Wednesday, January 15, 2025
It is Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Here are today’s top stories.
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FDA bans Red No. 3
The FDA said it is banning Red No. 3, which is a dye added to food and drinks to make them bright red. The FDA said it is due to cancer risk. A FDA official said, “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of… Red No. 3.” NBC News explained that the dye is currently used in thousands of foods. Now, food manufacturers will have two years to change their products, by 2027. NBC said Red Dye No. 3 was approved for use in foods in 1907 and is made from petroleum (crude oil). California and 10 other states have already made moves to ban the dye and it is also already banned or restricted in the European Union, Australia, and Japan.
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Israel and Hamas ceasefire deal
Today, Qatar’s prime minister announced there is a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that would pause the war after 15 months and allow the release of a number of Israeli hostages. The deal has several phases. Qatar, who has been hosting negotiations, said the deal would go into effect on Sunday.
As of this afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said the agreement has not been reached and final details are being sorted out. The agreement must get the approval from the Israeli government. AP News said the deal as it stands would see the release of 33 Israeli hostages who are women, children, older adults, or wounded civilians in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children that are imprisoned by Israel.
Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump took credit for helping to make the deal happen. Biden said American hostages will be released in the first part of the deal.
https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-ceasefire-updates#00000194-6b0b-d81b-a5be-eb1bf94b0000
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Atlanta airport named busiest in world again
USAToday reported that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was officially named the busiest airport in the world for the second year in a row. The airport, code name ATL, served at least 62 million seats in 2024.
The second and third busiest airports in the world are Dubai International and Tokyo International.
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Texas sues Allstate for collecting driver data
Texas sued Allstate on Monday and accused the insurance company of illegally tracking over 45 million drivers through their cell phones without their consent and using the data to make profits by raising premiums or denying coverage. Texas also accused Allstate of selling the data to other insurers. The lawsuit said Allstate paid millions of dollars to have software designed and installed in popular apps such as Fuel Rewards, GasBuddy, Life360, and on Allstate-owned apps.
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Pete Hegseth’s testimony
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. military, faced tough questions from Democrats but got support from Republicans during a Senate confirmation hearing yesterday.
Hegseth told his Democratic critics that allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse were anonymous and false.
Hegseth was asked about his previous comments that women shouldn’t serve in combat roles. He said women would still have access to combat roles if they met standards.
Hegseth said his goal is to shake up the military and bring a “warrior culture” back.
USAToday said Hegseth is all but certain to become the Secretary of Defense because he has enough support from Republican senators and he could get a confirmation vote on Monday after Trump is sworn into office.
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South Korean president detained
AP News reported that South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was detained in a major law enforcement operation at the presidential compound today. He is the first sitting president to be detained in the country and faces a lengthy prison term over rebellion charges stemming from his shock martial law order last month.
https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-martial-law-detain-8dd7f03661be39729741de9a3b5d1714
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That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.