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Fatigue. Red tape. Trump. Homeless outreach workers weigh how to tackle the growing crisis in a changing landscape.( MENAFN - The Conversation) Summer holidays are traditionally a time of celebration and feasting. So, as our minds turn to food and our stomachs rumble, why not read about it? These five food titles, ranging from a chef's memoir to a foodie crime novel, offer a smorgasbord of perspectives on the ways food shapes our culture, our identities, our environment and our selves. All of them will leave you hungry! A Cook's Tour (2001) follows late chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain on a global culinary adventure as he searches for“the perfect meal”. While Bourdain doesn't find perfection, he does discover the centrality of food in preserving culture and building relationships. In Portugal, he gets involved in the yearly pig slaughter – visceral and confronting, despite his experience as a chef – and revels in the celebration, conviviality and hospitality that accompanies this centuries-old tradition. In Vietnam, he builds tentative relationships with locals by joining them in drinking“moonshine from a plastic cola bottle” on the banks of the Mekong. The book is engaging, witty and sharp, but also poignant. It encourages us to not only think about where our food comes from, but about the meanings we ascribe to it and the communities we build around it. Julia Child was an unlikely culinary icon. She didn't really learn to cook until she moved from the United States to France with her husband, Paul, in 1948. On her return, she introduced not just her home country but the English-speaking world to the art of French cooking. My Life in France (2005), co-written with journalist Alex Prud'homme, tells the story of“a crucial period of transformation” in which she found her“true calling” and started writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. My Life in France is bursting at the seams with Child's signature joie de vivre: she certainly doesn't take herself seriously. It is also a snapshot of postwar French cuisine, as experienced by someone encountering something completely transformative – and deciding to share her experience with the world, despite the obstacles. Judging by the subtitle, Mastering the Art of Good Cooking, Samin Nosrat's 2016 book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat , took some inspiration from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. However, it is eminently more beginner friendly. While the book has recipes (good ones), it is not a recipe book per se. Rather, it is a set of instructions on how to cook: or, if you already have the basics down, how to cook better. Yet, unlike other cooking reference books, it tells a story. Iranian–American Nosrat, who trained at the acclaimed restaurant Chez Panisse , introduces her readers to her four elements of good cooking, one at a time. She introduces culinary theory, scientific principles and tips and tricks, in an accessible and engaging way. This information is interspersed with vignettes from Nosrat's culinary life and supported by excellent illustrations. It is not only a good read, but a cookbook you will reach for time and again. It may be strange to see a mystery novel on this list, but sometimes we want a palate cleanser, a sweet treat to end a meal. Martin Walker's Death in the Dordogne (2009) is just the thing. Bruno Courrèges is chief of police in the small town of St. Denis in the Dordogne, in south-west France. While there is a murder to be solved (the death of an elderly war veteran), Bruno's other major obsession is the food and wine of the Périgord region, which Walker describes in delicious detail. As Bruno travels around the countryside solving the mystery, he eats: omelettes scented with black truffle, ripe red strawberries, flaky croissants, and fresh trout cooked in the open air. Alongside this feast, the book also probes the complexities of a changing, modern France – including the impact of immigration and the rise of right-wing politics . The perfect Boxing Day read. Cod: a Biography of the Fish that Changed the World (1997) is a book about the voracious appetite of the human race and the effects of appetite. The story Kurlansky tells is not just the millennia-long saga of the low-fat, white-fleshed fish that was indispensable to cuisines across Europe. It is that, of course – but it's also a story about the rise of colonialism and capitalism, international conflict, the slave trade, the insatiable search for commodities, and the environmental legacy of new technologies. Cod was first published almost 30 years ago, soon after the North Atlantic cod fishing industry had reached a point of collapse due to overfishing. In 2024, for the first time since the early 1990s, the Canadian government lifted its moratorium on commercial cod fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, in light of improved cod stocks. Kurlansky's writing is evocative – you can feel the chill and the fog of the cod banks. Intrepid cooks may even attempt some of the recipes. MENAFN26122024000199003603ID1109033245 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save JERUSALEM — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports, while the World Health Organization's director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight in Sanaa, with a crew member injured. "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media. He added that he and U.N. colleagues were safe. "We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave," he said, without mentioning the source of the bombardment. