Bill Oxford The Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which pays for hospital and skilled nursing care, is expected to be depleted in 2040, according to updated projections from the Congressional Budget Office. We asked Seeking Alpha analysts Leo Nelissen and Stephen Ayers what would happen if the Medicare HI fund ran dry and what Congress can do to prevent it. Leo Nelissen : Just like with Soci...
Bill Oxford The Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which pays for hospital and skilled nursing care, is expected to be depleted in 2040, according to updated projections from the Congressional Budget Office. We asked Seeking Alpha analysts Leo Nelissen and Stephen Ayers what would happen if the Medicare HI fund ran dry and what Congress can do to prevent it. Leo Nelissen : Just like with Social Security, “running dry” isn’t a very straightforward concept, as this program is designed to never go bankrupt. The major risk here refers to the depletion of reserves in the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Once these reserves hit zero, Medicare becomes a pay-as-you-go system, which means it can only pay what is coming out of payroll taxes. The interesting thing is that the law prohibits this program from taking on debt. If it were to run dry, it would result in payment cuts to hospitals and providers. Initial estimates are for low-double-digit cuts. The immediate worst-case scenario would be that hospitals, which often already run on low margins, will see even lower margins, which could potentially trigger a ripple effect through the entire healthcare “supply chain.” As someone has to pay, it would likely result in higher rates from private insurers, which is basically a stealth tax. I believe there are two ways to mitigate risks. We’ll likely see a mix of both. Option one is to increase the current 2.9% Medicare payroll tax rate, broaden the tax base to capture more income from higher earnings, or find other ways to build the federal trust fund. Option two is to cut spending. The government could reduce provider reimbursement rates and fight issues like “upcoding,” which has often led to unnecessary costs. As both options are highly unfavorable, I expect no major changes until it’s almost too late. That’s when volatility is likely to hit the healthcare sector in more than one way. Stephen Ayers : Fortunately, hard-working Americans will prevent the Medicare trust fund f...
格隆汇3月30日｜当地时间3月30日凌晨，联合国驻黎巴嫩临时部队（联黎部队）发布声明称，29日晚，一枚炮弹在联黎部队阵地爆炸，造成1名维和人员遇难，另有1名维和人员重伤。声明称，一枚炮弹在黎巴嫩南部阿德奇特·库赛尔（Adchit Al Qusayr）附近的联黎部队阵地爆炸。联黎部队尚不清楚炮弹的来源，已展开调查。
格隆汇3月30日｜当地时间3月30日凌晨，联合国驻黎巴嫩临时部队（联黎部队）发布声明称，29日晚，一枚炮弹在联黎部队阵地爆炸，造成1名维和人员遇难，另有1名维和人员重伤。声明称，一枚炮弹在黎巴嫩南部阿德奇特·库赛尔（Adchit Al Qusayr）附近的联黎部队阵地爆炸。联黎部队尚不清楚炮弹的来源，已展开调查。
Marina development is finally making headway in Hong Kong after decades of being largely dead in the water. The plan to revamp an area in Aberdeen should be welcomed, as long as public access remains part of efforts to chart a course for the city to become a premier maritime gateway in Asia. The goal is to convert a section of the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island into a new marina with 200 bert...
Marina development is finally making headway in Hong Kong after decades of being largely dead in the water. The plan to revamp an area in Aberdeen should be welcomed, as long as public access remains part of efforts to chart a course for the city to become a premier maritime gateway in Asia. The goal is to convert a section of the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island into a new marina with 200 berths, a clubhouse and about 250 private flats by 2032. On Wednesday, the Development Bureau said it...
The Trump administration is planning to let a Russian oil tanker dock in Cuba, alleviating an energy crisis triggered when the US prohibited deliveries to the Communist regime. The shipment of crude is expected to be allowed to arrive in coming days, according to two people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified without permission to speak publicly. The Anatoly Kolodkin is carryi...
