PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
|
Listen To This Story
 |
Meta Brings Restricted Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger (Maria)
The author writes, “Meta is introducing Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger. The feature, which automatically enrolls young users into an app experience with built-in protections, will be available on these platforms in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Canada before expanding to additional regions in the future. Teen Accounts first rolled out to Instagram last September. … Meta said it’s bringing new built-in protections for Teen Accounts on Instagram. With the expansion to Facebook and Messengers, teens will automatically be placed into an experience designed to limit inappropriate content and unwanted contact. Teens under the age of 16 need their parents’ permission to change any settings.”
Amid Anti-DEI push, National Park Service Rewrites History of Underground Railroad (Gerry)
From The Washington Post: “The executive order that President Donald Trump issued late last month directing the Smithsonian Institution to eliminate ‘divisive narratives’ stirred fears that the president aimed to whitewash the stories the nation tells about itself. But a Washington Post review of websites operated by the National Park Service — among the key agencies charged with the preservation of American history — found that edits on dozens of pages since Trump’s inauguration have already softened descriptions of some of the most shameful moments of the nation’s past.”
Canada Warns Travelers of US Border Agents’ Authority to Search Electronic Devices (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “The Canadian government is warning citizens visiting the United States that US border officials have the authority to search travelers’ electronic devices — including phones, laptops, and tablets — without providing a reason. In a revised travel advisory posted online, it urges Canadians to ‘expect scrutiny’ when crossing the border and warns that refusing to comply involves risks including device seizure, travel delays, or the denial of entry for non-US citizens.”
When American Soldiers Were in Trouble, Our Allies Showed Up (Dana)
From The Bulwark: “Over the last week, amid government turmoil, massive new tariffs, a stock market free-fall beckoning a possible recession, and other major news, many Americans likely missed a story that was unfolding in the normally quiet forests of Lithuania. Four U.S. soldiers, including three seasoned and professional non-commissioned officers, tragically lost their lives when their M88 Hercules recovery vehicle was swallowed by a hidden sinkhole during a training mission. The remains of Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, PFC Dante D. Taitano, and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins were recovered after an exhaustive eight-day operation that showcased not only the unwavering commitment of American forces to their fellow soldiers, but also the profound solidarity of our allies in Europe.”
One Family. One Attack. 132 Names. (Laura)
From NPR: “An Israeli strike on a Gaza apartment building killed 132 members of one family in October 2024. It was one of the deadliest Israeli strikes of the Israel-Hamas war. The few survivors documented the dead. It has been difficult to chronicle the enormous losses to Palestinian families during Israel’s offensive in Gaza, one of the most destructive in recent history. Working with journalists in Gaza, we reconstructed what happened to one large family in a single moment.”
Big Banks Quietly Prepare for Catastrophic Warming (Sean)
The author writes, “Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and an international banking group have quietly concluded that climate change will likely exceed the Paris Agreement’s 2 degree C goal and are examining how to maintain profits.
Great Dane, Great Co-Star (Russ)
The author writes, “In The Friend, a huge dog and his new human, played by Naomi Watts, are in mourning. Both actress and canine had to learn new tricks for the film.”
