The Swiss Maestro’s career on the court is unprecedented in more ways than one. Federer on his way to the court for a semifinals men’s singles match against Marin Čilić at the 2014 US Open (Credit: © Chris Trotman/Getty Images for the USTA) “When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in…
Humanity’s heating of the planet, driven by the burning of fossil fuels and unchecked emissions of greenhouse gases, has become the main driver of worsening droughts in California and the American West, according to new research.A team of UCLA and NOAA scientists found that while droughts in the last century were caused mainly by decreases in precipitation through natural cycles, an entirely different pattern has taken hold as a result of the rising temperatures this century.The researchers determined that since 2000, human-caused warming has become the dominant force leading to more drought severity in the Western United States. In the case of the intense Western drought from 2020 to 2022, the scientists attributed 61% of its severity to high temperatures, and only 31% to reduced precipitation.“For the same precipitation deficit, drought now is much stronger than it used to be in the 20th century, and drought also lasts longer,” said Rong Fu, a UCLA climate researcher and study coauthor. “That makes drought more severe and more extensive.”She and her colleagues analyzed data from 1948 to the present in 11 Western states from California to Colorado. They found that since 2000, human-caused warming has not only become the dominant factor in the severity of drought, but also in expanding areas affected by drought conditions.Examining potential future scenarios, the researchers said climate models indicate that an extreme drought like the one from 2020 to 2022 — an event that without warming would likely occur once in more than a thousand years — could become a 1-in-60-year event by the middle of this century, and potentially a 1-in-six-year event by the end of the century.The researchers, including scientists at NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System in Boulder, Colo., wrote that human-caused warming has “ushered in an era of temperature-dominated droughts.” Lake Shasta declined to low levels as drought conditions persisted in 2021, shrinking water supplies across California. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) “The degree of aridification and intensification of droughts in the region depends on the extent of anthropogenic warming,” the researchers wrote in the study, which was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. The scientists said their findings, which add to a growing body of research documenting climate change’s role in worsening droughts, underscore an urgent need to reduce planet-warming emissions while also changing water management and drought strategies to adapt to the new reality of heat-driven dry spells.They said the results indicate the West will become drier as climate change continues to push global temperatures higher.“How dry, how severe, depends on our actions. Basically, we have control on what droughts look like in the future. That hasn’t happened in human history,” Fu said. “Future drought is mainly determined by how warm it gets, and how much CO2 we emit. So first and foremost is to control the CO2 emissions.”The outlook for reducing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions has dimmed, however, with Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election. Trump has pledged to scrap the Biden administration’s climate initiatives and efforts to curb emissions, and has vowed to facilitate more oil and gas drilling.Trump’s victory might mean closing a window of opportunity to avoid dangerous climate impacts “if we do not fight back and double down our effort to curb CO2 emissions,” Fu said.“I am very concerned for the future of the Western U.S., the U.S. as whole and the world, especially because we are at such a critical moment for limiting catastrophic impacts from climate change,” Fu said. “However, history also shows that our action matters. We should not let Trump’s administration decide our future and the future of our children and grandchildren.”The effects of increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have become increasingly apparent over the last decade.Last year was by far the warmest year on record globally. According to NOAA, Earth’s average temperature was more than 2.4 degrees warmer than the average in pre-industrial times. The U.N. warned in a recent report that without greater action to stop emissions, the world could see as much as 5.6 degrees of warming by 2100, bringing “debilitating impacts to people, planet and economies.”Along with extreme heat, people in the Western United States have experienced some of the driest conditions recorded. California was ravaged by the state’s driest three years on record from 2020-22. Other scientists have similarly found that global warming is having a major effect in worsening drought conditions.Researchers using tree-ring records determined in a 2022 study that Western North America was experiencing its driest 22-year period in 1,200 years. They found that this megadrought wouldn’t be nearly as severe without global warming, estimating that 42% of its severity was attributable to higher temperatures.Benjamin Cook, a climate scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies who co-authored the megadrought research, said the methods in the latest study are sound and the findings are similar, though he also said there is considerable uncertainty in the future projections the scientists used.“The impacts on drought scale with warming,” Cook said. “So the more warming that happens, the more drying we expect in this region. And that means more severe, more extensive and more frequent drought events.” Water levels were low in 2022 at Green Mountain Reservoir in Colorado. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Warming contributes to drier conditions by increasing what scientists call evaporative demand. Higher temperatures enhance the atmosphere’s capacity to hold water vapor, increasing the quantities of moisture evaporating off the landscape. This leaves the land drier and contributes to reductions in stream flows.Experts say more intense droughts supercharged by climate change will require significant shifts in agricultural water use because farms consume most of the water that is diverted and pumped in the West — roughly 70% to 80% depending on the region. Along the drought-stricken Colorado River, the federal government has recently been funding programs that pay farmers to temporarily reduce water use in exchange for payments.The average flow of the Colorado River, a major water source for seven states and northern Mexico, has shrunk about 20% since 2000, and scientists have estimated that roughly half that decline in flow has been caused by the higher temperatures. Those declines are projected to continue to worsen as temperatures climb.The latest study is thorough and adds to previous research documenting how human-caused warming is driving what scientists describe as hot drought and aridification in the West, said Brad Udall, a climate scientist at Colorado State University.“They found, just like all these other studies, that higher temperatures have been, and are going to be, a cause of more severe droughts as it warms in the 21st century,” Udall said. “That means that we need to plan for a hotter and drier future.”Udall said Trump’s win will likely mean rolling back the Biden administration’s historic climate initiatives and imposing a four-year hiatus on U.S. efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically and abroad.“Unfortunately, the impacts are likely to last much longer than just four years,” Udall said. “All of this means that the worst outcomes envisioned by this study will be more likely. And, of course, all the other climate change problems, like more and bigger floods, monster hurricanes, and deadly heat waves, will get worse in lockstep.”Udall said he finds it especially sad that Trump plans to freeze efforts to address climate change at a time when the country has the necessary science, technologies, policy tools and people who are working on solutions.“We know how to solve this problem,” Udall said. “Much of this will now be sidelined to pursue an anti-science agenda that will further enrich the gigantic companies that created this problem in the first place.” Newsletter Toward a more sustainable California Get Boiling Point, our newsletter exploring climate change, energy and the environment, and become part of the conversation — and the solution. Enter email address Sign Me Up You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. More to Read
Mumbai, November 7: Tech layoffs this year have affected thousands of employees as companies adopt restructuring, cost reduction practices, and artificial intelligence, among other reasons. The IT layoffs initiated by the tech giants have already affected 1.43 lakh people. The staggering numbers are due to tech leaders like Samsung, X, TikTok, Mozilla, Qualcomm, and others having tried reducing their workforce in 2024 for several reasons.
According to a layoffs tracking website, Layoffs. Fyi, so far, 493 tech companies have laid off around 1,43,209 employees. In 2023, the number was much higher, as 1,193 companies cut 2,64,220 positions throughout the year. This year, companies like Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter), Mozilla, Samsung, and others have cut employees, the details of which are mentioned below. Freshworks Layoffs: 660 Employees To Be Laid Off As Indian Software Company Cuts 13% Workforce, CEO Dennis Woodside Explains Why.
Tech Layoffs 2024: List of Companies That Laid off Employees
Samsung announced a reduction of its global workforce this year in multiple countries, including India. The South Korean tech giant aimed to reduce 30% of its overseas workforce and lay off around 1,000 employees ahead of the festive season. The layoffs were aimed at improving overall efficiency.
Freshworks
Freshworks, an Indian software company, recently announced that it will cut 660 employees, nearly 13% of its workforce, amid restructuring and cost-cutting. The layoffs will affect staff in the United States, India, and other countries.
Elon Musk’s X
X layoffs were announced last week, affecting unspecified numbers of people from the engineering department. The reports said the owner, Elon Musk, was busy with the US Presidential Elections 2024 helping Donald Trump; however, he sent an email to the staff announcing the job cuts.
Firefox browser developer Mozilla announced a fresh round of layoffs amid a restructuring program this year. The Mozilla layoffs aimed to reduce 30% of the staff from The Mozilla Foundation, a company’s non-profit arm.
British multinational accounting firm laid off 4% of its workforce to align its workforce’s size, shape and skills with the market needs, as said by multiple reports. KPMG layoffs affected around 330 employees.
Chinese short-video hosting platform TikTok laid off several employees this year. In October 2024, the TikTok layoffs affected 500 people in Malaysia as the company announced its shift towards AI (artificial intelligence).
Alibaba layoffs affected thousands of employees in China as the e-commerce giant adopted plans of restructuring its business.
US-based software giant Oracle laid off several hundred employees from its cloud division.
Bosch layoffs were announced a few days ago as the German tech giant failed to achieve expected sales. The company would cut 7,000 people from the automotive supply sector.
