• Tue, December 10, 2024

by: The Raw Story

'Pit bulls of retribution': Swalwell braces for Trump admin after 'gross abuse'

A new watchdog report released Tuesday revealed that the Department of Justice under the first Donald Trump administration secretly obtained phone records for members of Congress, journalists, government staffers and incoming FBI director nominee Kash Patel — actions the top House Judiciary

by: USA Today

Elon Musk takes center stage as Trump's influencer and enforcer on Capitol Hill and beyond

JD Vance who? Elon Musk's role as right-hand man to Donald Trump takes shape as the billionaire gets more involved on Capitol Hill and beyond.

by: RTE Online

'Positive' start in attempts to form next government

Formal discussions between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to draw up a new Programme for Government have taken place this evening.

by: Richmond

Richmond council approves rebuilding historic cottage in Jackson Ward

Richmond City Council has approved a permit to construct a museum and community center in Jackson Ward, and it approved nearly $1 million in funding for the project.

by: Missoulian

Survey: Missoula residents concerned about safety, cleanliness and dogs at parks, trails

When surveyed, Missoula residents expressed strong desires for ensuring safety in parks, along with cleanliness and access to restrooms.

by: Leader-Post

Sask. government orders third-party review of alleged misconduct, racism at Regina hospitals

More than a year after several Regina doctors filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission alleging racism and unprofessionalism, the government has ordered a third-party review to improve working conditions at Regina's hospitals.

by: The Morning Sun

Astonishing 'new aristocracy' of couples, relatives and nepo-babies run Labour Government, The Sun reveals

AN astonishing "new aristocracy" of couples, relatives and nepo-babies runs the Government. More than two dozen ministers including Rachel Reeves, Pat McFadden and Wes Streeting all have spouses

by: KPBS

Measure E vote shows stark divide between have and have-not neighborhoods in San Diego

In the end it was close, but the failure of the Measure E one cent sales tax increase in San Diego means the city is staring down a gaping quarter billion-dollar deficit next year — and possibly ongoing shortfalls beyond.

by: spectator.com.au

The return of politics

In fits and starts, the Liberal Party is belatedly making the same transformation that has already occurred in the political parties of most other Western countries. Its voter base is becoming

by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Federal politics live: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns 'anti-Semitic' vandalism in Sydney, accuses Coalition of stoking division

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil says the prime minister has shown "real leadership" in the wake of an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded after a car was set alight and homes were vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney's east.

by: Fox 11 News

Israel's UN ambassador insists nation is 'not getting involved' in Syrian regime change

A top Israeli diplomat insisted his nation is "not getting involved" in Syria's politics after the nation launched an aggressive campaign of airstrikes and seized control of a buffer zone in Syria.

by: AZ Central

Trump promises fast-track permitting for companies that invest $1 billion in US

Trump ran on boosting American manufacturing and promised tariffs on goods made overseas. Now he's pitching faster permitting for big investments.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Coalition accuses Albanese government of enabling antisemitic attacks

Albanese rejected Coalition frontbencher Jane Hume's assertion that his government had "emboldened, if not enabled" the attacks as divisive.

by: The Australian Financial Review

Albanese must lead like Labor heroes Evatt and Hawke on antisemitism

When Australia's Jewish community has been under threat, strong prime ministers have stepped up to offer support and reassurance. Today, that sense of security is evaporating.

by: 11Alive

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp lists hurricane relief and lawsuit limits as top 2025 priorities

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he will emphasize relief efforts for Hurricane Helene and attempts to limit lawsuit verdicts in the 2025 state legislative session.

by: Daily Express

Chris Packham warns countryside at risk from government's housebuilding targets

Chris Packham has backed a campaign to stop the government from building on green belt amid its plans to turbocharge housebuilding. He has endorsed a report which warns the countryside is at "grave risk" from ministers "hellbent" on achieving "sky-high" targets.

by: London Evening Standard

Damp and mould among issues identified in military housing

More personnel could decide to leave the military because of poor accommodation if action is not taken, the report warns.

by: Daily Express

Rachel Reeves facing union showdown amid public sector strike warnings

Teachers and nurses have warned of strikes, with government departments on a collision course with unions unsatisfied with the proposals to raise pay for more than a million public sector workers.

by: PBS

'Dreamers' shut out of the health care marketplace in 19 states for now, judge rules

Judge Daniel Traynor of the U.S. District Court in North Dakota issued the order Monday from Bismarck, dealing a setback to a Biden administration rule that was estimated to allow 147,000 immigrants to enroll for coverage.

by: Newstalk ZB

Government's climate plan hits some targets, misses others

The Government is on track to meet its first and second emissions budgets, but remains off track for hitting its third budget, which begins in the 2030s.

by: CNN

Senate GOP blocks bill to protect journalists after Trump opposes it

Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked an effort by Democrats to pass a bipartisan bill that would give journalists greater protections under federal law - a move that comes in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump opposing the measure.

by: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

St. Louis officials want Rams cash to build homes, fix streets and make child care cheaper

Proposal from Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, Aldermanic President Megan Green marks likely turning point in a three-year debate that began after the city settled with the NFL for $790 million.

by: MSN

Trump's policies and old global ties

DONALD Trump's first administration was marked by bold, polarising policies on tariffs and immigration. This pattern might re-emerge in his second tenure with significant implications for the US economy,

by: MSN

What the oil and gas industry wants from Trump and how his administration might deliver it

The oil and gas industry has a "to do" list for President-elect Donald Trump. The lobby group American Petroleum Institute has asked Trump to swiftly authorize liquified natural gas exports, expand drilling on federal lands,

by: MSN

The US is bombing targets across Syria, and it isn't the only one seizing on this uncertain moment

The US, Israeli, and Turkish militaries all hit targets in Syria over the past few days in service of their national security interests.

by: MSN

If the Tories and Reform work together, Labour could be destroyed in five years time, says Jacob Rees-Mogg

In recent weeks, the Reform Party has not only seen defections from former Tory MP, Andrea Jenkyns and former Tory strategist Tim Montgomerie, but today it emerged the property tycoon and billionaire Nick Candy,

by: MSN

Inside Assad's Ransacked Palace: Anxiety Pills, Graffiti and Shredded Posters

In Assad's abandoned office, his desk and floor were littered with books and papers: a history of the Russian military, a map of northeastern Syria, a biography of himself. Stri

by: MSN

Live Briefing: U.S. would recognize a Syrian government that comes from inclusive process, Blinken says

Assad's fall, targeted Syrian military facilities, including a possible chemical weapons facility, said two Western officials.

by: MSN

Duty of candour in NHS 'does not work and needs urgent review', inquiry told

Duty of candour in the NHS is not working and needs replacing with stronger powers, a former senior ombudsman has told the inquiry over the crimes of child serial killer nurse Lucy Letby. Sir Rob Behrens said that fines for health and social care providers ...

by: MSN

Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary Act passes House of Representatives; heads to Biden's desk for signature

The "Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act" could be signed into law after it passed the United States House of Representatives and unanimously in the United States Senate, according to the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program.

by: MSN

'Counterintuitive - and dangerous': Agency that fights foreign disinformation may shutter

A State Department agency that fights to disrupt disinformation abroad could shut down just as Donald Trump is set to return to the White House. The Global Engagement Center learned over the weekend that the latest National Defense Authorization Act did not include a multi-year extension for the unit,

by: MSN

Why the US has birthright citizenship and how Trump could challenge it

President-elect Donald Trump has for years been railing against the concept of birthright citizenship in the 14th Amendment.

by: MSN

Bragg says Trump's crimes and 'history of malicious conduct' are too serious for his hush-money case to be dismissed

Trump is too guilty, and his history of flouting the law too serious, for his only conviction to be tossed, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is arguing.

by: MSN

L.A. City Council approves 'mansion tax' spending plan and program guidelines

L.A.'s tax on the sale of multimillion-dollar properties has collected about $480 million. It will be spent on affordable housing and tenant protection efforts.