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service. Israel's army later told The Associated Press it wasn't aware that the WHO chief or delegation were at the location in Yemen. Ocean City group has no shortage of ideas for area near Gillian's Wonderland Contractors continue to remove rides at former Gillian's Wonderland site in Ocean City 'Great Day Express' takes its maiden voyage to Big SNOW at American Dream Mall Body found in fridge in Belleplain State Forest 'He was one of a kind': Ex-Beach Haven lifeguard chief recalls officer killed in North Carolina shooting DEEM says financing ready to start Bader Field development in Atlantic City Long Beach Island fire damages multimillion-dollar bayfront home Atlantic City police officer accused of assaulting, pointing gun at wife New Jersey 'homelessness czar' at work in Atlantic City, DCA says Lower Township man charged with possession of child porn The heartbeat of Atlantic City: How Midtown is redefining its future 2 Wildwood men accused of sexually assaulting juveniles Who are The Press' 2024 High School Football All-Stars? Who are The Press' football Player, Team and Coach of the Year? Mays Landing's Level Up comic and video game shop to close after 18 years Smoke rises Thursday from the area around the International Airport after an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military said in a statement it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, claiming they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel's military added it had "capabilities to strike very far from Israel's territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively." The strikes, carried out more than 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad's regime and others learned" as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The U.S. military also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The U.N. says the targeted ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones were shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The U.N. Security Council has an emergency meeting Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them weapons. Relatives and friends mourn over the bodies of five Palestinian journalists Thursday who were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in Gaza overnight, the territory's Health Ministry said. The strike hit a car outside Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The journalists worked for local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Islamic Jihad is a smaller and more extreme ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel that ignited the war. Israel's military identified four of the men as combat propagandists and said that intelligence, including a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers in Gaza, confirmed that all five were affiliated with the group. Associated Press footage showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings visible on the back doors. The Committee to Protect Journalists says more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel hasn't allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. Israel banned the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network and accuses six of its Gaza reporters of being militants. The Qatar-based broadcaster denies the allegations and accuses Israel of trying to silence its war coverage, which has focused heavily on civilian casualties from Israeli military operations. Mourners cry Thursday while they take the last look at the body of a relative, one of eight Palestinians killed, during their funeral in the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Separately, Israel's military said a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel's air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It says more than half the fatalities are women and children, but doesn't say how many of the dead were fighters. The offensive caused widespread destruction and hunger and drove around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid camps along the coast, with little protection from the cold, wet winter. Also Thursday, people mourned eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military operations in and around Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Photo: The Canadian Press Thousands of social assistance cheques have not been distributed in British Columbia because of the Canada Post strike, prompting an investigation by provincial ombudsperson Jay Chalke. Chalke's office began investigating when he was told by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction that many income and disability assistance cheques weren't delivered. Chalke says in a statement that he's concerned that many of B.C.'s most vulnerable people will be left without funds for food and shelter, especially during the upcoming holiday season. He says that despite the ministry's efforts to encourage direct deposit, thousands of hard-copy cheques are mailed every month, and the ministry says 40 per cent of those payments weren't sent last month. The potential for a Canada Post strike was widely reported before it happened, and Chalke says the ministry needed to have a plan for distributing the cheques without mail service. Chalke says his investigation will assess the adequacy of that plan. The statement says the investigation will also look into the ministry’s contingency planning before the strike was announced, as well as steps taken during the strike to distribute hard copy cheques to the 15 per cent of income and disability assistance recipients who don't get direct deposit. “The next social assistance payment date is Dec. 18. The end of December is when many ministry employees intend to be on vacation, which could present operational challenges,” Chalke says. "I am calling on the government to demonstrate it has a plan in place to achieve better and faster results for December’s cheques in the event the strike continues.”Black plastic kitchen utensil risks were overstated. But you should still toss them, group says

