united states news

Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, has defended its pain reliever as safe after its shares dropped sharply following a Wall Street Journal report that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to potentially link the medication to autism when used during pregnancy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called such claims about their forthcoming autism report "speculation" while confirming they are investigating America's rising autism rates. Scientific studies on acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism have shown mixed results, with some suggesting a possible link while others, including a 2024 Swedish study of 2.4 million children, found no causal connection. Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, maintain that there is no clear evidence proving a direct relationship between prudent acetaminophen use during pregnancy and developmental issues.

Chicago's crime statistics show a significant decline, with violent crime down 11% in 2023 and homicides reduced by nearly a third through August 2024 compared to the previous year. Despite President Trump's characterization of Chicago as a "killing field" and his threat to send National Guard troops, the city ranks 29th out of 37 large US cities for violent crime rate according to FBI data. Governor Pritzker has rejected federal intervention, stating Chicago is successfully addressing violent crime on its own. While Chicago recorded the highest absolute number of homicides in 2023, it ranked tenth in homicide rate per capita among large US cities, contradicting claims that it has the highest murder rate.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has suspended Canada's requirement that 20% of new car sales be electric by 2025, while maintaining longer-term EV targets of 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Simultaneously, he announced a "Buy Canadian" policy prioritizing domestic products for federal contracts and creating a fund to help firms develop new products. These policy changes come as Canada faces economic challenges including job losses of 66,000 in August, a 7.1% unemployment rate, and the impact of U.S. tariffs on various Canadian industries. The government has also initiated a 60-day review of EV mandate rules while seeking relief through trade negotiations with Washington.

The article discusses how prison systems, particularly the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), serve as testing grounds for societal control tactics. It argues that control methods used against the public were first perfected in prison settings, including chemical agents, surveillance, and riot control techniques. The author details how prison authorities operate with minimal accountability while restricting prisoner rights, specifically highlighting a 2023 policy that banned physical mail in favor of digital scanning, allegedly to prevent drug smuggling. The article suggests these prison policies represent a broader pattern of manufacturing problems to justify increasing restrictions on rights.

"Close to Home," a new documentary executive-produced by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, showcases homeless Los Angeles youth advocating for a care-first approach to housing vulnerable young people. The 30-minute film, directed by Whitney Skauge, follows four youth leaders from LA Emissary, an organization working to influence policies affecting young, LGBTQ+, and homeless populations in Los Angeles County. The documentary's festival debut coincided with President Trump's removal of homeless encampments in Washington D.C., highlighting the contrast between punitive approaches and the film's humanizing perspective. Through their stories, the film aims to challenge the dehumanization of homeless individuals and demonstrate how multiple systems have failed vulnerable youth.

Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters has been absent from recent State Board of Education meetings amid multiple controversies, including allegations that explicit content appeared on his office television. These absences follow accusations made in July by two board members who claimed they saw nudity on his TV during an executive session, which Walters denied and attributed to a coordinated attack by Governor Kevin Stitt. While a preliminary investigation suggested the incident was an accidental result of a newly installed television defaulting to a pre-programmed channel, Walters faces mounting criticism over his leadership, including protests calling for his impeachment and concerns about Oklahoma's education ranking. His controversial initiatives include announcing free lunch programs without secured funding, implementing ideological tests for out-of-state teachers, and attempting to place Trump-endorsed Bibles in classrooms.

In Uganda, the prevalence of dementia is rising as the population ages, creating profound challenges for patients and their families. Herbert Rutabyama struggles to care for his 87-year-old mother Alice Ndimuhara, who suffers from dementia symptoms including nighttime confusion when she believes her house is on fire, and daytime wandering that sometimes takes her to neighboring villages. Without proper resources, Rutabyama resorts to locking his mother in her room at night, even as she pounds on the door and yells for release. This situation highlights the broader healthcare crisis across Africa, where dementia care options are virtually nonexistent, with few nursing homes, limited medical expertise, and even a lack of vocabulary in many languages to describe the condition.

