Bangladesh court bans publication of speeches by ousted Prime Minister Hasina
Handshakes, murals and ministry: A reopened Texas prison focuses on rehabilitationFormer cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault tells committee: 'I am not Indigenous'
DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don't buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren't fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver's seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don't fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn't be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver's seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.Andrej Stojakovic made 11 free throws to help craft a team-high 20 points, freshman Jeremiah Wilkinson had his second consecutive big game off the bench and Cal ran its winning streak to three with an 83-77 nonconference victory over Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Wilkinson finished with 16 points and Rytis Petraitis 13 for the Golden Bears (5-1), whose only loss this season was at Vanderbilt. Jacob Holt went for a season-high 25 points for the Hornets (1-4), who dropped their fourth straight after a season-opening win over Cal State Maritime. Seeking a fourth straight home win, Cal led by as many as 12 points in the first half and 40-33 at halftime before Sacramento State rallied. The Hornets used a 14-5 burst out of the gate following the intermission to grab a 47-45 lead. Julian Vaughns had a 3-pointer and three-point play in the run. But Cal dominated pretty much the rest of the game, taking the lead for good on a Petraitis 3-pointer with 14:50 remaining. Stojakovic, a transfer from rival Stanford, went 11-for-15 at the foul line en route to his third 20-point game of the young season. Cal outscored Sacramento State 26-17 on free throws to more than account for the margin of victory. Coming off a 23-point explosion in his first extended action of the season, Wilkinson hit five of his 10 shots Sunday. The Golden Bears outshot the Hornets 47.2 percent to 43.1 percent. Joshua Ola-Joseph contributed 10 points and six rebounds, Mady Sissoko also had 10 points and Petraitis found time for a team-high five assists. Holt complemented his 25 points with a game-high eight rebounds. He made four 3-pointers, as did Vaughns en route to 18 points, helping Sacramento State outscore Cal 30-21 from beyond the arc. EJ Neal added 16 points for the Hornets, while Emil Skytta tied for game-high assist honors with five to go with seven points. --Field Level MediaCanadiens’ Patrik Laine skates with teammates for the first time since his injury
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Marcus Adams Jr.'s 25 points helped CSU Northridge defeat Utah Tech 89-79 on Sunday night at the Stew Morrill Classic. Adams added five rebounds for the Matadors (4-1). Keonte Jones added 23 points while shooting 8 of 15 from the field and 5 for 10 from the line while they also had nine rebounds and three blocks. Scotty Washington had 19 points and went 7 of 14 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range). The Trailblazers (1-5) were led by Hakim Byrd, who posted 23 points. Utah Tech also got 15 points from Noa Gonsalves. Samuel Ariyibi finished with 14 points and three blocks. The Matadors play Denver and Utah Tech takes on Montana when the event wraps up on Monday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 5, 2024-- Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) (“Argan” or the “Company”) today announces financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended October 31, 2024. The Company will host an investor conference call today, December 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Consolidated Financial Highlights ($ in thousands, except per share data) October 31, For the Quarter Ended: 2024 2023 Change Revenues $ 257,008 $ 163,755 $ 93,253 Gross profit 44,327 19,235 25,092 Gross margin % 17.2 % 11.7 % 5.5 % Net income $ 28,010 $ 5,464 $ 22,546 Diluted income per share 2.00 0.40 1.60 EBITDA 37,509 12,180 25,329 Cash dividends per share 0.375 0.300 0.075 October 31, For the Nine Months Ended: 2024 2023 Change Revenues $ 641,705 $ 408,779 $ 232,926 Gross profit 93,376 57,201 36,175 Gross margin % 14.6 % 14.0 % 0.6 % Net income $ 54,090 $ 20,340 $ 33,750 Diluted income per share 3.91 1.50 2.41 EBITDA 74,241 33,774 40,467 Cash dividends per share 0.975 0.800 0.175 October 31, January 31, As of: 2024 2024 Change Cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 506,282 $ 412,405 $ 93,877 Net liquidity (1) 280,977 244,919 36,058 Share repurchase treasury stock, at cost 102,746 97,528 5,218 Project backlog 800,000 757,000 43,000 (1) Net liquidity, or working capital, is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities. David Watson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Argan, commented, “Our third quarter revenues and earnings, each the second highest in Company history, reflect strong execution across all of our businesses, which drove consolidated revenues growth of 57% to $257 million, gross margin of 17.2%, net income of $28.0 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, and EBITDA of $37.5 million. Our power industry services segment had a particularly strong quarter as evidenced by revenue growth of 75% to $212 million with gross margin of 18.3%, demonstrating our ability to drive enhanced profitability on our renewable as well as on our natural gas projects. “Our backlog of $0.8 billion at the close of the quarter increased 6% compared to backlog entering fiscal year 2025, and includes $478 million of renewable projects, reflecting the market appeal of our energy agnostic capabilities and our ability to diversify our backlog mix. The industry is seeing strong demand for natural gas projects and we believe that our expertise, well-established industry relationships and reputation for enabling efficient and on-budget project completion provide a competitive advantage as we pursue new opportunities. “As we move through the close of our fiscal year, we are encouraged by the strengthening pipeline of planned energy facilities as the industry prepares for the anticipated unprecedented growth in power demand driven by data centers, reshoring of manufacturing operations and increased EV charger utilization. We believe our successful track record as an effective partner in the construction of both traditional and renewable power facilities position us well to capitalize on the current and future need for high quality energy resources to support the power grid.” Third Quarter Results Consolidated revenues for the quarter ended October 31, 2024 were $257.0 million, an increase of $93.3 million, or 57%, from consolidated revenues of $163.8 million reported for the comparable prior year quarter. The Company achieved increased revenues with heightened quarterly construction activities at several projects, including the Midwest Solar and Battery Projects; the Trumbull Energy