TORONTO — , is pleased to announce that, pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the Company’s 7.5% Extendible Unsecured Convertible Subordinated Debentures issued in April 2018 (the “Debentures”), it has set December 16, 2024 as the redemption date for the Debentures (the “Redemption Date”). The Redemption Date has been set in anticipation of the Company closing its previously announced sale of the auto loan assets and undertaking of Axis to Fionic Canada Ltd. (“Fionic”) and an affiliate of Fionic on or about December 12, 2024 (the “Transaction”). All of the outstanding Debentures are to be redeemed and under the terms of the indenture the Company is obligated to pay the redemption payment in up to three installments. The first installment will be an amount equal to the outstanding interest up to but excluding the Redemption Date as well as 60% of the outstanding principal amount. Based on a redemption date of December 16, 2024, the first installment will be $11,147,906.25 (comprised of $10,530,000.00 of principal and $617,906.25 of interest). The second installment, which will be equal to at least 12% of the principal amount outstanding as of the Redemption Date, will be paid following receipt of a holdback payment payable pursuant to the Transaction. The third and final installment is to be paid following receipt by the Company of an amount owing to the Company by Canada Revenue Agency. Pursuant to the indenture, the principal portion of the redemption payment is to be not less than 80% nor more than 85% of the principal amount outstanding as of the Redemption Date. The completion of the redemption is conditional on the closing of the Transaction. The Corporation will reconfirm the Redemption Date in the press release that announces the closing of the Transaction and if the Redemption Date needs to be delayed a revised redemption notice will be provided and a further press release issued. A copy of the redemption notice will be filed under the Company’s profile on and on the Company’s website . As disclosed in the information circular provided to shareholders in connection with the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on November 29, 2024, it is anticipated that the Company’s common shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange shortly following the closing of the Transaction. We will provide additional updates with respect to the timing of the delisting once they are available. Axis is a fintech lender providing alternative used vehicle financing options to non-prime borrowers. Axis loans are offered through automotive dealers to approximately 30% of Canadians (Source: Equifax) that have credit scores in the non-prime range. All Axis auto loans report to the credit bureau, resulting in over 70% of customers seeing a significant improvement of their credit scores. Further information on the Company can be found at . This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, regarding the Company’s business and operations. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, information regarding the closing of the Transaction and the redemption of the Debentures. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of assumptions that the Company considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such information is given, including but not limited to the assumptions that the Transaction will proceed according to the Company’s anticipated timelines. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk that the Company’s assumptions on which its forward-looking statements are based may not be accurate; the inability to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary approvals for the Transaction; the inability to satisfy, in a timely manner, all other conditions to the completion of the Transaction; and the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports publicly filed and available on its SEDAR+ profile at . No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. There is no assurance that the Transaction will be completed in accordance with its terms or at all. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this announcement and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. For further information: Axis Auto Finance Inc. Todd Hudson CEO (416) 633-5626Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against WM Technology, Inc. (MAPS)400M and counting! Wahaj Ali’s Sunn Mere Dil rules despite hate

Orphans Care Centre (Dreama) and Al Nahda Primary School for Girls organised the event ‘Al Nahda for Palestine’ in collaboration with the Palestinian School, coinciding with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Qatar Foundation for Social Work acting CEO Khalid Mohammed al-Kuwari, Palestine ambassador Fayez Majed, Dreama executive director Sheikha Najla bint Ahmed al-Thani, Palestinian School director Dr Yahya al-Agha and officials of the Palestinian embassy were present. The ceremony opened with a welcome speech by Al Nahda Primary School for Girls director Munira al-Mannai. She emphasised the school’s commitment to supporting humanitarian and national causes that reflect shared values and principles. “The Palestinian cause is not merely a political issue; it is a symbol of truth and justice. Supporting it is a duty that strengthens our sense of belonging and instils in future generations the values of solidarity and unity. We are committed to serving as a platform for these noble messages.” Sheikha Najla al-Thani said: “Our participation in the ‘Al Nahda for Palestine’ event stems from our belief in the importance of standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people and supporting their just cause. This collaboration between Dreama and Al Nahda School reflects a shared commitment to social responsibility and fosters the values of compassion and belonging in future generations. Through this event, we aim to instil resilience in our children and reaffirm our unwavering connection to the Palestinian cause. Palestine will always remain alive in our hearts. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Al Nahda Primary School for their cooperation in making this event a success.” The programme featured several activities, including the recitation of the Qatari and Palestinian national anthems, a presentation on the Palestinian issue, a segment titled ‘Voices from Palestine’, a short play entitled ‘Dreams Under Siege’, and the performance of a Palestinian chant. The programme concluded with a tour of the Palestinian exhibition, which showcased traditional crafts and cultural artifacts. The ceremony was well-received by attendees, who praised the organisers for highlighting the Palestinian cause and promoting the values of solidarity and unity with the Palestinian people, a statement added. Related Story Student-painted canvases to be showcased at Al Ghorrah festival Qatar joins Global Coalition for Digital SafetyShare Tweet Share Share Email Legal technology is a beast of an industry filled with lawsuits and drama. The industry demands precision, trust, and a deep understanding of attorney needs. Add to that a competitive landscape dominated by big players with established reputations, and it’s no wonder many startups fizzle out before they ever get traction. But