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US states including Vermont and California consider ban on cosmetics with ‘forever chemicals’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

A growing number of state legislatures are considering bans on cosmetics and other consumer products that contain a group of synthetic, potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS.In Vermont, the state Senate gave final approval this week to legislation that would prohibit manufacturers and suppliers from selling or distributing any cosmetics or menstrual products in the state that have perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as well as a number of other chemicals including lead and formaldehyde.The products include shampoo, makeup, deodorant, sunscreen, hair dyes and more, said state Sen. Terry Williams, a Republican, and member of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.California, Colorado and Maryland passed similar restrictions on cosmetics that go into effect in 2025. Other proposals are under consideration in Washington and Oregon while bills have also been introduced in Illinois, Rhode Island and Georgia.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, studie...

Music festivals in San Diego this summer: A complete guide for concertgoers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The days are warming up, which means music festival season is upon us.Concertgoers behold -- hot lineups for summer music festivals in San Diego are coming in waves with a crowd-full of events already scheduled for 2023.For those looking to enjoy some sunshine and beats with other music lovers this summer, here's a complete guide for music festival fanatics in Southern California's coastal desert groove haven. Lineup released for San Diego Bayfest at Waterfront Park San Diego BayfestThe lively event takes place at the the scenic Waterfront Park in downtown on July 8. As described on its website, "Bayfest is a music festival that celebrates San Diego’s beach culture and lifestyle" while embracing "beach music."Musical artists on the lineup include Damian “JR. Gong” Marley, Common Kings, Koffee, Denm, Kahlil Nash and more. Tickets can be purchase here.Bleached FestThis music festival will combine alternative, indie-pop and new-age R&B jams for dreamy weeken...

Ramp, lane closures expected on I-8 in El Cajon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

EL CAJON, Calif. --Motorists can expect ramp and lane closures on Interstate 8 in El Cajon starting Monday, according to California Department of Transportation.Officials say construction crews will close the Main Street on-ramp to westbound I-8 Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Two unloading luggage from car struck in hit-and-run crash Two right lanes on westbound I-8 from Marshall Avenue to Grossmont Boulevard will also close from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for asphalt repair, Caltrans confirmed. There will be no full freeway closure.Residents in the area may hear truck and beeping from construction vehicles.Additional information on this project can be found here.For real-time traffic information, including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, Caltrans has advised motorist to check their QuickMap.According to the department, the result of this project will give motorists a smoother ride, support efficient goods movement...

18-year-old woman charged with first degree murder in Scarborough shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

Toronto police made an arrest from a homicide investigation after a shooting at apartment building on Lawrence Avenue East in December.On Dec. 16, 2022, at 4:45 a.m., police responded to a shooting at an apartment building in the Lawrence Avenue East and Orton Park Road area.Officers located a 20-year-old man inside the building suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition and died from his injuries on Dec. 19, 2022. The victim was identified as Jai Parker-Ford of Toronto.Brianna Warner, 18, of Toronto, was arrested on Saturday and charged with first degree murder.She is scheduled to appear in court virtually on Sunday at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre.With files from Michael Ranger.

Competing abortion pill rulings sow broad alarm, confusion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

Emma Hernandez is defiant even if she fears what may come in the latest stage of the nation’s fight over abortion: a widening prohibition to safe and legal ways to end unwanted pregnancies, including access to abortion pills.Competing rulings by two federal judges over the availability of the abortion drug mifepristone are sowing alarm and confusion for Hernandez and countless other Americans who insist that availability must be guaranteed. Others celebrated one judge’s ruling that would restrict that access but acknowledge the battle is far from over.Hernandez’s concerns were heightened Friday when U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee in Amarillo, Texas, overruled decades of scientific approval and put on hold federal approval of mifepristone, one of the most commonly used medications to prevent pregnancies. The judge immediately stayed his ruling for a week so federal authorities could file a challenge.At about the same time in Spokane, Washington, ...

