Latest news with #TheLens
Axios
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Axios
More "hostile architecture" pops up in metro New Orleans
Some southeast Louisiana intersections are changing in an attempt by officials to discourage panhandling. But critics worry about the broader message being sent. Why it matters: So-called hostile architecture is a tactic to deter homeless encampments and reshape public places. The big picture: Hostile architecture, also called defensive architecture, uses elements to intentionally guide or restrict behavior that leaders deem undesirable, the National Coalition for the Homeless says in a report. The group says it is often used to "encourage people experiencing homelessness to move on to another community." Case in point: Before New Orleans hosted Super Bowl LIX, state officials cleared out homeless encampments under the Pontchartrain Expressway near Tchoupitoulas Street. The grassy areas were soon fenced off and the parts of the neutral ground were spread with rocks to deter walking or sitting. Jefferson Parish also has replaced the grass around at least one West Bank intersection with gravel meant to deter panhandlers. Flashback: New Orleans installed permanent fences in 2020 at the corner of South Claiborne and Cleveland avenues, preventing people from accessing the space that had once been one of the largest homeless encampments in the city, according to The Lens. The benches in Jackson Square have long had bars in the middle too, which are meant to prevent people from sleeping on them. Zoom out: Major cities like Dublin, Paris and San Francisco have tried versions of hostile architecture, according to reports, with most geared at preventing people from sleeping on the streets. Supporters of the architecture say it's the only way to keep sidewalks open and clean, writes Axios' Shawna Chen, while opponents argue it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. State of play: New Orleans has been working for years on the hard-to-solve homelessness crisis. The effort got a $15 million federal boost in 2023 to house people experiencing homelessness in the city. The plans were disrupted, leaders and advocates told Verite, when Louisiana State Police started clearing out encampments before Taylor Swift's concerts last fall. Then, Gov. Jeff Landry created a temporary shelter in a Gentilly warehouse before the Super Bowl and relocated homeless people there, according to The Lens. The shelter closed after Mardi Gras. Authorities lately have been cracking down on people sleeping on the sidewalks of the French Quarter and the Marigny, according to The Times-Picayune.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Lens Magazine Features Joe Kiani, Willow Laboratories Founder and Nutu Visionary, on Cover of Latest Issue Following LSI USA ‘25 Keynote
DANA POINT, Calif., May 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Lens, LSI's executive-focused medtech magazine, proudly unveils Volume 2, Edition 3, featuring Joe Kiani, Founder and Executive Chairman of Willow Laboratories and visionary of the digital-health platform Nutu, as its cover story. Kiani, a trailblazing figure in health technology, shares exclusive insights into the future of patient monitoring, the evolution of medical device innovation and the critical role of patient safety initiatives globally. In the powerful discussion, Joe Kiani and the Audacity to Care: Reflections on Principle, Persistence, and Patient-Centered Innovation, Kiani shares the journey that began in a garage with a $40,000 loan and now shapes standards of care for hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. The profile charts his early pulse-oximetry breakthroughs at Masimo, his bold crusades against entrenched purchasing monopolies, and his latest mission to out-innovate diabetes through Willow Labs. He also opens up about founding the Patient Safety Movement Foundation and leading the charge toward eliminating preventable deaths in hospitals worldwide. "We have a real responsibility and an opportunity to change people's lives for the better," said Kiani. "And it's not easy. But it's everything." The in-depth feature also spotlights Nutu, Willow Labs' science-backed "nudge" platform that empowers people with pre-diabetes to reverse disease progression through personalized, data-driven coaching. Kiani also shares his vision for the future, where technology and compassion merge to save lives. "Sometimes the unintended consequences of what we do are greater than the consequences we planned. But if you keep your compass set on doing what's right for patients, good things can happen," Kiani adds. "Joe Kiani embodies the spirit of innovation and impact that The Lens seeks to celebrate," said Scott Pantel, CEO of LSI. "His unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare outcomes makes him one of the most influential voices in our industry today." The latest issue of The Lens is available for subscribers in print and digitally. To become a subscriber and access the full cover story, visit Marquee Keynote at LSI USA '25 Building on the cover collaboration, LSI was honored to host Joe Kiani to deliver the opening keynote address at LSI USA '25, March 17-21, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. Kiani's appearance opened a week that drew more than 1,600 executives, 450 emerging startup companies, 350 active investors from venture capital, private equity, family offices, accelerators, and angel groups, and key decision makers from multinational corporations including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Intuitive and more. Kiani's