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A “very strong culprit” in the vaping illnesses
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is scrutinizing vitamin E oil in THC vape products for potential links to the ongoing wave of vaping-related illnesses. [NBC News / Erika Edwards]
- Officials claim that their investigation reveals strong evidence that the Vitamin E acetate added to some THC vaping liquids, often black market ones, isn’t safe to inhale. Investigators have found the chemical at main sites of damage in patients’ lungs. [Vox / Julia Belluz]
- By sampling 29 patients’ lung fluids across 10 states, the CDC rediscovered the chemical, which was also tied to the sickness in early September by New York officials. [The Verge / Mary Beth Griggs]
- But they are still hesitant to eliminate other chemicals as the cause of the illnesses, positing that animal studies might be needed to definitively determine the illnesses’ cause. [Associated Press / Mike Stobbe]
- Since March, at least 2,051 Americans have fallen ill with vaping-related sicknesses. To date, 39 deaths were confirmed by the CDC. [Wall Street Journal / Brianna Abbott and Jennifer Maloney]
- The vitamin E oil-linked vaping sickness isn’t the only health issue. Echoing recent sentiments by President Trump, ex-Food and Drug Administration chief Scott Gottlieb has called for the ban of Juul nicotine vaping products from shelves across the country to prevent teen usage. [CNBC / Jessica Bursztynsky]
- Even some of Juul’s most loyal customers are ditching the electronic smoking alternative in light of health concerns. [Vice / Hannah Smothers]
Parties fall short of outright victory in Spain
- Spain’s elections on Sunday once again did not bring a governing majority for any party. [Associated Press / Ciaran Giles]
- With roughly 34 percent of the vote, the Socialist party maintained the largest share of seats but fell short of a majority in the fourth election since 2015. [El País]
- While the conservative People’s Party came in second, the far-right Vox party doubled its seats from the April elections. [BBC]
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist party called for this election to attempt to gain more seats for his party. “One way or another we’ll form a progressive government and unblock the political stalemate. ... We call upon all the political parties, except for those that work against coexistence and foster hatred,” Sanchez said. [Reuters / Belén Carreño, Andrei Khalip and Ingrid Melander]
- Sanchez’s bet backfired, with the Socialists losing a few seats, and Spain’s future is uncertain as his party wants to avoid returning to the polls or creating a grand coalition with conservative or left-wing separatist rivals. [The Guardian / Sam Jones]
Miscellaneous
- Military personnel reflect on what it means to be American as naturalized citizens who served the country they chose. [New York Times / Phil Klay]
- ICE is looking for a way to skirt California’s newly implemented ban on private detention facilities. [Los Angeles Times / Andrea Castillo]
- Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary is prompting a conversation about the show’s black roots. [Smithsonian / Bryan Greene]
- The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling to keep up with veterans’ rising mental health care needs. [Popular Science / Purbita Saha]
- Families battling debt and keeping their agricultural practices running must also contend with the seismic impact of suicide. [Washington Post / Annie Gowen]
Verbatim
“We all recall what the Russians did in the United States during the election. We were truly afraid.” [Vice President of Madagascar’s election commission Thierry Rakotonarivo expressing his people’s feelings about possible Russian election interference in their election]
Listen to this: The world’s most profitable company
Aramco is finally going public, but some think that the timing of Saudi oil company’s decision is terrible. [Spotify]
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Pregnant people are being offered an unproven treatment to “reverse” abortions
