FDA proposes new talc testing rules to keep cosmetics asbestos-free
Talc, the main ingredient in baby powder, has long been known to contain cancer-causing and potentially deadly asbestos, but it’s still being used to make cosmetics. Now, a new rule proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks to make sure products containing talc are asbestos-free.
Talc is used to absorb moisture or improve the look and feel of some makeup. Like asbestos, it’s a mineral, but unlike asbestos, it is not toxic on its own. However, if talc is mined from an area near asbestos, there’s a good chance of cross contamination.
The FDA said since 2021, lab testing of more than 150 cosmetic samples has come back negative for asbestos. Still though, in 2023 Congress passed a law requiring the FDA to release new standards for industry testing.
The decision came in the wake of multiple lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, one of the biggest manufacturers of baby powder. Thousands of people have claimed baby powder caused ovarian and other cancers.
The new proposal is open to public comment for 90 days before the FDA can make it an official rule.
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $15M in baby powder cancer case
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $15 million to a Connecticut man who claims he developed a rare form of cancer, mesothelioma, after using the company’s baby powder for decades. The jury in Fairfield County, Connecticut, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, found that the talc in the baby powder, which the man says he inhaled regularly, caused his illness. The jury also ruled that Johnson & Johnson should pay additional punitive damages, which will be determined by the judge later.
The plaintiff, Evan Plotkin, sued Johnson & Johnson in 2021 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. His legal team argued that the talc powder was contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, leading to his illness.
Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the decision, with the company’s vice president of litigation, Erik Haas, stating that “erroneous rulings” by the judge prevented the jury from hearing critical facts that would have shown the talc is safe. Haas cited decades of scientific evaluations that found no evidence of asbestos in their products.
This ruling comes as Johnson & Johnson faces more than 62,000 lawsuits related to claims that its talc-based products caused ovarian and other cancers. The company is currently pursuing a nearly $9 billion settlement plan to resolve the majority of these cases through bankruptcy, though mesothelioma claims, like Plotkin’s, are not part of the proposed settlement. Johnson & Johnson withdrew its talc-based baby powder from the U.S. market in 2020, globally in 2022, but maintains that the products are safe and do not cause cancer.
Black-colored plastics found in kitchen utensils, toys linked to toxic chemical
Harris, Trump field questions during town halls as Election Day nears
With less than three weeks until the presidential election, the candidates are blitzing battleground states and the airwaves with town halls. And in a possible blow to small businesses hoping to rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, one federal agency is running out of money. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.
Harris, Trump field questions during town halls as Election Day nears
With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, the candidates fielded questions on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in two different town hall settings.
Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a town hall in Detroit hosted by radio personality Charlamagne tha God as she looks to reach Black voters. During the town hall, the vice president said she believes slavery reparations should be studied.
Harris said while she is running for “president for everyone” she is “clear-eyed about the history and the disparities that exist for specific communities.”
The vice president also urged Black Americans not to sit out on Election Day.
Vice President Harris: Ask Donald Trump what his plan is for Black America. I'll tell you what it is. Project 2025 wants to implement stop-and-frisk. It wants to make it more difficult for workers to receive overtime pay. He wants to terminate the Constitution, which includes… pic.twitter.com/ZAQNgRkRyq
“The solutions that we all want are not going to happen in totality because of one election but here’s the thing: the things that we want and are prepared to fight for won’t happen if we’re not active and if we don’t participate,” she said. “We cannot allow circumstances to take us out the game because then basically what we’re saying is all those people who are obstructionist, who are standing in the way of change, they’re winning because they are convincing people that it can’t be done so take yourself out, don’t participate. Look at that circle, look at that vicious circle, then so let’s not fall for it.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Georgia moderated by host Harris Faulkner.
The town hall had an all-female audience, with the women posing questions to Trump on issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion. According to reports of the event, which will air later Wednesday, Oct. 16 on Fox News, Trump said some states are “too tough” when it comes to restrictions on abortion and those laws “are going to be redone.”
“The African American community and the Hispanic community are being devastated with the jobs, the numbers are down 6, 7, 8, 9%. They are going to work, and they’re saying, ‘I’m sorry, we’re not going to take you any more.’ People that have worked there and worked there well for years are now being told that they no longer have a job because they have illegal immigrants coming in and taking their job,” Trump said. “Any African American or Hispanic, and you know how well I’m doing there, that votes for Kamala, you got to have your head examined, because they are really screwing you.”