The Jeffrey Epstein case has sparked demands from survivors for transparency, with Democratic-sponsored legislation moving forward in the House that would release case materials within 30 days. While Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene supports document disclosure, most House Republicans prefer launching an investigation instead. Survivors have announced plans to compile their own list of alleged abusers who participated alongside Epstein. Congressmen Kweisi Mfume and Sydney Kamlager-Dove emphasized this case demonstrates how powerful individuals can escape justice, with Mfume specifically noting its relevance to Black America as an example of how the wealthy can "oppress and deny basic justice."

The 1976 publication and television adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots" marked a watershed moment in American cultural history, coming in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement and the assassinations of major civil rights figures. The autobiographical saga powerfully illustrated the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade while inspiring African Americans to reconnect with their heritage, particularly through giving their children African-themed names. Experts like Dr. Kellie Jackson and Walter Palmer note that "Roots" built upon the work of previous Black historians while helping to reshape how Americans understood slavery by humanizing the enslaved as families and communities who suffered but also built the nation. Despite its significant impact on American consciousness, experts agree that the country still has far to go in fully addressing its history of slavery and racism, as evidenced by the delayed establishment of institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Five Nigerians attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud by continuously reading for 431 hours and 31 minutes at a Lagos restaurant. The participants—Precious Ukachi, John Obot, Stephen Oyelami, Temitope Ogunremi, and Ketura Heman—read 79 books by Nigerian authors during their 18-day marathon, which ended on Saturday. Organized by the nonprofit Naija ReadFest, the event aimed to promote literacy and celebrate Nigerian literature in a country where more than 10 million children are out of school and the literacy rate stands around 63%. The current record is held by a group from the Dominican Republic who read for 365 hours and 39 seconds in 2011, and Guinness World Record is yet to confirm this new attempt.

A comprehensive review published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe reveals that individuals with mental health disorders face significantly higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks and live 10-20 years less on average than the general population. The study demonstrates a bidirectional relationship where psychiatric conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety substantially increase heart disease risk, while cardiovascular events can trigger mental health issues. Despite more frequent healthcare interactions, people with mental health disorders receive fewer cardiovascular screenings and treatments, creating a dangerous gap in care. Researchers call for an integrated healthcare approach that addresses both mental and physical health together, identifying exercise as one of the most effective interventions for improving both conditions simultaneously.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers is facing significant backlash after calling for President Trump to deploy military troops to Detroit, claiming the city has become "a hub for violent crime." Detroit city officials, including spokesperson John Roach, strongly refuted Rogers' claims, highlighting a 90% reduction in carjackings since 2013 and noting that 2023 saw the lowest number of homicides since 1966. Political opponents, including Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and State Senator Mallory McMorrow, have condemned Rogers' request as unnecessary and harmful, with El-Sayed characterizing it as a "federal invasion." The controversy has also highlighted a potential inconsistency in U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens' position, as she criticized Rogers while having previously called for National Guard deployment in Chicago in 2016.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the U.S. will designate Ecuadorian gangs Los Lobos and Los Choneros as foreign terrorist organizations and potentially take military action against criminal groups trafficking drugs to the U.S. During a visit to Ecuador, Rubio stated that "friendly governments" would help identify smugglers, though neither Ecuador nor Mexico has explicitly agreed to assist with military strikes. This announcement follows a recent U.S. military strike in the Caribbean Sea that reportedly killed 11 drug traffickers and coincides with the U.S. committing $19.5 million in security aid to Ecuador. The designation allows the U.S. to target assets of anyone associated with these groups and share intelligence with Ecuador for potential lethal operations.