there’s a way to stack the odds in your favour: partnerships with large organizations and legal tech companies. Strategic partnerships give a legal technology startup the credibility, reach, and expertise it needs to scale. Whether you want to tap into a larger audience, strengthen your technology, or validate your product in a skeptical market (lawyers), the right partnerships can be your ticket to success. Why Legal Tech Is Such a Pain to Break Into Legal tech is built on trust, and users expect nothing less than accuracy and security. AI hallucinations terrify lawyers, who are risk-averse by nature—they have to be—and convincing them to adopt new technology is no small feat. “Trust is the hardest thing to earn in this space,” says Alistair Vigier, CEO of Caseway . “Lawyers don’t just want to know that your product works; they want to know it won’t fail or make something up when it matters most. That’s why who you align with can be as important as what you build.” This is where partnerships come into play. A well-executed partnership can boost your startup’s credibility and open doors that would otherwise take years to unlock. But a poor partnership can kill your startup. How to Nail Partnerships in Legal Tech Alright, so you’ve got this shiny new legal tech product, and you’re ready to take on the world—but here’s the thing: going solo in this industry is brutal. Law firms don’t like to mess around. If your product doesn’t scream reliability, trust, and ease of use, they’ll move on without a second thought. Here’s the deal: it’s not just slapping your logo next to some big name and hoping for the best. Partnerships only work if both sides genuinely benefit and, more importantly, if the end user wins. So, how do you make this happen? Find Partners Who Have What You Don’t You don’t need to be the Swiss Army knife of legal tech. If your product crushes it in one specific area, lean into that and find someone who complements your strengths. Maybe your AI tool is fantastic at legal research but doesn’t handle document management—partner with someone who owns that space and integrates. Hitch Your Wagon to Credibility If you’re new to the game, no one will trust you just because you say, “Hey, my product is awesome!” You need validation. Partnering with a company that lawyers already know and trust can give you instant street cred. Think about it: when a big name co-signs your product, they tell users, “This is legit.” It’s a shortcut to trust; in legal tech, trust is everything. There are many of these companies: Avvo, Internet Brands, Clio, Affinipay , etc... It’s Not Just About Selling More Partnerships only about boosting sales are boring. The magic happens when partnerships improve your product, reduce churn, and fill a product or feature void. For example, teaming up with a university or research group can help you solve tough tech challenges or create features that set you apart from competitors. It’s not sexy, but it’s how you build staying power in a competitive market. What We Can Learn From Legal Tech That Works Clio is one of the most cited examples of a legal tech partnership. As a leader in practice management software, Clio’s integrations with niche tools have allowed it to maintain its dominance while giving startups a platform to showcase their innovations. These integrations give startups a chance to piggyback on Clio’s credibility and user base. They also have around 250,000 lawyers using their products, which is a massive opportunity for your startup. Take the collaboration that Caseway is working on with Clio. Both companies benefit by integrating Caseway’s legal research tools into Clio’s platform. Clio improves its offering for law firms, while Caseway gains access to a massive user base without building its audience from scratch. “It’s about creating value for the lawyers who use these tools daily, making the law easier,” says Alistair Vigier . Partnerships with academic institutions can play a massive role in driving innovation. For instance, working with universities allows startups to access cutting-edge research and top-tier talent. These collaborations can lead to developing features that give a startup a competitive edge. They’re also a way to strengthen your intellectual property and create defensible technology. Caseway is currently working on legal tech AI with the University of BC. How to Approach Partnerships Without Wasting Everyone’s Time Partnerships can make or break your startup, especially in legal tech, where trust is everything. But most people need to approach partnerships correctly. They’re vague, overly ambitious, or looking for a quick win. That’s not how you build something sustainable. If you want to do it right, here’s the playbook: Know Exactly What You Want Don’t roll up to a potential partner with a half-baked idea; expect them to get on board. You need to develop a clear plan: how does this partnership help them, help you, and—most importantly—help your shared audience? Be specific. If you can’t articulate why it’s worth their time, don’t bother. Start Small, Dream Big You don’t have to land the perfect partnership on day one. Small collaborations or pilot programs are a great way to prove your value. Use those wins to build momentum. Show potential partners what you can do, and more significant opportunities will suddenly open up. Lay the groundwork. Play the Long Game Partnerships are about building genuine relationships that grow over time. That means you’ll need to put in the effort—refining your product to meet their needs or showing up consistently to support their goals. If you’re only in it for the short-term gains, you will burn bridges fast. Why Partnerships Won’t Magically Solve Everything While partnerships can be transformative , they’re not a cure-all. They require effort, resources, and, above all, a shared vision. Misaligned goals or poor execution can turn a promising partnership into a costly mistake. But when they’re done right, partnerships can be the difference between surviving and thriving in legal tech. They can accelerate your growth, validate your product, and open doors you never thought possible. Legal technology is tricky, but even the smallest startup can make waves with the right allies. Alistair Vigier says, “You don’t have to go it alone. The best startups don’t just build—they collaborate.” Thanks for reading! 