Early voting begins in Georgia with record turnout
Early voting has begun in the battleground state of Georgia and it’s already seeing a record turnout. Voting for the Nov. 5 presidential election started Tuesday and by the late afternoon, at least 252,000 voters had already cast ballots at early voting sites.
That’s nearly double the 136,000 who voted on the first day of early voting in the 2020 election, according to a top Georgia election official.
Also Tuesday, a judge blocked a new rule requiring Georgia Election Day ballots to be counted by hand after the close of voting. That ruling came just a day after the same judge ruled county election officials must certify election results by the deadline set in law.
Small Business Administration runs out of disaster relief funding
The Small Business administration has run out of funding for its disaster assistance loans right after the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That means much-needed financial assistance will be delayed for people applying for help right now.
After a disaster, the SBA provides loans to businesses and people who need them. The organization had warned it expected to run out of money by the end of the month.
Congress can approve more funding, but lawmakers are not set to reconvene until Nov. 12. The SBA administrator said in the meantime, people that need them should keep applying for the loans.
HURRICANE #MILTON SURVIVORS: Business owners and residents in declared disaster areas can now apply for SBA assistance.
Israel strikes Beirut despite U.S. opposition; vows to avoid nuclear sites in Iran
At least one Israeli air strike rocked a Beirut, Lebanon suburb early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 people according to the Associated Press. The strike came just hours after a State Department spokesperson said the U.S. told its key ally it opposed the bombing campaign there in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, the United Nations’ Human Rights Office called for an investigation into an Israeli air strike that happened on Monday which killed at least 21 people in northern Lebanon, saying it posed “real concerns” because it may have violated international laws governing war.
This comes as a Biden administration official said Israel has assured the U.S. it will not hit nuclear or oil sites when it retaliates against Iran for its missile barrage earlier this month.
However, that does not mean Israel will keep its word. In the past, the country’s track record of sticking to what it tells the U.S. has been mixed.
Just last month, U.S. officials were told by their Israeli counterparts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would welcome a U.S.- and French-led temporary cease-fire initiative in Lebanon, only for Israel to launch a massive airstrike that killed a Hezbollah leader two days later.
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $15M in baby powder cancer case
A jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $15 million to a Connecticut man who says he developed a rare form of cancer after using the company’s baby powder for decades. The man says he contracted mesothelioma from inhaling the talc powder.
The jury also said Johnson & Johnson should pay additional punitive damages, which will be determined later by the judge overseeing the case.
After the ruling, Johnson & Johnson’s vice president of litigation said the company will be appealing the decision, saying “erroneous” rulings by the judge kept the jury from hearing critical facts about the case.
Tom Brady approved to become minority owner of Raiders
Tom Brady has been called many names: the GOAT, Super Bowl champion, and NFL commentator, to name a few. Now, he can add team owner to that list.
On Tuesday, NFL team owners voted to approve Brady’s purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. The former NFL quarterback said in a statement he is eager to contribute to the Raiders organization in any way.
Because of his new title, Brady faces some restrictions in his other role as a Fox broadcaster, including being barred from weekly production meetings with the players and coaches in the games he will cover.
Johnson & Johnson replaces signature logo as company shifts focus
After more than 130 years, Johnson & Johnson has approved a new logo. The company announced on Thursday, Sept. 14 that it will replace the well-known logo used since 1887.
In a press release, the company said it is updating its logo with a more modern look that better represents the organization’s focus on innovative medicine.
“Our exclusive focus on Innovative Medicine and MedTech solutions enables us to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare in ways no other company can,” said Joaquin Duato, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. “Uniting our diverse businesses under an updated Johnson & Johnson brand reflects our unique ability to reimagine healthcare through transformative innovation, while staying true to Our Credo values and the level of care that patients and doctors expect of us.”
According to a 2017 post on the company website, the original Johnson & Johnson logo has been “one of the longest-used company emblems in the world.” The original logo, based on co-founder James Wood Johnson’s signature, can still be found on certain products for now.
The company has switched its focus to pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Consumer products including Band-Aids, Tylenol, Listerine and baby shampoo now fall under a new company spun off from J&J called Kenvue.
A Kenvue spokesperson said, for now, the original Johnson & Johnson script logo will remain on its products’ packaging but will eventually be phased out, as well.
Despite splitting from its consumer business, Johnson & Johnson expects its full-year 2023 sales to reach as much as $84 billion.
First 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiations released
A contentious negotiation process between the government and the pharmaceutical industry is set to begin. President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act passed last year giving Medicare the authority to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.
