He was ‘meandering,’ ‘doesn’t know what he’s talking about’

He was ‘meandering,’ ‘doesn’t know what he’s talking about’

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump failed to impress everyone in a room full of top CEOs Thursday at the Business Roundtable’s quarterly meeting, multiple attendees told CNBC. “Trump doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said one CEO who was in the room, according to a person who heard the executive speaking. The CEO also said Trump did not … Read more

Senators blast health and law enforcement officials over illegal e-cigarettes used by teens

Senators blast health and law enforcement officials over illegal e-cigarettes used by teens

WASHINGTON — Senators on Wednesday blasted top health and law enforcement officials for not doing more to combat the rise of illegal electronic cigarettes in the U.S., a multibillion-dollar business that has flourished amid haphazard enforcement. Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed frustration and exasperation while questioning officials from the Food and … Read more

FDA and DOJ pledge more cooperation on illegal e-cigarettes ahead of congressional hearing

FDA and DOJ pledge more cooperation on illegal e-cigarettes ahead of congressional hearing

WASHINGTON — Federal health regulators and law enforcement officials on Monday vowed to work more closely to stop sales of illegal electronic cigarettes, which have grown into a multibillion-dollar business in the U.S. while skirting government oversight. The Food and Drug Administration said it would launch a new task force on this issue with the … Read more

Martha’s Vineyard is about to run out of pot. That’s led to a lawsuit and a scramble by regulators

Martha’s Vineyard is about to run out of pot. That’s led to a lawsuit and a scramble by regulators

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. — An 81-year-old woman on Martha’s Vineyard drove up to the Island Time dispensary last week seeking her usual order of pot. But owner Geoff Rose had to tell her the cupboard was bare — he’d been forced to temporarily close three weeks earlier after selling every last bud and gummy. Unless … Read more

Federal judge blocks some rules on abortion pills in North Carolina

Federal judge blocks some rules on abortion pills in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. — A federal judge has permanently blocked some efforts in North Carolina to restrict how abortion pills can be dispensed, saying they are unlawfully in conflict with the authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But she allowed other state laws to remain in effect, granting only a partial victory to a … Read more

Panel rejects psychedelic drug MDMA as a PTSD treatment in possible setback for advocates

Panel rejects psychedelic drug MDMA as a PTSD treatment in possible setback for advocates

WASHINGTON — A first-of-a-kind proposal to begin using the mind-altering drug MDMA as a treatment for PTSD was roundly criticized Tuesday — a potentially major setback to psychedelic advocates who hope to win a landmark federal approval and bring the banned drugs into the medical mainstream. The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug … Read more

FDA warns parents to avoid infant formula distributed by company due to contamination

FDA warns parents to avoid infant formula distributed by company due to contamination

WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials warned parents to avoid powdered infant formula sold by a Texas dairy producer, because a dangerous bacteria was found in one of the company’s products. The Food and Drug Administration issued the alert Friday on Crecelac Infant Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula, after a sample collected from a Texas store … Read more

Medline recalls 1.5 million adult bed rails following 2 reports of entrapment deaths

Medline recalls 1.5 million adult bed rails following 2 reports of entrapment deaths

NEW YORK — Medical supply company Medline Industries is recalling some 1.5 million portable adult bed rails across the U.S. and Canada, following two reports of entrapment deaths associated with the products. The recall impacts two models of Medline’s “Bed Assist Bars.” According to a Thursday announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, users … Read more

Zimbabwe authorities mix charm with force in an attempt to shore up the world’s newest currency

Zimbabwe authorities mix charm with force in an attempt to shore up the world’s newest currency

HARARE, Zimbabwe — The introduction of the world’s newest currency in April inspired a reggae artist to record a song praising the ZiG, or Zimbabwe Gold. The catchy tune, titled “Zig Mari,” received generous play on state television and radio. The musician, Ras Caleb, received a car and $2,000 — ironically paid in greenbacks, not … Read more

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy takes a 7.7% stake in Buzzfeed

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy takes a 7.7% stake in Buzzfeed

Former Republican presidential candidate and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has purchased a minority stake in Buzzfeed, the digital publishing company that shut down its media outlet last year. Shares of the company skyrocketed more than 50% before the market open on Wednesday. Ramaswamy acquired a 7.7% stake in Buzzfeed, according to a filing with the … Read more