🙏 Related Items: Lawsuits , Legal Tech Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you The Rise of Relativity: How Legal Tech is Changing from Chicago What Is Legal Tech, and Why Is It Essential for Law Firms to Invest in It? Fighting for Justice in Negligence-Based Lawsuits CommentsArdagh Glass Packaging pioneers hydrogen energy mix from onsite electrolyser (AGP-Europe), an operating business of Ardagh Group, announced today that it is now producing green hydrogen for glass melting via a hydrogen electrolyser at its facility in Limmared, Sweden. The 5MW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyser uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, supplying hydrogen to the energy mix in the furnace. Since testing of the electrolyser began in October, the furnace has successfully combusted 109,000m of hydrogen produced on site, saving 70 tonnes of CO . Daniel Johansson, Project Manager, AGP-Europe explained: “The testing phase using the hydrogen energy mix is progressing well, with no impact on the quality of the glass or the furnace. Our target is to replace 20% of the natural gas in the furnace with green hydrogen, which will reduce carbon emissions from our glass packaging produced in Limmared.” This partly hydrogen-fired glass furnace follows the launch of AGP’s flagship NextGen Furnace in Obernkirchen, Germany, where 60% electrical heating has already been achieved, delivering a 64%* reduction in carbon emissions. AGP-Europe CEO added: The future combination of hydrogen and other sustainable technologies such as hybrid melting, will help Ardagh Group and our customers to achieve their emissions reduction targets, as well as advancing the decarbonisation of the glass industry.” READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Ardagh Glass Packaging pioneers hydrogen energy mix from onsite electrolyser, CSIRO electrolyser pilot demonstrates efficiency and durability at Bluescope Steel Plant CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has successfully trialled its game-changing hydrogen production technology at... Jakson Green INFINITY Ships First Electrolyser to Power India’s Largest Urban Mobility Refueling Station Jakson Green Infinity has shipped 3.8 MW electrolysers, to power India’s inaugural green hydrogen refueling... XINTC – A groundbreaking Dutch electrolyser design is now poised for global deployment On Monday, 9 December 2024, the Minister for Climate and Sustainable Growth, Mrs. Sophie Hermans, will officially open the H2...Marvel Reveals New Look at Sam Wilson’s Captain America Showdown With Red Hulk

A judge has once again rejected Musk’s multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what?Most Americans think that health insurance profits and claim denials played a role in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to a new survey by NORC at the University of Chicago. Since his killing on December 4, social media users have repeatedly expressed their anger with the health insurance industry and thirsted over the person charged with the crime, Luigi Mangione . Evidence suggests that the killer’s motive was related to the health insurance industry. According to law enforcement, the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition from the crime scene. These words appear to be a reference to the health insurance industry’s playbook to avoid paying for health care — “delay, deny, defend.” UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, made $16 billion in profit last year. As Rolling Stone recently noted , the company helps explains why America’s health care system is unusually expensive and produces poor outcomes . Corporate parent UnitedHealth Group is the fourth-largest company in America by revenue. UnitedHealth is an insurer, a major health care provider, and a middleman between patients and pharmacies. It also offers its allegedly very faulty AI claims-handling software to other insurers. The NORC poll finds a staggering percentage of Americans attributed Thompson’s death, at least in part, to the health insurance industry’s business practices. Sixty-nine percent said that denials for health care coverage by health insurance companies bear a “great deal” or a “moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s killing. Sixty-seven percent said profits made by health insurance companies played a great or a moderate role in his killing. More broadly, about half of Americans said that wealth inequality played a great or moderate role in his killing. (Thompson made $10.2 million annually.) Younger Americans, according to the Associated Press, were more likely to believe that multiple factors contributed to his killing. Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time Somehow, the poll found a significant number of Americans think the killer played no role at all in Thompson’s murder: 11 percent said that the individual who committed the killing played no role at all in the murder, while 9 percent said “a little.” However, 78 percent said that the shooter played a great deal or a moderate amount in the killing. Some respondents reported having negative experiences with health insurance themselves. Fifteen percent of Americans said they had had a claim denied by an insurance company in the past year. Sixteen percent said they had a problem finding a suitable provider within the insurance company’s network. Respondents reported similar numbers for friends and family. Among those who reported having issues with their health insurance, 43 percent said they had to pay for some or all of the related health care costs, 28 percent said they were unable to receive recommended care, and 39 percent said the issue had not yet been resolved. Seven percent had no health insurance at all, which makes it even more difficult for people to receive necessary medical care. The poll, conducted between December 12-16, was based on interviews with 1,001 adults across the country from a variety of economic backgrounds. In the weeks since Thompson’s killing, the conversation around health care reform has been reinvigorated. Patients, as well as their friends and families, have voiced their frustration about the costs of health care, their claims being denied, and having difficulty finding a provider within their insurance networks.

SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaid, an emerging leader in the Geospatial AI sector, will attend CES early next year, 2025, to unveil the foundational solutions behind its CES 2025 Innovation Award-winning "AI2RE: Image to 3D Geospatial AI Metaverse" and showcase a demo of the "OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Information Platform," which is scheduled for release in 2025. AI Technology to Overcome Initial Accessibility Challenges in 3D Cadastral Mapping Using Only Aerial Imagery The award-winning "AI2RE" leverages a proprietary AI engine to extract 2D (vector) lines exclusively from aerial imagery, including satellite and drone capture. Based on these extracted vectors, this technology supports 3D models such as terrains, buildings, and roads. This technology addresses initial accessibility challenges in 3D cadastral mapping—such as data loss and compatibility issues—using only aerial imagery. Doing so contributes to providing reliable and stable 3D geospatial information to government agencies and enterprises. The technology is currently being utilized in projects related to the European Union (EU)'s Data Governance and Utilization Strategy, showcasing a remarkable improvement in cadastral mapping efficiency—from 6 months per person to just 5 days per person. Furthermore, business discussions are ongoing with South American and African countries, expanding its global reach. OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform At CES, Spaid will unveil its first-ever OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform. This innovative platform allows users to receive personalized geospatial data card recommendations through the OpenAI agent. By simply dragging and dropping these cards, users can intuitively visualize and analyze data in a 3D map viewer without the need for additional tools or software. Spaid is progressively advancing the digital twin transformation of the world within its geospatial data platform using a data-driven approach. This roadmap aims to create a metaverse that can be effectively utilized in real-world industries. Spaid at CES 2025 Spaid's booth will be located at LVCC South Hall 2 (35726), where visitors can experience the cutting-edge "AI2RE: Image to 3D Geospatial AI Metaverse" solutions and the innovative "OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform (Geo Data Platform)." For the award-winning AI2RE, attendees can dive into ongoing projects that demonstrate the full workflow—object detection, 2D line extraction, and 3D model generation—with a single click. In addition, the "OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform" will feature an interactive demo designed specifically for CES. Visitors can engage with geospatial data cards for San Francisco by simply dragging and dropping them to visualize the data in 3D, showcasing the platform's intuitive and user-friendly capabilities. Chongkul Yi, CEO of Spaid, said, "We are incredibly proud to have our 'One of a Kind' innovative AI Engine recognized by the CES Innovation Award." He added, "At CES 2025, we aim to showcase the excellence of our cutting-edge Geospatial AI solutions and the data-driven metaverse platform, accelerating our efforts to expand into the global market." About Spaid SPAID pursues being "one of a Kind." It aims to bridge the gap between the physical and digital environments by leveraging all live streaming information and data to maximize usability. We specialize in providing geospatial AI-based solutions that enable synergetic decision-making by deriving new insights through a fusion network of diverse data sources provided by public agencies and enterprises. Our solutions empower clients across industries by facilitating smart decision-making in smart city and smart factory digital twin operations, defense simulations, real estate location value analysis, building energy management, financial investment and risk management, and telecom network resource management. SPAID aims to drive transformative progress across various industries through these innovative solutions, contributing to sustainable development and fostering long-term growth. SOURCE SpaidHouthis vow to continue attacking Israel despite strikes on Yemen