Concerns emerge over data privacy following 23andMe bankruptcy as Defense Secretary refutes claims of sharing “war plans” with magazine editor. In California, a second woman is tragically strangled during a prison family visit.
Here’s a concise overview of today’s key developments.
White House Examines Handling of Military Strategy Documents Sent to Magazine Editor
The Trump administration is reportedly reviewing the circumstances surrounding how Jeff Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently included in a group message. This message allegedly contained discussions among individuals linked to the administration regarding potential airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The National Security Council issued a statement acknowledging the authenticity of the message thread in response to Goldberg’s published article detailing the incident.
According to Goldberg’s report, he was added to a Signal encrypted messaging group named “Houthi PC small group” on March 13. In his article, Goldberg expressed initial doubt about the chat’s legitimacy but noted it “included precise details concerning weapons packages, objectives, and timelines.” He further stated that he left the Signal group after concluding its authenticity was “almost certainly real.”
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The messages appeared to originate from figures including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security advisor Mike Waltz, and other prominent members of the Trump administration.
When questioned by a reporter about the information sharing with a journalist and the classification status of the material, Hegseth dismissed Goldberg as a “so-called journalist.” He stated, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.”
Goldberg, responding to Hegseth’s comments in an MSNBC interview, countered, “He can assert that it wasn’t a war plan, but it was a detailed, moment-by-moment account of planned actions organized by CENTCOM,” referencing Central Command, the body overseeing U.S. military operations in the Middle East and adjacent regions.
Democratic legislators swiftly voiced criticism and ridicule regarding the news. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton posted on X, “You have got to be kidding me.” Republican lawmakers offered varied reactions.
Read the complete report here.
Further Political Headlines:
- A federal appellate judge questioned Trump administration lawyers regarding the utilization of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to a high-security El Salvadoran prison. The judge remarked that “Nazis received superior treatment” when the law was previously invoked during WWII.
- Legislation aimed at restricting district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions could present House Speaker Mike Johnson with a resolution amid escalating pressure to impeach judges obstructing the Trump administration’s agenda.
- A recent report indicates a surge in job applications from employees of federal agencies targeted by DOGE.
- Trump has nominated acting CDC director Susan Monarez to officially lead the agency.
- Elon Musk received commendation for his cost-reduction strategies during a meeting involving Trump, Cabinet officials, and Musk, marking a contrast to a prior Cabinet meeting characterized by high tensions.
- A portrait of Trump displayed in the Colorado State Capitol was removed after he described the artwork as “distorted” and demanded its removal.
Second Fatality by Strangulation During Family Visit at California Correctional Facility
Authorities reported a second death within a year at a California prison following the strangulation of a woman during an overnight visit with her spouse. Stephanie Diane Dowells, 62, an Inglewood hairdresser, was killed in November at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The prior incident involved Tania Thomas, 47, also strangled during a family visit in July, stated Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe yesterday. The man she was visiting faces murder charges related to her death.
Dowells’ death remains under active investigation, with charges awaiting prison and autopsy findings, according to Riebe. Her husband, David Brinson, is currently serving four consecutive life sentences for the murders of four men during a 1990s robbery. Dowells’ son, Armand Torres, is raising concerns about the authorization of family visits for Brinson. He discussed his mother’s relationship with reporter Janelle Griffith and revealed his trust in Brinson, which extended to allowing his 3-year-old son to join her on prison visits.
23andMe Bankruptcy Filing Raises Data Privacy Concerns
The genetic data belonging to millions of 23andMe users is potentially for sale after the genetic testing firm declared bankruptcy on Sunday. While a 23andMe spokesperson stated that customer data storage practices would remain unchanged, privacy professionals and advocates continue to express apprehension.
“Individuals have absolutely no control over their data’s destination,” stated Tazin Kahn, CEO of a privacy rights and cybersecurity non-profit. Furthermore, legal expert Andrew Crawford noted that genetic data legitimately acquired and held by tech companies faces minimal federal oversight. Another legal expert suggested the 23andMe sale should act as a warning to Americans regarding their personal information.
In response, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement providing guidance on deleting genetic data, requesting deletion of test samples, and preventing data utilization in third-party research studies.
Further Headlines
- Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian filmmaker and co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was assaulted by settlers and detained by Israeli forces, according to his co-director.
- The Trump administration has accused Mahmoud Khalil, a detained Columbia University graduate student, of concealing information about his affiliation with pro-Palestinian organizations on his green card applications, according to newly released court documents.
- Seeking to reach age 70 without chronic illness? A 30-year study concluded that a primarily plant-based diet with limited ultra-processed foods can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving this goal.
- The partnership between meal delivery platform DoorDash and “buy now, pay later” service Klarna has generated widespread criticism.
- USC women’s basketball standout JuJu Watkins sustained a season-ending injury during a game against Mississippi State, severely impacting the team’s championship aspirations.
Staff Spotlight: Democrats Shift Focus to Challenges Facing Boys and Men
During the recent presidential campaign, Democratic messaging predominantly emphasized issues relevant to women, with limited discussion on the challenges facing boys and men in areas such as academic performance, college enrollment, employment, and housing. This focus is evolving this year, with three Democratic governors announcing new initiatives designed to address disparities affecting boys and men. The effort has garnered cautious approval from researchers in the field. Democratic strategists anticipate this shift will aid in regaining support from young male voters. “Young men are indeed voicing their concerns,” stated a polling expert. “If Democrats fail to listen — and respond — they risk further losses. However, this moment offers potential for change.” — Tyler Kingkade, national reporter
NBC Select: Streamlined Online Shopping
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