'We need solutions that prioritize both safety and sustainability'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day


'Lithium batteries are bursting into flames, starting dangerous, toxic trash fires'
Amy Lestition Burke and Heidi Sanborn at The Hill
Workers in "recycling and waste management face an escalating threat: fires and explosions sparked by improperly discarded consumer products containing lithium-ion batteries," say Amy Lestition Burke and Heidi Sanborn. Without "swift, coordinated action from both manufacturers and policymakers, the situation will only grow worse." Product design "must account for safe, cost-effective end-of-life management, including identifiable and removable batteries." Manufacturers "must take responsibility for the full life cycle of their products, and policymakers must act now to protect workers."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Debt is crushing the developing world'
Joseph Stiglitz at the Financial Times
Some have "claimed that the debt problem in the developing world is dissipating, but in fact the situation in many low- and lower-middle-income countries has become deeper and more entrenched," says Joseph Stiglitz. Governments are "diverting precious public resources away from education, health, infrastructure and climate adaptation to service debts." This is "not a path to sustainable development — this debt is a roadblock." Today's "crisis reflects a systemic failure, which lies in the persistent asymmetry of global capital flows."
'Why not appoint a nurse as the US surgeon general?'
Connie M. Ulrich, Mary Naylor and Martha A.Q. Curley at The Philadelphia Inquirer
The "surgeon general is the nation's doctor, but what the nation needs is a nurse," say Connie M. Ulrich, Mary Naylor and Martha A.Q. Curley. At this "critical time in our nation's history, who better than a nurse to lead the country in addressing the challenges of health promotion and disease prevention?" The "surgeon general is charged with providing Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health," and this "science is the science of nursing."
'Enlightened Americans should stay and fight, not leave'
Andrew Mitrovica at Al Jazeera
Enlightened Americans' "presence in America to fight for its promise is a duty and responsibility," says Andrew Mitrovica. They "can fashion a formidable, immovable buttress against the wretched aspects of Trumpism — its assault on facts, erosion of democratic norms, embrace of authoritarianism, and corrosive pursuit of division and fear." This "contest cannot be won remotely — far from the epicenter of the urgent battle." Absence "creates space for extremism to entrench itself," and Trumpism "thrives when opposition retreats."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Book reviews: 'Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference' and 'Is a River Alive?'
Feature A rallying cry for 'moral ambition' and the interwoven relationship between humans and rivers
-
'King of the Hill' actor shot dead outside home
speed read Jonathan Joss was fatally shot by a neighbor who was 'yelling violent homophobic slurs,' says his husband
-
DOJ, Boulder police outline attacker's confession
speed read Mohamed Sabry Soliman planned the attack for a year and 'wanted them all to die'
-
A running list of all the celebrities Trump has pardoned
IN DEPTH Reality stars, rappers and disgraced politicians have received some of the high-profile pardons doled out by the president
-
'The pattern is similar across America'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
'Russia's position is fragile'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
What's next for Elon Musk?
Today's Big Question The world's richest man has become 'disillusioned' with politics – but returning to his tech empire presents its own challenges
-
Trump's super-charged pardon push raises eyebrows and concerns
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Never shy about using his pardon ability for political leverage, Trump's spate of amnesty announcements suggests the White House is taking things to a new level
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies