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casino game offline Iyke Bede The Nigerian National Patronage Cash Reward (NNPCR) has emerged as a revolutionary initiative to redefine consumer engagement and wealth distribution in the country. Introduced as a means to invigorate the economy, the NNPCR allows consumers to benefit financially through everyday purchases. The NNPCR operates on a simple yet innovative principle: consumers earn national reward points for patronising participating businesses. These accumulated points make them eligible for the National Consumer Draw held every Friday. This weekly draw offers participants the chance to win cash prizes ranging from ₦5,000 to an impressive ₦100 million. “The country can truly go to the next level if we explore all the opportunities that we have,” Chief Visioner of the NNPCR, Dr Lai Labode, noted the avenues for growth and development the programme will bring about. Established to oversee and ensure the compliance of all lottery-related activities in Nigeria, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) will play an integral role in the successful implementation and regulation of the NNPCR, ensuring fairness for all parties. The NNPCR has been strategically designed with clear objectives that address key economic and social goals. One of the primary objectives of the initiative is to encourage Nigerians to support local businesses. By rewarding consumers for purchasing locally made products and services, the NNPCR aims to strengthen domestic industries and create a culture of supporting homegrown goods. The programme seeks to instil loyalty among consumers by offering them a direct financial benefit for their continued support of participating businesses. This loyalty boosts businesses and empowers consumers, fostering a win-win environment and stimulating the economy. The initiative aims to increase the visibility and customer base of local businesses. The NNPCR acts as a tool for wealth redistribution. Through the patronage contributions of businesses, which range from one to five per cent of their revenue, the programme ensures that wealth generated through consumer spending circulates back into the economy, providing financial upliftment to individuals and families. The NNPCR is more than a cash reward initiative—it is a revolutionary approach to economic engagement, setting the stage for a new era of financial inclusivity and national development. With its transformative potential, it promises to reshape consumer behaviour and inspire similar initiatives across the continent. “The NNPCR is the money that comes directly to Nigerians. It is the largest direct-to-people investment since 1960. It is genius for the NLRC to put all the stakeholders together and make this happen. There isn’t a place in Africa where this has been built. Nigeria is taking leadership,” Labode stated. https://meet.google.com/call?authuser=0&hl=en&mc=KAIwAWgAmgEUOhJwaW50b19qMGk3ODBvcHZiMmSiATsaAhAAMgJQADoCEAFKBAgBEAFaAggAagIIAXICCAF6AggCiAEBkgECEAGaAQQYASAAogECEADiAQIIALIBBxgDIAAqATDCAQIgAdgBAQ&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com&iilm=1733147578817 DisplayingThe Italian Presepe: A Christmas TraditionNone

Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.

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A Conservative member of Parliament has tapped a longtime friendship to connect with Donald Trump’s inner circle as Canada prepares for the president-elect’s return to the White House next month amid threats of devastating tariffs. Jamil Jivani posted a picture on social media Saturday with vice-president-elect JD Vance and British Conservative Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch. A source with knowledge of the gathering said the three had dinner in Arlington, Va., not far from Washington. They discussed the importance of building strong relationships between all three countries, the source said. Vance and Jivani also discussed the Canadian politician’s petition to protect Christians, and the issue in recent years of some churches being set on fire. Vance posted support of the petition on social media last week. The Canadian Conservative MP for Durham and American Senator for Ohio have been friends since they both attended Yale and Jivani has previously written about their close relationship and speaking at Vance’s wedding. It’s the first time Jivani has publicly posted about meeting with his friend since the November election that solidified Vance as Trump’s second-in-command for the next administration. The source said Jivani invited the vice president-elect to come to his Ontario riding in the new year and there’s a goal for Vance to visit Bowmanville. The display of cross-border contact comes as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to navigate a response to Trump’s tariff threats against America’s closest neighbours ahead of the looming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. A general election must be held by October next year, but it could come sooner if the Liberals lose the confidence of the House. Whoever wins will be in charge of the 2026 review of the trilateral pact.

It's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we'll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it's also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season: Whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family's computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of "Why isn't this app working?" type of questions from your relatives. Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That's a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that's one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They're useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys. As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard's deputy chief security officer "Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected," she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you're victimized. Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they've paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they're still rocking an aging modem and router. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ SQQQ , which offers leveraged inverse exposure to the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 QQQ , gained 3% to $28.95 Wednesday afternoon as the Federal Reserve delivered a dovish tone during its December meeting . SQQQ, designed to rise when the Nasdaq-100 falls, benefits from bearish sentiment toward growth-oriented technology stocks. What Happened: The Fed lowered the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.25%-4.5%, marking the third consecutive rate cut in 2023. However, its updated projections suggest fewer cuts in 2025, signaling persistently higher borrowing costs. This fueled concerns that tech stocks, which are sensitive to interest rates, may struggle under tighter monetary conditions. Additionally, the Fed raised inflation expectations for 2025, projecting headline PCE inflation at 2.5%. Elevated inflation could pressure future earnings, further weighing on growth stocks. As rate-sensitive tech valuations recalibrate, traders might turn to SQQQ to capitalize on market volatility. Read Also: Fed Slashes Interest Rates By 0.25% As Predicted: December Dot Plot Flags Only 2 Potential Cuts In 2025 According to data from Benzinga Pro , SQQQ has a 52-week high of $74.80 and a 52-week low of $27.54. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

