Trump Claims Tylenol Causes Autism; Announces Drug Label Updates

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Key Updates of the Day

President Trump has announced a potential link between acetaminophen, the component in Tylenol, and autism. He advised pregnant women against taking the medication, stating that the Food and Drug Administration will revise drug labels to highlight this caution. Additionally, Trump proposed that a cancer medication might aid in alleviating autism symptoms by facilitating vitamin B access to the brain. These declarations come without robust scientific evidence, with support primarily from anecdotal sources regarding the cancer drug’s effect on autism.

• 🎧 Research hints at a connection between Tylenol and autism, though it lacks the standard evidence required for federal health directives, as NPR’s Jon Hamilton explains on Up First. Government recommendations typically depend on randomized, controlled studies that establish causality. Current findings arise from some studies of pregnant women showing a potential link between Tylenol’s active ingredient and higher autism diagnoses, though other studies do not corroborate this. Genetic factors might account for the discrepancies.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumes broadcasting tonight after nearly a week off air. The hiatus followed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s public admonition to ABC over Kimmel’s remarks on Charlie Kirk’s assassination, which humorously criticized the president’s reaction and accused MAGA of politicizing the event. Disney, ABC’s parent company, reinstated the show after discussion with Kimmel.

• 🎧 Sinclair, a major broadcast affiliate owner, refuses to air Kimmel’s show on its ABC stations, affecting 30 markets, mostly in the South and Midwest, as reported by NPR’s Mandalit del Barco. Carr clarified that his statement wasn’t intended as a threat to ABC affiliates. The FCC’s only Democrat, Anna Gomez, celebrated Kimmel’s return, calling it a defense of the First Amendment.

President Trump is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. He plans to hold private meetings with several leaders during the event. The U.S. is currently experiencing some friction with the U.N., which advocates for Palestinian statehood.

• 🎧 Some U.N. leaders aim to pressure Israel to cease Gaza attacks and expedite aid to Palestinians, but Trump opposes this approach, insisting on the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas first, according to NPR’s Franco Ordoñez. Trump is expected to meet with eight Middle Eastern and Muslim world allies, alongside one-on-one discussions with leaders from Ukraine, Argentina, and the EU. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a point of contention for Trump, and Ordoñez suggests his frustration might lead to action regarding the situation.

In-depth Look

Tangier Island in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay faces a dire future, potentially vanishing in the next 50 years due to erosion and rising sea levels. Since the mid-19th century, the island has lost a significant portion of its landmass, with an average elevation of just 3 feet above sea level. Climate expert Dave Schulte warns of these developments, estimating protective measures could cost $250 to $350 million. Efforts to safeguard Tangier Island include various initiatives:

• 💧 A seawall was erected on the west side in 1990, and a harbor breakwater was completed in 2020.
• 💧 The Department of the Interior, with the White House’s endorsement, monitors sea levels and supports conservation efforts for the local crabbing industry.
• 💧 Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine has secured significant funding to bolster the island’s defenses, mirroring efforts on Poplar Island, Md., which also faced similar threats.

Discover more about how Tangier residents’ lifestyle is under threat.

Advice for Everyday Life

Have you been overwhelmingly preoccupied with someone? This could be limerence, a condition marked by intense romantic fixation. Neuroscientist Tom Bellamy explores this phenomenon in Smitten: Romantic Obsession, the Neuroscience of Limerence and How to Make Love Last, sharing insights on Life Kit about identifying and overcoming it. For more information, check this out:

• ❤️ Limerence often involves infatuation with unreliable or incompatible individuals, fueled by uncertainty.
• ❤️ Recognizing the issue is the first step to addressing it, necessitating a shift in mindset.
• ❤️ Control what you can: limit social media exposure and in-person interactions.
• ❤️ Transform your idealizations into “daymares” by imagining less favorable scenarios.

For further guidance on moving past romantic obsession, listen to NPR’s Life Kit episode. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for more expert advice.

Before You Go: Three Things to Know

1. The Chicago River hosted its first open swim event in nearly a century, attracting 263 participants, marking the river’s environmental recovery. (via WBUR)
2. Every sunset, retired teacher Josh Hersh plays taps from his rooftop on New Jersey’s Long Beach Island, honoring a tradition dating back to the Civil War. (via WBUR)
3. Young podcaster Ryan Betts-Ng is a finalist in NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge for his piece, Monster Madness, focused on Bigfoot, showcasing thorough research and creative sound effects.

This newsletter was curated by Suzanne Nuyen.