Ben Ferencz, last living Nuremberg prosecutor of Nazis, dies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

Ben Ferencz, the last living prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials, who tried Nazis for genocidal war crimes and was among the first outside witnesses to document the atrocities of Nazi labor and concentration camps, has died. He had just turned 103 in March.Ferencz died Friday evening in Boynton Beach, Florida, according to St. John’s University law professor John Barrett, who runs a blog about the Nuremberg trials. The death also was confirmed by the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington.“Today the world lost a leader in the quest for justice for victims of genocide and related crimes,” the museum tweeted.Born in Transylvania in 1920, Ferencz immigrated as a very young boy with his parents to New York to escape rampant anti-Semitism. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Ferencz joined the U.S. Army in time to take part in the Normandy invasion during World War II. Using his legal background, he became an investigator of Nazi war crimes against U.S. soldiers as part of a ne...

Cyclist Ethan Boyes dies after being struck in San Francisco

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Award-winning cyclist Ethan Boyes died after being struck by a car at a national park in San Francisco, the U.S. Park Police said Saturday.The athlete was hit while riding his bike Tuesday afternoon around Presidio, a historic park south of the Golden Gate Bridge, authorities said. Boyes was taken to a hospital for treatment and later pronounced dead. He was 44 years old.The driver was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, the agency said.Boyes had a storied career that included an age-group record in a 1,000-meter time trial in 2015. He was a 10-time national champion.“Beyond Ethan’s athletic achievements, he was an upstanding member of the American track cycling community,” USA Cycling said in a statement. “His loss will be felt at local, regional, national, and world events for years, as he brought a mixture of competition and friendliness to every race.”The U.S. Park Police did not share further details about the fatal collision.“...

Twins break out bats in 9-6 win over Astros

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

Through the Twins’ first seven games of the season, they were carried by their pitching — the best in baseball. On Saturday, they broke out the bats.Kyle Farmer had three hits, including a three-run home run, and Christian Vázquez broke open a tie game and added another insurance run late in Saturday afternoon’s 9-6 victory at Target Field.Farmer, who delivered a walk-off RBI single on Friday, launched a three-run home run as part of a four-run second inning. But the Astros responded immediately with a pair of hits and a walk against starter Joe Ryan.Ryan then left a fastball over the heart of the plate to Yordan Alvarez, one of the best hitters in the game. Alvarez launched it out to right field for a grand slam.But Ryan (2-0) settled in from there, retiring the next 11 batters he faced. The right-hander gave up just three hits — all in the fourth inning — and struck out 10 for the victory. It was the Twins’ second consecutive victory over the defending World Series cha...

Four things to know about the Texas abortion pill ruling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

The Texas ruling against the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of mifepristone, a pill that can be used for an abortion up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, could have major implications for abortion access throughout the country. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk issued his ruling, which could stop the prescribing and distribution of mifepristone, after deciding that the FDA improperly rushed the approval process for the drug and allowed a dangerous drug regimen to make it to market. The Biden administration plans to challenge the ruling, and higher courts will likely step in to settle the case after a separate ruling from another case upheld access to the pill in certain states. Here’s four things to know about the Texas abortion pill ruling: Invalidates the FDA’s 23-year-old approval of the drug The FDA originally approved mifepristone, one of two pills approved for abortions, in 2000 after a four-year approval process. The agency said in a s...

Battlehawks rally to 21-17 overtime win versus rival Vipers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Battlehawks have built a knack for come-from-behind wins, arguably one of their best coming Saturday against the rival Vegas Vipers. The Battlehawks overcame a double-digit deficit, forced overtime with a last-minute field goal and secured the victory behind running back Brian Hill's heroics. St. Louis defeated the Vegas Vipers, 21-17, for their sixth victory of the XFL season. Trending: A Missouri barbecue spot shows up in ‘Ted Lasso’ episodes: This is why Vegas scored the first 11 points to open the game and led 17-8 midway through the fourth quarter. Within the game's final five minutes, the Battlehawks answered with a touchdown and connected for a field goal with 15 seconds left in regulation. The XFL's overtime rules, structured much like the shootout in the NHL, gave the Vipers and Battlehawks limited opportunities to convert a scoring play from the five-yard line. Metro East native Brian Hill rushed to the end zone on the Battlehawks' second try a...