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Canadian Cabinet ministers meet with Trump's nominee for commerce secretary in bid to avoid tariffs
Associated Press
AP

Canadian Cabinet ministers meet with Trump's nominee for commerce secretary in bid to avoid tariffs

  • By ROB GILLIES - Associated Press

Two top Canadian Cabinet ministers have met with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary at Mar-a-Lago as Canada tries to avoid sweeping tariffs when Trump takes office. New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, as well as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department. The meeting was a follow up to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month. Trump has threatened to impose sweeping tariffs if Canada does not stem what he calls a flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States.

Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals'
Associated Press
AP

Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals'

  • By LEA SKENE - Associated Press

Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts.

Fentanyl fuels record homeless deaths in Oregon's Multnomah County, home to Portland
Associated Press
AP

Fentanyl fuels record homeless deaths in Oregon's Multnomah County, home to Portland

  • By CLAIRE RUSH - Associated Press
  • Updated

Fentanyl fueled a record number of homeless deaths last year in Oregon’s Multnomah County, home to Portland. An annual report released by the county on Friday says 456 homeless people died in 2023. That's the highest number on record in the county and a 45% jump compared to 2022. Last year’s deaths included 282 from unintentional drug overdose, with fentanyl contributing to 89% of those deaths. The county health officer says the numbers appear to show the peak of the fentanyl crisis in the county. He added that fentanyl overdose deaths began to decrease this year, and that he's hopeful future reports will contain fewer fentanyl fatalities.