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Hundreds of thousands of low-income Americans were unknowingly enrolled in government-subsidized health insurance after being lured by false promises of cash for daily expenses through social media ads. Insurance agents took advantage of the pandemic and changes to the Affordable Care Act to exploit the opportunity for sales. Some agents used misleading ads and switched customers' plans without their consent to earn commissions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services received over 208,000 complaints this year about unauthorized insurance sign-ups and suspended 200 agents or brokers for suspicion of fraud. [Extracted from the article]

Occidental College, a small liberal-arts college in Los Angeles, has come under scrutiny for not renewing the contract of Daron Djerdjian, its only free-market professor. Colleagues suspect ideological bias, as Djerdjian's libertarian and conservative views went against the grain. While some students and alumni signed a petition to keep him at the college, others criticized his views. The economics department at Occidental College has shifted towards a more left-leaning perspective, with an emphasis on fair trade and market failure. Djerdjian has since founded an academic institution and secured a teaching position at the University of California Los Angeles. [Extracted from the article]

Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace laureate and microcredit pioneer, has agreed to lead the caretaker government in Bangladesh after being asked for help by student protesters who toppled the prime minister. The movement, which began in July over recruitment for government jobs, has resulted in weeks of violent upheaval and a crackdown by security forces. Yunus aims to help the students realize their vision of a more democratic Bangladesh and has appointed two student-protest leaders to his cabinet. The first priority for his government is to restore law and order, followed by overhauls such as ensuring freedom of speech. [Extracted from the article]

Rural hospitals in the United States, such as Pratt Regional Medical Center in Kansas, have become more aggressive in pursuing medical debt from patients. This is especially challenging in rural areas where residents are more likely to be older, uninsured, and facing financial stress. The hospital in Pratt County filed dozens of lawsuits against patients who hadn't paid their medical bills, resulting in a significant increase in court summonses and civil cases. The issue of medical debt collection has drawn attention nationwide, with some states implementing measures to protect patients from high interest rates and liens on their homes. However, the increase in debt-collection cases has also overwhelmed courts and law enforcement resources. [Extracted from the article]

Senator Rick Scott of Florida has announced his bid to become the Senate Republican leader, potentially reshaping the race to succeed Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in US history. Scott joins Senators John Thune and John Cornyn in running for the position. The contest, typically held after the November elections, will determine the next party leader who could drive the Senate's agenda. Scott's bid taps into a dissatisfaction with the current Republican leadership, with calls for more transparency and limitations on leadership terms. [Extracted from the article]

Boeing is facing various challenges as it tries to stabilize its finances. These challenges include labor negotiations, a potential major acquisition of troubled supplier Spirit AeroSystems, and increased regulatory scrutiny. The company expects a cash hit of $4 billion to $4.5 billion for the first quarter due to a production slowdown following an Alaska Airlines flight accident. Despite these challenges, Boeing aims to reach its annual free-cash-flow target of $10 billion in the coming years and reduce its debt load. The company's credit ratings are being closely monitored, and analysts are optimistic about its ability to generate future cash flow. However, uncertainty remains, particularly with new leadership and potential shifts in strategy. [Extracted from the article]

New Jersey commuters are fighting against New York City's plan to implement a $15 toll for driving into Manhattan. Pending litigation has caused delays in the implementation of congestion pricing, which is set to take effect in June. The legal arguments revolve around whether the federal government conducted a sufficient environmental review before approving the plan. Critics argue that the tolls are burdensome for commuters and will negatively impact traffic and economic contributions to the city. However, proponents of congestion pricing believe it will improve traffic flow, air quality, and raise funds for mass transit improvements. [Extracted from the article]

A new complex for low-income individuals in Los Angeles is being built without government assistance, resulting in significantly lower costs compared to publicly funded projects. The privately financed 49-unit apartment building is expected to cost $291,000 per unit, while publicly funded projects have averaged $600,000 per unit. The use of private financing allows for faster construction and reduced costs by avoiding labor agreements and energy-efficiency standards. However, concerns have been raised about the scalability of privately funded construction and the long-term maintenance of these buildings. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses two books, "Get Married" by Brad Wilcox and "Family Unfriendly" by Timothy Carney, that argue for the importance of marriage and having children in American society. Wilcox argues that marriage is declining and that Americans are at risk of missing out on the benefits of this institution. Carney examines the challenges that couples face in raising children and the societal factors that discourage child-rearing. Both authors highlight the negative cultural attitudes towards marriage and children and offer examples of individuals and communities that are defying these trends. [Extracted from the article]

Vagabonds by Oskar Jensen is a book that explores the lives of the poor in 19th-century London. Jensen uses a unique approach, utilizing digital archives to uncover previously unheard voices from law courts, journals, and memoirs. The book covers various aspects of poverty, including the curse of alcoholism, child labor, prostitution, and the recruitment of children by thieves. However, the author also includes unnecessary moralizing and criticism of past reformers. Overall, "Vagabonds" provides valuable insights into the lives of the poor in Victorian London, but could have given more agency to the voices of the people it seeks to represent. [Extracted from the article]

