jili super ace hack The apparent assassination of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday has unleashed an extraordinary outpouring of emotion. But it’s not all horror or sadness over a 50-year-old father of two being shot dead in public by a man in a mask. Thompson’s death has inspired a torrent of fury about the way his insurance company and others treat — or mistreat — people in their moments of greatest need. Some of the reactions, particularly on social media, have been downright gleeful about the killing. What a stunning illustration of the hatred so many Americans feel toward for-profit health insurance companies, which too often make money for stockholders by withholding care from sick people. UnitedHealthcare is a particularly awful exemplar. It is infamous for high denial rates and low reimbursement levels. According to an investigation by the medical news site Stat and a federal lawsuit recently filed in Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare has been using a deeply flawed artificial intelligence algorithm to wrongfully deny healthcare to elderly and disabled patients. Stat reported that the company “pressured its medical staff to cut off payments for seriously ill patients ... denying rehabilitation care for older and disabled Americans as profits soared.” ProPublica reported last month that the company was using algorithms to identify people it deemed guilty of “therapy overuse” and deny mental health treatment. Both California and Massachusetts determined that the company was breaking the federal law that requires insurers to cover mental health issues the same way they cover physical ailments. UnitedHealthcare denied claims for more than 34,000 therapy sessions from 2013 to 2020 in New York alone, saving the company about $8 million. Adding to this unsavory picture, four of its top executives, including Thompson, have been under scrutiny for $101.5 million in stock trades they made after the company was informed that it was the target of a federal antitrust investigation but before the news became public and the stock price dropped. Perhaps all this helps explain why, as of Friday morning, more than 85,000 people had reacted to UnitedHealthcare’s solemn Facebook statement about Thompson’s death with a laugh emoji . People on other social media platforms also piled on. “All human life is sacred, so it’s not proper to laugh when serious harm befalls someone,” wrote one Bluesky user . “The moral thing to do is instead charge them hundreds of thousands of dollars.” “UnitedHealth CEO meets the same fate as many of his clients,” posted another Bluesky user above photos of the shooter pointing his gun at Thompson’s back before he reportedly rode off on an e-bike. Stories of terrible interactions with the largest health insurer in the country also poured forth. Elizabeth Austin, a single mother who lives in Bucks County, Pa., told me she had a miserable experience with UnitedHealthcare after her young daughter, Carolyn, was diagnosed with leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her chemotherapy caused nausea, so Carolyn’s doctor ordered a nighttime feeding tube to supplement what little she was able to eat while awake. She said United Healthcare wouldn’t pay for the feeding tube unless Carolyn ate no solid food at all. “I was like, ‘She’s 9! She wants to eat food!’” Austin told me. Unmoved, the insurer forced Austin to pay $900 a month out of pocket for the device. Later, when Carolyn developed a sensitivity to a sedative used during her monthly lumbar punctures, her doctors switched to another medicine, and the company again denied payment, Austin said. She paid for that herself too. Austin said she eventually developed a stress-related heart condition that required ablation surgery. She and her daughter are healthy now, but the scars remain. She said she was saddened but not shocked to learn about Thompson’s death. “These things are happening because people are really struggling,” she told me. “I don’t think the CEO was responsible for my daughter’s caregiving issues, but it’s smart to ask, ‘Why did this happen?’ Could it be a systemic issue?’ People are buckling under the pressure.” At this point, the motive for Thompson’s killing is a matter of speculation. But ammunition recovered from the scene was inscribed with words often used to describe insurance companies’ anti-patient strategies, including “deny” and “defend,” the Associated Press and others reported. In the 2010 book “ Delay, Deny, Defend : Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It,” Jay M. Feinman, a Rutgers law professor, traces the evolution of insurance companies from generally helpful organizations where adjusters — that is, human beings — were responsible for reimbursements into the antagonistic, algorithm-driven behemoths they are today. In the 1990s, he writes, insurance companies such as Allstate turned to the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to develop new strategies. “McKinsey,” Feinman writes, “saw claims as a ‘zero-sum game,’ with the policyholder and the company competing for the same dollars. No longer would each claim be treated on its merits.” Computers would determine reimbursements, and settlements would be offered on a “take-it-or-litigate basis.” Feinman writes that McKinsey urged Allstate to move “from ‘Good Hands’ to ‘Boxing Gloves.’” Earlier this year, the insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that it would start limiting reimbursements for anesthesia based on its own time limits for surgeries. The idea, Anthem said, was to prevent overbilling. Doctors, predictably, were outraged. “This is just the latest in a long line of appalling behavior by commercial health insurers looking to drive their profits up at the expense of patients and physicians providing essential care,” Donald Arnold, the president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, told NPR . On Thursday, after the outpouring of rage against health insurers sparked by Thompson’s killing, Anthem reversed course , blaming “significant widespread misinformation” about its proposed policy for the about-face. No wonder there is so little empathy for Brian Thompson, who was by many accounts a lovely human being . In death, he has become an unwitting symbol of the terrible things health insurance companies do to people for money. Bluesky: @rabcarian.bsky.social . Threads: @rabcarian

