Category: News
Best model airplane kits
Which model airplane kit is best?
Model airplane kits come in a vast variety of styles and detailed constructions. They aren’t just a few wooden planks that click together and barely float anymore. They can be almost exact to scale replicas that can be radio-controlled. Model airplane kits are for all ages and can be a wonderful bonding experience when putting them together with family and friends.
The best model airplane kit is the Guillow P-51 Mustang, perfect for those seeking a touch of challenge and plenty of detail in their builds.
What to know before you buy a model airplane kit
Who it’s for
There are all sorts of different model airplane kits, some of which are better suited to certain intended uses.
If the model airplane is intended for a child, you’ll want to consider selecting a kit with fewer parts and more manageable sizes, so the result is not only easier to reach but quicker to be reached as well.
If you’re purchasing a model airplane kit for yourself, you can open up your possibilities much wider. Before purchasing, try and consider what level of detail and realism you’re looking for. Will your model be for display only or actively used? You may also want to consider the size of the fully built model for proper display or storage.
If you intend on actually flying this model plane one way or another, consider how it does so. Do you want to throw it by hand, sling it with rubber-band drives or actually pilot it by wire or even radio control? You can even find competitive events, like races, in your local area to test your model airplane against other enthusiasts’ builds.
Model airplane kit types
There are four main types of model airplane kits: scale replicas, historical models, flyable planes and simple models.
Scale replicas: Scale replica model airplanes typically come in 1:72, 1:48 or 1:32 sizes. They have hundreds of parts, though they do also have varying levels of complexity. Scale replicas and historical models are best for sealed displays of highly detailed model airplanes.
Historical: A popular model type for collectors and enthusiasts, historical models can replicate any kind of plane from any point in history. However, WWII planes of various countries are certainly one of the most popular types of model airplane kit.
Flyable: If you thought this would be the most complex model airplane type, you’d be wrong. Flyable airplane models are frequently constructed from extra-light balsa wood and plastics. This is a fantastic option for most any skill level or age.
Simple: This is the easiest, quickest and most basic kind of model airplane. This is the type of three-piece construction you may remember picking up at a museum gift shop and accidentally breaking after a few tosses.
What to look for in a quality model airplane kit
Size
Do not confuse size and scale. Scale refers to how small the model compares to the real thing. Size is the total size of the model itself. For example, two planes at 1:32 scale could be vastly different sizes if their real counterparts are different sizes as well.
Clubs
If you really enjoy model airplanes, you may want to see if there are any model airplane clubs in your area. Connecting with fellow enthusiasts is a great way to learn even more about model airplanes. There may also be races and other activities you and your model airplane can enter in your area.
How much you can expect to spend on a model airplane kit
Model airplane kits can be incredibly realistic or fairly simple recreations of their actual counterparts, and the cost can likewise be as great or small. Most midrange model airplane kits are sold for around $20-$60, though you can find less expensive kits or spend upward of several hundred dollars for something minutely detailed.
Model airplane kit FAQ
Are there any restrictions when it comes to flying radio-controlled model airplanes?
A. Yes, there are. Radio-controlled model airplanes are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration and are required to adhere to the rules for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. These regulations are subject to change, so visit the FAA website for the most recent laws before you fly your model airplane.
Are the paints used in model airplane kits toxic?
A. It depends on the type, so the short answer is maybe. The long answer is that water-based acrylics are typically nontoxic, while cheaper oil-based enamels are likely to be toxic. Manufacturers will generally make it known if their paints are nontoxic, and if you can’t be sure, you may want to look for a different paint.
What’s the best model airplane kit to buy?
Top model airplane kit
What you need to know: A perfect model airplane kit for those who seek a little extra challenge.
What you’ll love: Each component is precision cut for the best possible fit.
What you should consider: Be extra careful with this model airplane, as the plastic and balsa wood construction can break easily.
Top model airplane kit for the money
Academy Models WWII U.S. Navy F6F-3/5
What you need to know: This is a budget-buy model airplane kit that nonetheless looks authentic to its full-size inspiration.
What you’ll love: This easy-to-assemble and very durable model airplane comes with a detailed cockpit area.
What you should consider: The decal stickers frequently peel and fall from the model after application.
