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FDA Expands Ground Cinnamon Health Alert Over Elevated Lead Levels

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded its health alert to include more ground cinnamon products after finding elevated levels of lead.

On Oct. 10, the agency added HAETAE and Roshni brands to its list, following the inclusion of Durra and Wise Wife on Oct. 8. Since summer 2024, a total of 16 cinnamon products have been flagged.

New Brands Under Alert

The FDA has advised that HAETAE and Roshni ground cinnamon contain elevated lead levels, but recalls have not yet been issued for these products.

  • HAETAE: No recall; FDA has been unable to reach Haitai Inc. USA.
  • Roshni: FDA has recommended a recall to Singh Trading Inc. DBA Roshni Foods.
  • Durra: Recalled by Eureka Inc. USA.
  • Wise Wife: Voluntarily recalled by SLR Food Distribution in September 2025.

Other Products Affected

Twelve other brands have been part of the FDA’s health alerts since 2024, including La Frontera, Asli, El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, Super Brand, Jiva Organics, Compania Indillor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, and Spice Class. Some of these have recalls, while others remain listed without official recall notices.

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. According to the FDA, short-term exposure to low levels may not cause immediate symptoms, but higher or prolonged exposure can lead to serious health problems.

  • Children: Risk of permanent damage to the central nervous system, developmental delays, and learning difficulties.
  • Adults: Linked to kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, and cognitive issues.

What Consumers Should Do

The FDA urges consumers to throw away any affected ground cinnamon products and avoid purchasing them. For recalled products, like Wise Wife, customers can return them for a refund. Consumers with questions about Wise Wife can contact SLR Food Distribution at 516-437-3782.

Burn bans expand across Southeast Texas, glimmer of hope for rain late this week

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Our hot, dry October continues on with Fort Bend and Montgomery County now the latest to declare a burn ban in Southeast Texas. While long-lasting drought and heat relief are nowhere in sight, we do have a slim chance for rain when a fast-moving cool front arrives this weekend.

A dry northeasterly breeze will work with the sunshine to boost temperatures back into the low 90s Tuesday afternoon. An Ozone Pollution Watch is also in place for Harris, Brazoria, and Galveston Counties. Ozone is a lung irritant, so you may want to limit any strenuous, prolonged outdoor activities.

Similar weather is expected for Wednesday as high temperatures again challenge record highs.

When is the next front supposed to arrive?

Sunday morning appears to be the general part of the weekend this front wants to blow in. Most of our guidance indicates the front will occur near or before sunrise. This front looks to be weak and fast-moving, so temperatures won’t be impacted as much as the humidity. The dry air flowing in behind the front could cook up Sunday’s high into the low 90s before we get a crisp Monday morning with lows near 60 in Houston.

Will that front bring us any rain?

Possibly, but it won’t be enough to turn the building drought around. This looks to be a Pacific cool front, which typically brings a thin band of showers and thunderstorms. Right now we have rain chances at 30% for Sunday morning, so don’t get your hopes up too much for rainfall at this time.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

Trump Signs Peace Agreement as Final Hostages Return to Israel

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President Donald Trump signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement marking the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as the last 20 living hostages held since the October 7, 2023, attacks were released and returned to Israel.

Hostages Freed After More Than Two Years

The final group of hostages was released Monday as part of a prisoner-hostage exchange. Among them was Omri Miran, who reunited with his daughters after more than two years in captivity. The moment, captured at a Tel Aviv hospital, symbolized the end of a harrowing chapter for the families of those taken by Hamas.

Remains of Deceased Hostages Repatriated

Four coffins carrying the remains of deceased hostages were transferred to Israeli forces and are being returned to Israel. A military ceremony in Gaza honored the victims, with IDF soldiers draping coffins in Israeli flags and reciting prayers before transport to the National Center of Forensic Medicine for identification.

Trump Declares “War in Gaza Is Over”

Speaking at a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Trump told more than 30 world leaders that “the war in Gaza is over,” though officials cautioned that this marks only the first stage of a broader deal. “Together we’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible — at long last, we have peace in the Middle East,” Trump said, adding that “the rebuilding begins now.”