The Trump administration is planning to let a Russian oil tanker dock in Cuba, alleviating an energy crisis triggered when the US prohibited deliveries to the Communist regime. The shipment of crude is expected to be allowed to arrive in coming days, according to two people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified without permission to speak publicly. The Anatoly Kolodkin is carrying around 730,000 barrels of crude. Cuban officials have taken some steps to work with the US in recent days, including allowing fuel for the US Embassy to arrive on the island after earlier saying publicly that they would prevent it because of the broader US near-total blockade, according to the people. As of Sunday afternoon, the ship was approaching the island from Haitian waters as it headed toward Cuba’s western port of Matanzas. The State Department didn’t respond to a request for comment about the US view of the ship, and the White House declined to comment. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t respond to a request for comment. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened action against the leftist Cuban government amid an intensifying US push to deprive the government of fuel and financing. The island has suffered widespread blackouts in recent weeks as shipments of crude and fuel have been cut off under the near-total blockade. The United Nations warned last month that the US campaign is having an “increasingly severe impact” on hospitals, public sanitation, water delivery and food distribution. It called on all countries to end economically coercive measures. The electricity shortage has caused tens of thousands of surgeries to be postponed, cut off pregnant women and other patients from basic health services and disrupted dialysis, Tanieris Diéguez La O, the deputy chief of mission at Cuba’s embassy in Washington, said in an interview earlier this month. While the island’s 10 million residents have been subject to chronic rolling outages for years, th...
China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp. ’s shares may be poised to shift course after a weak run this year, as stabilizing sales and improving demand from its key Hainan business support the outlook, analysts say. The company’s mainland-listed shares have fallen 25% this year, making it one of the worst performers on the benchmark CSI 300 Index , while its Hong Kong-listed stock has dropped about 39% ...
China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp. ’s shares may be poised to shift course after a weak run this year, as stabilizing sales and improving demand from its key Hainan business support the outlook, analysts say. The company’s mainland-listed shares have fallen 25% this year, making it one of the worst performers on the benchmark CSI 300 Index , while its Hong Kong-listed stock has dropped about 39% from a February high. A potential catalyst for a turnaround may come later Monday, when the travel retailer reports final full-year earnings , which may offer clearer signals on the pace of a recovery. The outlook for CTG Duty Free is increasingly tied to a rebound in its Hainan business, which generates more than half of revenue, as recent policy support and improving travel flows begin to lift sales. Investors are now looking to earnings and management guidance for confirmation that demand is stabilizing and that the recovery can be sustained in the months ahead. “The worst for CTG Duty Free is over,” said Doris Gu, consumer analyst at CSC International Holdings. “The recovery trend is becoming clearer, supported by a series of Hainan policies, with both foot traffic and spending per shopper rebounding, alongside improving inbound tourism and airport duty‑free sales.” The supportive policies, such as “unlimited pick-up on purchase” for local residents, along with an expanding product offering are expected to underpin Hainan’s duty-free growth outlook, potentially driving an earnings rebound in 2026, according to Citigroup Inc. “We do expect the Hainan duty free sales trend to improve from March and be a positive catalyst,” Morgan Stanley’s analysts including Hildy Ling wrote in a note. While remaining cautious on CTG’s overall valuation, they “continue to see Hainan duty free sales growing 25-30% for full-year 2026.” Read: China Duty Free Group Prelim FY Net Income 3.59 Billion Yuan
Anatoly Kolodkin could soon discharge at Matanzas port, US official says, three months after Cuba’s last oil import A Russia -flagged tanker carrying Russian crude entered Cuba ’s exclusive economic zone on Sunday, according to ship tracking data, in what could be the Caribbean country’s first oil import in over two months. Tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, which departed from Primorsk after loading some 6...
Anatoly Kolodkin could soon discharge at Matanzas port, US official says, three months after Cuba’s last oil import A Russia -flagged tanker carrying Russian crude entered Cuba ’s exclusive economic zone on Sunday, according to ship tracking data, in what could be the Caribbean country’s first oil import in over two months. Tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, which departed from Primorsk after loading some 650,000 barrels of Urals crude, could soon discharge at Cuba’s Matanzas port if it does not change its current course, according to tracking services MarineTraffic and LSEG. Continue reading...
This Is What You Get When Commies Are Running NYC... Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, New York City, already reeling from crime under years of radical leftist rule, now faces a proposal that sounds ripped straight from a communist energy-rationing handbook: mandatory blackouts every night. Manhattan Assemblywoman Deborah Glick is sponsoring the “Dark Skies Protection Act,” which would ...
