Friday, January 24, 2025
It is Friday, January 24, 2025. Here are today’s top stories.
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UnitedHealthcare names new boss
BBC News said UnitedHealthcare has named a new boss almost two months after its then-CEO, Brian Thompson, was assassinated in New York. The new boss is Tim Noel and he has been with the company for a long time.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurer in the U.S. with over 50 million customers.
The suspected killer, Luigi Mangione (26) is behind bars in New York and facing murder and terrorism charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
The shooting sparked discussion on the costs of healthcare and criticism of the insurance industry. Many sympathized with Mangione but many also condemned his alleged act of murder.
The new UnitedHealthcare boss is sure to have additional security measures whenever he goes to public spaces.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cre8n8rjp5yo
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White House says over 500 alleged illegal immigrant criminals arrested
The White House announced that the Trump administration arrested “538 illegal immigrant criminals” and deported about 80 others out of the country using two military planes that went to Guatemala.
The White House said those arrested included a suspected terrorist, four members of a gang, and several who were convicted of sex crimes against minors.
CBS News said in a separate action, there was an ICE raid targeting a seafood business in New Jersey that detained multiple people, including U.S. citizens and a veteran.
President Trump has campaigned to take actions against illegal immigration and is following through, but Democratic leaders in New Jersey said ICE raids sow fear in our communities and doesn’t solve the issues on our immigration system.
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Hamas to release four Israeli hostages for 180 Palestinian prisoners
BBC News reported that Hamas has named four Israeli hostages that will be released on Saturday in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
The four hostages are female Israeli soldiers who were captured at a military base that was under attack by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7, 2023. Their names are Karina Ariev, Naomi Levy, Daniella Gilboa, and Liri Albag.
BBC said some of the 180 Palestinian prisoners are serving long sentences on serious crimes such as murder, but the Israeli government said nobody involved in the Oct. 7 attacks will be among them. “The Times of Israel” said the Israeli government will publish the list of 180 Palestinian prisoners by tonight.
This will be the second hostage-prisoners swap in the current ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, with many more swaps coming in the coming weeks as long as the deal holds.
PBS said the deal will allow Palestinians in Gaza to have more freedom of movement to move from southern Gaza to the northern part, which has been occupied by Israeli soldiers. Many buildings and homes have been destroyed.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xqv5rqpyjo
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Colorado says elephants can’t sue to be released from zoo
AP News reported that the Colorado Supreme Court made a decision that elephants in a zoo cannot take legal action to be released because they are not human.
This case concerns five elephants who are at a zoo in Colorado Springs. Animal rights advocates and attorneys tried to sue the zoo on behalf of the elephants using a habeas corpus claim. The attorneys said the elephants were suffering in a “prison.”
The Colorado court said although the elephants are majestic animals, they are not a person, so they can’t take legal action.
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Ford recalling 270k Broncos and Mavericks
AP News said Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 270,000 Broncos and Mavericks due to problems with their batteries that can cause vehicles to stop unexpectedly or fail to start. The recall affects vehicles made from 2021 to 2023.
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That is all the top stories for this week. Have a nice weekend and stay with the light.