Worth checking out
Tamiya Models Vought F4U-1D Corsair
What you need to know: This is a highly realistic model for those searching for maximum authenticity in their model airplane kits.
What you’ll love: This model airplane is larger than other airplane models with working flaps and wings to boot.
What you should consider: Depending on the color of your model, the detailing on certain areas can be hard to fully see and appreciate.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/best-model-airplane-kits/
The Kid Whisperer: How to teach a kid to not use hurtful words
Dear Kid Whisperer,
I’m a sixth-grade teacher. My teaching partner has a student who has always been hard, these last couple weeks especially. He’s had to practice a lot lately. Instead of writing his name on his assignment, he wrote an offensive word. He already had a talking-to about using this specific word last year. How would you address this?
Answer: Woe be unto the teacher who warns and/or lectures kids about their serious or chronic behaviors. We call it “Warning Therapy.” More on that in a moment.
First, teachers need to understand that they are not like most people. Teachers tend to be adults who liked school more than most people. I know this because teachers all took a job that involves them spending an extra 30 years in school.
People who enjoyed school are (generally) agreeable people who, when told not to do something by a teacher think, “Well, this person seems like they have my best interests at heart, so I’ll stop doing the thing they want me to stop doing.”
When these agreeable people become teachers, they have a hard time understanding kids who don’t just do as they are told.
Thank goodness you have me. I am a disagreeable person. I became a teacher because I hated school, and I wanted to make school better for kids. I identify with this kid because I was this kid who you are talking about. My wife would say that I still am that kid who you’re talking about.
Kids like this kid (and me) will not improve their behavior when you apply Warning Therapy. That means that when a difficult kid hears a warning or a lecture, but the teacher takes no action, that kid gets the following message:
“You can do that behavior at least one time and I’m not going to do anything about it, so please continue, and perhaps experiment, just for funsies, with doing it twice.”
Kids don’t really listen when we talk, but they do tend to notice when we act.
We should set a limit once and then follow through with a Delayed Learning Opportunity prefaced with love and empathy. Here’s how I would do it with this student at a non-instructional time with no other kids around. It will occur sometime after I have delayed this opportunity to learn later. Here’s what happens later:
Kid Whisperer: Dude. Oh, dude. You are really struggling with remembering not to use really mean words on your papers.
Kid: Whatever! I’ll write whatever I want!
Kid Whisperer: I think this might be partially my fault. I talked to you about this, but I didn’t give you a chance to learn about why this word is so hurtful, and why it isn’t allowed to be used in school. I’m sorry about that.
Kid: Whatever! Can I just go??
Kid Whisperer: I got you these resources about why that word can be hurtful so that you know not to use it. I have a video and excerpts from books. You can read them, and watch them, and we can talk about them, and then you can write about what you learned. Once you understand why that word is a word that we don’t use in school, you will come up with a list of things that you will do or say instead of using these mean words when you feel like using them. Once you have the plan, we’ll be done with all of this.
Kid: Whatever! This is stupid!
Kid Whisperer: Oh, dude. I don’t argue. Here are your materials. Let me know if you need any help.
At this point, this student has two choices: He can either learn one lesson or two. He could be cooperative and solve the problem that he has been asked to solve. His other option is to refuse to solve the problem. As long as we stay firm and offer the opportunity to solve the problem that he caused during most or all non-instructional time until he agrees to solve his problem, Kid will learn an even more important lesson first: that refusing a reasonable request from an authority figure doesn’t get you out of trouble and doesn’t get you what you want.
No matter what he chooses to do, he will learn to be a better person through your expert instruction!
©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Inflation Watch: Countries Losing The Most Purchasing Power In 2025
Inflation Watch: Countries Losing The Most Purchasing Power In 2025
Imagine earning $100 in January, only to have it buy less than $80 worth of goods or services by December. That’s how fast inflation is eating away at purchasing power in some countries.
This graphic, created by Visual Capitalist’s Jenna Ross in partnership with Plasma, highlights countries with the highest inflation rates and what $100 could be worth by the end of 2025. It’s part of our Money 2.0 series, where we highlight how finance is evolving into its next era.
