NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.Blame it on the food and drink?
Perhaps the most powerful figures in the tech world, Elon Musk and Sam Altman , have certainly defined the future of technology in many aspects—from AI to space exploration. Although perhaps they share the same traits and vision of ambition, their approaches are incredibly different. Their contrasting views on innovation, leadership, and the future drove their success and fuelled conflicts between them. Such similarities, differences, and conflicts are great insights into what makes tech leadership complex. They share a deep passion for innovation, breaking limits, and pushing further for possibilities. Musk is known as the founder of companies like SpaceX , Tesla, and Neuralink for their very long obsession with transforming industries and solving problems to change the world; Altman is known for serving as the president of Y Combinator, the world's leading startup accelerator, as well as co-founding OpenAI. Both men are driven by a desire to improve humanity's future. They are trying to improve the chances of human civilization through technology, either by making life multi-planetary with SpaceX or by doing it with AGI through OpenAI. Most of their ambitious projects center on overcoming existential threats, including climate change and the perils of AI. Both are also strong advocates for risk-taking and resilience in failure. For instance, some of Musk's ventures, like SpaceX, faced numerous failures before finally succeeding. Altman is no stranger to risk-taking; this is especially true with OpenAI, an effort to advance capabilities in AI while ensuring proper ethical guidelines. While Musk and Altman share the same goal of shaping the future through technology, there are differences in the methods and philosophies they use. More particularly, Musk is famous for his bold, disruptive work style. Work under his style mostly features a willingness to take extreme risks and, in some instances, challenge established norms of operation. Whether launching a car into orbit via SpaceX or popularizing the electric vehicle via Tesla, Musk has been described as highly hands-on and aggressive in his approach. Altman is more measured and philosophical in approach. He's very serious about the ethics of AI, and if explicitly asked, he tends to take advantage of opportunities to emphasize developing a technology aligned with human values. Collaborative and transparent, with sustainability as the top priority, would sum up the way Altman manages his business. Here, also, his interest is in how benefits technology develops to benefit society further. Altman has been an activist regarding safety in AI, believing that this technology must be regulated with extreme caution to avoid unintended consequences. Their differences have made them fight sharply, although one of their greatest similarities is the struggle they pose as the engines of innovation. While leading in innovation, one huge distinction between Musk and Altman and numerous conflicting views can be their viewpoints on the evolution and handling of AI. For example, Musk has expressed many outspoken apprehensions about the future dangers AI would unleash unless restricted. He has called for strong regulations and even the slowing of AI development until more safety measures are placed. However, Altman and OpenAI have different views. Altman may believe that though these risks are accepted for this technological development, it's for the betterment of human society. He clings to optimistic ideas about future technology and keeps campaigning incessantly for further advances despite efforts towards stopping further damage to these technological advancements. This has also led to tension between the two because of the way Musk expresses his fears over the unchecked development of AI and thus criticizes the approach taken by OpenAI. There are also differences in their philosophies of business. Musk runs vertically integrated companies, where he seeks to have as much control over the production process as possible. For instance, Tesla makes its batteries , and SpaceX manufactures its rockets. Altman operates on a relatively decentralized basis. Companies in OpenAI will team up and share ideas, but they still run their projects. It is interesting that there is so much competition between Elon Musk and Sam Altman in this technology sector. They are both leading powers but are very different regarding their approach towards technology and policies in business. Musk is bold and involved; Altman is more cautious and even concerned about ethics, at least with AI. Their arguments on rules and development for AI reflect how complicated innovation is in a high-tech world. Even though there may be disagreement, they are both molding the future, learning about ambition, leadership, and how to evolve progress with care.