remarks underscored the summit's 2025 theme of preventive and personalized care. "Landing Joe was mission-critical for our 2025 program," said Scott Pantel, CEO of LSI and Publisher of The Lens. "His career embodies the audacity and patient-first ethos we work to amplify. From Masimo's garage-born breakthroughs to Willow's prevention-focused playbook, Joe speaks to the heart of why this community convenes with us each spring." About The Lens Magazine Built by medtech insiders, for medtech executives, The Lens magazine is LSI's most refined industry coverage. Each monthly edition of The Lens features data-driven industry insights, in-depth executive profiles, and exclusive market analyses for global medtech leaders. Individual and team-wide subscriptions can be started at About LSI USA With a vision to create a new platform for connection and exposure — one that matched the pace, ambition, and quality of the executives driving medtech forward — LSI launched its first Emerging Medtech Summit in Dana Point, California in 2020. To date, LSI has hosted nine summits and welcomed more than 10,000 global executives from 54 countries. Attendees of LSI USA include C-Suite executives, strategic acquirers, capital providers, and policy leaders, from companies including 3M, Abbott, Allergan, Boston Scientific, Cardinal Health, Cleveland Clinic, Danaher, Deloitte, Edwards Lifesciences, GE Healthcare, Goldman Sachs, Hologic, Integra Lifesciences, Intuitive Surgical, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Olympus, Siemens Healthineers, Smith & Nephew, Stryker, Terumo, Varian, and Zimmer Biomet. On March 16 – 20th 2026, LSI USA will return to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. The Summit will feature four days of curated 1:1 meetings, panel and keynote talks, emerging company pitches and technology showcases. Register today at View source version on Contacts Media Contact Henry Peck, Chief Business Officerinfo@ 714-847-3540 Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The Lens Magazine Features Joe Kiani, Willow Laboratories Founder and Nutu Visionary, on Cover of Latest Issue Following LSI USA ‘25 Keynote
DANA POINT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Lens, LSI's executive-focused medtech magazine, proudly unveils Volume 2, Edition 3, featuring Joe Kiani, Founder and Executive Chairman of Willow Laboratories and visionary of the digital-health platform Nutu, as its cover story. Kiani, a trailblazing figure in health technology, shares exclusive insights into the future of patient monitoring, the evolution of medical device innovation and the critical role of patient safety initiatives globally. In the powerful discussion, Joe Kiani and the Audacity to Care: Reflections on Principle, Persistence, and Patient-Centered Innovation, Kiani shares the journey that began in a garage with a $40,000 loan and now shapes standards of care for hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. The profile charts his early pulse-oximetry breakthroughs at Masimo, his bold crusades against entrenched purchasing monopolies, and his latest mission to out-innovate diabetes through Willow Labs. He also opens up about founding the Patient Safety Movement Foundation and leading the charge toward eliminating preventable deaths in hospitals worldwide. 'We have a real responsibility and an opportunity to change people's lives for the better,' said Kiani. 'And it's not easy. But it's everything.' The in-depth feature also spotlights Nutu, Willow Labs' science-backed 'nudge' platform that empowers people with pre-diabetes to reverse disease progression through personalized, data-driven coaching. Kiani also shares his vision for the future, where technology and compassion merge to save lives. 'Sometimes the unintended consequences of what we do are greater than the consequences we planned. But if you keep your compass set on doing what's right for patients, good things can happen,' Kiani adds. "Joe Kiani embodies the spirit of innovation and impact that The Lens seeks to celebrate," said Scott Pantel, CEO of LSI. "His unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare outcomes makes him one of the most influential voices in our industry today." The latest issue of The Lens is available for subscribers in print and digitally. To become a subscriber and access the full cover story, visit Marquee Keynote at LSI USA '25 Building on the cover collaboration, LSI was honored to host Joe Kiani to deliver the opening keynote address at LSI USA '25, March 17-21, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. Kiani's appearance opened a week that drew more than 1,600 executives, 450 emerging startup companies, 350 active investors from venture capital, private equity, family offices, accelerators, and angel groups, and key decision makers from multinational corporations including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Intuitive and more. Kiani's remarks underscored the summit's 2025 theme of preventive and personalized care. 'Landing Joe was mission-critical for our 2025 program,' said Scott Pantel, CEO of LSI and Publisher of The Lens. 