The Declining Value of $100 Due to Inflation
Some countries are facing high inflation rates, which means that prices are rising very quickly. As prices rise, money you already hold will buy you less than it did before.
What does this look like in dollar terms? Using projected 2025 inflation rates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), we estimated what the equivalent of $100 at the start of the year will be worth by the end of 2025.
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, Oct. 2025.
The IMF expects Venezuela will have an inflation rate of nearly 549% in 2025. In practical terms, this means $100 saved at the start of the year would only buy goods worth $15 by December. Economic sanctions from the U.S. have worsened the financial crisis in the country.
Even outside this extreme example, many countries are on track to see the local currency lose about a quarter of its purchasing power over the course of the year. This means wages and savings lose value quickly, making everyday essentials like food and rent harder to afford.
How to Protect Purchasing Power
When local money is rapidly losing purchasing power, residents can move their savings into a currency experiencing much lower inflation and more stability.
For instance, stablecoins are primarily pegged to the U.S. dollar and can help people preserve the value of their money. With Plasma One, a global U.S. dollar card, people can quickly sign up on their phone and use their stablecoin balance in more than 150 countries.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 11/21/2025 – 04:15
Secuestran a alumnos y personal en otra escuela en Nigeria, días después del último rapto
Associated Press
ABUYA, Nigeria (AP) — Hombres armados asaltaron una escuela católica en el centro de Nigeria y secuestraron a varios alumnos y personal del centro, dijeron las autoridades el viernes, días después de que 25 niñas fueran capturadas en un estado cercano.
El ataque y los secuestros ocurrieron en la Escuela St. Mary, una institución católica en la comunidad de Papiri, en la comunidad de Agwara, afirmó Abubakar Usman, secretario del gobierno del estado de Níger. El funcionario no reveló el número de estudiantes y trabajadores capturados.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Ex-etiquette: How do I know if my children are truly safe?
Q: How do I know if my children are truly safe when they move between two homes — and I rarely talk to their mom? What should I do if something feels “off”? What’s good ex-etiquette?
A: This is one of the most common questions I hear from newly separated parents, and it makes perfect sense. When families reorganize, children begin living in two different environments, and parents naturally worry.
But, before I answer the question, let me point out the biggest problem — “and I rarely talk to their mom.” That needs to change right away. How will you ever be able to coordinate efforts if you rarely talk to your co-parent? If it’s truly a challenge, get some help. Co-parenting counseling is an excellent place to start.
To continue, both homes do not need to look the same, feel the same or run the same. They do, however, both need to feel safe.
Safety isn’t just about locks on the doors or whether the dishes are caught up. A truly safe home offers four kinds of protection:
1. Physical safety: reasonable cleanliness, secure surroundings and appropriate supervision.
2. Emotional safety: low conflict, predictable reactions and freedom from adult tension.
3. Relational safety: a child’s ability to love both parents without experiencing guilt or pressure.
4. Developmental safety: routines and expectations that fit the child’s age and abilities.
The challenge is that parents often confuse difference with danger. Your child may have a later bedtime in the other home, eat dinner in front of the TV or follow a more relaxed routine. None of these things are inherently unsafe. They may simply be different from what you prefer.
The real question is: Does this difference put my child at risk? If the answer is no, take a breath. Not all discomfort is danger.
Still, some things deserve attention. These include frequent unexplained injuries, chronic lack of supervision, new adults entering the home without explanation, ongoing exhaustion after transitions, or a child who suddenly seems fearful or withdrawn.
These signs don’t automatically prove your child is unsafe — but they do signal the need for calm, neutral clarification. That clarification often starts with a simple question asked without accusation: “Hey, she mentioned she didn’t sleep well last night. Anything I should know?” or “He came home with a bruise. Do you know what happened?”
Approaching your co-parent with curiosity instead of blame keeps the conversation focused where it belongs: on your child. It’s also important to look at patterns, not single moments. One late night isn’t a crisis, but repeated exhaustion might be. One forgotten homework sheet isn’t neglect, but chronic disorganization may require support.
Also, if your child returns moody or anxious, remember that transitions themselves can be stressful. Children often express worry through stomachaches, clinginess, sleep disturbances or withdrawal — none of which automatically point to danger.