Harvey settles FOIA lawsuit after denying police body-worn footage request related to arrest
Canada's Trudeau returns home after Trump meeting without assurances that tariffs are off the tableKnights shut out Flames to extend winning streak to 6
Tom Homan explains how he plans to implement mass deportations for illegal migrants on ‘Hannity.’ EXCLUSIVE: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will introduce a budget proposal banning "sanctuary cities" in his state, along with ensuring tax money will not go to counties or independent cities that aren’t complying with ICE. The proposal will require local police and corrections officers to fulfill Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests for criminal illegal immigrants and notify the federal government within two days of releasing any such person who matriculates through the justice system. Additionally, any municipality that identifies as a sanctuary city or enacts similar policies will have state funding typically allocated toward supporting their police departments withheld by Richmond. The Department of Criminal Justice Services, currently led by Youngkin appointee and former Prince William County Officer Jackson Miller, will be advised to withhold what is called "599 Funding" in that regard. YOUNGKIN ‘PERSONALLY INVITES’ NEW TRUMP ADMIN TO RELOCATE TO VIRGINIA OVER DC Youngkin speaks at a Salem, Virginia, Trump rally. (AP/Steve Helber) "Criminals who are in the United States illegally will be turned over to ICE," Youngkin told Fox News Digital on Thursday. "We must stop the cycle of violence and crime that is being enabled by some local governments. Virginia is not a sanctuary state, and we must be clear that we will not allow localities to become ‘sanctuary cities.'" The Republican governor, who is term-limited next year under Virginia’s one-and-done policy, said that if local governments "pander to pro-illegal immigrant groups" they’ll see the state-taxpayer assistance spigot turned off. The news comes amid recent violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Virginia, most recently the sexual assault of a jogger on a popular Herndon rail-trail. Shortly before Thanksgiving, Honduran national Denis Humberto Navarette-Romero was charged with intent to defile and rape a woman on the Old Dominion Trail. The Washington, D.C., suburb’s police chief said it was the first stranger-rape case in her 12 years on the job. YOUNGKIN: EDUCATION IS THE ‘BEDROCK OF THE AMERICAN DREAM’ Glenn Youngkin holds a campaign event in Amherst, Virginia, Oct. 28, 2021. (Charles Creitz/Fox News) Critics pointed to Fairfax County’s sanctuary-type policies as Navarette-Romero had been previously arrested for auto theft and indecent exposure. In 2018, Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid notified ICE her office will no longer hold inmates past release dates unless an administrative request to hold the suspects is accompanied by a legal criminal detainer. Kincaid told WJLA earlier this year her department requires such a warrant, after ICE officials criticized a lack of cooperation with Virginia’s largest county by-population. Only three of 725 "undocumented individuals" in Fairfax custody between July 2023 and July 2024 were transferred to ICE, the outlet reported. Also in November, Arlington County’s board voted 4-1 in favor of a policy stipulating police may only notify ICE in cases involving gang members and very serious crimes, according to ArlNow. The vote came as activists chanted "ICE Out Of Arlington!" CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Alexandria, an independent city, initiated a policy in 2007 stating it would not inquire about citizenship "beyond what is required by state and federal law." In 2017, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney responded to President Trump’s immigration policies by ordering the city's police department not to consent to participate in ICE collaboration agreements and not to inquire about citizenship status "in the interest of public safety." Virginia officials have said the state Department of Corrections has always and continues to recognize ICE detainers during Youngkin’s tenure. Incoming Trump "Border Czar" Thomas Homan has repeatedly pledged a "mass deportation" initiative and similarly warned sanctuary cities he will use the might of the federal government to enforce compliance with the law. Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. Charles covers media , politics and culture for Fox News Digital. Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
The Amazon Omni Mini-LED (2024) delivers a stellar picture and intense audio. Wi-Fi 6E capability and a 144Hz refresh rate help optimize it for gameplay. The remote response and load times seemed a bit sticky. My two foremost considerations for buying a smart TV are price range and performance. Is it within my budget, and how does it stack up to competitors? Assessing those two factors alone can help determine the value you're getting for your purchase. Also: Mini LED vs. OLED: What's the difference, and which TV should you buy? While the 2024 Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED is not a budget model, it's impressive enough to give higher-end, more expensive televisions a run for their money. I tested the 65-inch version at our ZDNET lab -- while surveying the picture quality and experience of other, more premium sets -- to give you this breakdown. Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED (2024) The company's latest model features a Mini LED panel, a 144Hz refresh rate, and useful AI features. What's new with this model Amazon's latest iteration in the Fire 4K TV Omni series ambitiously combines the precise control of brightness and contrast of mini-LED backlighting with the vibrant colors and wide viewing angles of QLED. That, plus its picture-enhancing Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive features, results in images with superb depth and detail. In addition to these visual improvements, Amazon upgraded its audio potential from a pair of 12W speakers to a 2.1 system, meaning it added a subwoofer to complement the Omni Mini-LED's left and right speakers. This better equips the TV to make the most of its Dolby Atmos technology and create a spatial, three-dimensional surround sound experience. Also: Changing these 5 soundbar settings made my living room feel like a movie theater The Omni Mini-LED also has better Wi-Fi support than older models, now able