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order directing the Department of Defense to be renamed as the Department of War, initially as a secondary title while seeking congressional approval for a permanent change. The administration believes the name change will "project strength and resolve" and convey a stronger message of readiness compared to the current name, which emphasizes only defensive capabilities. The rebrand could potentially cost billions of dollars to implement across hundreds of agencies, emblems, email addresses, and uniforms. Critics like Democratic Senator Andy Kim have called the idea "childish," arguing that Americans want to prevent wars rather than tout them, while Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintain that the department needs to refocus on "warfighting" and a "warrior ethos" instead of diversity programs.

Former US President Joe Biden recently had Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer, as confirmed by his spokeswoman to CBS News. The 82-year-old was observed with a head wound in recent days, adding to his history of cancer treatments including a chest lesion removal in 2023 and a recent diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. Biden has maintained a low public profile since leaving office in January, though he and First Lady Jill Biden have been longtime advocates for cancer research and treatment following their son Beau's death from brain cancer in 2015.

Golden Gate Village, a historic public housing complex in Marin County, was designed by renowned architects Aaron Green and John Carl Warnecke in the 1950s, offering dignified housing after Black families had endured substandard wartime accommodations. The development won the Public Housing Administration's Honor Award in 1964 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, recognized for its cultural and architectural significance. Named by long-time resident Gracie Stover in the early 1990s, the complex represents more than housing—it stands as a symbol of dignity and community pride for the largest remaining Black community in Marin County. Residents are now advocating for proper maintenance, fair policies, and implementation of the Resident Plan, which includes a community land trust and pathways to homeownership.

A federal appeals court in Atlanta has overturned a lower court order that would have required the closure of Alligator Alcatraz, an immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades. The 2-1 ruling allows the facility to remain operational while a lawsuit from environmental groups and a Native American tribe continues. The appellate court determined that state and federal officials would likely succeed in proving the facility wasn't subject to environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act because it hadn't received federal funding. This decision reverses an earlier order by District Judge Kathleen Williams who had mandated the facility begin dismantling within 60 days.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny during a three-hour Senate Finance Committee hearing where lawmakers questioned his leadership of US health agencies, particularly regarding vaccine policies. Since becoming Secretary of Health and Human Services in February, Kennedy has made controversial decisions including firing the CDC director and replacing an entire panel of independent vaccine experts with individuals criticized for their vaccine skepticism. Democratic senators accused Kennedy of restricting vaccine access and lying, while even some Republican senators expressed concerns about his leadership and statements contradicting previous assurances. Despite the criticism, President Trump continues to support Kennedy, describing his "different ideas" about health and vaccines as a positive attribute.

The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against President Trump and federal agencies, challenging the deployment of over 2,200 National Guard troops from seven states and D.C. that were dispatched without Mayor Bowser's consent. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb's 52-page complaint argues that armed soldiers conducting patrols, making detentions, and using armored vehicles in D.C. neighborhoods constitutes an illegal military occupation that violates multiple laws including the Home Rule Act. The lawsuit claims Trump's executive orders, which placed Guard units under federal command and deputized them as U.S. Marshals, unlawfully strip governors of constitutional control over their state militias and has negatively impacted the local economy. The District is seeking court declarations that Trump's actions are unconstitutional and is requesting the permanent removal of military presence from D.C.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson have announced a new labor agreement with the D.C. Fraternal Order of Police Union that will provide pay increases for nearly 3,000 Metropolitan Police Department officers, detectives, and sergeants, as well as higher-ranking "white shirts." The agreement includes cost-of-living adjustments of 4.5% in Fiscal Year 2024 and 4.25% in both Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, with emergency legislation planned to implement the raises by October. Beyond pay increases, the administration is implementing several initiatives to boost recruitment and retention, including expanding the take-home vehicle program, removing the mandatory retirement age, and creating educational opportunities for recruits through a partnership with the University of the District of Columbia.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has signed a collective bargaining agreement that extends cooperation between DC's Metropolitan Police Department and federal officers beyond President Trump's 30-day National Guard deployment, which critics view as surrendering the city's autonomy. The mayor defended her decision, claiming it provides "a framework to exit" the presidential emergency and credited the federal presence with significant drops in carjackings and violent crime. DC Council members and local activists have strongly criticized Bowser's decision, arguing it legitimizes federal overreach and endangers Black youth and immigrant communities. Additionally, Bowser has announced wage increases for MPD officers, further fueling criticism that she is diverting resources from community needs to law enforcement.