If something does concern you, respond with measured leadership. Stay child-focused, gather information and when you discuss it with your co-parent, approach them with solutions, not accusations. If the issue continues, bring in a neutral professional — not as a weapon, but as support.
And remember: Your child does not need identical homes. They need two homes where they feel grounded, where adults keep conflict low and where they never feel forced to choose sides. Predictability, calm communication and mutual respect matter more to children than matching routines. That’s good ex-etiquette.
©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/ex-etiquette-children-safety/
Hombres armados secuestran a escolares y personal en otra escuela en Nigeria, días después del último rapto
ABUYA, Nigeria (AP) — Hombres armados secuestran a escolares y personal en otra escuela en Nigeria, días después del último rapto.
Guardia Costera revierte política de calificar esvásticas y sogas como “potencialmente divisivas”
Por KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, LISA MASCARO y SUSAN HAIGH
WASHINGTON (AP) — La Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos hizo pública una nueva política más clara acerca de la exhibición de símbolos de odio como esvásticas y sogas, solo unas horas después de que se revelara que planeaba describirlos como “potencialmente divisivos”, un término que causó indignación entre legisladores y activistas.
“Se prohíben los símbolos y banderas divisivos o de odio”, indicó la última política de la Guardia Costera, publicada el jueves por la noche, que añadió que la categoría incluye “una soga, una esvástica y cualquier símbolo o bandera cooptada o adoptada por grupos basados en el odio”.
“No se trata de una política actualizada, sino que es una nueva política para combatir cualquier desinformación y reafirmar que la Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos prohíbe estos símbolos”, afirmó la agencia en un comunicado adjunto.
El cambio anunciado a última hora de la noche se produjo el mismo día en que medios de comunicación, encabezados por The Washington Post, descubrieron que la Guardia Costera había redactado a principios de este mes una política que calificaba esos mismos símbolos como “potencialmente divisivos”. Esa calificación suponía un cambio respecto a la política implantada en 2019 que señalaba que símbolos como esvásticas y sogas estaban “ampliamente identificados con la opresión o el odio” y calificaba su exhibición como “un posible incidente de odio”.
La última norma también prohíbe de forma clara mostrar cualquier símbolo divisivo o de odio en todos los emplazamientos de la Guardia Costera. En la versión anterior no vetaba esa simbología, sino que apuntaba que los comandantes podían emprender medidas para retirarlos de la vista pública y que la regla no se aplicaba a espacios privados fuera del alcance del público, como las viviendas para familias.
Ambas políticas conservaban la prohibición de larga data de mostrar públicamente la bandera confederada, salvo en un puñado de situaciones, como entornos educativos o históricos.
Al parecer, las nuevas directrices entraron en vigor de inmediato.
Cuando se hizo público el cambio inicial, la senadora demócrata por Nevada Jacky Rosen señaló que la decisión “revierte protecciones importantes contra la intolerancia y podría permitir que se exhiban de forma inexplicable horribles símbolos de odio como esvásticas y sogas”.
“En un momento en que el antisemitismo va en aumento en Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo, relajar las políticas destinadas a combatir los crímenes de odio no solo envía el mensaje equivocado a los hombres y mujeres de nuestra Guardia Costera, sino que pone en riesgo su seguridad”, agregó.
En un comunicado emitido antes el jueves, el almirante Kevin Lunday, comandante en funciones de la Guardia Costera, dijo que la iniciativa no revocaba ninguna prohibición y calificó como “categóricamente falso” afirmar lo contrario.
“Estos símbolos han estado y siguen estando prohibidos en la Guardia Costera según la política”, explicó Lunday en la nota, agregando que “cualquier exhibición, uso o promoción de tales símbolos, como siempre, será investigada a fondo y severamente castigada”.
La predecesora de Lunday, la almirante Linda Fagan, fue cesada el primer día del segundo mandato del presidente Donald Trump. Funcionarios del equipo del mandatario señalaron más tarde que su despido se debió en parte a un “enfoque excesivo” en los esfuerzos de diversidad e inclusión que desviaban “recursos y atención de las necesidades operativas”.
