audience for making the ninth edition of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav a resounding success. He highlighted the unprecedented reach of the event, which, through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, engaged over 1.52 crore people. "This festival is growing bigger each year. The massive turnout and participation prove that we need an even larger venue to accommodate the passion of Nagpur's cultural enthusiasts," Gadkari said. He assured that there would be a mega celebration next year as the festival would celebrate its 10th year. Gadkari also honoured the organising team for their dedication and tireless efforts in ensuring the festival's success. Key members, including Anil Sole, Gaurishankar Parashar, and many others, were felicitated for their contributions. On Tuesday, 400 bhajan groups in Nagpur district will get tabla (percussion instrument) and harmonium – the two important instruments for bhajans — in a grand function to be held at 9.30am. Gadkari will hand over this gift to the select 400 groups. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes.

NIKE, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter ResultsThe AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . SAN DIEGO (AP) — Sports San Diego announced Thursday that DirecTV has extended its agreement as title sponsor of the Holiday Bowl. Neither side would say how long the agreement is for. DirecTV began sponsoring the Holiday Bowl last year. After two editions at Petco Park, the downtown home of the San Diego Padres, the Holiday Bowl is moving to Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley. It will be played Dec. 27 and match a top team from the Atlantic Coast Conference against current and former teams from the Pac-12. ___ This story removes an incorrect reference to DirecTV sponsoring the last two Holiday Bowls. It began sponsoring the game last year.

Did you know? 8 fun trivia facts about Christmas

MILLIONS of Americans will not receive their Social Security checks on the usual date this month. However the good news is that because of Christmas , they will come through a day earlier than expected. The payments , worth up to $4,873, will hit bank accounts on December 24 because of the way the holidays fall this year. This change affects people who usually receive their money on the fourth Wednesday of every month, which in December is Christmas Day. And with pretty much everything closed for business over the holiday, it means recipients will receive their checks or direct payment to their bank accounts on Christmas Eve. It won’t affect all beneficiaries though, as how Social Security payments are distributed across the US depends on birth dates. Read more on social security Those with birthdays from the 1st until 10th of the month receive their money on the second Wednesday of each month. Recipients born on the 11th until the 20th are paid on the third Wednesday every month. Finally, people with a birthday falling from the 21st until the 31st of the month receive their social security payment on the fourth Wednesday of each month. SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME Americans who receive supplemental security income (SSI) will face a second change at the end of the year. Most read in Money This benefit is paid to recipients on the first of the month – which of course in January is New Year’s Day . As this is a holiday, payments will be made the day before, meaning recipients will receive the first payment of 2025 on the last day of 2024. What’s more, the maximum monthly SSI payment on December 31 will be $967, rather than the $943 max seen so far this year. This is because the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 kicks in from January. It represents a 2.5% increase to the monthly distribution and is based on inflation rates, as well as on what the government decides individuals need. Social Security provides a source of income when you retire or if you cannot work due to a disability. There are four main types of Social Security benefits: Retirement - a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or “disability” provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. Survivor benefits - monthly payments to eligible family members of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. Supplemental Security Income is paid to individuals and couples age 65 and older, people with disabilities and those with limited income and resources. To qualify you need to have less than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for a couple). BANK AND POST OFFICE CLOSURES Along with many retailers, banks and post offices will be closed on Christmas Day. They will generally be open on Christmas Eve, but may be working to reduced opening times. The USPS is shutting all of its post offices for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with services back to normal on December 26 and January 2. It confirms though that its offices will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but advises customers to check with their local branch for holiday hours. Some banks will be open on Christmas Eve, including some branches of Bank of America , Citibank and Capital One , according to USA Today . Again check with your local branch for up-to-date opening times. The SSA has a helpful calendar that shows the schedule for social security payments. Read More on The US Sun Social Security and money expert Shalae Morgan spoke to the US Sun and shared how delaying your benefits could earn you $26,000 more annually . She also noted two common mistakes that could lose you $1,000s in social security and three tricks to plan ahead.

2025 is expected to be a robust year for mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs. Consequently, some investment banks are bulking up on hiring, industry recruiters say. Here's a look at which firms are staffing up and what sectors are seeing the most action. When John Weinberg, the chairman and CEO of the elite boutique investment bank Evercore , sat down for a fireside chat in December at an annual Goldman Sachs conference, he revealed that his firm has been ramping up hiring. Advertisement "Most of the time, you don't really do much recruiting in November or December," he told listeners — but this year has been different. "If you could see my schedule, you'd see that virtually every day I am speaking with and recruiting" new talent, he said. "You could probably anticipate that our recruiting efforts will increase, not decrease." Weinberg isn't the only Wall Street dealmaker for whom recruiting is top of mind. According to industry headhunters , hiring across the Street is expected to gain steam as 2025 gets underway. One headhunter said he's been so flooded with mandates as the end of the year approaches that his pipeline of work is up by as much as 70% over normal levels at this point in the year. Advertisement "We're probably up 60% to 70%," Kevin Mahoney, managing partner in the global financial-services practice at Christoph Zeiss Partners, told Business Insider. Next year is going to be "bonkers" in terms of hiring volumes, he said, adding: "We haven't been this busy in a long time." After several years of lackluster deal activity, Wall Street is finally starting to see signs of a thaw in mergers and public offerings . A cocktail of lower interest rates , pent-up demand, and expectations for a friendlier landscape under Trump has left many dealmakers across the Street feeling bullish about the 2025 prospects for 2025. Robert Stowe, head of Americas equity capital markets at Barclays, told BI that he predicts some $50 billion in IPO volumes in the US next year. That would be a roughly 20% increase from 2024's just over $41 billion worth of IPO volumes in the Americas, as recorded by the deal-tracking firm Dealogic. BI got an update on the latest investment-banking hiring trends from three top Wall Street headhunters: Mahoney; Meridith Dennes, managing director of recruiting at the firm Prospect Rock; and Brianne Sterling, head of the investment-banking recruiting practice at Selby Jennings. Advertisement Dennes said the industry's "musical chairs" will start to spike around January or February after bankers have received their bonuses. Many, she said, have gotten early hints about their bonus numbers this year and are privately grumbling. "Bonuses are not coming out as strong as we expected them to be, and I think the reason is because there's been so much hiring at the senior level and at the MD level," she explained. "A lot of that compensation pool may be spoken for." So, with moves on the way, which sectors will see the most activity? Here are a few key trends the headhunters say are worth watching in 2025. Advertisement The hot sectors Banks big and small are already dialing up recruiting for their technology, media, and telecommunications teams, known as TMT in Wall Street parlance. Related stories One reason, Mahoney said, is that those sectors are popular acquisition targets for financial sponsors. Indeed, private-equity firms are itching to deploy the billions they've raised from limited partners, but have been waiting for interest rates to decline. "Something that I think will be interesting within the tech space, as well, is how teams are looking at staffing and positioning" for AI deals , as well as deals for cryptocurrency and digital-assets companies that may consolidate over the next year, Sterling of Selby Jennings said. Advertisement Tech has been a major area for banker movement, said Dennes, who also named healthcare, restructuring, industrials, consumer retail, and financial institutions (FIG) as hot. According to some of the early findings of her firm Prospect Rock's annual compensation survey, bankers in tech and restructuring displayed the highest levels of dissatisfaction with pay. "Now, if they're not really paid," Dennes said, "they're going to want to jump — and there's opportunity for those folks to jump." Tech dealmakers on the move Union Square Advisors , a boutique technology-focused investment bank based in San Francisco, has onboarded a series of dealmakers recently, including tapping managing director Terry Jackson who previously worked at JPMorgan and Bank of America Securities. The firm also hired Todd Meadow to pitch in with sponsor coverage and brought on the banker Chris Appaneal to focus on software for governance, risk, and compliance. Advertisement Houlihan Lokey, a midsize firm long respected for its prowess in restructuring and distressed deals, has also been growing its wallet share in tech to win competitive M&A mandates. This spring, the bank appointed Ryan Lund as co-head of US technology. It's been deepening the granularity of its software coverage with subsequent hires, as well — like Nana Kyei, a managing director who joined from Jefferies this fall and focuses on education tech. Geoff Rhizor joined the tech team in San Francisco in late summer; his coverage, in part, intersects with the fintech group's. Barclays has also emphasized hiring managing directors focused on tech and healthcare deals, a company spokesperson told BI. Rob Patterson, who serves as head of data and information platforms coverage within tech investment banking, came over from Morgan Stanley. And the bank appointed David King, a former top-level banker at Bank of America, as global head of technology mergers and acquisitions this summer. Advertisement Big banks are staffing up Some banks have already initiated widespread recruiting plans for juniors. JPMorgan Chase , for instance, was engaged in a vigorous off-cycle recruiting