Gaza Begins to Rebuild

In Gaza, some displaced Palestinians have begun returning to their neighborhoods, confronting widespread destruction from two years of war. The ceasefire agreement, while fragile, represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

China Vows Retaliation as Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs

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China has pledged to respond forcefully if President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to impose tariffs of 100% on all Chinese goods.

“If the United States insists on its own way, China will resolutely take retaliatory measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Monday.

Sharp Drop in U.S.-Bound Exports

New customs data revealed that China’s exports to the U.S. fell 27% in September compared to last year, totaling $34 billion. Despite the drop, overall Chinese exports rose 8%, boosted by shipments to hubs like Vietnam. Officials in Beijing criticized U.S. trade actions, accusing Washington of “abusing tariffs” and undermining global trade rules.

Trade Tensions Reignite Over Raw Materials

The renewed clash comes after China expanded export restrictions on rare earth minerals critical for semiconductors and defense technologies. In response, Trump announced that new tariffs would take effect on November 1—or sooner—depending on Beijing’s actions. The U.S. has also tightened its own export controls on advanced chips and related technology, a move China called a “double standard.”

Rare Earth Controls Add Pressure

China, which processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, now requires foreign companies to obtain licenses for products containing even small amounts of these materials. It has also increased oversight on the export of mining and smelting technologies. These restrictions could have sweeping implications for industries ranging from electronics to defense.

Diplomatic Stakes Ahead of Xi-Trump Meeting

Trump has threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum if tensions escalate further. While he appeared to soften his tone over the weekend, analysts warn both sides may hold firm.

Chinese negotiators are reportedly seeking a broader reset of trade relations, including the removal of tariffs and export controls. Some analysts believe Beijing may be prepared to withstand U.S. tariffs longer than Washington can tolerate China’s rare earth measures, raising the stakes for the next phase of negotiations.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Supreme Court Weighs Major Challenge to Voting Rights Act

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The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments this week in a pivotal case that could reshape how race is considered in redistricting. At issue is a Republican-backed challenge to Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, created after civil rights groups successfully argued the state’s original post-2020 census map violated the Voting Rights Act.

Louisiana and Trump Administration Lead the Charge

Lawyers for Louisiana and the Trump administration will argue that the district should be struck down, claiming race played too central a role in its design. Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill wrote in a court filing that “race-based redistricting is fundamentally contrary to our Constitution.”

The case follows a wave of redistricting efforts by Republican-led states encouraged by former President Donald Trump to solidify congressional control. A ruling favoring Louisiana could make it harder to use race as a factor in drawing districts nationwide.

Chief Justice Roberts Again at the Center

Chief Justice John Roberts, who has long been skeptical of expansive voting rights protections, will again play a decisive role. He authored the 2013 opinion that ended federal oversight of states with histories of discrimination, saying, “Our country has changed.”

This time, the Court is considering whether intentionally creating a second majority-Black district violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. The justices’ decision to request new arguments signals they may be poised for a major shift—similar to how Citizens United expanded corporate political spending after a second round of arguments.

National Implications for Redistricting

The outcome could significantly restrict Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which allows challenges to racially discriminatory maps. If the Court rules that race-based mapmaking is unconstitutional without evidence of intentional discrimination, it could curtail most racial gerrymandering claims and give states broad power to shape districts.

A single vote change from the Court’s 2023 Alabama decision—when Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined liberals to uphold Section 2—could flip the result.

Civil Rights Advocates Warn of High Stakes

Civil rights groups say dismantling Section 2 protections would make it nearly impossible for minority voters to secure fair representation. Louisiana’s current district, described by Roberts as “a snake that runs from one end of the state to the other,” reflects centuries of racial and economic segregation, according to voting rights lawyers.

Rep. Fields, who represents the contested district, said his election “would never have been possible but for the Voting Rights Act and but for creating majority minority districts.”