by: MSN

'Government of the billionaires': Trump's new pitch triggers explosive outcry

President-elect Donald Trump's proposed new arrangement for any company looking to expand in America garnered immediate suspicion and criticism Tuesday on social media. In a post to his Truth Social platform on Tuesday,

by: MSN

Adam Kinzinger had the perfect response to Trump's strategy of attacks and lies

Claire McCaskill explains how Trump's threats to fire the FBI dir. and throw members of the Jan. 6 committee in jail are just part of his communication strategy

by: MSN

US imposes trade curbs on Chinese and Russian firms over human rights violations

The US unveiled trade restrictions Tuesday on eight companies, including two Chinese firms and several from Russia, alleging human rights violations.

by: MSN

Social Security Fairness Act: What It Is and Will It Pass

Some people don't receive all their Social Security benefits, even though they paid into the system. A bill would change that.

by: MSN

Congress moves forward with plan to keep Augusta lock and dam

We are one step closer to the finish line, and I have no doubt that our district shares my excitement," Rep. Rick Allen said.

by: MSN

Biden blows nose, battles teleprompter, and admits learning from Trump

Biden blows his nose, battles the teleprompter, and admits something he learned from Donald Trump during a speech at the White House.

by: MSN

Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the country's premiers are meeting virtually Wednesday with the prime minister to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports.

by: MSN

WATCH: Whoopi Goldberg and Ana Navarro Spar Over Panicking About Trump on The View (VIDEO)

M onday's episode of The View featured moderator Whoopi Goldberg and Ana Navarro facing off against each other over president-elect Donald Trump. During the show's Hot Topics segm

by: MSN

How impactful is the federal firearms ban on gun violence and crime?

The federal government's recent gun ban expansion has received some mixed reviews, with many debating the effectiveness of the restrictions. Global's crime commentator, Hank Idsinga joins Miranda Anthistle with more on the debate.

by: MSN

The People Biden Might Preemptively Pardon to Spare Them From Trump's Revenge

Biden and his team have tough choices to make, as issuing blanket pardons could leave the impression to some that crimes were committed.

by: MSN

NJ governor taking unidentified drone flights 'deadly seriously'

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said that he is taking unidentified drone flights in his state "deadly seriously." "These are apparently … as I understand it, very sophisticated," Murphy told a group of reporters in a clip posted to the social platform X Monday.

by: MSN

Andy Kim takes the oath of office to be New Jersey's junior senator and the first Korean American senator in U.S. history

Andy Kim took the oath of office Monday to become the junior senator from New Jersey and the first Korean American senator in U.S. history. Kim, a Democrat from South Jersey who has represented the Third Congressional District since 2019,

by: MSN

UN COP16 summit tackles forced migration and insecurity

COP16 has highlighted the urgent link between desertification, land degradation and drought— which are worsening forced migration and threatening global stability.Up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is already degraded,

by: MSN

Inside the Medicare Advantage influence machine

Federal officials resolved more than a decade ago to crack down on whopping government overpayments to private Medicare Advantage health insurance plans, which were siphoning off billions of tax dollars every year.

Inside the Medicare Advantage influence machine

Federal officials resolved more than a decade ago to crack down on whopping government overpayments to private Medicare Advantage health insurance plans, which were siphoning off billions of tax dollars every year.

The article "Inside the Medicare Advantage Influence Machine" from MSN discusses the extensive lobbying efforts and influence campaigns by the Medicare Advantage (MA) industry. It highlights how MA plans, which are private alternatives to traditional Medicare, have become a significant part of the U.S. healthcare system, covering over 30 million Americans. The piece details how these plans, backed by major insurers like UnitedHealth Group, Humana, and CVS Health, spend millions on lobbying to protect and expand their market share. Tactics include funding advocacy groups, employing former government officials, and leveraging grassroots campaigns to influence policy. The article also touches on the controversies surrounding MA, such as overpayments, upcoding, and the aggressive marketing tactics used to enroll seniors, often leading to confusion and potential harm. It points out the political influence these companies wield, with significant contributions to political campaigns and the hiring of lobbyists with deep connections in Washington, D.C., to shape legislation in their favor.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/inside-the-medicare-advantage-influence-machine/ar-AA1vCtcQ