Center, a large combined cycle, gas-fired power plant under construction near Lordstown, Ohio; the 405 MW Midwest Solar Project; and the Louisiana LNG Facility. The overall increase in consolidated revenues between quarters was partially offset by decreased construction revenues associated with the Guernsey Power Station project, the Shannonbridge Power Project and the ESB FlexGen Peaker Plants, as those projects have been completed. For the quarter ended October 31, 2024, Argan’s consolidated gross profit was approximately $44.3 million, or 17.2% of consolidated revenues, reflecting profit contributions from all three reportable business segments. The consolidated gross margin for the quarter reflects the changing mix of projects, strong execution and certain positive job closeouts. Last year, during the third quarter ended October 31, 2023, gross profit was negatively impacted by a loss on the Kilroot project, which reduced gross profit by approximately $10.7 million. Consolidated gross profit for the quarter ended October 31, 2023 was $19.2 million, or 11.7% of consolidated revenues. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $2.6 million to $14.0 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2024, from $11.4 million in the comparable prior year quarter. However, as a percentage of revenues, these expenses declined to 5.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to 6.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Other income, net, for the three months ended October 31, 2024 was $6.6 million, which reflected income earned during the period on invested funds in the total amount of approximately $4.8 million. During the quarter ended October 31, 2024, the Company recorded income tax expense of $9.0 million, primarily due to consolidated pre-tax book income of $37.0 million. For the comparable period last year, the effective tax rate was higher primarily due to the unrecognized tax loss benefit related to the Kilroot project. For the quarter ended October 31, 2024, Argan achieved net income of $28.0 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, compared to $5.5 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for last year’s third quarter. EBITDA for the quarter ended October 31, 2024 increased to $37.5 million compared to $12.2 million in the same quarter of last year. Argan maintained a substantial total balance of cash, cash equivalents and investments during the quarter. The total balances were $506.3 million and $412.4 million as of October 31 and January 31, 2024, respectively. Balance sheet net liquidity was $281.0 million at October 31, 2024 and $244.9 million at January 31, 2024; furthermore, the Company had no debt. First Nine Months Results Consolidated revenues for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 were $641.7 million, an increase of $232.9 million, or 57.0%, from consolidated revenues of $408.8 million reported for the comparable prior year period. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, consolidated gross profit increased to approximately $93.4 million, which represented a consolidated gross margin of 14.6%, compared to consolidated gross profit of $57.2 million, or consolidated gross margin of 14.0%, reported for the nine months ended October 31, 2023. The gross profit percentage increased between periods primarily due to the changing mix of projects and contract types. Additionally, during the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, gross profit was negatively impacted by a loss recorded on the Kilroot Project, which reduced gross profit by approximately $2.6 million and $11.5 million, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $5.4 million to $37.8 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2024, from $32.5 million in the comparable prior year period. However, as a percentage of revenues, these expenses declined to 5.9% from 7.9% between the periods. Other income, net, for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 was $17.0 million, which reflected income earned during the period on invested funds of approximately $14.0 million, as the weighted average balances of investments are meaningfully higher this year. The Company recorded income tax expense of $18.5 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 primarily due to corresponding consolidated pre-tax book income of $72.6 million. For the comparable period last year, the effective tax rate was higher primarily due to the unrecognized tax loss benefit related to the Kilroot project. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, Argan achieved net income of $54.1 million, or $3.91 per diluted share, versus net income of $20.3 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for last year’s comparable period. EBITDA for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 was $74.2 million compared to $33.8 million in the same period of last year. Conference Call and Webcast Argan will host a conference call and webcast for investors today, December 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Domestic stockholders and interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (888) 506-0062 and international participants should dial (973) 528-0011; all callers shall use access code: 925404. The call and the accompanying slide deck will also be webcast at: https://www.webcaster4.com/webcast/page/2961/51625 The conference call and slide deck may also be accessed via the Investor Center section of the Company’s website at https://arganinc.com/investor-center . Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site. A replay of the teleconference will be available until December 19, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international). The replay access code is 51625. A replay of the webcast can be accessed until December 5, 2025. About Argan Argan’s primary business is providing a full range of construction and related services to the power industry. Argan’s service offerings focus on the engineering, procurement and construction of natural gas-fired power plants and renewable energy facilities, along with related commissioning, maintenance, project development and technical consulting services, through its Gemma Power Systems and Atlantic Projects Company operations. Argan also owns The Roberts Company, which is a fully integrated industrial construction, fabrication and plant services company, and SMC Infrastructure Solutions, which provides telecommunications infrastructure services. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Within this press release, the Company makes reference to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure described in this press release is important to management and investors because the measure supplements the understanding of Argan’s ongoing operating results, excluding the effects of capital structure, depreciation, amortization, and income tax rates. The non-GAAP financial measure referred to above should be considered in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, the GAAP financial information presented in this press release. Financial tables at the end of this press release provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP measures. Safe Harbor Statement Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Reference is hereby made to the cautionary statements made by the Company with respect to risk factors set forth in its most recent reports on Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other SEC filings. The Company’s future financial performance is subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the successful addition of new contracts to project backlog, the receipt of corresponding notices to proceed with contract activities, the Company’s ability to successfully complete the projects that it obtains, and the Company’s effectiveness in mitigating future losses related to the Kilroot loss contract. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to the risk factors highlighted above and described regularly in the Company’s SEC filings. ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended October 31, October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 REVENUES $ 257,008 $ 163,755 $ 641,705 $ 408,779 Cost of revenues 212,681 144,520 548,329 351,578 GROSS PROFIT 44,327 19,235 93,376 57,201 Selling, general and administrative expenses 13,995 11,375 37,848 32,467 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 30,332 7,860 55,528 24,734 Other income, net 6,646 3,733 17,044 7,222 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 36,978 11,593 72,572 31,956 Income tax expense 8,968 6,129 18,482 11,616 NET INCOME 28,010 5,464 54,090 20,340 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES Foreign currency translation adjustments (957 ) (882 ) (1,933 ) (627 ) Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities (659 ) (427 ) (169 ) (1,147 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 26,394 $ 4,155 $ 51,988 $ 18,566 NET INCOME PER SHARE Basic $ 2.07 $ 0.41 $ 4.04 $ 1.52 Diluted $ 2.00 $ 0.40 $ 3.91 $ 1.50 WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic 13,530 13,328 13,398 13,381 Diluted 14,034 13,559 13,830 13,549 CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE $ 0.375 $ 0.300 $ 0.975 $ 0.800 ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) October 31, January 31, 2024 2024 (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 175,349 $ 197,032 Investments 330,933 215,373 Accounts receivable, net 131,660 47,326 Contract assets 44,620 48,189 Other current assets 34,579 39,259 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 717,141 547,179 Property, plant and equipment, net 14,147 11,021 Goodwill 28,033 28,033 Intangible assets, net 1,924 2,217 Deferred taxes, net 1,254 2,259 Right-of-use and other assets 6,365 7,520 TOTAL ASSETS $ 768,864 $ 598,229 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 87,085 $ 39,485 Accrued expenses 78,393 81,721 Contract liabilities 270,686 181,054 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 436,164 302,260 Noncurrent liabilities 3,996 5,030 TOTAL LIABILITIES 440,160 307,290 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share – 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock, par value $0.15 per share – 30,000,000 shares authorized; 15,828,289 shares issued; 13,569,104 and 13,242,520 shares outstanding at October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively 2,374 2,374 Additional paid-in capital 168,441 164,183 Retained earnings 266,334 225,507 Treasury stock, at cost – 2,259,185 and 2,585,769 shares at October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively (102,746 ) (97,528 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,699 ) (3,597 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 328,704 290,939 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 768,864 $ 598,229 ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION TO EBITDA (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 Net income, as reported $ 28,010 $ 5,464 Income tax expense 8,968 6,129 Depreciation 433 489 Amortization of intangible assets 98 98 EBITDA $ 37,509 $ 12,180 Nine Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 Net income, as reported $ 54,090 $ 20,340 Income tax expense 18,482 11,616 Depreciation 1,376 1,524 Amortization of intangible assets 293 294 EBITDA $ 74,241 $ 33,774 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205082200/en/ CONTACT: Company: David Watson 301.315.0027 Investor Relations: John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau IMS Investor Relations 203.972.9200 argan@imsinvestorrelations.com KEYWORD: EUROPE UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM NORTH AMERICA MARYLAND INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY TECHNOLOGY OTHER CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY ENVIRONMENT OTHER COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Argan, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/05/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/05/2024 04:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205082200/en Copyright Business Wire 2024.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 17, 2024-- Moved , the leading platform for automating resident onboarding and offboarding in multifamily communities, has integrated with HappyCo , the premier performance asset management platform, to enhance the move-in experience through streamlined inspection processes and compliance management, optimizing workflows for property managers while benefiting residents. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217535228/en/ Through this collaboration, Moved clients can access HappyCo's inspection tools during the resident onboarding phase, ensuring that residents and property management teams are aligned on move-in requirements and inspection completion. This integration aims to increase awareness, compliance, and overall efficiency in handling inspections. "The Moved and HappyCo integration solves two critical challenges: completing inspections on time and keeping residents informed," said Mario Gaztambide, Senior Managing Director of Residential Properties at LeFrak . “With resident onboarding and unit inspections streamlined through a single interface, our teams can move beyond manual data entry while delivering an exceptional move-in experience.” "Strong maintenance operations are built on accurate inspections data," said Jindou Lee, CEO & Founder of HappyCo. “Integrating with Moved as a HappyCo Plugins partner means properties can capture and verify unit conditions from day one, creating a foundation of reliable data that guides maintenance decisions and protects assets throughout the resident lifecycle." Adam Pittenger, CEO & Founder of Moved, stated, “Our integration with HappyCo reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the resident experience and streamlining property operations. By integrating inspection management into the