CMS Regulations

Business

Oscar Health Faces Headwinds as CMS Proposes Tighter Medicare Advantage Rules

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has unveiled a proposed payment update for Medicare Advantage plans that falls below industry expectations, coupled with stricter risk-adjustment regulations. This dual challenge pressures insurers like Oscar Health (NYSE: OSCR), whose tech-driven model is now under the microscope as profitability margins face a squeeze.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Milano Cortina 2026: The Last Winter Games Under Patchwork Transgender Athlete Rules

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the event is set to be the final one governed by a fragmented system of regulations for transgender athletes' participation. With the IOC poised to introduce universal guidelines, the Games in Italy spotlight a global debate balancing inclusion, fairness, and the future of women's sport.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kuwait Cracks Down on Food Delivery Giants, Imposes First GCC-Wide Fee Caps

Kuwait mandates sweeping regulations on food delivery platforms, capping commissions and banning exclusivity deals after uncovering anti-competitive practices that hurt restaurants and consumers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Medicare Advantage Squeeze: Are CVS and Humana's Dividend Stocks Now a Buy?

New CMS reimbursement rates are pressuring Medicare Advantage profits, sending shares of Humana and CVS Health lower. We analyze whether the sell-off presents a buying opportunity for dividend investors or signals deeper structural challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Medicare Advantage Funding Freeze Puts Clover Health's Profitability in the Spotlight

Proposed flat payment rates for 2027 by CMS intensify margin pressures on Medicare Advantage insurers like Clover Health, raising investor concerns about cost management and growth prospects in a tightening regulatory landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Southern States Pioneers SF6-Free Grid Future with Natural Gas Switchgear

Amid tightening climate regulations, Southern States LLC launches a new line of high-voltage switching products that replace the potent greenhouse gas SF6 with a readily available blend of carbon dioxide and oxygen, promising a dramatic reduction in environmental impact without compromising grid reliability.

Feb 2, 2026

White House Convenes Crypto and Banking Leaders Amid Market Turmoil

Senior executives from the cryptocurrency and traditional banking sectors are set to meet with White House officials this week, as policymakers seek to bridge a critical divide over stablecoin regulations following a sharp market downturn.

Feb 2, 2026

Nevada Court Blocks Polymarket, Citing Precedent in Crypto Prediction Market Crackdown

A Nevada judge has barred prediction market platform Polymarket from operating in the state, leaning on recent federal rulings against similar platforms. The decision marks a significant setback for the company's regulated U.S. relaunch and underscores the ongoing legal tension between state gambling laws and federal commodities regulations.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Accountability Gap: As Banking Decisions Accelerate, Governance Struggles to Keep Pace

The rapid adoption of algorithmic decision-making in UK banks has created a critical lag in oversight and accountability structures, leaving institutions exposed to risks that traditional governance models are ill-equipped to manage.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Great American Lock-In: Homeowners Stay Put for Record Lengths, Coastal States Lead the Trend

New data reveals U.S. homeowners are holding onto their properties longer than at any point in the last quarter-century, with coastal markets showing the most pronounced stagnation. High mortgage rates, soaring prices, and a severe inventory crunch have created a powerful 'lock-in' effect, reshaping the dynamics of the housing market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Debanked and in the Dark: The Rising Tide of Account Closures and What You Can Do

A record number of individuals and businesses found themselves locked out of their bank accounts last year. We examine the opaque reasons behind 'debanking', the immediate steps to take if it happens to you, and the new rules offering a glimmer of transparency.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tesla's Safety Score Under Fire: How Telematics Data Sparks Insurance Disputes and Regulatory Scrutiny

A California class-action lawsuit and regulatory actions are challenging Tesla's usage-based insurance model, alleging that its Safety Score algorithm unfairly penalizes drivers with 'false' collision warnings. The case highlights broader concerns about transparency and consumer protection in the growing telematics-driven insurance sector.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Damascus Extends Reach: Syrian Forces Enter Kurdish Strongholds Under Integration Pact

Syrian government security forces entered the key northeastern city of Hasakeh on Monday, implementing a landmark integration deal with Kurdish authorities. The move marks a significant step in Damascus's campaign to reassert control over the entire country, reshaping the political landscape of northern Syria.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Voters Back Abortion Rights, But Legislative and Legal Hurdles Persist

Despite successful ballot initiatives in several states, the path to securing abortion access remains fraught with legal challenges and legislative pushback, as seen in ongoing battles from Missouri to Arizona.

Feb 2, 2026

Home Depot Faces Class-Action Probe Over Georgia Layoffs, Alleged WARN Act Violations

An Atlanta law firm is investigating Home Depot's planned layoff of nearly 800 Georgia workers, exploring a potential class-action lawsuit over whether the company violated federal notification laws.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Karachi Sees Another Commercial Blaze Near Site of Last Month's Deadly Fire

A fire erupted in a commercial building in Karachi on Monday, just weeks after a nearby inferno claimed dozens of lives. Firefighters are battling the flames as concerns mount over recurring safety lapses in the city's business districts.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Pass-Through Voting Gains Traction as Banks Navigate ESG Backlash and Regulatory Scrutiny

Facing pressure from both investors and regulators, banks and wealth managers are turning to pass-through voting mechanisms to reclaim shareholder influence and align stewardship with client values, even within passively managed funds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the 9-to-5: Four Remote Side Hustles Poised to Deliver Steady Income in 2026

As economic pressures mount, flexible remote work opportunities are evolving. We examine four proven side gigs that experts project can still generate significant weekly earnings from home in the coming years.

Feb 2, 2026

World

France Tightens Toxin Rules, Sparking Fresh Infant Formula Recalls

Two French infant formula makers have recalled multiple product batches following the government's decision to slash permissible levels of cereulide, a toxin linked to gastrointestinal illness. The move amplifies a global safety crisis that has seen major brands issue recalls across dozens of countries since late last year.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Africa's Booming Secondhand Car Market Set to Double, Fueling Mobility and Concerns

Africa's used vehicle market is on track to expand at nearly 7% annually, approaching a $200 billion valuation by 2033, as demand for affordable personal transport surges across the continent.

Feb 2, 2026