La norma anterior, que se implementó a principios de noviembre, también decía explícitamente que “la terminología ‘incidente de odio’ ya no está presente en la política” y que la conducta que antes se habría gestionado como un posible incidente de odio pasaría a tratarse ahora como “un reporte de acoso en casos con un individuo agraviado identificado”.
De acuerdo con ese texto, los comandantes, en consulta con abogados, podían ordenar o dirigir la retirada de símbolos o banderas “potencialmente divisivos” si se considera que afectaban a la moral o la disciplina de la unidad.
La nueva política no se pronuncia acerca de si el personal de la Guardia Costera podrá alegar que fue víctima de incidentes de odio.
La Guardia Costera depende del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional aunque todavía se considera parte de las fuerzas armadas, y la nueva política se actualizó en parte para que fuese coherente con directivas similares del Pentágono, según el comunicado de la agencia en el que se anunciaron los cambios.
Además, históricamente ha modelado muchas de sus políticas de recursos humanos en base a las de otros servicios militares.
El cambio se produjo menos de dos meses después de que el secretario de Defensa, Pete Hegseth, ordenó la revisión de todas las definiciones de acoso, intimidación y hostigamiento en el ejército, alegando que esas directrices eran “demasiado amplias” y “ponen en peligro la preparación para el combate, el cumplimiento de la misión y la confianza en la organización”.
El Pentágono no ofreció detalles sobre qué se estaba revisando en concreto, si podría realizar cambios similares a los de la política de la Guardia Costera o cuándo completaría la revisión.
Menachem Rosensaft, profesor de Derecho en la Universidad de Cornell y líder de la comunidad judía, dijo en un comunicado que “la esvástica es el símbolo definitivo del odio y la intolerancia virulenta, e incluso el hecho de que la Guardia Costera considere no clasificarla ya como tal sería equivalente a considerar las cruces en llamas y las capuchas del Ku Klux Klan como meramente ‘potencialmente divisivas’”.
El líder demócrata del Senado, Chuck Schumer, calificó la medida de “repugnante, y un nuevo apoyo de los republicanos al extremismo”.
___
Haigh informó desde Norwich, Connecticut.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Bookmark these retailers for Black Friday sales
You’ll score great deals at these popular retailers
With can’t-miss sales on everything from socks to smart TVs, Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. It falls on Nov. 28 this year, offering exciting deals from nearly every retailer under the sun. However, not all Black Friday sales are created equal. To score the best deals, there are definitely some retailers you’ll want to keep an eye on.
Check out some of our favorite retailers with Black Friday sales — and some early deals you can take advantage of right now.
Best Amazon early Black Friday deals
It’s no surprise that Amazon, one of the largest and most popular online retailers, offers such excellent Black Friday deals. Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts for your little ones or kitchen appliances to make cooking easier, Amazon has got you covered.
Apple Air Tag 4-Pack 34% OFF
Forget about losing your keys or bag ever again with these easy-to-use smart tags. They are easy to set up with your iPhone or iPad and feature a built-in speaker that plays a chime when you need to locate the item. You can share a tag with up to five people, so the entire family can find shared items.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer 30% OFF
Power through all your holiday baking with this premium stand mixer. It features durable metal construction and 10 speeds that can handle nearly any kitchen task. Its 5-quart stainless steel bowl is also large enough to mix dough for up to nine dozen cookies at a time.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter 49% OFF
This fun 28-piece wooden set lets kids pretend to serve up their favorite ice cream treats. It includes a countertop that doubles as a storage box, an ice cream scooper, scoops, cones, toppings, utensils and more. It can inspire hours of imaginative play for kids ages 3 and up, providing the perfect break from screen time.
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser 50% OFF
This easy-to-use water flosser has a large water reservoir that provides over 90 seconds of flossing time without refills. It offers 10 settings to help clean and massage your gums, as well as a timer to ensure you floss for as long as you should. It even comes with 10 tips, so the entire family can use it.
Best Walmart early Black Friday deals
Walmart is known for its everyday low prices, but it raises that bar for Black Friday. You can score great discounts on toys, TVs, vacuums and more.
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum 45% OFF
This cordless vacuum provides up to 30% more power, so it rivals corded models. Its battery also provides up to 60 minutes of cleaning time, and the power button means there’s no trigger you need to hold down during vacuuming. It also features a special light to reveal hidden dirt and dust, ensuring your floors are as clean as possible.
