In the final days of President Joe Biden’s administration, federal officials unveiled a proposal to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes, a move aimed at curbing addiction and reducing smoking rates. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been working on this initiative for years, marking a significant step in tobacco regulation.
The Giffords gun control group, led by former Rep. Gabby Giffords, suggested Tuesday that the Palisades fire, which has claimed at least eight lives, should compel Republican lawmakers to abandon their efforts to defund or dismantle the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
As President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas approach the conclusion of their tenure on January 20, Mayorkas' border policies remain a significant point of contention. Reports indicate that by then, approximately 1.5 million illegal migrants will have entered the U.S. through parole programs established under Mayorkas' leadership.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will ban Red No. 3 in food, drinks, and pharmaceutical products. Red No. 3 is a synthetic coloring frequently used in candies, desserts, and some drugs.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court was forced to adjourn its first impeachment hearing for President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday after he failed to attend, citing security concerns. Yoon, impeached in December following his abrupt imposition of martial law, faces charges of insurrection and is subject to an arrest warrant, further complicating the political turmoil.
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, firmly countered accusations from Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing. Hirono cited anonymous reports claiming Hegseth drank on the job at Fox News—allegations refuted by numerous former colleagues and associates.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended President Joe Biden’s delay in taking executive action on the southern border during an interview with PBS NewsHour on Tuesday. Facing criticism from outgoing ICE Deputy Director P.J. Lechleitner, who argued the administration should have acted sooner, Mayorkas emphasized that earlier action would have likely faced litigation with uncertain outcomes.
China’s 2025 Spring Festival travel rush, the world’s largest annual human migration, began Tuesday, with officials projecting a record 9 billion trips over the 40-day period known as chunyun. Centered on Lunar New Year, which falls on January 29, the season runs through February 12, culminating in the Lantern Festival.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley revealed that over half of the city’s fire trucks were out of service due to budget cuts as wildfires swept through the region.