to operate on Wi-Fi 6E. Besides futureproofing, this allows for faster data rates if your router is compatible. (The Amazon Eero Pro is a ZDNET-recommended option, and now it has a new model available.) Speaking of accelerated processing, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this is Amazon's fastest Fire TV ever. The Omni Mini-LED features a tantalizing 144Hz refresh rate for hardcore gamers, and PC gamers especially can take advantage of AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to smooth out gameplay and reduce latency. While we're seeing more premium sets hit the 165Hz rating, 144Hz is still a significant step up from the 60Hz we typically see on mid-range TVs. Further, the Fire TV now has two HDMI 2.1 ports in case you'd like to connect devices beyond your Xbox or PlayStation console. It also comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, an ethernet connection, and an eARC port for a soundbar or peripheral speakers. Also: The best TVs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed Three features stand out that separate the Omni Mini-LED from lower-end options: motion detection, hands-free operation, and its Ambient Experience, which, according to Amazon, "turns your TV into an all-day useful display." Motion detection is a sweet addition because the TV's integrated radar sensor will notice motion in the room to wake up the unit when idle, displaying a customized screen saver and preferred widgets, like weather information. This feature is part of its Ambient Experience -- a mode in which you can use AI to create your own art to display 24/7, if you so wish. I asked it, for example, to create a "bioluminescent coral seascape." Here is what the AI came up with. A sample of the Omni Mini-LED's generative AI artwork. The hands-free Alexa feature allows you to search for and launch your desired content (and also adjust volume) without even touching the remote. If you don't want your smart TV to hear everything you say, you can turn this off via a manual switch buried at the bottom of the unit's frame. Or, holding down the single blue button on the remote allows you to communicate your requests more discreetly. Setup and performance The Omni Mini-LED's initial setup required jumping through the usual hoops: setting up Wi-Fi, adding apps, opting in or out for Amazon-specific ad features, and so on. One of the first options while setting up included changing the default Picture Mode to a different mode for better picture quality. Do this. Making the switch only invokes a minor increase in power consumption, which adds up to spending a few more pennies per month, so it's worth it. I tried all the picture options and found "Movie Bright" looks best on the Omni Mini-LED. Notably, the Netflix app wasn't an available option in the initial setup, but when I logged into my Prime account, it included all the apps I downloaded there. That process, after attaching the unit's two metal feet to its base, was fairly swift and breezy. Also: LG's G4 OLED TV is my pick for best picture quality, and it's $800 off for the holiday season With Prime's extensive library at my fingertips, I chose to watch Outer Range (in 4K) to get a first impression. And I was impressed by its 1,400 nits of peak brightness and 768 dimming zones which yield a sharp, bright picture and superb contrast, even in a well-lit room. As I always do when setting up a TV for testing, I experimented with the Omni Mini-LED's settings to maximize (in this case) its QLED potential. It's interesting to note that its UX allows access to settings with two different menus: one from the Home screen, and one within each app. For example, pressing the remote's gear icon Settings button while watching a movie gives you limited menu options compared with clicking on the gear icon from the Home screen. Navigating through the options, I turned on AI Picture and Adaptive Brightness under the "Intelligent Picture" option. This purportedly adapts the picture according to your room's current light and color, and the AI upscaling will fine-tune details to keep high-res images sharp. Under Advanced Picture Settings, I further turned on Super Resolution and set both Edge Enhancer and Noise Reduction on high. Also: Changing these 6 TV settings instantly sped up its performance The Omni Mini-LED's native volume is intense, partly thanks to the inclusion of that subwoofer upgrade. Dolby Atmos support and its new 2.1 speaker system also help bring richness and clarity to the sound. While testing, I was more than comfortable with the volume set at 23 out of 100. For comparison, I often need to push the volume on my 2018 Samsung up to 70+ to get comprehensible dialogue. For this Omni TV, in the Advanced audio settings, I found the option called Clear Voice to be best, and I went ahead and turned on Volume Leveler: High. With these settings in place, I was satisfied that I was getting the most out of the Omni Mini-LED in terms of sound and vision. Overall, I only have a couple of minor gripes, and they are persnickety. The network speed at our lab checks out at a respectable 130 Mbps. Despite that, I found the load times lagged a bit when switching between shows and apps, implicating the Fire TV OS as dragging its feet. With a strong Wi-Fi signal, I was surprised to see what was ostensibly buffering between transitions. My other gripe is even more nitpicky. I noticed a delay in the TV's response to pressing any button on the remote. Granted, we're talking about a matter of one or two seconds. If you're impatient like me, though, you might be tempted to hit a button twice when you don't get an instant, immediate response, toggling you back to where you were. This drives me crazy, but I know it's no big deal. ZDNET's buying advice Looking for a mid-range TV that rivals brands with a higher price tag but similar qualities? The Omni Mini-LED is a worthy contender at its list price of $1,089. It offers convincing upgrades from prior Fire TV models and exceeds the needs of many viewers and game players with its lofty specs. If you're keen on Google TVs, consider the Hisense Class U8 -- the company's flagship version of a mini-LED panel. ZDNET's Taylor Clemons suggests it may eclipse the Omni Mini-LED in terms of gaming performance, but its list price is generally higher when not on sale. Specifications (compared to competitors) Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED (2024) Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED (2022) Hisense U8N (2024) Display type QLED, Mini LED QLED QLED, Mini LED Resolution 4K UHD 4K UHD 4K UHD HDR formats HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10+ Gaming HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Advanced HDR Refresh rate 144Hz in gaming mode 60Hz 144Hz HDMI ports 2x HDMI 2.0 / 1x HDMI eARC 2.1 / 1x HDMI 2.1 3x HDMI 2.0 / 1x HDMI eARC 2.1 2x HDMI 2.0 / 2x HDMI 2.1 Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet Sizes 55", 65", 75". 