'Quite a debate': Alabama, Miami first teams out of CFP fieldHouse with heated outdoor pool in ‘idyllic’ location near SwindonHow major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 12/26/2024

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Manmohan Singh Death: India’s ‘Reforms’ Man And Politician With A DifferenceUnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York

Spotify criticised for ‘distasteful’ One Direction remarks made by AI Wrapped podcastThe Parliament of Moldova has adopted a defence strategy spanning the next decade, aligning with its ambition to join the European Union by 2030. The pro-Western majority navigated tensions with the pro-Russian opposition, who derided the initiative as ineffective against major powers. The strategy, brought forward by Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatii, outlines an increase in defence expenditure to reach 1% of the GDP by 2030. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moldova's defence budget is already on an upward trend, climbing to 0.39% of GDP in 2022 and further to 0.55% in 2023. Possessing a neutral stance enshrined in its constitution, Moldova focuses on bolstering international partnerships to strengthen national defence. The document underscores the potential spread of the Ukraine conflict, especially around Odesa near Moldova's border, raising concerns over national security amidst geopolitical tensions. (With inputs from agencies.)Anthony Roy, the nation’s second-best scorer at 25.7 points per game, did not play for Green Bay. He was on the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot. Tomashek also contributed eight rebounds for the Huskies, who played the game as an exhibition. Dawson Nordgaard finished 5 of 9 from the floor to add 10 points. Ty Fernholz shot 3 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points. Jeremiah Johnson recorded 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Phoenix (2-11). Marcus Hall added 17 points and Ryan Wade had 11 points and five assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The Israeli military said airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel -held capital of Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida. The World Health Organization's director-general said the bombardment occurred as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa, injuring a crew member. Israel's army later told The Associated Press it wasn't aware that the WHO chief was at the location. "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged," WHO's Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X , adding that he and his colleagues were safe. "We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave." He didn't mention the source of the bombardment. Tedros said at least two people were killed in the attack at the airport. According to BBC News , video from inside the airport shows panicked people running out of the terminal. The latest strikes came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad's regime and others learned." Netanyahu monitored the new strikes along with military leaders, his government said. Israel Defense Forces said the targets included "military infrastructure used by the Houthi terrorist regime for its military activities in both the Sana'a International Airport and the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations," as well as other military infrastructure at several ports. The Iran-backed Houthis' media outlet confirmed the strikes in a Telegram post but gave no immediate details. Houthi media said three people were killed in the strikes and 14 injured. The U.S. military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days. The United Nations has noted that the ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid. According to BBC News, Tedros was in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained U.N. staff and assess the humanitarian situation. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli strike outside hospital in Gaza Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinians outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, the territory's Health Ministry said. Gaza officials said they were journalists working for a local news outlet. The Israeli military said they were militants posing as reporters. The strike hit a car outside Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The Palestinian Journalists Union said the victims were working for the local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group, Reuters reported . Islamic Jihad is a smaller and more extreme ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel, which ignited the war. The Israeli military identified four of the men as combat propagandists and said that intelligence, including a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers in Gaza, had confirmed that all five were affiliated with the group. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militant groups operate political, media and charitable operations in addition to their armed wings. Associated Press footage showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings visible on the back doors. Sobbing young men attended the funeral outside the hospital. The bodies were wrapped in shrouds, with blue press vests draped over them. The Committee to Protect Journalists says that more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel hasn't allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. Israel has banned the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network and accused six of its Gaza reporters of being militants. The Qatar-based broadcaster denies the allegations and accuses Israel of trying to silence its war coverage, which has focused heavily on civilian casualties from Israeli military operations. Separately, Israel's military said that a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza early Thursday. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation more than a year ago. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border in an attack on nearby army bases, farming communities and a music festival. They killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Israel's air and ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. The offensive has caused widespread destruction and driven around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps along the coast, with little protection from the cold, wet winter. Also Thursday, people mourned eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said troops opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and said it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Houthi Movement Hamas Israel Yemen Gaza StripNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. People are also reading... The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Be the first to knowReview by Senate Democrats finds more unreported luxury trips by Clarence Thomas