Detroit City Council has approved an ordinance allowing the city's law department to prosecute certain misdemeanors beginning in summer 2026, a change described as "historic" by city officials. The 8-1 vote transfers prosecution authority for crimes like retail fraud, larceny, and domestic violence from Wayne County to the city of Detroit. This shift aims to give Detroit more control over sentencing while allowing the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to focus on violent crimes. The initiative will cost approximately $700,000 to hire four attorneys and two paralegals, though some council members have expressed concerns about funding sustainability once pandemic relief dollars expire.

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has introduced the "District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act" (S.2688) that would transfer control of the D.C. National Guard from the president to the mayor of Washington, D.C. The legislation, co-sponsored by 11 Democratic senators, would amend an 1889 law by replacing "President of the United States" with "Mayor of the District of Columbia" throughout the statute. This bill emerges amid ongoing legal disputes between D.C. officials and the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops in the city, including a lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb claiming the president violated the 1973 Home Rule Act. Supporters argue the bill would prevent presidents from using the Guard for political purposes and give D.C. leadership the same authority that governors have in their states.

Lincoln High School's Hornets celebrated their first home football game since 2023 with a commanding victory over Long Beach Poly, winning 36-20. The event began with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring NFL Hall of Famer and Hornet alumnus Terrell Davis. Lincoln dominated early, beginning with Junior Curtis's 89-yard kickoff return touchdown and continuing with four touchdowns from running back Rashad Robinson before Long Beach Poly finally scored in the third quarter. While Coach David Dunn expressed gratitude for the win and playing at home again, he acknowledged that the team still has improvements to make.

The Muscogee Nation's chief, David Hill, has temporarily blocked the issuance of tribal IDs to Black Freedmen descendants despite a recent tribal supreme court ruling that granted them citizenship rights. Chief Hill argued that the court overstepped its authority by striking down the "by blood" constitutional requirement adopted in the 1970s that had excluded descendants of those once enslaved by the tribe. While applications from Freedmen descendants can still be accepted, they won't be processed until the tribal council reviews and establishes new citizenship requirements through a constitutional amendment process. This dispute stems from the tribe's 1979 constitution that eliminated automatic citizenship for Freedmen descendants, contradicting an 1866 treaty with the U.S. government that had granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people.

The 14th Annual Jazz at the Creek sunset finale marked the end of this signature summer concert series during Labor Day Weekend, held at the Educational Cultural Complex in San Diego. Created by Dr. Leonard Thompson and the M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records and M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Project Impact teams fourteen years ago, the two-day celebration featured performances from renowned artists such as Gerald Albright, Durti-Ryce, Rebecca Jade, and several other talented musicians. The event, which moved from its original location at Jacob's Center's creek side pavilion to the ECC campus last year, ran from 1:00 to 7:00 PM each day and offered VIP experiences including gourmet meals, reserved seating, and access to premium beverages. After fourteen years of bringing quality music to Southeastern San Diego, Jazz at the Creek has concluded its run while leaving behind a lasting legacy.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary in June, is now working to connect with older Black voters after underperforming in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Black New Yorkers, comprising about 22% of the city's 8.8 million residents, represent a crucial voting bloc that Mamdani needs to win over from his opponents—former Governor Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—who have established long-standing relationships in these communities. Mamdani is focusing his campaign on making the city more affordable, an issue that resonates with Black voters according to AP VoteCast data showing about 60% are "very concerned" about housing costs. While younger Black progressives have embraced Mamdani, he faces challenges winning over older generations who have historical connections to his opponents and concerns about his limited political experience as a state assemblymember since 2021.