This Is What You Get When Commies Are Running NYC... Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, New York City, already reeling from crime under years of radical leftist rule, now faces a proposal that sounds ripped straight from a communist energy-rationing handbook: mandatory blackouts every night. Manhattan Assemblywoman Deborah Glick is sponsoring the “Dark Skies Protection Act,” which would require businesses and residents to turn off non-essential lighting between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Critics are blasting it as a criminal’s dream come true in a city that already struggles with safety after dark. New York City is proposing a World Economic Forum inspired law that would require a blackout to be put in place to save the energy grid. Known as the “Dark Skies Protection Act,” it would require businesses and residents to turn off non essential lighting between 11 p.m. and 5… pic.twitter.com/cf6tFXRJvY — Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) March 28, 2026 The bill itself spells out its goals in the legislation: “preserve and enhance the state’s dark sky while promoting safety for people, birds and other wildlife, conserving energy and reducing our carbon footprint, and preserving the aesthetic qualities of the night sky.” It adds: “Our ancestors were able to experience a night sky full of stars, but now 80% of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way and experience its profound beauty.” The full pitch on light pollution reads: “ Light pollution has many negative impacts , including the disruption of the natural patterns of wildlife, wasted energy and increased output of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, interruption of human sleep and other adverse health impacts, and the loss of the aesthetic qualities and cultural significance of the night sky.” On birds, it states: “70% of bird species migrate each year. And of those birds, 80% migrate at night, using the night sky to help them navigate to and from their breeding grounds. However, as they pass over big cities on thei...
Four European countries have called on Israel to abandon a bill seeking to revive the death penalty for people convicted of acts of terrorism, a measure opponents say would target only Palestinians. In a joint statement on Sunday ahead of an anticipated final vote in the Knesset on Monday, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom expressed their “deep concern” about the...
Four European countries have called on Israel to abandon a bill seeking to revive the death penalty for people convicted of acts of terrorism, a measure opponents say would target only Palestinians. In a joint statement on Sunday ahead of an anticipated final vote in the Knesset on Monday, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom expressed their “deep concern” about the bill. “The death penalty is an inhumane and degrading form of punishment without any deterring...
Elke Scholiers/Getty Images News Oil prices on Sunday climbed as the Middle East conflict widened, with Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen launching attacks and additional U.S. troops arriving in the region, heightening concerns about further disruption to energy supplies. Brent crude ( CO1:COM ) rose more than 3% to around $116 a barrel, putting it on track for a historic monthly gain, while U.S....
Elke Scholiers/Getty Images News Oil prices on Sunday climbed as the Middle East conflict widened, with Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen launching attacks and additional U.S. troops arriving in the region, heightening concerns about further disruption to energy supplies. Brent crude ( CO1:COM ) rose more than 3% to around $116 a barrel, putting it on track for a historic monthly gain, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate ( CL1:COM ) posted similar increases. Prices have surged more than 50% this month as fighting involving the U.S., Israel and Iran continues with no clear resolution. The latest escalation adds new risks to key shipping routes. Although the Houthis have not explicitly targeted vessels in the Red Sea or the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, they have previously demonstrated that capability. Infrastructure such as Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu export hub, which helps bypass the Strait of Hormuz, also falls within range of their weapons. Meanwhile, Iran has sharply restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil flows, allowing only limited passage for select countries. The tightening of access has intensified fears of supply shortages. The growing military presence in the region, including thousands of additional U.S. personnel, has further unsettled markets. While some officials have downplayed the likelihood of a broader ground conflict, traders remain focused on the risk of escalation. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could send prices significantly higher. Some projections suggest oil could climb dramatically if the conflict continues and key shipping lanes remain constrained. Market signals point to immediate supply concerns, with near-term crude contracts trading at a steep premium to later deliveries. The conflict is also beginning to affect other industries, including metals production, as attacks damage infrastructure across the region. Overall, the expansion of the conflict is reinforcing fears that energy market...
Gold steadied, holding its first weekly gain since the war in the Middle East began more than a month ago. Bullion was near $4,500 an ounce in early trading, after ending the previous session up 2.7% as dip-buyers returned to the market. Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia met for talks to find a path out of the conflict, while more US military personnel moved into the region and the Iran-backed Hout...
Gold steadied, holding its first weekly gain since the war in the Middle East began more than a month ago. Bullion was near $4,500 an ounce in early trading, after ending the previous session up 2.7% as dip-buyers returned to the market. Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia met for talks to find a path out of the conflict, while more US military personnel moved into the region and the Iran-backed Houthi militant group in Yemen joined the conflict over the weekend. Read More: Tehran Briefly Loses Power After Strikes as Peace Push Ramps Up Despite a marginal gain last week, gold has fallen about 15% since the war began, moving largely in tandem with stocks and in an inverse relationship with oil. The economic shock from spiking energy prices has stoked concerns that central banks will sell gold to meet dollar-denominated obligations or hike rates to tame inflation. That’s a headwind for non-yielding bullion. Spot gold was little changed at $4,494.10 an ounce at 6:17 a.m. in Singapore. Silver fell 1.6% to $68.65. Platinum and palladium also declined. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index , a gauge of the US currency, gained 0.7% last week.