Cubans are joining the Russian army to escape poverty in their home country. The lure of higher salaries, around $2,000 compared to the average monthly wage of less than $20 in Cuba, is attracting many young Cubans to enlist. It is estimated that between 1,500 and 3,000 Cubans have joined the Russian army, with some fighting in Ukraine. The worsening economic conditions in Cuba, along with the impact of U.S. economic sanctions, have contributed to the wave of emigration and recruitment. Russia's recruitment efforts in Cuba and other impoverished countries help President Vladimir Putin avoid calling up more Russians to fight in the war. [Extracted from the article]

Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's Defense Minister, has declared victory in the country's presidential elections. Subianto, a former military general with a controversial past, is set to lead the world's third-largest democracy. Unofficial tallies show that he has received nearly 60% of the votes in a three-way contest. Subianto has emphasized unity in his victory speech and plans to continue the economic policies of the current president, Joko Widodo. He has also pledged to maintain Indonesia's foreign policy of not taking sides between China and the US. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses six options for student loan relief. The first option is to choose an income-driven repayment plan, such as the recently introduced Save plan, which can significantly decrease monthly payments and offer quicker forgiveness. The second option is to see if an employer offers student loan repayment options or a program that funds employees' 401(k) retirement accounts. The third option is to check for public-service or other forgiveness options, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The fourth option is to take advantage of a limited-time forbearance option provided by the federal government. The fifth option is to refinance with a private lender, although this should be carefully considered. The sixth and final option is to declare bankruptcy, which should be a last resort. [Extracted from the article]

Yemen's Houthi rebels are carrying out attacks to disrupt global commerce and draw the U.S. military into direct conflict, using Israel's war in Gaza to increase their influence. The attacks, which include targeting oil tankers and launching missiles at U.S. military vessels, have raised concerns about the risks involved in international shipping through critical trade routes. The Houthi rebels receive support from Iran but deny taking orders from Tehran. The U.S. and its allies have responded by launching airstrikes, but these have so far failed to significantly degrade the rebels' military capabilities. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a program in Rapid City, South Dakota, that provides refurbished bikes to homeless individuals who need transportation to get to work. Lack of transportation is a significant obstacle for many homeless people, both in rural areas and sprawling cities, as it can prevent them from accessing essential services and holding down jobs. The program, led by Roberta Harmon, has distributed approximately 1,000 bikes to date. Harmon and her team scavenge rummage sales and garbage bins for parts to build the bikes, and they also receive donations from the police department. The article highlights the positive impact that access to transportation, particularly owning a car, can have on earnings and the challenges faced by homeless individuals in finding reliable transportation options. [Extracted from the article]

Cities across the United States, including Austin, Boston, Dallas, Northern Virginia, Minneapolis, and Portland, are implementing zoning changes to allow for more housing density in an effort to meet housing demand and address soaring housing costs. These changes, known as "upzoning," aim to increase the supply of housing while ensuring affordability and avoiding the displacement of low-income residents. However, the impact of these changes on affordability is still uncertain, and there is often resistance from residents and advocacy groups. It is important to consider other factors such as transportation infrastructure, child-care expenses, and job quality when addressing housing affordability. [Extracted from the article]

Cities across the United States are implementing guaranteed-income pilot programs, using Covid relief funds to provide monthly cash aid to low-income individuals. The goal of these programs is to demonstrate that direct cash aid can improve economic stability, educational attainment, and mental health. However, critics argue that these programs could discourage work and marriage among low-income individuals. Historical evidence from previous guaranteed-income experiments and welfare programs suggests that they have led to reduced work, weaker families, and increased poverty. The debate over guaranteed income without work continues, with concerns about its long-term effects and potential costs to taxpayers. [Extracted from the article]

Without alerting Cuomo, Musk and his cousins wrote in a blog post that the Buffalo factory would manufacture enough panels annually to produce one gigawatt of electricity. "We are in discussions with the state of New York to build the initial manufacturing plant", Musk and his cousins wrote, vowing to start operating "one of the single largest solar panel production plants in the world" within two years. BUFFALO, N.Y. - New York spent nearly $1 billion over the past decade on Elon Musk's ambitious plan for what was supposed to be the largest solar-panel factory in the Western Hemisphere, one of the largest-ever public cash outlays of its kind. New York State Built Elon Musk a $1 Billion Factory. [Extracted from the article]

The public debt accumulated last year - totaling 9.7% of GDP for emerging markets and 5.2% of GDP for low-income countries - also makes them more vulnerable to rising interest rates in the West. Keywords: Economic Performance/Indicators; Economic Growth/Recession; Economic News; Political/General News; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Society/Community; Health; Medical Conditions; Outbreaks/Epidemics; Poverty EN Economic Performance/Indicators Economic Growth/Recession Economic News Political/General News Respiratory Tract Diseases Society/Community Health Medical Conditions Outbreaks/Epidemics Poverty N.PAG N.PAG 1 04/10/21 20210409 NES 210409 Powered by the U.S. and China, the global economy is set to make a stunning comeback this year. [Extracted from the article]