Global chipmaker Qualcomm laid off 226 employees in San Diego to realign its resources for new business opportunities. Previously, it cut 1,250 jobs.
Cisco announced its fresh layoffs, affecting around 5,600 employees, 7% of the global workforce.
Microsoft
Windows maker laid off 650 employees from its Xbox gaming division this year.
A US-based robotics company announced job cuts affecting 16% of its workforce in the latest round. So far, the iRobot layoffs have affected 50% of the workforce. iRobot Layoffs: US-Based Robotics Company Cuts 16% of Its Workforce in Latest Round Amid Restructuring, Total 50% This Year.
Besides these tech layoffs in 2024, the primary drivers were companies like Elon Musk’s Tesla, which announced the layoff of nearly 16,000 employees as reported in May. Dell layoffs reportedly affected 12,500 employees. Intel layoffs, on the other hand, were announced to have affected 15,000 employees from various countries. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2024 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
It’s excellent toilet reading, I say, when I’m talking about my book of some of these columns. People laugh, but on the quiet I mean it as a great compliment to myself, having done a great deal of satisfying reading over the years while perched upon my throne. I don’t mean to be coarse. And I am mindful, too, of medical advice that says we shouldn’t spend any longer than we have to going about our business. I also sense that it’s probably a bloke thing.It’s also, on reflection, possibly an ADHD thing – being forced to sit still awhile, which is good, but finding it impossible to sit in that moment without needing some distraction, which is less good. Having said that, with nothing other than reading matter available to occupy my mind, it’s an opportunity to really sit and concentrate for a bit.When I was growing up, there was always a selection of books available. On reflection, it must have been carefully curated for the specific purpose of accompanying the matter at hand. There was always at least one book of jokes there, as well as collections of funny and/or clever things said by everyone from Spike Milligan to Winston Churchill.Mostly, though, there were editions of the only recently defunct Reader’s Digest. I loved Reader’s Digest. And, by the way, the apostrophe did go before the “s”, although now I’m not sure that’s how it should have been. Anyway, there was always something in each edition to absorb me. OK, call it journalism-lite if you like – although I wouldn’t – but there was some brilliant stuff in there. And always just the right length.Remembering these toilet-libraries now, something strikes me about them: an unwritten rule that no other book should be added or taken away. I swear I never saw the Reader’s Digest anywhere else in the house. Even if I was halfway through an article, or a Milligan story, it never occurred to me to take it out of that room. The books in the downstairs toilet of the house I grew up in are exactly the same now as they ever were. And that’s as it should be.
Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster, writer and Guardian columnist
Home Alone fans got a little ahead of themselves after a fan attempted to manifest a 2024 film (Picture: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterst)Everyone calm down, Macaulay Culkin will not be returning for another Home Alone film called Cabin Alone in 2024.
The internet went a little wild when a fan made a poster – which admittedly isn’t exactly convincing – teasing a new Home Alone film called Cabin Alone, but unfortunately, this is all it was.
A fan called YODA BBY ABY made a poster showing the now 44-year-old Macaulay wearing a Christmas jumper in a festive cabin, alongside Catherine O’Hara as his mum, and wrote: ‘NEW HOME ALONE!!! KEVIN AND HIS MOM!!!
‘This Christmas, Kevin McCallister and his mom arrive early to their family’s remote cabin, only to learn the rest of the family’s flight is delayed.
‘When Marv and Harry target the supposedly empty cabin, Kevin and his mom join forces to defend it in the ultimate showdown.
‘With snow-covered traps, outrageous pranks, and high-stakes holiday antics, they turn the quiet cabin into a thrilling battleground that’ll have you laughing and cheering.
A Home Alone fan made this mock up of a new film poster – but it isn’t grounded in any truth
Macaulay Culkin starred in the first 3 Home Alone films, and fans want him back as an adult (Picture: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock)
Some fans fell for the fake poster, thinkin Macaulay was returning as an adult for a new 2024 film called Cabin Alone (Picture: 20thC.Fox/Everett/Shutterstock)‘Get ready for a wild holiday adventure with Cabin Alone, streaming on Disney+ this December!’
However, no official announcements or trailers have been distributed by Disney+ and the poster is wholly fan-made.
While Home Alone had a 2021 reboot in Home Sweet Home Alone, no further projects are in the works that we know of.
Cabin Alone wasn’t meant to be, but that doesn’t mean fans aren’t trying to manifest a return to the beloved festive franchise, as many commented on the poster with their Christmas wishes.