CHICAGO , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Launch Consulting , part of The Planet Group and a leading AI-first digital transformation consultancy, is proud to announce the appointment of John Cipolla as its new President. This strategic addition to the leadership team underscores Launch's commitment to accelerating innovation and delivering transformative solutions to its clients. Cipolla brings a wealth of leadership experience in technology consulting, organizational transformation, and business strategy to Launch. With a track record of building high-performing teams, cloud-first organizations, fostering a culture of excellence, and developing innovative solutions that drive business outcomes, he is poised to guide Launch's continued growth and success. "John's appointment marks a pivotal moment for Launch Consulting," said Tim Simmerly , CEO of The Planet Group. "His deep expertise in driving digital innovation and his passion for empowering organizations to thrive in today's fast-paced technology landscape make him the ideal leader to spearhead our next phase of growth." Cipolla joins Launch Consulting after a distinguished career with market leaders like Atos/Eviden, Accenture, Insight Enterprises, NetApp, and AT&T, during which he led numerous large-scale initiatives, blending cutting-edge technology with human-centric strategies. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and results-driven execution, aligning seamlessly with Launch's mission to create meaningful AI-first solutions for modern challenges. "I'm honored to join Launch at this pivotal moment," said Cipolla. "My focus is on accelerating our clients' growth through innovative solutions that deliver impactful business outcomes. Together with Launch's talented team, we will build a best-in-class consulting community that is client-obsessed and backed by delivery excellence." As President, Cipolla will oversee the company's strategic direction, go-to-market, operational excellence, and ecosystem partnerships, ensuring that Launch continues to lead in delivering innovative, AI-driven, and data-focused solutions. About Launch Consulting Launch Consulting, part of The Planet Group, is an AI-first digital transformation consultancy that helps Fortune 1000 customers harness the power of data, software, and AI to advance their business and compete. Our approach blends specialized industry experience with deep expertise in a local and global delivery model that supports all aspects of transformation. We help our customers make bold moves with confidence to build their future state. Learn more at launchconsulting.com . About The Planet Group The Planet Group, a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners Fund VI, LP, consists of a group of related global consulting organizations and renowned staffing brands and has been purposefully built to address the professional services needs of leading companies in the areas of Technology and Digital Transformation, Engineering, Marketing, and Professional Services. Named one of America's fastest-growing private companies, the company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with offices throughout the US, Europe , India , and LATAM. Learn more at theplanetgroup.com . Media Contact : Elizabeth Spayne VP, Marketing, The Planet Group 781.530.3191 | [email protected] SOURCE Launch ConsultingBy David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is widely expected to again turn to a favorite legal tool to underpin threatened tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, one of several legal avenues to impose his broader tariff agenda. Trump this week fired the first trade-related broadside of his second term - eight weeks before taking office - threatening 25% duties on goods from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% tariffs on Chinese goods to push them to clamp down on the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl and illegal migrants into the U.S. Trade lawyers and other experts say there is ample authority for him to move quickly without approval from Congress. Here are the key tools he could use in his sweeping tariff agenda: INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY ECONOMIC POWERS ACT Trump could declare a national emergency over the fentanyl crisis and the southern U.S. border, which would unlock the use of this statute, enacted in 1977 and updated in 2001 to impose tariffs or financial sanctions. Trump invoked that statute a number of times during his first term, including to back up his threat of a 5% tariff on Mexican goods. He dropped the threat after Mexico vowed to deploy security forces to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S. The then-Republican president also said the statute gave him the authority to "order" U.S. companies to leave China, and towards the end of his term in August 2020 he invoked the law again in an attempt to ban Chinese-owned video platform TikTok. Congress can revoke the use of the statute by passing a joint declaration of disapproval. "But that's a heavy lift, especially for a Republican Congress" at the start of Trump's term, said Stephen Kho, a trade lawyer at Akin Gump and former China trade enforcement counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Courts have generally upheld challenges to the statute and its predecessor, the 1917 Trading with the Enemy Act, which then-President Richard Nixon invoked in 1971 to impose a 10% supplemental duty on all U.S. imports to ease a balance of payments crisis and push Germany and Japan to revalue their currencies against the dollar. SECTION 232, TRADE EXPANSION ACT OF 1962 Trump has proposed broad 10%-20% tariffs on all U.S. imports. Like Nixon, Trump could invoke the IEEPA for this, but would face a higher standard of defining an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the U.S. Trade experts also say Trump could return to the Cold War-era Section 232 statute to underpin broader tariffs, but this would require a new investigation that could take months to complete. Trump invoked Section 232 to impose tariffs of 25% on global steel imports and 10% on aluminum in 2018, but negotiated exemptions for Canada and Mexico a year later that eliminated their retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork, beef, bourbon and other products. SECTION 301, TRADE ACT OF 1974 Trump is likely to again turn to Section 301, the backbone of his 2018-2020 trade war against China, as he looks to super-size his tariffs on Chinese imports. The statute, which allows the U.S. to retaliate against trading partners' unfair practices, underpinned punitive duties of up to 25% on some $370 billion worth of Chinese imports, from semiconductors to machinery to toys after a USTR investigation found that China was misappropriating U.S. intellectual property and coercing the transfer of U.S. technology to Chinese firms. Trump's newly nominated U.S. trade representative, Jamieson Greer, may be able to modify the existing China Section 301 findings to justify additional tariffs on Chinese goods, as current USTR Katherine Tai did to back President Joe Biden's sharply higher duties on electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors and solar products. But Greer may also launch a new Section 301 probe into China's state-driven excess industrial capacity - an increasing concern for the U.S. and market economies - and industry-domination practices. While trade lawyers say there is well-documented evidence of such practices, it would take likely several months for a new Section 301 probe to be completed, given the need for public comment periods and hearings. SECTION 122, TRADE ACT OF 1974 Trump could invoke this balance-of-payments statute to impose an additional global U.S. tariff for 150 days to restrict imports in the event of balance-of-payments problems, or to prevent a significant depreciation of the dollar. Congress added this authority as a result of Nixon's 10% tariff action in 1971. But the statute limits the tariff action to 150 days, unless extended by Congress. SECTION 338, TARIFF ACT OF 1930 This anti-discrimination statute remains on the books, though it has not appeared in public government correspondence since the late 1940s. At that time, the U.S. and its trading partners agreed to "bound" global tariff rates under the post-war Global Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the predecessor to today's World Trade Organization. It would allow Trump to impose additional tariffs of up to 50% on goods from any country that discriminates against U.S. products in a way that puts American goods at a "disadvantage" compared to imports from other countries. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Paul Simao)