Moved platform, we can offer our clients a seamless, end-to-end solution that supports both residents and property management teams.” Key Benefits: The Moved and HappyCo integration is made possible by HappyCo Plugins, an open API ecosystem that helps property teams connect preferred solutions and features with the push of a button. For more integration details within the Moved resident onboarding and offboarding platform, please contact info@moved.com or visit www.moved.com . For more information on HappyCo, visit www.happy.co or connect with the Plugins partnership team by heading here . About HappyCo: HappyCo is the premier asset performance management platform for multifamily property management companies, offering a comprehensive suite of services and tools to optimize maintenance for technicians and teams. HappyCo’s Centralized Maintenance leverages AI and automation to streamline maintenance operations and drive new levels of efficiency and resident satisfaction. HappyCo’s commitment to drive innovation and partnership forward with an open API ecosystem of HappyCo Plugin partners helps the multifamily industry thrive in an era of rapid change and digital transformation. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in San Diego, CA. For more, visit happy.co . About Moved: Moved is a fully integrated, web-based software platform designed specifically for multifamily communities to create efficiency on-site by automating the resident move-in, move-out, and transfer process, delivering an unforgettable experience for residents, and driving ancillary revenue. The interface guides residents through tasks required by the property they're moving to or from - everything from uploading renters insurance and reserving elevators and loading docks to scheduling key pick-ups. This transparent, self-serve dashboard makes moving easy for residents while automating tasks for property management teams. Moved is an open platform that integrates easily with Yardi, RealPage, ResMan, Entrata, and more. You can learn more about Moved at www.moved.com or on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217535228/en/ CONTACT: Press Contacts:Moved Emily Burke Email:marketing@moved.com Website:www.moved.comHappyCo Lindsey Henn Email:lindsey.henn@happy.co Website:www.happy.co KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DATA MANAGEMENT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUILDING SYSTEMS ASSET MANAGEMENT APPS/APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: HappyCo Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/17/2024 03:30 PM/DISC: 12/17/2024 03:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217535228/enDec. 17—How can thousands of people inside Lincoln Financial Field see Eagles players Darius Slay Jr. and Quinyon Mitchell throw and land punches against Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin III and the NFL's on-field officials and its many replay officials in the press box and in New York's command center miss them? That's a question Steelers fans are wondering this week after the altercation resulted in Washington and Austin drawing flags for unnecessary roughness while Slay and Mitchell went unpunished. The answer is complicated, but NFL replay assist, which was implemented to help improve the league's officiating, has many kinks that have yet to be ironed out. Replay assist, which came into existence in 2021, was expanded this season to include more reviewable plays, which is unintentionally causing more problems. Coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have been vocal about some of the issues that have come with replay assist's decisions on correcting bad spots by officials. It seems innocuous enough to correct a bad spot, but the league's operation in administering its decisions causes headaches for coaches. The on-field officials are not giving coaches enough time to substitute new personnel based on the new spot. All that would have to be done is resetting the play clock after the ball is respotted, but the NFL and its officials refuse to make the adjustment. It might seem like a small issue, but for coaches who obsess over the smallest details in their game plans — particularly packages and play calls that are determined by down and distance — it's a significant change that was not accounted for by the league in its implementation. Then there are more egregious errors, of course, like the ones that occurred Sunday in Philadelphia that led to lots of questions about the NFL's operation. In addition to the officials not being able to see what happened in the altercation, replay officials later concluded Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter's 15-yard personal foul for punching Connor Heyward on a Steelers punt happened after the punt rather than before — even though replays show punter Corliss Waitman's foot had not yet struck the ball. That meant the Eagles got possession rather than the Steelers having their drive extended by the penalty. When asked Tuesday if he was satisfied with the explanation he received from officials on the play, Tomlin said, "I was not." Players are frustrated with the ineffectiveness and inconsistencies involved in replay assist, as well. "When it comes to replay assist, I don't know if we're gaining enough to continue on with it," said veteran defensive end Cam Heyward, who played a decade in the league before replay assist and the past three years with it. "I know they say they can do it in quick time, but I don't know if we're really accomplishing anything by having replay assist." There seems to be a lot of confusion all around with how the league manages its operation, so here is how replay assist works: There are replay officials at every stadium that work as part of the officiating crew along with the instant replay operation in New York, where a technician is assigned to monitor each game. There is a supervisor assigned to up to four games at a time and then there are instant replay decision makers. The replay official at the stadium or in New York can communicate with the on-field officials on reviewable aspects of plays. Had FOX replays shown Eagles players punching Steelers players, they would have been penalized, too. It seems unfathomable, but FOX replays did not pick up the punches — or if they did, they did not provide those replays to New York in a timely fashion. Here we are, 45 years after the 1979 AFC championship game — a game that ultimately led the league to adopt replay reviews after the Steelers benefitted from a missed call on Oilers receiver Mike Renfro — and the NFL is still struggling with technology and how to implement replay reviews effectively in real time. The inability to overrule the on-field officials on Sunday cost the Steelers. At the very least, there should have been offsetting penalties, which would have kept the Steelers at the 4-yard line after the melee. Instead, the Steelers were pushed back to the 19-yard line and eventually had to settle for a field