The Court’s decision, expected next year, could mark the most significant rollback of voting rights protections in over a decade.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Lawmakers Ejected After Disrupting Trump’s Speech at Israeli Parliament

President Donald Trump’s address to Israel’s Knesset was briefly interrupted by two lawmakers who shouted slogans and displayed signs in support of Palestinian statehood before being removed from the chamber.

Protesters Call for Recognition of Palestine

Arab Israeli lawmaker Ayman Odeh held up a sign reading “Recognize Palestine” during the speech. He later wrote on X that his demand reflected “the simplest demand, a demand that the entire international community agrees on,” emphasizing that “there are two peoples here, and neither is going anywhere.”

Far-left politician Ofer Cassif also shared a statement on X, accusing Israel’s government of occupation and apartheid. His post urged Israelis to “refuse to be occupiers” and “resist the government of bloodshed.”

Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian State Recognition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to formally recognize a Palestinian state, despite supporting Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which aims to establish a sovereign Palestine. Trump has also stopped short of joining the majority of the international community in officially recognizing Palestinian statehood.

Protest Comes Amid Hostage Release Milestone

The interruption occurred as Trump marked the return of the last living hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attacks. The moment signaled a key step in the first phase of a deal intended to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Mostly dry and warm week ahead before our next front moves in

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The beautiful weather is here to stay through most of the week. Now the sunshine is wonderful, but we actually do need the rain. We continue to head into worsening drought as the last few weeks have come in completely dry.

Monday will start off pleasant with lows in the low 60s and mostly clear skies. Sunshine will bring temperatures in the upper 80s/low 90s in the afternoon but luckily the humidity will be low so it won’t be too oppressive. An OZone Pollution Watch is also in place for Harris, Brazoria and Galveston county. Ozone is a lung irritant, so you may want to limit any strenuous, prolonged outdoor activities.

Moisture levels climb by the end of the week into the weekend ahead of our next fall front.

When is the next front supposed to arrive?

It now looks like we stand a decent chance to get another fall front this weekend on or around Sunday. It’s still too far away to get overly confident in the details at this time, but it looks to be more than just a humidity drop like this last one.

Will that front bring us any rain?

Possibly, but it won’t be enough to turn the building drought around. This looks to be a Pacific cool front, which typically brings a thin band of showers and thunderstorms. Right now we have rain chances at 30% on Sunday, but there is room for those chances to go higher.

What else should I know for the week ahead?

We’ll continue to have lovely mornings in the 60s around sunrise, but it will cook into the low 90s during the afternoon, challenging record highs. Ozone pollution could also be a problem on most afternoons. There is also an upper air disturbance coming in Thursday and Friday that could spark a few showers, but it looks to be moisture-starved at this time, hence rain chances at 20% or less for now.

What is happening in the tropics?

Lorenzo has formed in the eastern Atlantic, but will remain a fish storm. We are also monitoring Pacific storms near Mexico that could send their moisture into Texas later this month. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

Over 150 Unvaccinated Students Quarantined After Measles Exposure in South Carolina

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Health officials in South Carolina announced that 153 unvaccinated students from two Spartanburg County schools are under a 21-day quarantine following exposure to measles. The schools affected are Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary.

The state has confirmed at least eight measles cases linked to the outbreak, with 11 total cases reported so far this year.

Measles Cases Surge to Highest Levels Since 1992

Nationwide, the U.S. has reported at least 1,563 measles cases this year — the highest number since 1992, according to the CDC. Forty-four outbreaks have been documented in 2025, up from 16 last year, signaling a concerning rise in transmission.

Vaccination Rates Decline Post-Pandemic

Experts point to falling vaccination rates as a major factor behind the resurgence. Prior to the pandemic, more than 95% of U.S. kindergarteners were vaccinated with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) shot. That rate dropped to 92.5% in the most recent school year, leaving an estimated 286,000 kindergarteners without protection.

Health officials continue to urge families to update vaccinations to prevent further outbreaks.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Vance Confirms Hamas Holding 20 Hostages, Release Expected Within 24 Hours

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Vice President JD Vance told ABC’s This Week on Sunday that Hamas has confirmed holding 20 living hostages, who are expected to be released within the next 24 hours. The announcement comes as President Donald Trump prepares to travel to Israel and Egypt later in the day to mark the anticipated release.