If the drugmakers don’t comply, they face a hefty excise tax. It’s Biden’s way to force the hand of what he calls “Big Pharma” to drop drug prices or pay a penalty.
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, ABC news reported a look at the medications that Medicare wants drugmakers to lower the costs of first. The 10 drugs include popular blood thinners Eliquis from Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer, and leukemia treatment Imbruvica from AbbVie.
Medicare will work to set new price points for each of these and present an offer to drugmakers in February of 2024. The drugmakers will have until August of 2024 to come to an agreed offer. Then the newly negotiated lower prices would take effect in 2026.
But the drug industry says forcing the companies to lower costs on their products is unconstitutional. Drug companies like Merck and Johnson and Johnson are suing the government in hopes to take the legal fight all the way to the Supreme Court.
“By coercing Merck to provide its drug products at government-set prices, the program takes property for public use without just compensation in violation of the Fifth Amendment,” Robert Josephson, Merck’s executive director of global media relations, said in a statement in June.
The Biden administration argues Big Pharma is just trying to protect big profits.
“They’re suing us to block us from negotiating lower prices so they can pad their profits. We’re going to see this through. We’re going to keep standing up to Big Pharma,” President Biden said in July.
As of now, talks between Medicare and the drugmakers are set to happen with the 10 drugs first on the list — with dozens more in the queue. The Biden administration expects Medicare to save an estimated $98.5 billion over a decade under new prescription pricing.
Trump says he is target in DOJ 2020 election probe: The Rundown July 19
Former President Donald Trump says he could soon be indicted again by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in relation to their 2020 election probe. And the latest on the U.S. soldier detained in North Korea. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Tuesday, July 19, 2023.
Trump says he is target in DOJ election probe
Former President Trump may be facing another indictment related to the DOJ’s election probe. This one over his involvement in the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce that he had received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith. The letter allegedly informed Trump that a DOJ grand jury was investigating whether he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
In the post, Trump called Smith “deranged” and said he was given four days to report to the grand jury, which, he said, “always means an arrest and indictment.”
Former Trump administration officials have testified that during his final months in office he pressured them to act on what Trump called “widespread voter fraud.”
There are several more developments in the various investigations into Trump. In Michigan, the state’s attorney general filed felony charges against 16 Republicans, accusing them of acting as fake electors on behalf of Trump. The group includes the head of the Republican National Committee’s Michigan chapter and the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party.
They allegedly met in December of 2020 and signed their names to certificates stating that they were qualified electors for Trump. These false documents were eventually sent to the Senate and the National Archives.
“These defendants may have believed the now-long-debunked myths of vote tampering or ballot dumps. They may have felt compelled to follow the call to action from a president they held fealty to. They may have even genuinely believed that this was their patriotic duty,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “But none of those reasons or feelings provide legal justification to violate the law and upend our constitution and our nation’s traditions of representative government, self-determination and a government by the people.”
Then there’s Trump’s ongoing classified documents case. The judge overseeing the trial has signaled that this year may be too soon for that trial to begin. But she did not say whether she would agree to Trump’s request to put the trial off until after the 2024 election.
What is known about detained U.S. soldier in North Korea
A U.S. soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody. According to reports, he “willfully” and “without authorization” crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour at the border line that separates the North from the South.
According to the U.S. Army, 23-year-old Private Travis King was stationed in South Korea and faced disciplinary action for assault. According to the Army, he spent 50 days in a detention facility. King was set to fly back to a base in Texas to potentially face additional military discipline before he reportedly ran across into North Korea’s territory.
At a press conference at the White House, the press secretary was asked how far the administration would be willing to go to get the soldier back, if the soldier willingly crossed boundary-lines. The White House said they are focused on gathering more information on the incident.
Illinois to become first state to end cash bail
Illinois will become the first state in the nation to end cash bail. The state supreme court has upheld a law that was passed by state lawmakers back in 2021.
The elimination of cash bail was part of a criminal justice reform bill from two years ago that was immediately met with legal challenges. Prosecutors and sheriffs in 64 counties filed lawsuits claiming it was unconstitutional to end cash bail. But in a 5-2 decision, the state supreme court disagreed.
Under the new law, criminal defendants won’t have to pay a specific amount of money in order to be released from jail as they await trial. They will only have to remain in custody if a judge thinks they are a danger to the public or flight risk.
The new law will take effect on Sept. 18, 2023.