'His career embodies the audacity and patient-first ethos we work to amplify. From Masimo's garage-born breakthroughs to Willow's prevention-focused playbook, Joe speaks to the heart of why this community convenes with us each spring.' About The Lens Magazine Built by medtech insiders, for medtech executives, The Lens magazine is LSI's most refined industry coverage. Each monthly edition of The Lens features data-driven industry insights, in-depth executive profiles, and exclusive market analyses for global medtech leaders. Individual and team-wide subscriptions can be started at About LSI USA With a vision to create a new platform for connection and exposure — one that matched the pace, ambition, and quality of the executives driving medtech forward — LSI launched its first Emerging Medtech Summit in Dana Point, California in 2020. To date, LSI has hosted nine summits and welcomed more than 10,000 global executives from 54 countries. Attendees of LSI USA include C-Suite executives, strategic acquirers, capital providers, and policy leaders, from companies including 3M, Abbott, Allergan, Boston Scientific, Cardinal Health, Cleveland Clinic, Danaher, Deloitte, Edwards Lifesciences, GE Healthcare, Goldman Sachs, Hologic, Integra Lifesciences, Intuitive Surgical, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Olympus, Siemens Healthineers, Smith & Nephew, Stryker, Terumo, Varian, and Zimmer Biomet. On March 16 – 20 th 2026, LSI USA will return to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. The Summit will feature four days of curated 1:1 meetings, panel and keynote talks, emerging company pitches and technology showcases. Register today at
South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Knock-off ramen and soju hit South Korean food industry
If you are interested in being a regular contributor for The Lens, please apply by clicking this link. Thoughts from last week Vijay Sathappan Narayanan, 16, Island School Vijay Sathappan Narayanan attends Island School. Photo: Handout From K-pop music to K-dramas, South Korea is etched in pop culture history. This can be seen best in the rise of South Korean food products, which in recent months have been accompanied by an increase in knock-off goods, especially in Asia, but even in Africa and Russia. Such trends impact consumers, local producers and South Korea's international credibility. Buldak Ramen, a brand of instant noodles produced by Samyang Foods, has been extensively copied by counterfeiters. Such knock-off goods mimic South Korean and halal logos, which could negatively impact consumers' safety. Another instance is that of the soju brand Chamisul, which has been replicated in Vietnam and Thailand, with suppliers marking down the product by nearly 30 per cent, thus diverting revenue away from South Korean suppliers. It is estimated that the South Korean government lost around US$2 billion in tax revenue in 2021 due to such supply shocks, which led to mass lay-offs. The widespread presence of counterfeiters can tarnish the reputation of South Korean cuisine and the food industry, with perceptions of such products as 'low quality' or having safety issues diminishing consumer trust and affecting suppliers' integrity. In response, authorities and large players have increased their legal and financial efforts. By partnering with the Korean Food Industry Association, over 190,000 counterfeit food items have been blocked, allowing original suppliers to regain market share. The South Korean government should consider investing in anti-counterfeit packaging technologies or AI-driven tracking systems while adopting more stringent legal frameworks. In conclusion, addressing such roadblocks is vital to protect consumers and preserve the food industry's reputation. Through a multidimensional approach of technology, finance, and legal measures, the government can ensure that we all continue to enjoy high-quality Korean food. Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens Read and observe Japan considers ATM limits for those over 75 amid rising financial fraud cases. Photo: Reuters With more Japanese elderly falling victim to scams, the police are considering limiting how much money this vulnerable group can withdraw or transfer from automatic teller machines (ATMs). The National Police Agency is considering setting a daily withdrawal or transfer limit of 300,000 yen (HK$16,298 or US$2,101) via ATM for bank accounts belonging to Japanese people aged 75 and older, according to The Mainichi. If approved, it would mark the first time that such restrictions on ATM usage are mandated in Japan. While Japanese banks are currently not legally required to set such limits, some have capped daily withdrawal and transfer limits at 500,000 and 1,000,000 yen, respectively, across all users. The proposed move comes as police data shows almost half of the victims in Japan who lost money to fraud without meeting their scammers in person last year were elderly. Total losses from the so-called 'special fraud' rose by almost 60 per cent to 72.1 billion yen last year. Around 45 per cent of the 20,951 victims were aged 75 and above. Some typical fraud methods involve scammers instructing victims to transfer money to designated accounts via ATMs or buy prepaid cards and disclose the relevant codes. However, banks across Japan are worried about the potential inconvenience faced by users and the impact on their ATM operations from the implementation of the police's proposal, according to Japanese media reports. 'We'll continue to discuss the matter so that the user's convenience can be taken into consideration and the burden on financial institutions can be reduced,' a senior police official said, according to The Japan News. The Osaka prefecture, which is one of the areas worst hit by such fraud, is already taking drastic action to protect its elderly residents. Staff writers Do you believe this strategy would help reduce scams and fraud targeting elderly victims in Japan? What are some potential consequences or drawbacks of the proposed law? Is it fair that only elderly citizens are subject to these withdrawal limits?
