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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the launch of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra but the South Korean manufacturer doesn't seem to be dropping any hints for the details of the handset. Set to launch in early 2025, this new model in Samsung’s lineup is expected to feature enhancements designed to maintain its dominance in the smartphone market. Continues below advertisement window.addEventListener("load", function() { let ad_unit_fire_time = 1000; if(ad_delay_time_abp > 0){ ad_unit_fire_time = parseInt(ad_delay_time_abp) + 500; } setTimeout(function () { googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-9167143-2"); }); },ad_unit_fire_time) }); ALSO READ | GTA 6's Second Trailer Is Not Being Dropped On Purpose? Here's What A Former Rockstar Games Developer Said Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Price & Launch Date (Expected) According to leaks, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S25 series on January 23, 2025, during its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, with the device potentially becoming available by February 6. There’s ongoing speculation about the pricing of the Ultra model, especially after the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched at $1,299. Continues below advertisement window.addEventListener("load", function() { let ad_unit_fire_time = 1000; if(ad_delay_time_abp > 0){ ad_unit_fire_time = parseInt(ad_delay_time_abp) + 500; } setTimeout(function () { googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1253031-3"); }); },ad_unit_fire_time) }); Increased material costs and the addition of Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip may lead to higher prices, although Samsung has not yet confirmed any adjustments. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Battery The battery capacity is expected to remain at 5,000mAh, but the improved efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip could lead to longer usage times. Charging speeds are anticipated to stay at 45W, similar to the S24 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Camera Upgrades Samsung is said to be prioritising advancements in its camera technology to stay competitive with brands like Apple. One of the key rumours is a significant upgrade to the ultrawide lens, potentially increasing its resolution from 12MP to 50MP. Additionally, the telephoto lens might feature "variable focal lengths" to provide smoother zooming. Although there has been speculation about the removal of the second telephoto lens, sources indicate that Samsung will maintain a four-lens configuration for the time being. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Design & Display Rumours suggest that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have subtle design changes, but it will keep the premium titanium frame introduced with the S24 Ultra. Leaks indicate a slightly larger 6.9-inch display with thinner bezels and a more rounded design for improved ergonomics. Despite these updates, Samsung is expected to continue using its M13 OLED display technology, foregoing the brighter M14 panels found in some competing devices. Color choices may include titanium, black, green, and blue, with exclusive shades such as jade and pink potentially available as well. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaks: Performance & AI Integration The Galaxy S25 Ultra, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, is set to deliver a major performance boost, with early benchmarks indicating a 40% improvement in CPU efficiency and a 42% increase in GPU performance compared to its predecessor. RAM may also be upgraded to 16GB, enhancing multitasking abilities and supporting advanced on-device AI functions. Samsung is likely to place a strong emphasis on AI enhancements with the S25 series, potentially integrating generative AI into its Bixby assistant and other features. The device will run Android 15 with One UI 7 and benefit from Samsung’s ongoing commitment to long-term software updates.President-elect Donald Trump's transition team says several of his political allies were "targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives." Trump himself has been the target of assassination attempts. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday said that it is looking into a series of threats against members of President-elect Donald Trump 's new Cabinet. "The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees," adding that agents were "working with our law enforcement partners" on the case. Trump transition team spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had raised the alarm earlier on Wednesday. "Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them," she said. Leavitt said Trump allies were the targets of bomb threats as well as so-called "swatting attacks" — a reference to people reporting a fabricated serious crime in a bid to trigger a large emergency law enforcement operation at someone's home or workplace . Trump has been announcing his nominations and picks for various Cabinet posts in recent days and weeks, amid preparations for his inauguration on January 20. US President-elect Trump's controversial cabinet picks To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video js/msh (AP, Reuters)FIFA confirms 2034 World Cup coming to Saudi Arabia