85" 43" (LED), 50", 55", 65", 75" 55", 65", 75". 85", 100" Price $819 - $2,099 $449 - $1,099 $798 - $4,997 How we test TVs While testing and researching the TVs featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind: Price: Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model on this list has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs. Screen size: The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. Each best TV on this list was chosen because they are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit different rooms. Picture and audio quality: A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound. For a more detailed look, check out our extensive TV testing methodology . Why I pick this ultraportable Lenovo tablet over the iPad Air for multimedia consumption I tested the new Kindle Scribe for two weeks, and it beat my ReMarkable in several ways One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Hisense These Beyerdynamic earbuds delivered glorious sound for any kind of music I playedThe Bank of Scotland’s business barometer poll showed 73% of Scottish businesses expect to see turnover increase in 2025, up from 60% polled in 2023. Almost a quarter (23%) of businesses expect to see their revenue rise by between six and 10% over the next 12 months, with just over a fifth (21%) expecting it to grow by even more. The poll found that 70% of businesses were confident they would become more profitable in 2025, a two per cent increase when compared with the previous year. Revenue and profitability growth was firms’ top priority at 52%, though 40% said they will be targeting improved productivity, and the same proportion said they will be aiming to enhance their technology – such as automation or AI – or upskill their staff (both 29%). More than one in five (22%) want to improve their environmental sustainability. Other areas businesses are hoping to build upon AI-assisted technology (19%), and 24% will be investing in expanding into new UK markets and 23% plan to invest in staff training. The business barometer has surveyed 1,200 businesses every month since 2002, providing early signals about UK economic trends. Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland commercial banking, said: “Scottish businesses are looking ahead to 2025 with stronger growth expectations, and setting out clear plans to drive this expansion through investments in new technology, new markets and their own teams. “As we enter the new year, we’ll continue to by their side to help them pursue their ambitions and seize all opportunities that lie ahead.”
NoneDoing business gets harder for gas, power shortage
More Scots business owners anticipate higher turnover in 2025, poll suggestsIn a significant move, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is all set to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 player auction, marking its first significant venture into cricket . The auction will be held on Sunday, November 24, and Monday, November 25, at Abady Al Johar Arena, also known as Benchmark Arena, in Jeddah . A total of 574 players have been selected from an initial pool of 1,574 names. Of the 574 players, 366 are Indian, while 208 are overseas, including three from associate nations. The auction will see 318 Indian uncapped players and 12 uncapped overseas players in contention. Featuring notable players such as Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, veteran England fast bowler James Anderson, and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Saudi Arabia’s holding of the IPL auction signals its intention to elevate cricket alongside football, golf, and boxing in its sports investment portfolio under the Vision 2030 project. This is not the first time the player auction is venturing out of India. In 2023, the player auction was held at the Coca-Cola in Dubai.
After knocking off bitter rival Ohio State on its home turf, the Michigan Wolverines may have taken their postgame victory celebration just a little too far. Moments after upsetting the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes, several UM players congregated at midfield and planted a team flag in the middle of Ohio State’s “O,” which set off a chain reaction after OSU linebacker Jack Sawyer grabbed the flag and yanked it away from the Wolverines players. Seconds later, players from both teams got into a brawl on the field that had to be broken up by officials and police, who even pulled out some mace to try and keep order. After things calmed down, Michigan running back Kalel Mullings addressed what happened during an interview with Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft, sending a message to the seemingly bitter Buckeyes. “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game,” Mullings said. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football, but at the end of the day, you know some people got to learn how to lose. You can’t be fighting and stuff just because you lost a game. "You hate to see stuff like that after the game. It's just bad for the sport, bad for CFB... They gotta learn how to lose man. You can't be fighting." @JennyTaft speaks with Michigan's Kalel Mullings after a fight broke out between Ohio State and Michigan after the game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/z6rmxu2YJQ “All that fighting — we had 60 minutes, we had four quarters to do all that fighting, and now people want to talk and fight. That’s wrong, it’s just bad for the game — classless in my opinion — and people got to be better.” Mullings was Michigan’s star player on Saturday. He finished the game with 32 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown, including Michigan’s first score of the game early in the second quarter. The senior tailback was clutch on the Wolverines’ 11-play, 57-yard scoring drive in which they scored the go-ahead field goal, rushing nine times for 51 yards to set up the UM offense in the red zone and allow Dominic Zvada to hit the game-winning 21-yard field goal.