Johnson & Johnson to pay $18.8 million in baby powder lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay nearly $20 million to a California man who claims he developed cancer after being exposed to the company’s baby powder. This is seen as a major blow since the company is facing settlements in thousands of other similar cases, all of which are based on Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products.
The 24-year-old said he developed mesothelioma after heavy exposure to the baby powder since childhood. The vice president of Johnson & Johnson said they will appeal the verdict and stood by their defense that their baby powder has been scientifically proven to be safe.
Popular phrase “Taco Tuesday” no longer trademarked
The phrase “Taco Tuesday” has now been freed from its trademark shackles. It is now free for “fair use” after solely belonging to Wyoming-based fast food chain Taco John’s.
Two months after Taco Bell filed a petition to challenge the trademark, Taco Johns says it will no longer defend its federal trademark of the phrase.
Trump goes after prosecutors following not guilty plea: April 5 rundown
Former President Donald Trump is back in Florida after pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. What’s next in the unprecedented criminal case against him? And Nashville police executed a search warrant at the home of the school shooter who killed six people at a Christian private school. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Trump gives speech following arraignment
Former President Donald Trump was arraigned in a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday, April 4. He pleaded not guilty to all 34 felony counts related to falsifying records in connection to alleged hush money payments paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels laid out in a 16-page indictment. Trump attorneys said they will file a motion to dismiss in the coming months.
The next hearing in the case isn’t until Dec. 4, where Trump will be expected to appear. Trump returned to Florida where he addressed the indictment brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling it a political stunt and promoting his own presidential campaign.
“We are a nation in decline,” Trump said. “And now these radical left lunatics want to interfere with our elections by using law enforcement. We can’t let that happen. With all of this being said and with a very dark cloud over our beloved country, I have no doubt, nevertheless, that we will make America great again.”
On the same day of former President Trump’s indictment, a federal appeals court ordered Daniels to pay Trump’s legal fees in a separate case. Daniels had sued Trump for defamation in 2018 over a Twitter post, but lost. The adult film star will now have to pay more than $121,000 to cover Trump’s defense.
Nashville shooter’s home searched
We’re learning new details in the Nashville school shooting that killed three students and three staffers at a Christian school last week. Investigators have revealed what they found and confiscated during a search warrant of the shooter’s home. Police recovered 47 items from the house and logged them into evidence.
The shooter, 28 year old Audrey Hale, had left behind an apparent suicide note. There were 19 journals and covenant school yearbooks. There was also reading material on school shootings and firearms courses.
Two shotguns were recovered from the house along with more ammunition. Police have not yet released a motive in the case as the investigation is ongoing.
J&J proposes settlement over talc
Johnson & Johnson is offering nearly $9 billion to settle talcum powder lawsuits. The health and consumer goods company says the proposal is being backed by more than 60,000 parties that have filed lawsuits. They claimed the talc used in its products was contaminated with asbestos and gave them illness, including cancer.
Johnson and Johnson says the settlement, which still needs approval by a bankruptcy court, does not mean an admission of wrongdoing.
GM avoids layoffs after buyouts
About 5,000 white-collar employees at General Motors have accepted buyout offers from the company, helping GM to save about $1 billion per year in costs and other employees to keep their jobs. The automaker said the success of buyouts means GM won’t be making any layoffs, at least at this time.
The move comes as General Motors tries to bring down costs and make the transition to electric vehicles.
Violence at holy temple ahead of holiday
During a sensitive holiday season, violence broke out between Israeli police and Palestinian youth inside of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
Police fired stun grenades in response to Palestinians throwing rocks and firecrackers at forces. Fifty people were injured and 350 people barricaded inside the building were arrested.
The outburst then resulted in Palestinian militants firing off a rocket on Southern Israel. Israel responded by sending in its own airstrikes.
The location is known to be used by both Jews and Muslims. Muslims are marking Ramadan while Jewish people are preparing for Passover.
Chicago’s new mayor elected
We reported Tuesday that two highly contested elections were happening in the U.S., and now, the results are in. Chicago has a new mayor in Chicago, and Wisconsin has elected in its newest state Supreme Court Justice.
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson was elected Chicago mayor in the city’s run-off election. Paul Vallas conceded to Johnson by night’s end. Johnson will replace Lori Lightfoot, whose bid for a second term was rejected by Chicago voters in February.
Meanwhile in Wisconsin, Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a Democratic-backed Milwaukee judge, won a high-stakes Supreme Court race, ensuring liberals will take over the majority of the court for the first time in 15 years. The timing of the election comes as the fate of the state’s abortion ban will be on the line.