SAU livestock forum stresses need for research to boost indigenous breedsConor McGregor has been dropped by the whiskey company that used his name as the fallout continues from his rape conviction by a civil court. The former multi-division UFC world champion has also released a fresh statement in the wake of the verdict, confirming he intends to appeal while reiterating his intention to return to “the fight game”. UFC 310: MUHAMMAD VS RAKHMANOV | SUN 8 DEC 2PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View. Ms Nikita Hand accused McGregor of “brutally raping and battering” her after a Christmas night out in 2018. The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro ($398,380.86 AUD). The UFC star has previously said he is preparing to appeal the civil court jury’s verdict that he assaulted the woman in a Dublin hotel room. On Tuesday “The Notorious” released another statement that showed he plans to move on from the case and return to the “fight game” where he has not fought since 2021. “People want to hear from me, I needed time,” he posted on Twitter. “I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me. “As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision. “I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. “That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits.” Not everyone is moving forward with him. Whisky label Proper Twelve on Wednesday morning made a move to no longer use his “name and likeness” to market the drink. The whisky company was the most lucrative and prominent of McGregor’s business interests having been one of the founders of the company in 2018. His stake in the company was worth a staggering $130 million when the company was sold to alcohol giant Proximo for $600 million in 2021. Having been the biggest star the UFC has ever known, McGregor was kept on as the promotional face and frontman for the beverage as it continued to expand into markets around the globe. That has all come to a crashing end with Tuesday’s news. “Since 2021, Proximo Spirits has been the 100pc owner of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey,” the company said in a statement. “Going forward, we do not plan to use Mr. McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand.” The Rape Crisis Network Ireland was among the groups urging retailers to stop selling McGregor’s stout and whiskey after the civil case, The Sun reports. McGregor has also continued to be the face of the Forged Irish Stout, which he has promoted with Australian former world champion Ebanie Bridges . Bridges was also an official ambassador for Proper Twelve and has been pictured with McGregor holding the products in viral photos. The brands are suddenly on the nose. The Musgrave Group, which operates supermarkets including Centra and SuperValu, have pulled both the beer and whisky products from their shelves. A Musgrave spokesperson told the Irish Sun: “Musgrave can confirm these products are no longer available to our store network.” Musgrave, a family owned company, boasts a network of over 1,250 shops. The BWG Foods group, which includes Spar, Eurospar, Londis and XL stores, has also pulled the products. Supermarket giant Tesco has also removed all alcoholic drinks associated with McGregor. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are removing Proper No Twelve Whiskey from sale in Tesco stores and online”. McGregor has been dropped by video game developer IO Interactive. The tech firm behind the Hitman video game series says it has ended its relationship with McGregor. A statement from Hitman’s official X account read: “In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. “Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today.” McGregor last year said his total earnings as an athlete totalled “about $650 million”.
Monster Kitchen executive chef David Wykes is looking forward to a big 2025 in hospitality. Picture by Keegan Carroll This week, Monster Kitchen and Bar shocked Canberra foodies by announcing that it was giving up the vegetarian way of life for an omnivore menu. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The reason? Quite simply, guests - both Canberrans and those staying in the attached Ovolo Hotel - wanted to see animal-based protein on the menu. "We're hoping to go basically back to what Monster used to be, which was a fine dining restaurant that was edgy and fun," Monster's executive chef David Wykes said. "Vegetarian worked well for a little while, and then it got to a point where we started losing people because of the vegetarianism . "So we're not necessarily taking the vegetarian meals off, we're just putting protein back on. We're just trying to be more accessible to everyone involved, especially because we have a lot of corporate people and a lot of hotel guests who come in who want protein and that's where we were losing a bit of business." It's unusual to switch things up this dramatically, with the festive season bringing in plenty of functions that need to be catered for while also navigating the preparation of a new menu. But since the past 12 months have been challenging for the hospitality sector, responding to what customers are saying is perhaps more important than ever. "We're changing a very core concept so whether or not it's received well or not is still to be seen," Wykes said. Monster Kitchen executive chef David Wykes is looking forward to a big 2025 in hospitality. Picture by Keegan Carroll "There will always be complaints. We know there will be people who are upset at the fact we're not strictly vegetarian anymore, but we're just hoping we just need to see how the market plays out because we don't really know. "We don't know if we're