Warming up your car before you head out? Here's how to make sure you're not a target for auto theft.It's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we'll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it's also a good time to teach and not just fix. Manuel Valdes, Associated Press Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season: Whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family's computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of "Why isn't this app working?" type of questions from your relatives. Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That's a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that's one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They're useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys. As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard's deputy chief security officer "Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected," she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you're victimized. Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they've paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they're still rocking an aging modem and router.'Quite a debate': Alabama, Miami first teams out of CFP field

Fans have noticed that Sergio Reguilon has made the decision to delete all of his Instagram posts that included his ex-girlfriend Marta Diaz. Tottenham left-back Reguilon, 28, and social media star Diaz, 24, ended their long-term relationship last September just as Diaz was filming for the successful Spanish programme 'El Desafio'. During the show, Diaz was seen breaking down in tears and admitting that she was thinking about 'something else'. The removal of Diaz from his social media profile comes as he shared a Christmas snap with his new partner Clara Ranz Rodríguez. The pair were seen posing in front of a Christmas tree with their arms around their pet dog. Rodriguez recently made her love for Reguilon clear in a post of her own on his 28th birthday. Sergio Reguilon shared this photo of himself and his girlfriend Clara Ranz Rodríguez The couple's long-term relationship ended in September, and the emotions were clearly still raw for Diaz 'Happy birthday my life @sergioregui I take... Spencer MorganLAST minute Christmas shoppers have flocked to Wilko's after the chain retailer slashed the price of Christmas trees. With three weeks to go until Christmas , Wilko is here to make the festive season sparkle. The chain retailer has slashed the price of Christmas trees by up to 48 per cent. There are plenty of different trees on sale too, with a selection of artificial trees, as well as pre-lit trees. Shoppers can choose from a huge array of different trees, ranging from traditional green, to different colours, to a range of different heights - including a tabletop Christmas tree, perfect for small spaces. Prices start from just £11 for a small table-top tree, to £240 for a more opulent 7ft pre lit tree. Read more money news One tree on offer is the Shatchi Fibre Optic Multicolour LED Pre Lit Artifical tree which stands at 3ft tall. The pre-lit tree was selling for £48, and is now down to £40. Christmas lovers opting for a more traditional look can pick up a 6ft artificial Shatchi Bushy Green LED Pre-Lit Kentucky Artificial Christmas Tree for £151 - down from £181, saving customers £30. Wilko also currently has 25 per cent off Christmas decorations - making it a one stop festive shop. Most read in Money The deals won't last forever, and shoppers could miss out on their favourite Christmas product, so it's advised to call ahead or check online first. You can find your nearest Wilko store by checking the store locator on the website, or alternatively, you can make your purchase online. SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain... Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item. Meanwhile, a viral pop up Christmas tree has shoppers in a tizzy. The Range appears to have found a time-saving solution by creating a ‘pop up’ Christmas tree which looks “lavish” in seconds. The retailer uploaded a video of the easy installation, showing how it folds flat and then you unfurl it in seconds from the top to the bottom. In less than a minute, the tree looks ‘perfect’ with even branches and is ready for the Christmas period. They wrote: “The tree without THE FUSS. Our 6ft Deluxe pre-lit Pop up tree is LESS THAN £100.” The flocked tree even comes already decorated, so you don’t have to spend hours each year making it look festive. The description reads: “For those who want their lavish Christmas decor without all the fuss of setting up, the 6ft Deluxe Pre-Lit Pop Up Tree is the perfect choice for your centrepiece. “As a pop-up tree, it's super easy to simply fold out, and it even comes with fairy lights already all over it, so you don't even need to bother with LED strings. READ MORE SUN STORIES “For extra festive cheer, this tree features a snowy flocked finish as well as silver baubles.” Currently the tree costs £99.99, but it hasn’t been a big hit so far with shoppers, despite it being a quick solution. HERE'S what you need to know if you're buying a real Christmas tree: First thing's first: buy a pot (if it doesn't come in one already). You'll need to treat your tree just like a houseplant and give it water and attention. Make sure the container has good drainage - and it's a good idea to put something underneath to catch the excess water. Check the soil everyday to make sure it's not drying out. If it feels dry, give it some water. If it still feels moist, leave it alone as too much water can also kill a tree. Also check the LED bulbs on your tree lights aren't too hot as they could burn it, and keep your tree away from radiators. When Christmas is over, try planting it in the garden so you can dig it up and use it again next year. It's a good idea to take it out of its pot when you do re-plant it though, as large trees don't survive well in pots as their roots need space to grow.Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Up 1% – Here’s WhyMarcus Tomashek scores 30 and Division II Michigan Tech hands Green Bay its 8th straight loss