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Proposed Federal Rule Could Dramatically Reduce Nicotine in Cigarettes

The Biden administration is preparing to propose new regulations limiting nicotine levels in cigarettes, expected to be announced as early as Monday. This initiative comes after the administration's previous commitment to ban menthol cigarettes remained unfulfilled. The proposed regulation would focus specifically on traditional cigarettes, excluding other tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapies. While specific nicotine reduction targets haven't been disclosed, research indicates levels may need to be reduced by approximately 95% to minimize addiction potential. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify cigarette smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, resulting in over 480,000 deaths annually. Research from a 2018 FDA study projects that implementing a nicotine cap could prevent 16 million people from developing smoking addiction by 2060, potentially reaching 33.1 million by 2100. The initiative's origins trace back […]

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US Plans Humanitarian Aid Changes for Syria, Sanctions to Remain Intact

According to sources close to the matter, the United States is preparing to announce modifications to its humanitarian aid restrictions for Syria while maintaining its existing sanctions framework. The Biden administration's forthcoming policy adjustment will ease limitations on providing essential services, including electricity and basic aid. The policy revision comes after discussions between US officials and Syria's new governing faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which assumed control following the December 8 uprising that ended the Assad family's five-decade rule. While HTS remains classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, the group has publicly distanced itself from its previous Al-Qaeda connections. Under the new provisions, the US Treasury Department will be authorized to grant waivers to organizations and businesses delivering humanitarian supplies and basic utilities such as water and electricity. The Wall Street Journal reports that these changes, approved […]

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“Biden Implements Extensive Offshore Drilling Restrictions

President Joe Biden has banned new offshore oil and gas drilling across major portions of US coastal waters, preceding Donald Trump's upcoming presidency. The policy encompasses the Atlantic coastline, eastern Gulf of Mexico, Pacific waters off California, Oregon, and Washington, and portions of Alaska's Bering Sea. This action joins several recent climate-related policies enacted by the Biden administration. Despite current record extraction levels, Trump's campaign promoted increased domestic fossil fuel production to reduce gas prices. "Drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary for our nation's energy needs," Biden stated, citing concerns from coastal communities and businesses. The ban, implemented under the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, covers 625 million acres. A 2019 court ruling established that presidents cannot reverse previous drilling bans under this law, potentially complicating Trump's ability to […]

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TikTok’s Fate Hangs by a Thread: Will Biden’s Decision Change Everything?

Senators Ed Markey (D) and Rand Paul (R) jointly appealed to President Biden on Thursday, requesting a 90-day extension to the January 19 deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations or face a potential ban. The timing of their request coincides with the Supreme Court's scheduled January 10 hearing of TikTok and ByteDance's challenge to the divestment law. In their appeal, the senators emphasized the need to delay the deadline, considering the pending legal resolution and its potential impact on free expression. The case reached the Supreme Court following a lower court's decision to uphold the law, which received congressional approval and presidential signature in April. The Justice Department maintains that TikTok presents substantial national security concerns regarding data access and content influence capabilities. TikTok, serving 170 million U.S. users, contests these claims and argues the law infringes upon […]

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