going to be busy for the next two months or if we are going to be busy until halfway through December. We have no idea." According to stats from OpenTable, 2025 is set to be a promising year for hospitality. It would be a relief for many eateries, and while it does rely on easing pressure on the cost of living, dining out is the top thing Aussies will spend any discretionary income on when they have it. More than half (58 per cent) of Australians plan to dine out more next year, and more than half (59 per cent) of Aussies say they'll spend more on dining out next year. "Eating out is not just this functional thing, where I need to have some food today, so let's get our job done at a restaurant," OpenTable's Drew Bowering said. Monster Kitchen executive chef David Wykes is looking forward to a big 2025 in hospitality. Picture by Keegan Carroll "People are actually treating restaurants for what restaurants want, which is life experience, not just the consumption of food. And that's why people are looking for these unique dining experiences as well. And that's why they're happy to be more because it's essentially entertainment." OpenTable saw a 9 per cent increase in experience bookings in 2024 and its consumer research findings found 41 per cent of Aussies are looking to try experiential dining more in 2025. Top experiences diners are on the lookout for include tasting menus (39 per cent), special deals/promotional offers (32 per cent), bottomless brunch (31 per cent) and dinner and a show (30 per cent). "Meals at local eateries are still the core dining experience that people want - supporting and eating locally is something actually that's been on the rise a lot over the last 12 months, anecdotally," Mr Bowering said. Monster Kitchen and Bar is bringing back the omnivore menu after four years of a vegetarian-only offering. Picture by Keegan Carroll "But when people do choose to go out for an experience ... they're like 'Let's look at this place and look at the options they have. Is there a chef's table? Is there a set menu?' "And depending on what demographic you're talking about, this is where restaurants are very smart to play so keenly into how important social media is in dining these days as well. "If you've got something that's an experience that, let's be frank, is more Instagrammable than just standard a la carte choice, then people are very drawn to that kind of thing." Mr Bowering said while customers may be keen to find a bargain when it comes to their fine dining options, they're more likely to find a limited-time experience or offer. "The margins are paper thin for restaurants," he said. "What restaurants prefer to be able to do is to entice people, or attract people into the restaurants through the value that they add. So it's more a case of come along and it's champagne on arrival, or come along this time, and then the loyalty bonus for returning. There's an email marketing element to that as well. "That's where we see a lot of collabs as well. You get a lot of restaurants saying we've got this chef from this other restaurant from down the road or in another city or country, and they're coming in and cooking for a week." Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Amy Martin Canberra Times lifestyle reporter As the lifestyle reporter, I love finding out what makes people tick and giving insight into the different ways that you can enjoy the city we live in. Email: amy.martin@canberratimes.com.au As the lifestyle reporter, I love finding out what makes people tick and giving insight into the different ways that you can enjoy the city we live in. Email: amy.martin@canberratimes.com.au More from Canberra Convicted child sex offender hired by government-funded legal service 15m ago Don't worry about Hastie's tough talk, we've got actual crises to prepare for 15m ago No comment s What's happened and what's ahead for the APS 15m ago No comment s Property forecast: rental market uncertain heading into 2025 15m ago No comment s A stunning feat of democracy went unnoticed. A telling sign of Australia's literacy 15m ago No comment s Ratings shouldn't figure in ABC decisions. So we're owed some explanations 15m ago No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. 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DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...This was a long day coming, and frankly one I never thought I’d see. Thirteen years ago, Syria’s Bashar Assad unleashed a reign of unmitigated terror on his own people, in response to protests of his inhumane Ba’athist government. Over the course of the civil war, he unabashedly committed the worst atrocities imaginable — barrel bombing schools and hospitals, torturing children and the elderly, releasing sarin gas on toddlers and infants. His war on his own people is estimated to have killed 500,000 Syrians, 50,000 of them children. Upwards of 35,000 have been “disappeared” or imprisoned. Millions more have been displaced. For 13 years, a small cohort of journalists, war reporters, aid groups and lawmakers tried everything we could to not let these atrocities go unnoticed or forgotten. But it often felt like screaming into a void of indifference. That indifference is the world’s burden to share, and will always be a tragedy on top of a tragedy — inexplicable, indefensible, unforgivable . But now that Assad the Butcher is finally gone, we owe it to the Syrian people to correct our moral failures. The unexpected fall of Assad has brought Syrians hope for the first time in more than 50 years, but it also opens the door to some potentially dangerous unknowns that must be addressed by world leaders. There are two immediate concerns: Assad’s chemical weapons and the state’s Captagon production. Assad used chemical weapons , including sarin and chlorine barrel bombs, against his own people on multiple occasions. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has spent more than 10 years trying to determine exactly which ones the regime still possesses, with no luck. Now is the time to find them and hold Assad accountable for their use , and more importantly, dispose of them properly so they don’t end up in the hands of terrorist factions circling Syria. Similarly, Captagon is a dangerous synthetic stimulant that’s been mass-produced and trafficked in Syria by the Assad regime since the war began and Syria’s economy imploded. The drug brought in billions for Assad. But Syria cannot rebuild as a narco-state, and containing Captagon is a national security and public safety must. Then, Syria will need, well, everything — the rebuilding of schools, roads, and hospitals; a functioning government; the means by which to welcome back millions of refugees; protection from vulture groups looking to exploit the new vacuum. We not only have a role to play in all of this; it’s in our own economic and national security interests to ensure Syria’s rebirth as a democratic partner in the region. And we have the leverage to do it. In April 2011, the U.S. issued its first sanctions against Syria and many more followed. Eventually, the U.S. would prohibit any new investment in Syria, embargo its oil, impose travel bans, freeze the assets of a number of Syrian entities and persons, and prohibit the export of any U.S. goods and services. The European Union, Australia, the Arab League, Turkey, as well as multiple non-EU countries would follow suit, plunging Syria into economic darkness. Along with our allies, we should engage in talks to lift these sanctions, and in fact pour resources back into Syria under a checklist of conditions. Syria must draft a new constitution. It must conduct democratic elections. It must release all prisoners of war. It must allow refugees to return home. It must allow outside agents to dispose of its chemical weapons and Captagon. There is so much more that a new Syria will have to do to regain its stability and economic footholds, to rebuild its infrastructure, to heal its people. It has a long road ahead, after suffering down a long road of Assad’s terror. We don’t need to send troops, nor do we need to envision our role as nation builders. This isn’t a heavy lift for the U.S., nor will it put incoming President Trump in a politically compromising or “interventionist” position. We have a golden opportunity to help give the Syrian people what they’ve long been demanding and deserve — a free and fair democracy. That’s good for Syria, and good for America and our allies. We can’t go back and intervene when perhaps we should have. We can’t bring half a million innocent people back to life. We can’t undo the torture and horrors Bashar Assad brazenly unleashed on his people for years. And we can’t wash the stain of indifference off of our hands. But we can help Syria rebuild. And after years of inaction and apathy, it’s quite simply the least we can do.Saskia Newman was born profoundly deaf, "but you'll notice right now, you can't tell that I'm deaf, right?" Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue With a hearing aid in her right ear, and a cochlear implant in her left, the vice-captain of Deaf Football Australia's national women's team has spent the better part of her 22 years trying to fill in the gaps. She sat in classrooms with "20 to 30 other kids who were noisy, loud, and doing their own thing" while teachers wore microphones which streamed directly into Newman's ear, just so she could pick it up. She had a note-taker attend lectures and take notes to help during her undergraduate degree. While studying postgraduate medicine at ANU, Newman can't hear using a regular stethoscope. Hers amplifies sounds by 63 times, just so she can hear a heartbeat. But in conversation, you wouldn't know it. "As a toddler, my mum had to write down every single sound I made to chart my progress and reflect on how I was learning the sounds I was able to make," Newman said. "Every single sound has been learnt. As a kid without hearing loss, you could just hear something, copy it, and learn to speak. You don't have to think about speech, you don't have to learn every sound and every word. Saskia Newman "It's absolutely incredible. The cochlear is fantastic. It gives me access to all these possibilities, to have a strong connection with my family, to have a career in medicine. It simply wouldn't be possible without the cochlear implant, no way. "It's not perfect, right? People with hearing loss, they work really hard in the background to fill in the gaps, to fill in the context and put together what a person said." Now imagine all that in a sporting context. Newman, who now calls Canberra home, will play for Australia's women's team in a double-header against Japan at Landen Stadium in Sydney's west on December 15. Officials are urging fans to get behind Deaf Football Australia's national teams with free entry to a venue which can cater for up to 7000 spectators. So if you're there, what's different? For a start, it might be one of the quieter games you could see. Saskia Newman is gearing up for a clash with Japan. Picture supplied "The referee uses a flag [instead of a whistle], and all the