Qunler Nugger Ice Maker 68% OFF
You won’t need to head to the drive-thru for chewable nugget ice with this convenient countertop ice maker. It can make ice in as little as 10 minutes and produce up to 44 pounds per day. It doesn’t make too much noise either, operating at just 45 decibels.
TCL 98″ Class Q6 4K UHD HDR QLED Smart TV 44% OFF
Enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies in stunning clarity with this 4K smart TV. It features Dolby Atmos Audio and DTS Virtual:X immersive audio, which brings media and video games to life. It also includes a hands-free voice remote that allows you to easily search for movies and TV shows.
Best Target early Black Friday deals
Target is another big box retailer that offers exciting discounts for Black Friday. You’ll find deals on countertop kitchen appliances, toys, holiday decorations and more.
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer 28% OFF
This versatile air fryer oven frees up space on your counter by flipping up to store against your backsplash. It supports eight cooking functions, including air fry, roast, broil, bake, pizza, toast, bagel and dehydrate, and is large enough to cook for up to four people. Best of all, it cooks 50% faster than a traditional oven.
Barbie Dream House Pool Party Doll House 15% OFF
Any Barbie fan on your holiday shopping list will love unwrapping this 75-piece dollhouse. It can inspire hours of play with 10 different areas for Barbie to play, including a working elevator, a three-story slide and a balcony. There’s enough room to sleep up to four dolls, and it even includes accessories for Barbie’s furry friends, including a pet bed, a doggie door and a pet house.
Wondershop 36″ Christmas Bottle Brush Sculpture 30% OFF
This fun, glittery Christmas tree instantly adds festive cheer to any room. It features an attached base that allows you to set it on a floor, console table, or sideboard. You can choose from four colors, including a classic green and a fun pink.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/bookmark-these-retailers-for-black-friday-sales/
Terry Savage: Lower health care premiums with small biz insurance
Suddenly millions of working Americans can no longer afford “Obamacare” health insurance, as premium subsidies have been removed. But there is one other potential health insurance opportunity that could offer significantly lower premiums — if you act quickly.
It’s called the Small Business Special Enrollment period which runs from November 15 through December 15.
This is a little-understood opportunity for businesses with as few as two employees — and a minimum of only one plan participant — to purchase a top-rated group plan with NO employer contribution required. And the employees can pay the premiums on a pre-tax (salary deduction) basis.
And according to Alan Wishner of Vesta Benefits Group (www.VestaBenefitsGroup.com), millions of small businesses could easily set up these policies — even if the owner is older and on Medicare. As long as there are two employees, only one has to sign on to the health insurance.
So, if you’re a small business owner — with from 2 to 50 employees — who thought offering a health care benefit was too expensive or too complex, read on. (And if you work for a small business that doesn’t offer group health insurance, show this column to the owner!)
The Affordable Care Act mandated that insurers must offer their best group health insurance plans to small businesses during a once-a-year special enrollment period. These plans must offer the same comprehensive coverage as the generous coverage plans negotiated by large businesses in your state. Those plans have large networks of hospitals and physicians.
During this period, all insurance companies that are selling plans in your state agree to accept all small businesses that apply for coverage.
Not surprisingly, few insurance agents are pushing these plans, because they are a nuisance to the insurers and don’t generate big commissions for the agent. So it’s up to you — the small business owner — to research this coverage.
Here’s how this small business insurance deal works:
Dates: Small businesses (2-50 employees) must apply between November 15 and December 15. The plan becomes effective January 1, 2026.
Qualifications: Businesses can set up a plan even if only one full-time employee joins. So, if some employees are covered by a spousal plan or Medicare, and only one person wants this coverage, the plan is qualified. For example, a business owner who is older and covered by Medicare does not have to join the plan — but can offer the insurance to up to 50 employees.
Coverage: The plan must offer equally comprehensive coverage and premiums as group plans for other businesses in the state.
Premiums: The monthly premiums must be comparable to those offered to traditional small group plans.
Costs: The employer is NOT required to contribute on behalf of the employee. And an employee can pay premiums on a pre-tax, salary deduction basis.