‘There needs to be another Home Alone and Kevin is the dad now!!’ wrote fan Patricia Torrens, while Rachael Taylor added: ‘This sounds so healing it’s a great idea.’
Others laughed at how crazy the internet went over the poster, as Alfie Jenner wrote: ‘The amount of people falling for this is astonishing.’
The actor is currently on tour with Home Alone in the US (Picture: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
There are no known plans for a Home Alone revival, sorry folks (Picture: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)The 1990 original Home Alone film has become one of the most beloved Christmas flicks of all time, and grossed approximately $476million (£367mill) at the worldwide box office against a production cost of $18mill (£13.9mill).
Directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone follows a troublemaking eight-year-old as he is mistakenly left at home by his family over Christmas, and is forced to fend off a pair of burglars who try to break into his home.
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Read More StoriesAfter its success, next came Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992, when Kevin accidentally boards a plane to New York where there are, you guessed it, burglars.
Home Alone 3 saw a different boy, Alex Pruitt – played by Alex D Linz – plagued by criminals, while Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House was somewhat of a critical flop, and saw French Stewart take up the role of Kevin.
In 2012 Home Alone: The Holiday Heist starring Christian Martyn as Finn Baxter also wasn’t received well, and the 2021 film Home Sweet Home Alone, which was set in a vague similar universe to its predecessors but essentially had nothing to do with it, has just a 15% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Ouch.
Child star Macaulay is taking Home Alone on tour in the US at the moment, in a ‘nostalgic night’ with a screening of the original film and a Q&A.
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As we await formal updates on the next James Bond film, a British director is in the frame for the job (Picture: Shutterstock)One of Hollywood – and the UK’s – most prestigious filmmakers could be about to direct a 007 film.
Sir Steve McQueen enjoyed Oscar-winning success with 12 Years A Slave in 2013 and is currently promoting his impactful new World War Two film Blitz, starring Saoirse Ronan (herself open to Bond), Paul Weller and Stephen Graham.
However, insiders have now claimed that Eon Productions is keen for him to take the reins on an instalment of their James Bond franchise.
While there’s been much speculation over who could play the spy – inheriting their licence to kill from Daniel Craig, who finished his run as 007 in 2021 – there has been less public speculation over who may direct it.
A source told The Sun’s Bizarre column: ‘Steve is one of the UK’s best filmmakers and has an incredible vision.
‘The word is that the Bond producers wanted to see if Steve would ever consider having a hand in one of the films and they got a positive response.’
Sir Steve McQueen is said to have been approached by Eon (Picture: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple TV+)
The Oscar-winner has recently released his new film Blitz, starring Saoirse Ronan (also pictured) (Picture: Dave Benett/WireImage)They added that it ‘would be incredible if it came off’.
The award-winning director’s reps declined to provide comment on the reports to the publication – but it’s extremely unlikely anything would ever be confirmed ahead of official word from long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Sir Steve has also received acclaim for his previous films Hunger and Shame, both of which he collaborated with Michael Fassbender on, as well as his TV anthology Small Axe, which told stories based on the real-life experiences of London’s West Indian community between 1969 and 1982.
Little is known about the future of the spy franchise Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been heavily rumoured to be stepping into his shoes for months now.
Daniel Craig’s last 007 film, No Time to Die,came out three years ago (Picture: Danjaq/Eon Productions/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock)His The Fall Guy director David Leitch subsequently praised the rumoured casting and spoke of his hopes that ‘maybe we’ll get that opportunity soon’ to make a 007 flick together.
However, rumours persist that we have a long wait in store for the next Bond movie now the deadline for Broccoli’s estimated shooting schedule has passed.
She initially suggested just months after No Time to Die’s release that fans should be patient with the next film as they had plans to ‘reinvent’ the character.
She told Deadline in June 2022: ‘There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond.
‘We’re reinventing who he is, and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.’
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who indicated two years ago how long the wait would be (Picture: Getty)We are now two and a half years later, with no indication that any announcements about writer, director or casting – let alone cameras rolling – are imminent.
On top of this, Broccoli also has commitments to Sing Street, a new stage musical coming to the London stage in summer 2025 in what is a co-production between her and the Lyric Hammersmith.
‘The best-case scenario is a new Bond film in cinemas by the end of 2026 – which is five years after No Time To Die – and that’s if things get shaken up soon,’ one film insider told The Mirror.
