Conflict: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Shooting
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on December 4. Over the years, UnitedHealthcare has received complaints from thousands of unhappy customers, and Thompson’s wife told “NBC News” that her late husband had been the subject of threats before the shooting. Recently, police arrested “strong person of interest” Luigi Mangione in a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A high school valedictorian and University of Pennsylvania graduate, Mangione was found carrying items thought to be related to the shooting and a manifesto criticizing health insurance companies.
Entertainment: “Wicked” Breaks Box-Office Records
Following its release on November 22, “Wicked” has broken records, scoring the biggest box office opening weekend ever for a Broadway feature adaptation, both domestically and globally. According to “MSN News,” ticket sales totaled 164.2 million dollars, surpassing the previous record set by “Les Miserables” by 34.2 million dollars. The movie, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, is already the sixth highest-grossing movie of 2024 at the domestic box office. With critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm fueling its success, “Wicked” has both captivated fans of the musical and drawn the attention of new viewers.
Medicine: Countries Vote to Legalize Assisted Dying
Last week, the United Kingdom made a landmark decision to legalize assisted dying, joining approximately twelve countries where the practice is legal, partly legal, or under discussion. Assisted dying is the practice of a person with an illness or condition who is helped to take their own life using drugs provided by a doctor for that purpose. According to “The New York Times,” almost two-thirds of people in England and Wales support assisted death, reflecting a social shift toward liberalism in Great Britain. Globally, assisted dying remains a controversial topic.
Government: Syrian President Flees to Russia
After 13 years of civil war, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled the country as rebels stormed into the capital city of Damascus. The Al-Assad family has controlled Syria since 1970, and much of their regime has been characterized by authoritarianism and violence. According to “CNN,” in the past eleven days, the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took over several Syrian cities, culminating in the takeover of Damascus. These events caused the president to flee to Moscow after his resignation. For now, the future of Syria remains uncertain. HTS, which has been classified as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, has yet to publicize its plan for the country.
Conflict: South Korean President Declares Martial Law
On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, causing substantial public backlash and protest. According to “AP News,” this declaration allowed the president to deploy military forces to maintain order, which included suspending press freedoms and limiting judicial authority. However, Yoon’s move was quickly deemed illegal and unconstitutional by a unanimous vote of the South Korean National Assembly, including members of his own party, as reported by “BBC News.” Facing significant backlash, Yoon has since faced pressure to step down from his role as President: an impeachment vote held on December 6 fell short of a two-thirds majority by just eight votes, and another is expected to be held soon.
Technology: TikTok Closer to Ban in the U.S.
After nine months of deliberation, a panel of federal judges denied TikTok’s bid to overturn a law that could lead to its widespread ban in the United States of America. The law mandates the sale of the app to a non-Chinese-owned company by January 19 because of national security concerns about the privacy of American citizens. According to “The New York Times,” lawmakers say that the Chinese government could obtain sensitive information about Americans through the app. In response, TikTok argued that banning the app was a violation of the constitutional right to free speech. The likelihood of the ban has been called into question. Although TikTok has publicly refused the sale, with the new law confirmed on December 6, experts say it’s become more likely.