The federal COVID emergency will officially come to an end this spring; winter weather is again grounding flights nationwide; first responders involved in the Tyre Nichols case have been fired; and an appeals court rules that Johnson and Johnson cannot use a subsidiary to protect itself from lawsuits. These stories and more highlight the daily morning rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
COVID emergency to end May 11
President Joe Biden has informed Congress that he is ending the national emergency and public health emergency for COVID-19 on May 11. That means the federal government’s response will move from fighting the coronavirus as a pandemic to an endemic. The public health emergency was first declared on Jan. 31, 2020, the national emergency was enacted that March.
Winter weather hits from Texas to Kentucky
So far Tuesday morning, more than 1,700 flights have been canceled and more than 8,000 delayed due to a winter ice storm that’s moving from Texas through Oklahoma, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. It has the potential to cause dangerous travel conditions and power outages for at least the next 48 hours.
U.S. sending weapons to Korean peninsula
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Seoul, South Korea, where overnight, he announced the U.S. will send more advanced weapons, including fighter jets and bombers, to the Korean peninsula. This is in response to what the Defense Department says is a growing nuclear threat from North Korea. Austin also said the two countries have agreed to expand military exercises, including live fire demonstrations.
“The U.S. commitment to the defense of Korea is ironclad. You heard us say that a number of times, but that’s not just a slogan, it’s what we are all about,” Austin said. “That commitment is ironclad. And our extended deterrence is at the heart of that commitment.”
The U.S. has more than 28,000 service members deployed in South Korea.
First responders fired in Tyre Nichols case
The Memphis fire department announced two EMTs have been fired for failing to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Tyre Nichols. The department also says a lieutenant was fired for waiting in the engine after their team responded to a report of someone being pepper sprayed.
In addition, the Memphis Police Department says two more officers have been suspended, including one who tased Nichols. The department says there are numerous charges still developing and more personnel actions will be announced in the coming days.
Nichols died Jan. 10 after being beaten by police. Five officers were fired and charged with murder.
Appeals court rules against Johnson & Johnson
An appeals court unanimously ruled that Johnson and Johnson cannot use a subsidiary to protect itself from lawsuits.
J&J created LTL Management LLC in 2021 to make it responsible for liability it is facing in 38,000 lawsuits that claim the company’s talc based powder causes cancer. The plan was to file the subsidiary for bankruptcy.
Johnson & Johnson and other companies have tried to do this using a Texas law, but the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shot that down.
Biden to kick-off NY-NJ tunnel project
President Biden will be in New York City today to kick off a new tunnel project between the Big Apple and New Jersey. This is a key corridor for commuters going in and out of NYC serving about 200,000 passengers per day.
The tunnel flooded during superstorm Sandy, which led to corrosion that continues to get worse.
The federal government will provide $292 million for the initial concrete casing from the bipartisan infrastructure law the president signed in 2021. Ultimately, the full tunnel construction will cost $16 billion.
On Monday, the president announced billions in funding for a 150-year-old rail tunnel in Baltimore. He said every day that tunnel shuts down, it costs the economy $100 million.
“Ninety-nine percent of the weekdays, there’s been a delay here somewhere. Trust me, I know. This tunnel is nearly, as I said, 150 years old. This is Civil War era when Ulysses S. Grant was president. The structure is deteriorating. The roof is leaking, the floor is sinking,” Biden said.
Right now, trains are stuck going 30 miles per hour in the Baltimore tunnel. When the new one is complete, trains will fly through at 120 miles per hour and get from Baltimore to D.C. in 30 minutes.
Boeing delivering last 747 jumbo jet
Since 1969, the Boeing 747 jumbo jet has served as a cargo plane, a passenger jet that can carry 500 passengers, it carried NASA space shuttles, and flew as Air Force One. But today marks the end of an era because Boeing will deliver its final 747 jumbo. The jet revolutionized travel and allowed people to travel overseas distances never before possible. But companies like Boeing and Airbus have since developed far more efficient planes that run on two engines, instead of four.
Humans and dolphin fish in harmony
New research shows that humans and dolphins can successfully work together to catch more fish. Researchers used drones, sound recordings and other tools to show how Brazilian fisherman and bottlenose dolphins help each other to catch mullet.
The researchers say this is a cultural tradition that’s been going on for more than a century in Laguna, Brazil. But they worry new commercial fishing methods could bring it to an end.