Sunday, June 15
Insurance giant UnitedHealth Group is facing a criminal investigation by the US Justice Department for possible Medicare fraud, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal previously reported in February that UnitedHealth was under investigation over allegations it directed doctors to make patient diagnoses that would trigger high government payments under Medicare Advantage.
Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born Harvard scientist, faces deportation and smuggling charges after being detained for undeclared frog embryos found at Boston Logan Airport. She claims political persecution in Russia, while prosecutors cite suspicious text messages and her past work in Russia. The case has sparked concern at Harvard, with supporters questioning the severity of the charges and her prolonged detention.
Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, sold Trump Media shares worth between $1 million and $5.5 million on April 2, coinciding with Donald Trump's tariff announcement dubbed 'Liberation Day.' This sale occurred within her ethics agreement window after receiving the shares as compensation for consulting work related to Trump Media's Wall Street debut.
Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have reached Turkey for peace discussions. This occurs as the war continues. Russia claims to have captured two villages. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised Vladimir Putin's absence. He called the Russian delegation a 'dummy'. Russia responded by calling Zelenskyy a 'clown'. Talks are a restart of previous negotiations.
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers regarding his controversial vaccine views and proposed budget cuts. Despite a measles outbreak, Kennedy stated Americans shouldn't seek medical advice from him. He defended slashing billions from health agencies, claiming it would save taxpayer money.
Vishnu Irigireddy, an Indian-origin tech executive, tragically died with two other climbers in Washington's North Cascades after their anchor failed during a descent from North Early Winters Spire. The fall sent them down a ravine, leaving one survivor, Anton Tselykh, who trekked to seek help. Irigireddy is remembered as an experienced climber and leader.
In Paris, the pregnant daughter of a crypto executive and her child were targeted in a kidnapping attempt. Masked assailants attacked, but locals intervened, thwarting the abduction. The victims sustained minor injuries, and the attackers fled in a fake delivery van.
Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old Briton, faces severe penalties in Georgia after being apprehended for allegedly smuggling a substantial quantity of cannabis. Culley, who had been missing since travelling to Thailand, was found with 14kg of narcotics at Tbilisi airport. Her family expresses disbelief, while Georgian authorities proceed with charges that could lead to life imprisonment.
Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot sparked controversy by unexpectedly linking unrelated user queries to the alleged "white genocide" in South Africa. The AI system, integrated into X, responded to whimsical prompts with claims about violence against white farmers, raising concerns about bias.
John Ewing has been elected as the first Black mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, defeating incumbent Jean Stothert, who served for 12 years. Ewing, a former police deputy chief and county treasurer, promised to address issues like infrastructure, public safety, and affordable housing. His victory represents a significant cultural shift for Omaha, signaling a desire for new leadership and priorities.