Oldacre scores 21 points as No. 5 Texas routs Texas Rio Grande Valley 94-35

Tafara Gapare scored a season-high 19 points off the bench and Derik Queen added 15 points and eight rebounds, lifting Maryland to a 91-67 victory over Bucknell on Wednesday in College Park, Md. Gapare made 7 of 9 shots from the floor -- including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. He highlighted his performance by unleashing a personal 10-point run in the second half to help send the Terrapins (6-1) to their third straight win. Gapare, who made one 3-pointer prior to Wednesday's game, was limited to just three minutes and was held without a point in Maryland's 76-75 victory versus Villanova on Sunday. Julian Reese scored 14 points for the Terrapins, who shot a robust 50.0 percent from the floor and scored 22 points off 20 turnovers. Selton Miguel drained three 3-pointers to score all 13 of his points in the first half. That effort came three days after being held without a point versus Villanova. Bucknell's Ruot Bijiek sank four 3-pointers to highlight his 20-point performance. Josh Bascoe scored 10 points and Brandon McCreesh added nine off the bench for the Bison (4-4), who lost two in a row for the second time this season. Maryland answered Bijiek's layup by scoring 12 straight points to take a 15-2 lead. Miguel keyed the spurt by draining two 3-pointers and a jumper. Bucknell tried to keep pace and trailed 25-12 after McCreesh's layup, but the Terrapins kept their foot on the gas to steadily build a 25-point lead late in the first half. The Bison made a modest charge to begin the second half, trimming the deficit to 16 at 58-42 on Bijiek's fourth 3-pointer of the game. Gapare singlehandedly halted the momentum by sandwiching 3-pointers around a layup and an emphatic dunk over the next five possessions. Reese sank a pair of free throws to cap the 12-0 run, extending Maryland's lead to 70-42 with 11:39 to play. The Terrapins were not threatened the rest of the way. --Field Level MediaSRC on Show shines spotlight on local innovationMarvel Rivals' Wolverine Design Is Certainly a Choice - IGN Daily Fix

