January 17 top stories
It is January 17. Here are today’s top stories.
Funny electronic messages on highways will be banned
The federal government has issued a new rule for all states that will ban humorous messages on electronic signs on highways. Examples are signs that say, “Hands on the wheel, not your meal” or “Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late.”
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration said messages that are intended to be funny or have references to pop culture have to stop by 2026 because they can be misunderstood or distracting to drivers. What will be allowed is simple messages used to warn drivers about crashes ahead, bad weather conditions, or traffic delays.
A Republican Arizona lawmaker said he didn’t like that the federal government is coming in and telling them what they can do in their own state.
Man uses Bobcat to ram into police SUV
On Sunday, a 36-year-old man named Samuel Peyrot was arrested after he used a Bobcat skid loader to ram it into a police SUV at a Home Depot parking lot in Lincoln, Nebraska.
A viral video shows the incident. The Bobcat damaged several vehicles in the parking lot before the police SUV showed up. The police officer, after being rammed, got out and pointed his firearm at Peyrot and arrested him.
A witness said the Bobcat went on a “rampage,” destroying the front doors of a liquor store, destroying cars in a Taco Bell parking lot, an ATM, and finally a cop car.
Peyrot is facing multiple charges. The Bobcat was owned by his employer. It is unknown what caused him to do this, but the rampage happened on his 37th birthday.
Israel and Hamas agree on medicine & aid
Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to deliver medicine to hostages in Gaza in exchange for delivering humanitarian aid - medical supplies- to Palestinian hospitals to help Palestinian civilians. This deal was brokered by Qatar. It is said that at least a third of the Israeli hostages have chronic illnesses or other forms of illnesses that require medication.
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U.S. re-designates Houthis as a terrorist organization
The Biden administration has re-designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization after the Houthis launched multiple attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea region.
Axios said President Biden, when he took office in 2021, retracted the Trump administration’s terrorist designation against the Houthis. Biden did this so he could support humanitarian relief efforts in Yemen during its civil war. But now after the attacks, Biden is calling them a terrorist group.
The Houthis said they are attacking commercial ships in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. It has caused shipping headaches and may raise prices as companies are forced to take longer, safer routes.
The U.S., U.K., and other allies have been bombing Houthi targets. The Houthis are supported by Iran. So there’s a lot of concern that the U.S. may get pulled into the regional conflict, especially if the Houthis continue to attack ships with increasing intensity.
King Charles and Princess Catherine’s health issues
Two members of the British royal family are experiencing health issues.
British Princess Catherine will be in a hospital for two weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery. CNN said it is unknown what the surgery was for, but it’s non-cancerous. She will not return to public duties until after Easter.
In separate news, British King Charles III will go to a hospital next week to get treatment for an enlarged prostate. The condition is said to be benign.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/16/middleeast/gaza-hostages-medicine-deal-qatar-intl/
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/12/us-uk-strike-yemen-houthi-rebels-red-sea
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/17/uk/princess-of-wales-kate-abdominal-surgery-gbr-intl/index.html