spree for junior investment bankers as deal flow picked up speed this fall, according to industry sources and postings on its job board, as BI previously reported. Goldman Sachs' careers portal recently displayed roughly a dozen openings for junior bankers in New York, San Francisco, and London. Vacancies included analyst and associate positions in coverage groups like financial institutions, entertainment banking, TMT, and industrials, as well as product-focused functions like equity capital markets. Advertisement Bankers need fresh blood: 'Send them our way' The last time there was an M&A boom during the pandemic, many banks were caught unprepared and understaffed , resulting in complaints from overworked junior bankers. This time, Wall Street employers say they won't make the same mistake twice — and many are eyeing boosting their junior ranks in preparation, the recruiters said. Dennes expects an emphasis on associates and mid-level vice presidents to help juggle the ins and outs of executing the manifold deals coming down the pike. "Experienced bankers are always in demand," she said. "Anyone who has closed a couple of deals and is able to train junior staff is very valuable." Advertisement Dennes' firm, Prospect Rock, is currently working on filling four analyst roles, six associate roles, and two VP roles, postings on its website showed. Still, she doesn't see 2025 hiring following the same frenetic pattern it did during the pandemic-era M&A boom. "In 2021, you just needed bodies — more horsepower. This is very different," she said. Now, banks are markedly more vigilant in emphasizing quality over quantity. "Nobody wants a 2021, 2022 redo," she added. "A lot of those hires were not strong." Some senior dealmakers are already worried about short-staffing. A managing director at a Wall Street bank told BI he was confident that 2025 would deliver a volume of work comparable with 2021 levels, if perhaps not the same soaring valuations. Advertisement "Part of the conversation that we're going to have to think through is augmenting the team at the mid-level" to handle execution, he said. In this hiring market, though, "it's almost impossible" to find impressive associates or VPs, he cautioned. "Send them our way — because it's hard." Are you an investment-banking insider or do you have knowledge of industry moves on Wall Street? Get in touch with these reporters. Reed Alexander can be reached via email at ralexander@businessinsider.com or via the encrypted messaging app Signal at 561-247-5758 . Emmalyse Brownstein can be reached at ebrownstein@businessinsider.com or via Signal at 305-857-5516 .

NoneAs open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through Jan. 15, you’re likely seeing fewer social media ads promising monthly cash cards worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars that you can use for groceries, medical bills, rent and other expenses. But don’t worry. You haven’t missed out on any windfalls. Clicking on one of those ads would not have provided you with a cash card — at least not worth hundreds or thousands. But you might have found yourself switched to a health insurance plan you did not authorize, unable to afford treatment for an unforeseen medical emergency, and owing thousands of dollars to the IRS, according to an ongoing lawsuit against companies and individuals who plaintiffs say masterminded the ads and alleged scams committed against millions of people who responded to them. The absence of those once-ubiquitous ads are likely a result of the federal government suspending access to the ACA marketplace for two companies that market health insurance out of South Florida offices, amid accusations they used “fraudulent” ads to lure customers and then switched their insurance plans and agents without their knowledge. In its suspension letter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cited “credible allegations of misconduct” in the agency’s decision to suspend the abilities of two companies — TrueCoverage (doing business as Inshura) and BenefitAlign — to transact information with the marketplace. CMS licenses and monitors agencies that use their own websites and information technology platforms to enroll health insurance customers in ACA plans offered in the federal marketplace. The alleged scheme affected millions of consumers, according to a lawsuit winding its way through U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale that seeks class-action status. An amended version of the suit, filed in August, increased the number of defendants from six to 12: — TrueCoverage LLC, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based health insurance agency with large offices in Miami, Miramar and Deerfield Beach. TrueCoverage is a sub-tenant of the South Florida Sun Sentinel in a building leased by the newspaper in Deerfield Beach. — Enhance Health LLC, a Sunrise-based health insurance agency that the lawsuit says was founded by Matthew Herman, also named as a defendant, with a $150 million investment from hedge fund Bain Capital’s insurance division. Bain Capital Insurance Fund LP is also a defendant. — Speridian Technologies LLC, accused in the lawsuit of establishing two direct enrollment platforms that provided TrueCoverage and other agencies access to the ACA marketplace. — Benefitalign LLC, identified in the suit as one of the direct enrollment platforms created by Speridian. Like Speridian and TrueCoverage, the company is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. — Number One Prospecting LLC, doing business as Minerva Marketing, based in Fort Lauderdale, and its founder, Brandon Bowsky, accused of developing the social media ads that drove customers — or “leads” — to the health insurance agencies. — Digital Media Solutions LLC, doing business as Protect Health, a Miami-based agency that the suit says bought Minerva’s “fraudulent” ads. In September, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in