Another source indicated to the publication that there were rumours of script problems and delays.
This timeline echoes what was predicted before, with a senior talent rep suggesting – possibly more realistically, given the length of the post-production and editing process as well – to The Telegraph in August: ‘Late 2026, at the earliest. Maybe 2027. Perhaps even 2028.’
Pierce Brosnan’s final Bond adventure, Die Another Day wad followed by a four-year wait for the next (Picture: Moviestore/Shutterstock)But expert Professor James Chapman of the University of Leicester urged fans not to worry ‘unduly’ if that is the case.
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Read More StoriesPreviously, the gap between Timothy Dalton’s final Bond film Licence to Kill in 1989 and Pierce Brosnan’s debut in 1995’s GoldenEye was six years, four months and 14 days.
And between Brosnan leaving after 2002’s Die Another Day and Craig’s first film Casino Royale in 2006, it was almost four years to the day.
Current rumoured contenders for the role of Bond alongside Taylor-Johnson include Callum Turner, Netflix breakout star Aaron Pierre and Theo James.
Metro has contacted reps for Sir Steve and Eon Productions for comment.
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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Unlikely pop star now ‘favourite’ to sing next James Bond theme song
MORE : Oscar-winning director reveals how he flooded entire tube station for ‘heart-stopping’ scene
MORE : Most ‘desirable’ James Bond actor revealed – and he’s more popular than Daniel Craig
The program of the Orthodox Book Week offers meetings with authors, publishers and translators of Orthodox books from the last few years. The event is held until November 10 at the ”St. Procopius of Varna” Church, with meetings taking place every evening at 5 pm. Special emphasis is placed on literature published in the last two years. The books presented are from the publishing houses of the Holy Synod, the Faculty of Theology at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Shumen University “Bishop Konstantin Preslavski”, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Veliko Tarnovo “St. Cyril and Methodius”, the Zograf Monastery, etc. This year’s participants include representatives from the dioceses of Sofia, Lovech, Ruse and Dorostol, as well as from the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia. The Orthodox Book Week is organized by the Diocese of Varna and Veliki Preslav with the support of the Municipality of Varna.Photos: BGNES-archive
Simplifying…
Inshort
Trevor Noah, the renowned comedian, shares his top book picks that beautifully encapsulate Africa’s rich culture and history.
His recommendations include his own memoir, ‘Born a Crime’, which explores his life in post-apartheid South Africa, ‘Africa’s Business Revolution’ that delves into the continent’s booming economy, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, ‘The Fate of Africa’ which analyzes political developments, and Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ that critiques African cultural heritage.
These books offer a deep dive into Africa’s unique context, from its economic potential to its historical struggles and societal shifts.
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Nov 07, 2024
03:57 pm
What’s the story
Trevor Noah, the South African comedian and former host of The Daily Show, has become a prominent voice in sharing Africa’s narrative with the world.
His storytelling, infused with humor and grounded in history, invites readers and listeners to explore Africa’s rich cultural tapestry.
This article lists some of the most intriguing books recommended by Noah that illuminate Africa’s vibrant heartbeat without venturing into banned territories.
‘Born a Crime’
In Born a Crime, Trevor Noah offers a powerful exploration of his childhood in post-apartheid South Africa. As a mixed-race child, his very birth was a crime under the nation’s laws.
Through poignant and often humorous stories, Noah provides profound insights into race, identity, and the deep complexities of family love.
This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand these universal themes within the unique context of Africa.
‘Africa’s Business Revolution’
Africa’s Business Revolution by Acha Leke, Mutsa Chironga, and Georges Desvaux: This recommendation takes us back to the economic side of things.
It delves deep into the dynamics of Africa’s booming economy and its potential to become a global powerhouse.
The book features success stories from various industries across the continent, providing readers with valuable insights into innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic business planning within the unique context of Africa.
‘Long Walk to Freedom’
Noah strongly recommends Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of South Africa’s history.
This book traces Mandela’s life from his childhood in a rural village to his emergence as a global icon in the fight against apartheid.
It’s not just a memoir, but a powerful historical document that shines a light on the strength and leadership that defined this extraordinary man.
‘The Fate of Africa’
Martin Meredith’s The Fate of Africa offers a comprehensive analysis of political developments across the continent since colonial independence.
It delves into the struggles of governance, the trials of economic growth, and the shifts in societal landscapes over six decades.
Praised for its captivating storytelling and meticulous research, Meredith’s masterpiece is indispensable for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricacies of modern African societies.