goal. On top of that, the Eagles players who threw punches would have been subject to disqualification by replay officials if they had access to the video. It's rather ironic with NFL Films and its flock of cameramen chronicling the Steelers for HBO's "Hard Knocks" series. Here's guessing Sunday's controversy ended up on the cutting-room floor. So can the NFL fix the problem before the postseason begins? Technically, no. The Steelers and every other team must live with the current setup, as flawed as it might be, for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. In 2017, with the No. 1 seed in the AFC on the line, Steelers tight end Jesse James appeared to catch a touchdown pass for a go-ahead score late in a game against the Patriots. However, NFL replay review overturned the touchdown because officials said James did not complete the process of the catch as he went to the ground. The rule was officially amended a few months later, and the catch rule was simplified for the 2018 season, but the league unofficially had its officials exercise common sense in the 2017 postseason. In the Super Bowl between New England and Philadelphia, Eagles tight end Zach Ertz scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter on a carbon copy of the James play, and the league did not overturn the touchdown. The NFL should exercise some common sense and make replay assist more effective for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs before another embarrassing situation is highlighted on a bigger stage. (c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
NonePITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was minding his own business during practice recently, doing his due diligence while running his route when the ball suddenly came his way. Washington wasn't sure what option he was on the play. he certainly wasn't first. Probably not even second. Maybe not even third. Washington was on the back side all by his lonesome while a sea of wide receivers and running backs zig-zagged across quarterback Russell Wilson's field of vision. Only, Wilson didn't like what he saw. Not enough to throw it anyway. So he pivoted to his left and found Washington wide open for a big gain. Asked if he was surprised to find the ball in his hands, Washington nodded. “A little bit,” he said. “I don't know. I don't know what was going on with the other people.” Wilson did. He almost always seems to these days for the first-place Steelers (9-3), who find themselves atop the AFC North behind the play of their resurgent 36-year-old quarterback, who has taken a decidedly democratic approach to resurrecting his career. The nine-time Pro Bowler threw the ball to 10 different players while piling up 414 yards last week against the Bengals . Sure, mercurial star George Pickens got the ball. But so did Washington. And third tight end MyCole Pruitt. And wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who turned his second catch of the season into a 23-yard gain on a drive that ended with one of Wilson's three touchdown passes. “You never know when it’s coming your way,” Skowronek said. Not with Wilson at the controls. Fourteen different players have at least one catch this season for the Steelers. That includes Mike Williams, whose lone grab a month since being acquired from the New York Jets is a 32-yard rainbow for the winning score in the final minutes against Washington. It also includes Skowronek, who spent the early portion of the season on injured reserve and worried he'd sort of lost his place in line while he rehabbed. Skowronek and his teammates have quickly learned that with Wilson, there is no “line." During his six starts since returning from a calf injury, Wilson has thrown it wherever, whenever. “It’s like in baseball,” said Wilson, a former minor league second baseman. “You’ll never hit a home run if you don’t swing. And I really believe that you’ve got to swing, you’ve got to trust guys. You’ve got to be able to trust yourself.” Something that hasn't been an issue for Wilson for years, even if he arrived in Pittsburgh at a crossroads following an abrupt fall from grace in Denver. The Steelers couldn't sign Wilson to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum fast enough, and Wilson wasted little time building a rapport with players who were relative strangers. What began with throwing sessions in San Diego has morphed into team dinners and Friday nights where Wilson and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will hole themselves up in the team facility poring over tapes and bouncing ideas off each other until their wives call wondering where they are. On game days, that work manifests itself in various ways. It's tight end Pat Freiermuth drifting toward an open area while Wilson scrambles, as he did two plays after Skowronek's grab for a 25-yard touchdown. It's Wilson calling an audible at the line of scrimmage late against Cincinnati to hit Van Jefferson for a 43-yard gain that led to a clinching field goal. It's not just good for the stat sheet, it's good for the vibes. “Morale is a big part,” Smith said. Guys who want to be invested. Spreading it around is beneficial in a myriad of ways. It means players don't feel they are “decoys on every play,” as Smith put it. It also means once you put it on film, it means opponents have to find a way to defend it. And the more things an opponent has to defend, the better for an offense, particularly one led by a quarterback who will make his 195th start on Sunday when Cleveland (3-9) visits. “Russ has seen every coverage,” Skowronek said. “He’s ran all these concepts before. So he knows progressions like probably the back of his hand.” Besides, Wilson knows he can't just preach about the importance of being unselfish without practicing it a little bit too. That means giving opportunities to those who have worked for it, no matter where they might fall on the depth chart. “I think that the best part about it is that we’re all super close,” Wilson said. “And I think that bond is really everything too, and just the understanding of each guy and the relationships that we have together, it’s fun. We’re having a great time.” It sure looks like it. The Steelers are averaging a healthy 28.7 points since Wilson recovered from a calf injury that forced him to watch the first six games from the sideline. For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh no longer has to rely exclusively on its defense to get by. While Mike Tomlin will never get comfortable with the idea of getting into a shootout — blame his defensive coaching roots before taking over in Pittsburgh in 2007 — it's nice to know his team can match opponents score for score if necessary. Another one could be looming against the Browns, who piled up more than 500 yards in a loss to Denver on Monday night. If one materializes, Wilson is ready to do whatever is necessary and find whoever is necessary, regardless of pedigree, salary or resume. “We got to love that part of it,” Wilson said. “We can’t fear it. We’ve got to want it. We’ve got to expect it. We’ve got to embrace it. We’ve got to challenge that. We’ve got to be in those moments and be locked into that moment. I think we do an extremely good job of that.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