United States Bankruptcy Court in Texas, which automatically suspended claims filed against the company. — Net Health Affiliates Inc., an Aventura-based agency the lawsuit says was associated with Enhance Health and like it, bought leads from Minerva. — Garish Panicker, identified in the lawsuit as half-owner of Speridian Global Holdings and day-to-day controller of companies under its umbrella, including TrueCoverage, Benefitalign and Speridian Technologies. — Matthew Goldfuss, accused by the suit of overseeing and directing TrueCoverage’s ACA enrollment efforts. All of the defendants have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit. The motions deny the allegations and argue that the plaintiffs failed to properly state their claims and lack the standing to file the complaints. The Sun Sentinel sent requests for comment and lists of questions about the cases to four separate law firms representing separate groups of defendants. Three of the law firms — one representing Brandon Bowsky and Number One Prospecting LLC d/b/a Minerva Marketing, and two others representing Net Health Affiliates Inc. and Bain Capital Insurance Fund — did not respond to the requests. A representative of Enhance Health LLC and Matthew Herman, Olga M. Vieira of the Miami-based firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, responded with a short message saying she was glad the newspaper knew a motion to dismiss the charges had been filed by the defendants. She also said that, “Enhance has denied all the allegations as reported previously in the media.” Catherine Riedel, a communications specialist representing TrueCoverage LLC, Benefitalign LLC, Speridian Technologies LLC, Girish Panicker and Matthew Goldfuss, issued the following statement: “TrueCoverage takes these allegations very seriously and is responding appropriately. While we cannot comment on ongoing litigation, we strongly believe that the allegations are baseless and without merit. “Compliance is our business. The TrueCoverage team records and reviews every call with a customer, including during Open Enrollment when roughly 500 agents handle nearly 30,000 calls a day. No customer is enrolled into any policy without a formal verbal consent given by the customer. If any customer calls in as a result of misleading content presented by third-party marketing vendors, agents are trained to correct such misinformation and action is taken against such third-party vendors.” Through Riedel, the defendants declined to answer follow-up questions, including whether the company remains in business, whether it continues to enroll Affordable Care Act clients, and whether it is still operating its New Mexico call center using another affiliated technology platform. The suspension notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services letter cites several factors, including the histories of noncompliance and previous suspensions. The letter noted suspicion that TrueCoverage and Benefitalign were storing consumers’ personally identifiable information in databases located in India and possibly other overseas locations in violation of the centers’ rules. The letter also notes allegations against the companies in the pending lawsuit that “they engaged in a variety of illegal practices, including violations of the (Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act), misuse of consumer (personal identifiable information) and insurance fraud.” The amended lawsuit filed in August names as plaintiffs five individuals who say their insurance plans were changed and two agencies who say they lost money when they were replaced as agents. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of 55 counts of wrongdoing, ranging from running ads offering thousands of dollars in cash that they knew would never be provided directly to consumers, switching millions of consumers into different insurance policies without their authorization, misstating their household incomes to make them eligible for $0 premium coverage, and “stealing” commissions by switching the agents listed in their accounts. TrueCoverage, Enhance Health, Protect Health, and some of their associates “engaged in hundreds of thousands of agent-of-record swaps to steal other agents’ commissions,” the suit states. “Using the Benefitalign and Inshura platforms, they created large spreadsheet lists of consumer names, dates of birth and zip codes.” They provided those spreadsheets to agents, it says, and instructed them to access platforms linked to the ACA marketplace and change the customers’ agents of record “without telling the client or providing informed consent.” “In doing so, they immediately captured the monthly commissions of agents ... who had originally worked with the consumers directly to sign them up,” the lawsuit asserts. TrueCoverage employees who complained about dealing with prospects who called looking for cash cards were routinely chided by supervisors who told them to be vague and keep making money, the suit says. When the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began contacting the company in January about customer complaints, the suit says TrueCoverage enrollment supervisor Matthew Goldfuss sent an email instructing agents “do not respond.” The lawsuit states the “scheme” was made possible in 2021 when Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The act made it possible for Americans with household incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level to pay zero in premiums and it enabled those consumers to enroll in ACA plans all year round, instead of during the three-month open enrollment period from November to January. Experienced health insurance brokers recognized the opportunity presented by the changes, the lawsuit says. More than 40 million Americans live within 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level, while only 15 million had ACA insurance at the time. The defendants developed or