‘Things Fall Apart’
Trevor Noah recommends Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart for anyone interested in African literature.
Set in pre-colonial Nigeria, the story centers on Okonkwo, a prominent community leader, whose life is upended by the arrival of European colonizers.
Achebe masterfully navigates themes of cultural collision, tradition versus change, and individual versus community.
He provides a balanced critique of African cultural heritage.
Oscar Health Thursday reported a $54 million third quarter loss despite continued growth, heading into what could be an uncertain political period under Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
But those running the provider of individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act say they believe such health insurance, also known as Obamacare, is “positioned for long-term growth — appealing to GOP desires for consumer choice and a free market approach,” Oscar said in a statement accompanying its third quarter earnings report.
To be sure, Obamacare has come a long way, with millions of Americans — Republicans, Democrats, and independents — gaining such coverage in part due to expanding subsidies that allow more people to afford health insurance. That has also helped an array of health insurers including Oscar to grow their individual coverage portfolios.
When Trump — who was elected this week in the presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris — was in office from 2017 to 2021, he and Republicans in Congress tried and failed several times to repeal the ACA, the signature legislative achievement of former President Barack Obama. It remains unclear what Trump’s healthcare agenda will be in his second term that begins in January because he has yet to reveal a healthcare plan.
In the third quarter, Oscar’s total company revenue jumped 68% to $2.4 billion compared to the year-ago period. Oscar, which shook up its management ranks and hired the former Aetna chief executive Mark Bertolini last year, has reported its first profits this year.
Though there was a loss in the third quarter, Oscar reported $178.9 million in net income for the first nine months of the year compared to a loss of more than $120 million for the first nine months of last year as enrollment has grown. As of September 30 of this year, Oscar had more than 1.6 million individual and small group health plan members compared to 912,761 in the year-ago period.
Given its growth, Oscar updated its full year 2024 outlook “to reflect year-to-date performance” projecting revenue for this year to be in the $9.2 billion to $9.3 billion range, which is $200 million above an earlier projection. The company is also projecting net profitability for the entire year.
“Oscar reported positive third quarter results with strong revenue growth and improved financial performance,” Bertolini said in a statement accompanying earnings. “Our technology continues to enhance our growth and positions us to efficiently scale the business. We expect to deliver positive Adjusted EBITDA and net income profitability this year, setting a solid foundation to achieve our long-term targets.”
When James Davis traveled from his home in Tucson to a family reunion in Pensacola, Florida, via Dallas in July, he only had one major request of American Airlines. “They informed me that my scooter would be available at each turn. I went from Tucson to Dallas and Dallas to Pensacola, and it was supposed to be available in both,” he said. “I depend on my scooter.” But despite registering his device with the airline in advance and being told he would have access to his scooter during his layover, the mobility device was checked through to Pensacola instead. “I was able to get someone to get me a wheelchair so I could get something to eat, drink, so I could take my medication,” Davis said, but added he was still dependent on airport staff to move him around during the layover and to get him to his next flight. “I was stuck sitting where I’m at,” he said. On the trip home, from the reunion a few days later, Davis encountered issues with accessing his scooter in Dallas again as it was delayed getting off the plane. He also said he was disappointed that airline staff didn’t offer more assistance as he broke the scooter down to be loaded into the cargo hold. American Airlines acknowledged the incident in a statement to USA TODAY. “We know how important it is to support the independence of customers who use wheelchairs and assistive devices. A member of our team has been in contact with the customer to learn more about his experience and address his concerns,” the statement said. Traveling with mobility devices Flying can be fraught for people who rely on mobility devices. Airlines damage or destroy 10,000-15,000 wheelchairs and other mobility devices every year, according to Department of Transportation data, and those number do not include issues like the lack of proper accommodation that Davis experienced. The DOT recently fined American Airlines $50 million for its mishandling of mobility devices and said investigations into similar issues at other airlines are ongoing. Accessible travel:Delta Air Lines, DOT update plans for adaptive wheelchair seats on future flightsAmerican said that it has been working hard to improve the services it provides to customers with disabilities, including by rolling out an automated bag tag for mobility devices. The airline also said it has seen a decline in the number of mobility device-related complaints from customers in the past year-plus. Still, Davis said, airlines in general need to work harder at improving in this area. “I would like to see more compassion,” he said. “Even though I didn’t get my scooter in Dallas on my way, I think the thing that bothered me the most was the flight attendant who stood there and watched me struggle (on my trip home).” Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].