An Appeals Court Decision to Uphold the TikTok Ban Is a Warning to Entrepreneurs

TikTok is inching closer to a potential ban in the US. So what's next?Beau Ryan, Natarsha Belling and Aaron Woods have been named the new breakfast hosts of 104.9 Triple M Sydney after Mark Geyer was axed from the spot earlier this month. Starting on January 20, Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy, brings together three fantastic local Sydney voices to engage and entertain listeners, from 6-9 am weekdays on 104.9 Triple M Sydney and LiSTNR . Dave Cameron , SCA chief content officer, said: “ In 2025, the Triple M network will continue to have a steadfast approach to locally focussed Breakfast shows across the country, hosted by much-loved local identities in each city that can connect with local audiences and clients. Sydneysiders know their city to be Australia’s most exciting, and they deserve something just as exciting, fresh and locally relevant to wake up to, instead of the tired same-same approach of other Sydney stations. “We’re hugely excited to welcome this brand-new Breakfast team in Beau Ryan, Tarsh Belling and Aaron Woods to deliver a hilarious, completely Sydney-focussed, sport-flavoured, and genuinely mischievous way for Sydney to wake up. Beau and Tarsh are already well-loved and experienced Sydney media talent, and Woodsy, who is fresh off the footy field, will bring added cheekiness to the show. “104.9 Triple M Sydney will lead the charge on creating a new and different Breakfast approach in Australia’s biggest city, which is simply screaming out for something fresh and locally connected. It’s time!” Ryan, former professional NRL player and host of The Amazing Race Australia , will sit alongside journalist and news reader Natarsha Belling and former West Tigers Captain, Aaron Woods , Since retiring from his elite NRL career, Ryan has proven himself to be a standout media host and performer who has gained national recognition for his hosting duties of Channel 10’s The Amazing Race Australia and Top Gear Australia , amongst his many other television and radio appearances including on Triple M’s The Rush Hour . Whilst this will be Ryan’s first full-time radio gig, his mischievous sense of humour and bloke-next-door demeanour is the ideal fit for Triple M listeners. No stranger to the Triple M audience, over the past two years Belling has been a wonderful contributor to the Mick & MG in the Morning Breakfast show and will now help steer the Breakfast ship as co-host, whilst continuing to deliver the morning news for Triple M. Rounding out the show’s hosts is Aaron Woods, who has recently been an outstanding contributor to Triple M Sydney’s The Rush Hour . Current Triple M Sydney Breakfast show anchor, Cat Lynch , will also keep the mornings on track as the show’s anchor. In further good news for Triple M Sydney, Laura Bouchet has been appointed to the role of content director. She brings almost two decades of audio experience including six with the SCA station , Bouchet’s expertise and passion for the medium will be an invaluable asset to the station’s announcers and producers, helping lead Triple M Sydney into a new era. Ryan said: “I’m so keen to start on Triple M Breakfast in 2025 with the fabulous Tarsh Belling and my good mate Aaron Woods. I grew up with Triple M; it was always on for every car trip and then, during my playing days, it got me through the long commute to training at the Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks. So now to be a part of the new Breakfast team is a wonderful full circle moment. I can’t wait to greet Sydneysiders with the new team in the new year. It’s a close-knit network with passionate listeners. Let’s f*#*en go!” Belling said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Beau and Woodsy for this exciting new Breakfast show. I can’t wait to wake up with Sydney and share all the day’s news, sport and crazy stories. Strap yourselves in Sydney – we are live and local and anything can happen!!!” Woods added: “Honestly, I can’t bloody wait to join the Triple M Breakfast show, it’s like a dream come true. My whole family love Triple M and my Nan would always have it on the stereo at home. To work with my ex-teammate Beau Ryan will be awesome. We know he’s a lunatic and God only knows what he will be coming up with on-air. And then there’s Natarsha Belling, what a legend!” This comes as Mark Geyer , who co-hosted the 104.9 Triple M Breakfast show with Mick Molloy , was axed from the Breakfast show earlier this month. Cameron thanked Geyer for his work and said: “ W e wish to thank MG for his incredible 17-year contribution to Triple M across many shows and NRL calls. We sincerely hope he will be a part of the Triple M family again at some stage in the future, and we wish him all the best.” – Top image: Beau Ryan, Natarsha Belling and Aaron WoodsAnnie Kilner spotted wearing huge diamond ring after 'filing to divorce Kyle Walker'

Federal judge rules Alabama city must allow gay pride float at Christmas parade

Trump says extension of the debt ceiling will 'go down as one of the dumbest political decisions made in years'Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 02.12.2024

AHF Honors and Remembers Jimmy Carter as Human Rights Champion