Pre-existing conditions: There are no limitations, because of the provisions of the ACA.
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Dependent coverage: Because these are true group insurance plans, dependents such as spouses and minor children under age 26 are also eligible for coverage under the plan.
Obviously, it will be tempting for sole proprietors to create this small business group plan just to get the coverage. However, you must prove that you have had at least two employees or at least two partners that received income from the business.
If you’re a small business that hasn’t provided insurance, you could be a hero to your employees. But you must act quickly to get these benefits for 2026. Ask your insurance agent — or go to the specialists to get guidance, such as: Vesta Benefits Group (www.vestabenefitsgroup.com) for Illinois businesses, and eHealth (www.ehealthinsurance.com), which has small business agents nationally.
Don’t delay. You need to speak with an agent to see if you can qualify and find your premium costs — and to begin the paperwork so applications can be submitted before the December 15 deadline.
I know this is the one deal that sounds too good to be true. But it is true! And that’s the Savage Truth.
(Terry Savage is a registered investment adviser and the author of four best-selling books, including “The Savage Truth on Money.” Terry responds to questions on her blog at TerrySavage.com.)
Netanyahu Visits Israeli Troops Inside Southern Syria In Provocative First
Netanyahu Visits Israeli Troops Inside Southern Syria In Provocative First
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Israeli soldiers in occupied Syria on Wednesday, where the faces of the troops were blurred out in photos and videos to protect them from the risk of legal action over allegations of involvement in war crimes.
Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Eyal Zamir, the Israeli military chief of staff, and several other security officials toured military positions in the buffer zone area unilaterally seized by Israel in December.
Israel, which has already occupied Syria’s Golan Heights in contravention of international law since 1967, expanded its territory in southern Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. It seized all of a UN-patrolled buffer zone which had previously separated Israeli and Syria forces in the Golan Heights.
Addressing Israeli soldiers at the outpost on Wednesday, Netanyahu said: “We attach immense importance to our capability here, both defensive and offensive, safeguarding our Druze allies, and especially safeguarding Israel and its northern border opposite the Golan Heights.”
He added: “This is a mission that can develop at any moment, but we are counting on you.”cEarlier this year, the Israeli military placed new restrictions on media coverage of soldiers on active combat duty because of growing concern about the risk of legal action.
In response to the visit, Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the visit as “illegal”.
“Syria firmly condemns the illegal visit of the Israeli prime minister, defense and foreign ministers, along with other occupying officials, to the south of the Syrian Arab Republic. This constitutes a clear violation of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” it said in a statement.
The ministry said it was part of Israel’s “ongoing policy of aggression and continued breaches against Syrian territory” and that all actions by Israel in southern Syria were “null, void, and legally invalid under international law”.
Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that it should halt Israeli violations, and enforce relevant resolutions including the 1974 disengagement agreement which followed the 1973 Middle East war.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said the “very public visit” by Israeli officials was “concerning, to say the least”. Dujarric said that UN Resolution 2799, which was recently passed by the Security Council, “called for the full sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria”.
During the Security Council meeting this week, Israeli ambassador Danny Danon spoke about Syria but did not address Netanyahu’s visit. “Show us that Syria is moving away from extremism and radicalism, that the protection of Christians and Jews is not an afterthought but a priority. Show us that the militias are restrained and justice is real and the cycle of indiscriminate killings has ended,” Danon said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu illegally toured areas in Syria beyond the designated ceasefire line, visiting Israeli troops and inspecting the site. Syria condemned the visit, calling it “a serious violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” pic.twitter.com/KeKnC6tT0c
— TRT World (@trtworld) November 19, 2025
Olabi hit back: “The proving, Mr Ambassador, tends to be on your shoulders. You have struck Syria more than 1,000 times, and we have responded with requests for diplomacy… and responded with zero signs of aggression towards Israel.” He added: “We have engaged constructively. and we still await for you to do the same.”
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said recently Israel had conducted over 1,000 air strikes in Syria since December 8 2024, when Assad’s government collapsed. Last week, Sharaa confirmed that his country was in direct talks with Israel on reaching a new security agreement.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 11/21/2025 – 03:30