CIPL Publishes Discussion Paper on Applying Data Protection Principles to Generative AI
Callum McGregor wary of how quickly football can change despite Celtic’s lead
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has asked the Department of Homeland Security to deploy a specific type of technology that detects drones in New York and New Jersey. The Senate majority leader told reporters during a news conference Sunday that a specialized drone-detecting product from Robin Radar Systems is likely more effective than the equipment DHS currently uses to track aircrafts in tri-state skies. “Today, we’re asking the DHS, the Department of Homeland Security, to deploy special detection systems, like the Robin, which use not a linear line of sight, but 360-degree technology that has a much better chance of detecting these drones,” Schumer said. “And we’re asking DHS to bring them to the New York-New Jersey area.” Residents say they have spotted unidentified drones flying over New Jersey recently, prompting concerns among elected officials. Schumer said Robin Radar Systems will help provide answers to questions about the aircraft. “If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is the technology that can track the aircraft with precision and determine what the heck is going on,” Schumer said. “And that’s what the Robin does.” “Once we get those answers, we will be in much better shape. Let’s face it: Our local people ... who have questions about these drones should not have to shake an 8-ball to get an answer,” Schumer added, holding up a Magic 8 Ball. “They want real answers, and the Robin can supply those answers, and that’s why we want them here. Schumer said he has received briefings from DHS about the drones. The department did not return a request for comment. Last week, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan flying over his Davidsonville home, though critics claim he actually saw the constellation Orion.In a span of about 20 hours, SpaceX could manage three rocket launches and one landing of a Dragon spacecraft. It flew a Department of Defense mission from Cape Canaveral on Monday night and on Tuesday knocked out a National Reconnaissance Office mission from California and the landing of the latest cargo Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Florida. The topper will be a launch from Kennedy Space Center that would mark 90 spaceflight missions among all providers on the Space Coast in 2024. That launch would see a Falcon 9 on the mPower-E mission launching from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A during a one-hour, 27-minute window that opens at 3:59 p.m. EST with backup during same window on Dec. 18. The payload is a pair of satellites for Luxembourg-based communications company SES headed to medium-Earth orbit. With one hour before the opening of the window, the countdown was paused for weather, and a new T-0 is pending. Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron forecasts a 55% chance for good launch conditions, that would improve to 65% in the event of a 24-hour delay. High winds at the launch site and concerns for booster recovery delayed launch attempts for both Space Coast missions over the weekend. When it does fly, this would be the first launch of the first-stage booster that will aim for a recovery landing downrange on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic. Already on Tuesday, a SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft made a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida to complete the CRS-31 mission. The Dragon arrived to the International Space Station with 6,000 pounds of resupply payloads back on Nov. 5 after launching from the Space Coast, and returned with thousands of pounds of supplies and science experiments. Earlier Tuesday, the company flew the NROL-149, a National Space Security Launch mission, from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. The busy schedule began on Monday night, with what had been a secretive mission leading up to launch. That one was a Falcon 9 that lifted off on the RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 7:52 p.m. This was the fourth launch of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas. After launch, the Space Force revealed in a press release the RRT stood for “Rapid Response Trailblazer,” and its payload was a GPS III satellite flying under a National Security Space Launch contract that had switched from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX. It touted the launch as “a new level of readiness and resilience” for its Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command, as it took less than five months to turn around the mission from its inception to launch. Normally this sort of NSSL mission would take 24 months to execute. The prelaunch processing timeline was also sped up from a normal six-month turnaround to only three months. It took an existing satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin from storage, sped up its integration and readiness for launch. The mission was originally tapped to fly on a ULA Vulcan rocket, but had been delayed because Vulcan has yet to be certified by the Space Force. “This launch was a remarkable achievement that highlights the Space Force’s ability to execute high priority launches of major space systems on a significantly reduced timescale,” said Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader of Launch Execution for the Space Force’s Assured Access to Space program. “As an added benefit, it also demonstrates flexibility to adjust our manifest to minimize the impact of Vulcan delays.” The GPS satellite, which was nicknamed “Sally Ride,” joins 31 others already active in orbit, along with seven backup satellites and three more awaiting launch. “Over six billion people use GPS on a daily basis, and we are always eager to update the global capability we provide by getting some new technology on orbit,” said Col. Andrew Menschner, Space Force Delta 31 mission commander, which acted as the space vehicle lead for the first time. -------- ©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ballistic Glass: The Life-Saving Technology Alerting a Shift from Security AlarmsPurdue vs. Marshall Predictions & Picks: Spread, Total – November 23Middle East latest: Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital wound 3, Netanyahu vows 'iron fist' in Lebanon
