Imagine receiving sensitive military plans by accident! A journalist got included in a secret chat with Trump administration officials discussing imminent war operations. Also, there's a staggering $2.1 billion verdict against Bayer over Roundup weed killer, echoing health concerns. Meanwhile, Manhattan's congestion pricing shows early successes, improving public transit while challenging state intervention. Plus, Broadway is buzzing with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal smashing box office records in 'Othello.' A lot happening in this dynamic landscape!
The accidental inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in a Trump administration group chat underscores the risks of using commercial apps for national security discussions.
Bayer's $2.1 billion verdict highlights ongoing legal challenges and public scrutiny surrounding Roundup weed killer and its safety claims.
Deep dives
Legal Struggles of Bayer and Monsanto
A Georgia jury recently awarded $2.1 billion to a plaintiff claiming that Roundup weed killer caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma, emphasizing ongoing legal challenges for Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto. This verdict is part of a larger trend, as Bayer faces over 100,000 lawsuits related to the product, alongside a previous $10 billion class-action settlement. Bayer maintains that Roundup is safe when used as directed, despite the controversy surrounding its active ingredient, glyphosate, which has been used globally for decades. The company is pursuing a dual strategy by seeking to have a Supreme Court ruling on whether federal approval can supersede state regulations while also lobbying for changes in agricultural policy to protect its interests.
Security Breaches in the Trump Administration
A concerning security breach during the Trump administration highlighted the dangers of using commercial encrypted messaging apps for discussing sensitive national security information. This incident involved Jeffrey Goldberg, an editor at the Atlantic, who was inadvertently included in a text chain with high-ranking officials discussing classified military operations. The gravity of sharing sensitive intelligence information on an unsecured platform raises questions about the accountability of officials involved. The breach is particularly alarming given the context of heightened scrutiny over similar issues, suggesting a failure of responsibility among security officials regarding protocol.
Success of Manhattan's Congestion Pricing
Manhattan's congestion pricing initiative, which imposes charges for driving in specific areas, has successfully reduced commute times and improved public transit ridership since its implementation. Data reveals that complaints about honking have decreased by 69%, indicating a notable change in the urban soundscape alongside enhanced traffic conditions. Despite pushback from the Trump administration regarding funding for the project, New York officials appear committed to maintaining the pricing structure to support transit improvements. This initiative demonstrates the potential for similar policies to manage urban traffic effectively, although its unique context may limit applicability in other cities.
Most of us can only wonder what goes on in U.S. national security leaders’ group chats, but The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg doesn’t have to. Last week, Goldberg was accidentally included in a Signal group chat with high-ranking members of the Donald Trump administration, in which they discussed imminent war operations. Yes, this actually happened. Plus, the whopping $2.1 billion verdict you might’ve missed over Roundup weed killer. And, we smile over what’s happened since congestion pricing went into effect in Manhattan — all while dropping some Latin vocab.