benefited from online ads, the lawsuit says, which falsely promised “hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars per month in cash benefits such as subsidy cards to pay for common expenses like rent, groceries, and gas.” Consumers who clicked on the ads were brought to a landing page that asked a few qualifying questions, and if their answers suggested that they might qualify for a low-cost or no-cost plan, they were provided a phone number to a health insurance agency. There was a major problem with the plan, according to the lawsuit. “Customers believe they are being routed to someone who will send them a free cash card, not enroll them in health insurance.” By law, the federal government sends subsidies for ACA plans to insurance companies, and not to individual consumers. Scripts were developed requiring agents not to mention a cash card, and if a customer mentions a cash card, “be vague” and tell the caller that only the insurance carrier can provide that information, the lawsuit alleges. In September, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the claims. In addition to denying the charges, they argued that the class plaintiffs lacked the standing to make the accusations and failed to demonstrate that they suffered harm. The motion also argued that the lawsuit’s accusations failed to meet requirements necessary to claim civil violations of the RICO Act. Miami-based attorney Jason Kellogg, representing the plaintiffs, said he doesn’t expect a ruling on the motion to dismiss the case for several months. The complaint also lists nearly 50 companies, not named as defendants, that it says fed business to TrueCoverage and Enhance Health. Known in the industry as “downlines,” most operate in office parks throughout South Florida, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit quotes former TrueCoverage employees complaining about having to work with customers lured by false cash promises in the online ads. A former employee who worked in the company’s Deerfield Beach office was quoted in the lawsuit as saying that senior TrueCoverage and Speridian executives “knew that consumers were calling in response to the false advertisements promising cash cards and they pressured agents to use them to enroll consumers into ACA plans.” A former human resources manager for TrueCoverage said sales agents frequently complained “that they did not feel comfortable having to mislead consumers,” the lawsuit said. Over two dozen agents “came to me with these complaints and showed me the false advertisements that consumers who called in were showing them,” the lawsuit quoted the former manager as saying. For much of the time the companies operated, the ACA marketplace enabled agents to easily access customer accounts using their names and Social Security numbers, change their insurance plans and switch their agents of record without their knowledge or authorization, the lawsuit says. This resulted in customers’ original agents losing their commissions and many of the policyholders finding out they suddenly owed far more for health care services than their original plans had required, the suit states. It says that one of the co-plaintiffs’ health plans was changed at least 22 times without her consent. She first discovered that she had lost her original plan when she sought to renew a prescription for her heart condition and her doctor told her she did not have health insurance, the suit states. Another co-plaintiff’s policy was switched after her husband responded to one of the cash card advertisements, the lawsuit says. That couple’s insurance plan was switched multiple times after a TrueCoverage agent excluded the wife’s income from an application so the couple would qualify. Later, they received bills from the IRS for $4,300 to cover tax credits issued to pay for the plans. CMS barred TrueCoverage and BenefitAlign from accessing the ACA marketplace. It said it received more than 90,000 complaints about unauthorized plan switches and more than 183,500 complaints about unauthorized enrollments, but the agency did not attribute all of the complaints to activities by the two companies. In addition, CMS restricted all agents’ abilities to alter policyholders’ enrollment information, the lawsuit says. Now access is allowed only for agents that already represent policyholders or if the policyholder participates in a three-way call with an agent and a marketplace employee. Between June and October, the agency barred 850 agents and brokers from accessing the marketplace “for reasonable suspicion of fraudulent or abusive conduct related to unauthorized enrollments or unauthorized plan switches,” according to an October CMS news release . The changes resulted in a “dramatic and sustained drop” in unauthorized activity, including a nearly 70% decrease in plan changes associated with an agent or broker and a nearly 90% decrease in changes to agent or broker commission information, the release said. It added that while consumers were often unaware of such changes, the opportunity to make them provided “significant financial incentive for non-compliant agents and brokers.” But CMS’ restrictions might be having unintended consequences for law-abiding agents and brokers. A story published by Insurance News Net on Nov. 11 quoted the president of the Health Agents for America (HAFA) trade group as saying agents are being suspended by CMS after being flagged by a mysterious algorithm that no one can figure out. The story quotes HAFA president Ronnell Nolan as surmising, “maybe they wrote too many policies on the same day for people who have the same income or they’re writing too many policies on people of a certain occupation.” Nolan continued, “We have members who have thousands of ACA clients. They can’t update or renew their clients. So those consumers have lost access to their professional agent, which is simply unfair.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.