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Should Ubisoft apologise to Japan for Assassin's Creed Shadows?
If you are interested in being a regular contributor for The Lens, please apply by clicking this link. Thoughts from last week Andrea Cheung, 13, Island School Ubisoft is a French company founded in 1986 that specialises in creating video games and owns several popular franchises, including the trending game Assassin's Creed. The latest instalment, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is the fourteenth in the series. However, its release has sparked significant backlash, particularly from Japanese citizens. Many do not believe it is acceptable for the main character of a game set in Japan to be non-Japanese. One commentator stated, 'This is purely Asian hate, to have a black dude as the main character instead of an Asian.' Critics also argue that certain scenes are disrespectful to Japanese Shinto culture. Both sides have entrenched views regarding what is appropriate when portraying different cultures. I believe the game developers should not have received as much backlash as they have. After all, this is just a video game, and the events portrayed are fictional, existing only in a virtual world. Even though it is just a fictional game, one potential concern is that some people may develop skewed perceptions of Japan after playing it. Thus, it is understandable that some people in Japan believe that it will affect how others think about their country's culture. However, even with the controversy, Ubisoft has not made any public responses to these recent critiques. I believe they should issue an apology to the Japanese community, as the game may disrespect their culture and create a misleading image of Japan, particularly with its portrayal of sacred Shinto shrines that locals carefully look after. Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens Read and observe A typical gridlocked street in Bali, where people can barely see past the large number of motorbikes. Photo: Dave Smith Bali, a province of Indonesia, is making waves with an ambitious plan to introduce water taxis at its airport by the end of this year, aiming to alleviate the resort island's notorious traffic congestion. As the number of tourists swells, local officials are betting that this aquatic solution can bring relief to both visitors and residents alike. Set to launch in December, the water taxi service will provide a direct route from Ngurah Rai International Airport to some of Bali's most sought-after resorts. 'Sea transport could help mitigate the problem as the congestion on the land cannot be solved quickly. We will encourage tourists to use the water taxi,' said Wayan Koster, Bali's governor, as quoted by The Bali Sun. Authorities have already conducted trial runs using traditional jukung canoes, with a trip to Uluwatu taking around 35 to 40 minutes. Modern vessels in the mix could slash that time to just 25 to 30 minutes. By contrast, a car ride from the airport can take more than an hour, often bogged down by traffic jams. But the water taxi initiative is just the beginning. Reports from The Bali Times suggest that seaplane services might join the fleet of solutions to ease ground congestion, reinforcing Bali's ambition to establish itself as a maritime tourism hub. In a recent partnership with sea transport operators, Bali authorities have also launched routes linking Tanjung Benoa – a peninsula renowned for its beaches – to popular spots such as Serangan Island and Pedungan. Meanwhile, on land, a substantial budget has been allocated for infrastructure improvements, according to Merdeka, an online news outlet. Plans include new roads connecting the provincial capital of Denpasar to the bustling southern resort area of Badung, slated to begin construction in 2026. Staff writers Research and respond What is the cause of Bali's traffic problem? Do you believe that implementing a water taxi system is the best way to alleviate this issue? Are there other solutions to Bali's congestion issue? At what point could overtourism become a problem?