“Well, they’ve been confirmed, George. Of course you don’t know until you see these people alive. But thank God we expect to see them alive here in the next 24 hours, probably early tomorrow morning, U.S. time,” Vance told co-anchor George Stephanopoulos.

“A Great Moment for the World”

Vance called the development historic, saying, “We are on the cusp of true peace in the Middle East. Really, for the first time in my lifetime, certainly these 20 hostages are going to come home to their families. Our country should be proud of our diplomats who made this happen.”

Trump is scheduled to meet with the families of the hostages Monday at the Israeli Knesset. The Wall Street Journal first reported Hamas’ confirmation of the 20 living hostages.

U.S. Role in Ceasefire Monitoring

Vance addressed reports about U.S. military involvement in the region, clarifying that no troops will enter Gaza. “That story is actually misreported. We already have troops at Central Command. We’ve had them for decades,” he said.

According to a U.S. official, 200 troops are being sent to Israel to assist with transportation, logistics, security and engineering as part of the ceasefire coordination effort. Vance emphasized that the U.S. presence will focus on monitoring compliance rather than combat.

“But the idea that we’re going to have troops on the ground in Gaza, in Israel — that is not our intention, that is not our plan,” he said.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Washington Stalemate Deepens as Shutdown Enters Third Week

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Top Republicans and Democrats remained at an impasse Sunday as the government shutdown continued, with both sides blaming each other while federal workers, military families and millions of Americans braced for growing impacts.

Democrats are pushing for health care concessions before agreeing to reopen the government. House Speaker Mike Johnson countered that Democrats have repeatedly voted to keep the government closed, calling the situation “real pain for real people.”

Trump Fires Workers, Vows to Pay Military

President Donald Trump began firing federal workers rather than furloughing them, marking a sharp break from past shutdown practices. At least 4,000 civil servants were notified of layoffs on Oct. 10, with more expected. Military members were set to miss their first paycheck on Oct. 15, but Trump announced the Pentagon found funds to keep paying roughly 1.3 million active-duty personnel.

Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo Go Dark

The Smithsonian Institution’s 21 museums and the National Zoo closed Sunday, halting operations and taking popular animal livestreams offline. Officials said animals will continue to receive care, but no regular updates will be provided until the shutdown ends.

Marathons and National Parks Impacted

The Marine Corps Marathon scheduled for Oct. 26 in Washington, D.C., will proceed, but organizers are monitoring the situation closely. Other races have already been canceled. National parks remain open but with limited services and no entrance fee collection, as seen at Joshua Tree National Park.

Social Security and Food Aid Continue

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments will continue despite staff furloughs. SNAP and WIC food assistance programs will operate as long as funding allows, according to the USDA.

Congress and President Still Paid

The Constitution protects the pay of the president and members of Congress during shutdowns. Trump has said he will again donate his salary. Some lawmakers announced they will forgo pay during the funding lapse.

Education Department Hit by Layoffs

Roughly 20% of the Department of Education’s workforce was cut on Oct. 11, reducing support services nationwide. Most teachers continue to be paid through state and local funding, but schools relying on federal aid — especially those on military bases and tribal lands — are being hit harder.

Public Opinion Tilts Against GOP

A recent Economist/YouGov poll found 41% of Americans blame Republicans and Trump for the shutdown, compared to 30% who blame Democrats. Among those aware of the GOP’s congressional majority, blame toward Republicans rose to 49%.

Thousands More Layoffs Expected

More than 4,000 federal employees have already received layoff notices, affecting agencies from Commerce to Treasury. The Education Department’s Office of Special Education was among those eliminated.

Senate Considers Next Steps

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said another vote on a temporary funding bill will take place Oct. 14, but it still lacks enough Democratic support to pass. Some Republicans are floating abolishing the legislative filibuster to end the impasse, but Thune opposes the move.

House Democrats to Convene

House Democrats plan to meet Oct. 14 to strategize on reopening the government. They continue to push for restoring Medicaid funding and Affordable Care Act subsidies as part of any funding deal.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.