IonQ, Quantum Computing And Rigetti Computing Shares Are Soaring Monday: What's Going On?Luigi Mangione ’s legal battle has begun. After the 26-year-old was arrested Dec. 9 and later charged with murder in New York for the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , as well as four other charges in Pennsylvania related to possession of a firearm and forged documents, he was indicted Dec. 17. In the indictment document issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Mangione has been charged with one count of murder in the first degree for the death of Thompson, as well as one count of murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, one count of murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal weapon possession in the second degree, four counts of criminal weapon in the third degree, one count of criminal possession in the fourth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. “We allege that Luigi Mangione carried out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan,” said district attorney Alvin L. Bragg in a press release. “T his type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice.” If charged, Mangione faces the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole. Mangione’s indictment comes just over a week after he was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania , when authorities received a call from an employee at the establishment. Following his arrest, the University of Pennsylvania alum was charged, denied bail and was later booked into SCI Huntington Department of Corrections, per CNN . In the days since, Mangione retained high profile New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo after initially fighting extradition from Pennsylvania, per NBC News. After retaining Agnifilo, multiple outlets reported that Mangione is expected to waive extradition during an upcoming Dec. 19 hearing. Since his arrest, Mangione has also been represented by Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey , who has maintained his client’s innocence. “I haven't seen any evidence that he’s the shooter,” Dickey told reporters outside the courtroom after a Dec. 10 hearing. “Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concert of American justice is a presumption of innocence until you're proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And I've seen zero evidence at this point.” Dickey has also spoken out about some of the public’s support of his client, saying he’s received many offers to cover Mangione’s legal fees, telling CNN of the financial support , “maybe these people were exercising their right to free speech and saying that's the way they're supporting my client.” Meanwhile, Mangione’s family—a locally well-known elite Baltimore pedigree—have remained mostly out of the public eye amid the alleged shooter’s arrest other than a singular statement shared by cousin Maryland Senate Delegate Nino Mangione . “Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," the statement, shared to X Dec. 9, reads. “We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Keep reading for everything that has unraveled since the Dec. 4 death of Thompson. Who is Brian Thompson? Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News. Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompson —though according to public records viewed by E! News, they had been living in separate homes—and was the father of two sons. He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old. How did Brian Thompson die? Patrol officers from the New York City Police Department’s Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning. Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompson’s back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. “The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.” Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a “pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack” and not a random act of violence. “The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway,” she noted, “and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case.” What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far? According to Kenny, the shooter headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompson’s arrival. In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day. The chief detective added the shooter—who ignored "numerous other pedestrians"—approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting. Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. During a Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said the words “depose,” “delay” and “deny” were written on the shell casing in marker. However, he’s noted the motive for the killing has yet to be confirmed. What have investigators revealed about the gunman’s timeline? During the Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said investigators have footage of the shooter arriving at Port Authority in New York the night of Nov. 24. “We believe that that bus originated in Atlanta,” Kenny continued. “It has several stops along the way, so we’re not sure where he got on the bus.” After the shooter arrived at Port Authority, Kenny continued, the gunman took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton hotel, where he was for about half an hour before traveling by cab to an Upper West Side hostel. On the morning of the shooting, Kenny added, the gunman left the hostel at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the Hilton hotel at 5:41 a.m. Kenny said the gunman continued to walk in the vicinity of the hotel before then going to a nearby Starbucks, where he purchased a bottled water and a snack. He then returned to the hotel, and the shooting occurred at 6:44 a.m. Immediately after, the gunman fled the scene. Kenny said the shooter was seen entering Central Park at 60th St. and Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. and exiting the park through W. 77th St. and Central Park West at 6:56 a.m. At 7:00 a.m., Kenny added, the gunman was spotted on W. 86 th St without the bike. And four minutes later, the chief detective continued, the shooter got in a cab at 86 th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Kenny said the gunman was then seen in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Kenny told CNN on Dec. 6 investigators thought the shooter left NYC after he was seen at Port Authority. Who were investigators looking for? During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who wore "a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack." Over the next few days, the NYPD released a series of photos of the individual they were looking for with the person's face was covered with a mask in many of the pictures. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News Dec. 5 the photos with the lowered face mask came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel, and two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators were trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and cash for a hostel room. As for what led the individual to lower the face mask? "Apparently, there was an interaction while he was checking in, making casual conversation," Kenny said at the Dec. 6 briefing. "At some point, he pulled his mask down and smiled at the clerk." Kenny has also said a cellphone was found in an alley where the shooter fled before heading to the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News a backpack was also found in Central Park. Kenny said investigators are "looking at everything"—including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and family—that could help the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement. Why was Luigi Mangione arrested? Pennsylvania’s Altoona Police Department arrested Luigi Mangione on firearm charges Dec. 9. According to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News, these include two felony charges—one of forgery and one of firearms not to be carried without a license—as well as three misdemeanors: tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and providing false identification to law enforcement. NYPD commissioner Tisch said a McDonald’s employee recognized Mangione and that the Altoona police were then called. When asked if he had been to New York recently, Mangione "became quiet and started to shake," police said per NBC News . Tisch also called Mangione a "person of interest" in Thompson's murder and spoke about the efforts to find him, with her thanking law enforcement partners and the public. "For just over five days, our NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence: DNA, finger prints, IP addresses and so much more to tighten the net," she said. "We deployed drones, canine units, and scuba divers. We leveraged the domain awareness system, Argus cameras and conducted aviation canvases, and our detectives also went door to door interviewing potential witnesses and doing the good old fashioned police work that our investigators are famous for. This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today." What did police find on Luigi Mangione? In addition to "acting suspiciously," Tisch added, Mangione was "carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport." “Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder," she continued in the Dec. 9 briefing, per a video shared by NBC News . "They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual." Tisch added officers also recovered a “fraudulent New Jersey ID” that matched the one the individual used to check into the New York hostel prior to the shooting. "Additionally,” she continued, “officers recovered a hand-written document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.” What other charges is Luigi Mangione facing? On Dec. 9, Manhattan prosecutors filed a murder charge against Mangione, according to court documents obtained by NBC News . The 26-year-old is also facing three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (two in the second-degree for loaded firearm and one in the third degree such as for a silencer) and one count of possessing a forged instrument. He has yet to enter a plea for any charges. What did Luigi Mangione state in his writings? According to NBC News, citing the NYPD, Mangione had three pages of writings on him that totaled less than 300 words when he was taken into custody. Three senior law enforcement officials told the outlet these writings read, in part, "Frankly these parasites had it coming." In the writings, the officials continued, Mangione said he acted alone. However, the officials told NBC News they haven't ruled out other actors at this time. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country," Mangione's writings read, officials told NBC News. "To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone.” Officials said Mangione also added, "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done.” However, Tisch noted Mangione's motive has yet to be confirmed. "I think when we look at the manifesto, or that three-page written document that was recovered, you see anti-corporatist sentiment, a lot of issues with the healthcare industry," she said in a Dec. 10 Today interview. "But as to particular specific motive, that will come out as this investigation continues to unfold over the next weeks and months." Has Luigi Mangione appeared in court? Mangione attended a hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on Dec. 10. As he arrived, NBC News reported, he yelled out to families, "It’s completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people." Per the outlet, Mangione did not waive extradition to New York and was denied bail. As a result, he will remain in Pennsylvania's SCI Huntingdon prison. His lawyer Thomas Dickey told reporters that Mangione will plead not guilty in Pennsylvania and will likely do the same in New York. "I haven’t seen any evidence that says he’s the shooter,” he said, per NBC News . “Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concept of American justice is the presumption of innocence, and until you’re proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Who is Luigi Mangione? Mangione is a suspect in the murder of Brian Thompson and is facing several other charges in both Pennsylvania and New York, including forgery and criminal possession of a weapon. He's an Ivy League graduate, having received a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 2020 and a Masters of Science in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, the school confirmed to NBC News . NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny shared additional details on Mangione's upbringing, saying he was born and raised in Maryland. His most recent address is listed as Honolulu but he also has connections to San Francisco, Kenny told NBC News. After Mangione's arrest, his family released a statement on X . "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," they said in the Dec. 9 post . "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news." What has Brian Thompson’s family said about his death? After learning of the shooting, Thompson’s family mourned his passing. “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.” Thompson’s wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats prior to his death. "Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompson’s death? UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.” And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place." "So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend." However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall. This has included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company." The lawsuit, per the BBC , remains active. And while a motive for the shooting hasn't been revealed, many outlets have noted the words “depose,” “delay” and “deny” on the shell casings are similar to the title of the 2010 book Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It . Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro slammed "deeply disturbing" online reactions to the killing: "In America," he said at a Dec. 9 press conference, per NBC News' video, "we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint." (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family).