players don't have their hearing aids in. Everyone is truly unable to communicate via sound, you can't call out to anyone, so it's a very quiet game," Newman said. "It's a great way to come together with other people with hearing loss. It develops a lot of skills in communication, which is just absolutely amazing for a lot of deaf people, to come together, develop their communication skills, and play a game everyone is so passionate about. To play a game at this level, when you're representing your country, it's such an honour to be a part of that. "Financially, it's really hard for a lot of the players. We're funding ourselves often for the training and for the competition, but it's an amazing opportunity." Newman's family has been impacted by genetic hearing loss. She has had hearing aids since she was weeks old, her mum has one, and her father will soon receive a cochlear implant. When it comes to soccer, Newman has found more common ground. She joined Deaf Football Australia's program in 2021, when there might have been two or three girls at the start, and maybe eight at the next camp. Then there were 16, and a squad of up to 30 girls is "continuing to grow". MORE SPORT This Canberra star needed eight stitches. What she did first will stun you Nick Kyrgios wants to rename a court at the Australian Open - after himself Canberra United coach's warning for Matildas mentor "As someone with hearing loss, you're working so hard to fill in the gaps. To go to a place like Deaf Football Australia, where the environment is made for deaf people, it is made to support you, you're not tired," Newman said. "There's this thing called hearing fatigue. You can get hearing fatigue from being a part of society, where you need to listen and you can't lip-read all day. That's a big challenge for me, when I'm in the hospital on placement. That's a big challenge for my learning, it's about finding ways to overcome that. That's something I'm looking forward to working on. "But when you come to an environment like Deaf Football Australia, it's made for you. Even though there's new faces and new teammates to meet, and you might be playing three hours of soccer a day in training camps that go for a few days to a week, you're not tired because the environment is built for you. Everyone is understanding of the challenges we each face." Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Caden Helmers Sports Writer Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. More from Canberra Convicted child sex offender hired by government-funded legal service 15m ago Don't worry about Hastie's tough talk, we've got actual crises to prepare for 15m ago No comment s What's happened and what's ahead for the APS 15m ago No comment s Property forecast: rental market uncertain heading into 2025 15m ago No comment s A stunning feat of democracy went unnoticed. A telling sign of Australia's literacy 15m ago No comment s Aircons for lizards, wreaths for rhinos: What the zoo is getting for Christmas 15m ago No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Loading... WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading... WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading... WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading... WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading... WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading... WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...D. Boral Capital Reaffirms “Buy” Rating for UroGen Pharma (NASDAQ:URGN)
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The suspect in the murder of UnitedHealth Group UNH.N executive Brian Thompson was not a customer of the health insurer, a company spokesperson said on Friday. Ivy League-educated Luigi Mangione was charged with murder on Dec. 9 for the killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel before a company conference, following a five-day manhunt. Mangione suffered from chronic back pain that affected his daily life, according to friends and social media posts, though it is unclear whether his personal health played a role in the shooting. UnitedHealth does not have prior records for either Mangione or his mother, the spokesperson said. Thompson’s murder was met with shock across the industry, as well as an outpouring of anger from Americans struggling with healthcare costs and the complexities of U.S. health insurance. Public officials and healthcare executives have acknowledged the frustrations, but in the last few days have been more vocal in pushing back against social media glorification of an accused killer. In a New York Times opinion piece on Friday, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said he understood public frustrations with the “flawed” U.S. healthcare system, but mourned Thompson’s killing and decried the “vitriol that has been directed at our colleagues who have been barraged by threats.” Thompson was CEO of the company’s large health insurance business. The New York Times reported that an internal New York City police report analyzing Mangione’s writings concluded that he viewed the killing as a justified response to what he believed to be corruption in the healthcare industry. In some circles, Mangione has been celebrated and more than a thousand donations have poured into an online fundraiser for his legal defense. “It’s representing a widespread anger that is felt by people in the middle class, in the working class and people who are well-to-do who also have trouble with their insurance company,” said Pepper Culpepper, a professor