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FDA Proposes Inclusion of Bemotrizinol in U.S. Sunscreens for Enhanced UV Protection

FDA Proposes Inclusion of Bemotrizinol in U.S. Sunscreens for Enhanced UV Protection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed allowing the use of Bemotrizinol, a sunscreen ingredient already prevalent in Europe, Australia, and Asia, in American sunscreen products. This chemical is recognized for its broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, offering potentially superior protection compared to current U.S.-approved ingredients. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary criticized the slow pace of U.S. regulatory processes, which have left American consumers with fewer sunscreen options than those available internationally. The proposal would permit Bemotrizinol to be used in concentrations up to 6% in sunscreen formulations. Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Nonprescription Drugs, Karen Murry, expressed optimism about the inclusion of Bemotrizinol, highlighting the potential for more timely access to effective over-the-counter products.

U.S. Proposal to Collect Social Media Data from Travelers Faces Backlash

U.S. Proposal to Collect Social Media Data from Travelers Faces Backlash

A U.S. proposal requiring travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to provide social media history from the past five years is facing significant opposition. This requirement would be part of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process, affecting travelers from countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The proposal, open for public comment until February 2026, has sparked concerns about its potential to deter international visitors. Erik Hansen from the U.S. Travel Association emphasized the need for an efficient and secure vetting process to maintain the U.S. as a preferred destination. Political figures and travel operators have also criticized the proposal, with some comparing it unfavorably to policies in other countries. The $40 ESTA is necessary for stays of up to 90 days over two years, and since 2019, visa applicants have been required to share social media data. However, the method for collecting and processing five years of social media hi...

Australian Prime Minister Defends Social Media Ban Amidst Teen Resistance

Australian Prime Minister Defends Social Media Ban Amidst Teen Resistance

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the country's new social media ban for under-16s, which took effect recently. The law, supported by major political parties and a majority of parents, requires platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to block underage users or face hefty fines. Despite the ban, many teenagers have boasted about remaining online, highlighting challenges in enforcement. The government argues that the ban will improve educational outcomes and social interactions by reducing screen time. However, there are concerns that it may drive young users to less regulated parts of the internet.

Paramount and UFC Announce New Seasons of Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter

Paramount and UFC Announce New Seasons of Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter

Paramount and UFC Announce New Seasons of Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter

Trump Administration Proposes Mandatory Social Media Access for Visa-Free Travelers

Trump Administration Proposes Mandatory Social Media Access for Visa-Free Travelers

The Trump administration has introduced a proposal requiring foreign visitors traveling to the United States under the visa waiver program to provide access to their social media accounts. This proposal mandates that travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) must allow U.S. immigration and customs authorities to review five years of their social media activity. The requirement would apply to citizens from 42 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK, who currently enjoy visa-free travel to the U.S. In addition to social media data, visitors would need to provide all phone numbers used in the past five years, email addresses from the past decade, personal details of family members, and biometric data. The proposal, published in the Federal Register, is open for public comment for 60 days before potentially becoming law.

Australia's Social Media Ban Excludes Gaming Platforms, Raising Concerns

Australia's Social Media Ban Excludes Gaming Platforms, Raising Concerns

Australia has implemented a social media ban for individuals under 16, targeting platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and X to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and online grooming. However, the ban notably excludes gaming platforms, which has sparked criticism. Dr. Daniela Vecchio, a psychiatrist who runs Australia's only publicly funded gaming disorder clinic, questions the exclusion, noting that gaming platforms pose similar risks as social media. Critics argue that gaming platforms like Discord and Roblox, which have faced lawsuits in the U.S. over child safety concerns, should also be included in the ban. The Australian government defends the decision, stating that the ban is based on whether a platform's primary purpose is social interaction, which they claim is not the case for gaming platforms.

Australia Implements Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Impacting Brands and Youth Marketing

Australia Implements Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Impacting Brands and Youth Marketing

Australia has enacted a groundbreaking policy banning children under 16 from using major social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. This move, part of amendments to the Online Safety Act, requires platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent underage users from holding accounts, with non-compliance resulting in fines up to A$49.5 million. The ban affects platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, though messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger are excluded. The policy aims to protect young users from harmful content and improve their mental health. However, it has sparked debates about its effectiveness, as many teenagers have found ways to bypass the restrictions using VPNs and other methods.

Japan Expands Film Incentive Program with Multi-Year Subsidies for International Productions

Japan Expands Film Incentive Program with Multi-Year Subsidies for International Productions

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced an extension of its film and television incentive program through fiscal year 2026. The program, managed by the Visual Industry Promotion Organization and the Japan Film Commission, now includes multi-year subsidies, allowing projects to receive support over two years. This change addresses the previous system's strict timeline for expense reporting, which required expenses to be reported by the end of January following the grant decision. The updated program accommodates project timelines that cross the Japanese fiscal year boundary. Since its inception in 2023, the program has supported 18 film and television projects, including notable productions like 'The Smashing Machine' and 'Rental Family'. The revamped incentive scheme is set to launch in late spring 2026, with application guidelines to be announced later.

FDA Approves First At-Home Device for Depression, Expanding Treatment Options

FDA Approves First At-Home Device for Depression, Expanding Treatment Options

Flow Neuroscience has received FDA approval for its FL-100 device, a wearable brain stimulation tool designed for at-home use to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). The device employs transcranial direct current stimulation (tCDS), which involves applying a weak direct current to the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with mood regulation. This non-invasive treatment aims to increase neuron excitability in individuals with depression. The FL-100 device is already available in markets such as the UK, Europe, and Australia, and has been used by over 55,000 people. It is set to launch in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2026. The device can be used as a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment for adults with moderate to severe MDD who are not treatment refractory to medication.

Australia's mining competitiveness at risk from excessive regulation, says Rinehart

Australia's mining competitiveness at risk from excessive regulation, says Rinehart

MELBOURNE, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Mining baroness Gina Rinehart said on Wednesday the burden of excessive regulation on the Australian mining industry has put its global competitiveness at risk.

Global Analysis Highlights Slowdown in Agricultural Innovation Funding, Threatening Food Security

Global Analysis Highlights Slowdown in Agricultural Innovation Funding, Threatening Food Security

A recent analysis has revealed a significant slowdown in global research and development (R&D) funding for agricultural science, which experts warn is exacerbating global food inflation and threatening long-term food security. Between 2015 and 2021, the annual growth rate in real spending on agrifood R&D was one-third less than the rate recorded between 1980 and 2015. This decline in investment is occurring despite rapid population growth and increasing global demand for food. The analysis identifies three major shifts: a widespread slowdown in spending, a rise in middle-income country spending, and an increased contribution from the private sector. The slowdown in public spending growth has coincided with a greater contribution from the private sector, which now accounts for nearly 50% of the total global spend.

Trading Day: Market gives Fed resounding cheer

Trading Day: Market gives Fed resounding cheer

ORLANDO, Florida, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The dollar sank and Wall Street rallied on Wednesday, with the small-cap Russell 2000 index surging to new highs, after the Fed cut interest rates and Chair Jerome Powell offered a positive outlook on the path for growth and inflation. More on that below.