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EPA moves to weaken pollution limits on chemical used to sterilize medical equipment

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency proposed Friday to weaken air pollution limits on a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment, a move that would reverse a Biden administration finding of high cancer risks at manufacturing facilities that use ethylene oxide to clean medical devices like catheters and syringes. The EPA said it is concerned that the current Biden-era standards “actively threaten” manufacturers’ abilities to sterilize equipment and “jeopardize one of America’s only options for a secure domestic supply chain of essential medical ...

Man accused of selling gun to ODU shooter

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department on Friday charged a man who authorities say sold a gun to the Old Dominion University shooter despite the gunman’s previous conviction in a terrorism case. Kenya Chapman is facing federal charges in connection to the sale of the weapon to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member who yelled “Allahu akbar” before he opened fire in a classroom at the Virginia school on Thursday, according to authorities. One person was killed and two others were injured in the shooting. Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member, was ...

Republicans plan long ‘talkathon’ on voting bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans plan to launch a full debate on legislation to impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements. It’s a move that comes in response to pressure from President Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is planning a talkathon on the Senate floor for an indefinite period of time, though it won’t officially be the “talking filibuster” that Trump had suggested.

Tax the rich or discipline government?

Wherever you look in American politics right now, you’ll find legislators saying the government still doesn’t tax enough -- especially when it comes to the wealthy. California progressives are pursuing a wealth tax on billionaires, advertised as a method to raise $100 billion in a single stroke. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing for sweeping new taxes on the wealthy to fund a vast expansion of city services. And Washington state politicians are treating a preventable budget problem as a failure to sufficiently tax corporations and the rich. The same is true on the ...

When grocery lists meet rocket ships

Dear Annie: I recently introduced my 62-year-old husband to emojis, and now I fear I’ve made a huge mistake. Every text I receive — whether it’s “Pick up milk” or “Your sister called” — is followed by a winking face, a heart and, inexplicably, a rocket ship. He signs grocery lists with smiley faces. He even sent our plumber three flame emojis. I’ve gently suggested that not every situation requires digital fireworks, but he says the emojis “make every message more fun.” Must I accept a future filled with cartoon faces, or is there a tactful way to dial it down? ...

Nuclear warhead bombs

Criticism of President Trump’s bombing campaign against the Iranian regime continues from most Democrats and a few Republicans. There was a time in America — unknown to younger generations — when once American troops were involved in a war the nation mostly unified behind them. Today, there are no restraints as a war is seen as merely a continuation of politics as usual. Criticism emboldens the enemy and puts more American military personnel in danger. That appears to be of little concern to the critics. A new poll by NPR/PBS News/Marist found 56 percent of those surveyed ...