of government and public policy at Oxford University. ABC News and others reported on Friday that a Florida woman was arrested after she allegedly ended a phone call with a representative from her insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield by saying the words “Delay, deny, depose. You people are next.” The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were carved into shell casings found at the Thompson murder scene, several news outlets reported, evoking the title of a book critical of the insurance industry published in 2010 titled “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.” ‘INTENSELY PERSONAL AND VERY COMPLICATED’ “Health care is both intensely personal and very complicated, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood,” Witty wrote in his first public comments since the murder, noting that the U.S. healthcare system is a patchwork built over decades. “We share some of the responsibility for that. Together with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made,” he wrote. Health insurance companies have come under sharp public scrutiny since Thompson’s Dec. 4 murder, and shares of UnitedHealth alone have fallen nearly 15%. It isn’t clear if the recent events “represent a watershed moment” that could catalyze change in the industry, said Morningstar analyst Julie Utterback. “You can definitely feel the potential for some kind of change in the air.” The healthcare sector has reassessed security measures due to an uptick in violent crime the last 18 months, Reuters reported, with UnitedHealth and rivals CVS Health CVS.N and Cigna CI.N removing photos of their leadership from their websites following the shooting. Instead of boosting security for executives, insurers should manage public perception of their services, said Culpepper, adding that many Americans believe big health insurers refuse to cover needed care in an effort to bolster revenue. “This sort of ambient discontent around health insurance in the United States will not go away until it starts to be addressed.”Lebanon said Israeli strikes Thursday on the country's east and south killed 52 people, as raids also hit south Beirut and Hezbollah claimed its deepest attack on Israel in over a year. More than 11 months of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah over the Gaza conflict escalated into all-out war in September, with Israel conducting an extensive bombing campaign, primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds, and sending ground troops into southern Lebanon. "Israeli enemy strikes that targeted the Baalbek district" in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley left "40 dead and 52 wounded", a health ministry statement said, listing tolls for 10 different locations. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said a couple and their four children were killed in a strike on a house in the village of Maqneh, while another couple and their young daughter were among 11 people killed in a raid on nearby Nabha. The ministry also reported "seven dead and 24 wounded" in "Israeli enemy strikes" on south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, and "five dead and 26 wounded" in strikes elsewhere in south Lebanon. In Israel, first responders said a man was killed after rocket fire from Lebanon hit the Galilee region in the country's north. In Beirut's southern suburbs, the NNA reported at least 12 strikes throughout Thursday, after relative calm while US envoy Amos Hochstein visited earlier this week, seeking to broker an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee on social media platform X issued several rounds of evacuation warnings for Beirut's southern suburbs, as well as areas in and around the southern coastal city of Tyre, but none for east Lebanon. AFPTV footage showed columns of smoke rising from the southern suburbs, usually a densely populated residential district but now largely emptied. Adraee said on X that the Israeli military "targeted a weapons depot, a command headquarters and terrorist infrastructure" belonging to Hezbollah in south Beirut. Amid a series of attack claims, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted "the Hatzor air base" near Israel's southern city of Ashdod, around 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Lebanon's southern border, "with a missile salvo" -- its deepest target in more than a year of hostilities. In 10 separate statements, Iran-backed Hezbollah said its fighters also targeted Israeli troops in and near the south Lebanon town of Khiam, including with artillery, rockets and drones. The NNA said "the enemy army" was "blowing up homes and residential buildings during its incursion into the town". Lebanon's official news agency and Hezbollah have reported fighting and air strikes in the Khiam area ever since Israeli ground troops first entered Lebanon on September 30. Earlier Thursday, United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert visited Baalbek's UNESCO-listed archaeological area, after the UN's cultural body this week granted more than 30 heritage sites in Lebanon "provisional enhanced protection" amid the war. Lebanon's health ministry said Thursday that at least 3,583 people had been killed in the violence since October 2023. Most of the deaths have been since September this year. The Israeli military said Wednesday that three soldiers were killed in south Lebanon, bringing to 52 the number killed in Lebanon since the start of ground operations. bur-lg/givNone
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