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US Health Alarm: Ex-Officials at CDC Tell Senators How Kennedy Is Risking Public Health (New York Times)
Former CDC director Susan Monarez told the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday that she was fired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for refusing to compromise on “scientific integrity,” including demands to pre-approve vaccine policies without reviewing the evidence.
Monarez and another former official warned
that Kennedy’s dismissal of top CDC staff, overhaul of its vaccine advisory panel, and attacks on the agency are fueling distrust and contributing to disease outbreaks like measles.
Kennedy’s office denied the claims, saying Monarez “acted maliciously to undermine the president’s agenda” and that his actions are aimed at restoring public trust in the CDC through transparency and accountability.
RFK's War on Vaccines: The Hepatitis B Vaccine Is Under Threat. Here’s What to Know. (New York Times)
Today, RFK Jr.’s federal vaccine advisory panel will revisit recommendations on the hepatitis B shot, potentially changing the decades-long practice of vaccinating newborns—a policy credited with driving down infection rates.
Alongside the hepatitis B vaccine, the panel is also set to review and vote on recommendations for the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, as well as Covid vaccines.
Health Officials: Who Makes Decisions About Vaccine Policy Now? (New York Times)
Kennedy is reshaping US vaccine policy by removing long-standing experts and installing allies who share his skepticism of Covid vaccines and mandates.
With key positions at the FDA, CDC, and NIH now held by figures who question established vaccine practices, the country’s immunization strategy faces a dramatic shift away from scientific consensus.
Lawsuit Analysis: Trump’s $15 Billion NY Times Suit Also Has a Serious Intent (Bloomberg Opinion - Timothy O'Brien)
Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, four of its reporters, and Penguin Random House over a book about him.
The suit accuses the "legacy media" of
acting as a Democratic Party mouthpiece, while also functioning as a showcase for Trump’s grievances and self-mythologizing, complete with glossy photos of Trump Tower and his 2024 election victory.”
Legal experts say the case rests on shaky ground, but it underscores Trump’s push to challenge longstanding press protections, including the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan ruling.
The Times vowed it “will not be deterred by intimidation tactics” and Penguin Random House called the case “meritless,” both pledging to defend their journalists and the First Amendment.
India
Today: Modi Fends Off Succession Talk Despite Setbacks (Bloomberg)
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75, his hold on India looks stronger than ever, with no rival power centers in the Bharatiya Janata Party and no barrier to contesting the 2029 election.
Despite speculation about retirement after last year’s election setback and ongoing economic and foreign policy strains, he has consolidated allies and shifted his third term toward economic priorities.
Modi’s dominance reflects both
the absence of a clear successor and the party’s continued dependence on his leadership.
Climate of Hope in Asia: India to Spend $570 Million to Help Steel Companies Decarbonize (Bloomberg)
India is preparing a 50 billion rupee ($570 million) program to push steelmakers, particularly smaller firms, to cut emissions.
The initiative comes as demand for steel surges on the back of infrastructure projects and housing construction. Smaller steel plants, which are easier to set up and now account for nearly half of India’s output, are among the most polluting.
By targeting these producers, the program aims to curb emissions in one of the country’s hardest-to-abate sectors. The incentives are designed to support India’s 2070 net-zero target and help domestic mills remain competitive in global trade, especially as the EU’s carbon border tax penalizes carbon-intensive imports.
Daily Read Podcast: Stream today’s AI-generated companion to this newsletter on Spotify or
Apple Podcasts.
US Education News: Trump Redirects Millions to Historically Black Colleges, Charter Schools (New York Times)
Supporters of HBCUs welcomed the boost, but critics warned that slashing programs that support minority students in science and engineering, as well as funding for Hispanic-serving institutions, magnet schools, and gifted programs, pits minority-serving institutions against each other while advancing Trump’s agenda.
These moves come as
the White House is also pushing a 15% cut to the Education Department’s budget next year, part of Trump’s broader effort to permanently shut down the agency.
US Hearing Clash: FBI’s Kash Patel Defends Charlie Kirk Response as Democrats Press on Epstein (Bloomberg)
FBI Director Kash Patel’s first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee split along partisan lines as he defended his handling of the Charlie Kirk murder probe, where he falsely claimed a suspect was in custody before walking it back.
Democrats also accused him of concealing files tied to Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting sharp divisions over his leadership.
Dough
Surge: Kash Patel Called Krispy Kreme Stock a Buy and Fueled Wild Rally (Bloomberg)
NY Transit News: L.I.R.R. Strike Avoided for Now as Unions Ask US to Intervene (New York Times)
A strike on the Long Island Rail Road, the biggest commuter rail service in the United States, will be avoided for at least several months, after the unions threatening a work stoppage took the unusual step of seeking the White House’s intervention.
Tech Release: Meta Launches $799 Glasses With Screen and AI Integration (Bloomberg)
Meta has unveiled its first smart glasses with a built-in display: the $799 Ray-Ban Meta Display.
The right-lens screen shows texts, calls, maps, and AI query results, while a wristband enables gesture-based controls like pinching to select or swiping to scroll.
The launch marks Meta’s boldest move yet to position glasses as the next mainstream computing platform, blending AI, messaging, and music into everyday wearables.
While the device signals a step toward full augmented reality glasses expected later this decade, its steep price and limited display raise questions about whether Meta can make smart glasses a breakout hit.
Apple Release Day Approaches: Tomorrow, September 19, Apple’s new lineup, including the iPhone 17, the ultra-slim iPhone Air, refreshed Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3 — hits stores. Explore the full lineup on Apple’s website.
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