Bookmarked: News Stories On Our Reading List

Met Gala Theme Controversy and Reversal

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art initially selected controversial designer John Galliano to front the event, following his previous anti-Semitic comments that had led to his industry-wide "cancellation."
• Galliano's inclusion was cancelled after significant backlash, leading to the new announced theme: "Extraordinary Fashion and the Posts of Every Day."
• The new theme has been interpreted by attendees as potentially allowing casual attire, such as jeans and t-shirts, which contrasts with the gala's traditional expectation of theatrical and absurd outfits.
• Past successful themes cited by commentators include "The Vatican" and "Camp."

FAA Technology Infrastructure Update

• A New York Times report highlights that the FAA continues to rely on 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch floppy disks for critical daily operations, including pilot reports and safety advisories.
• Despite the obsolescence of the technology, the media notes that floppy disks remain in active production and use within Washington's federal infrastructure.
• The FAA is currently reforming its air traffic control systems to replace legacy infrastructure.
• The FAA plans to fully install the new system across 400 sites by the end of 2028.

McRib Class-Action Litigation

• A Chicago judge ruled that a class-action lawsuit against McDonald's regarding the "McRib" sandwich may proceed.
• The legal dispute centers on the semantic and literal definition of "rib," with plaintiffs arguing the sandwich contains no actual rib meat.
• McDonald's defends the product as consisting of 100% pork sourced from U.S. farmers, explicitly denying the inclusion of offal such as hearts, tripe, or "scalded stomach."
• The sandwich is described as processed pork shaped to resemble a rib rack, utilizing various cuts of pork rather than rib meat specifically.

National Toy Hall of Fame Inductions

• Four new items were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame: Bingo, Care Bears, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the "Humble Playground Slide."
• Inductees were selected for their sustained appeal across generations, with Bingo noted for popularity among both younger and older demographics.
• The Care Bears induction specifically highlighted the cultural significance of the "Care Bear Stare."
• The inclusion of the "Humble Playground Slide" was debated by hosts, with one participant characterizing it more as an activity or gravity-driven play rather than a manufactured toy.