WASHINGTON, D.C.
EPA trims costs to control air pollutionFaced with opposition in Congress and a court-ordered deadline, the Environmental Protection Agency said it will make it much cheaper for companies to reduce toxic air pollution from industrial boilers and incinerators. In an overhaul of air pollution regulations, the EPA said that companies operating large boilers that burn renewable fuels would not be required to install some expensive technologies, and only maintenance would be required for smaller boilers. It said the savings would amount to $1.8 billion a year nationwide.
High court reverses course on automakersThe Supreme Court ruled that the nation's automakers can be sued for failing to install the most effective safety equipment in their vehicles. The surprise opinion backed away from the court's earlier view that the federal law blocks most safety-related lawsuits against automakers. Justice Stephen Breyer described the federal safety regulations as setting forth only "minimum standards" required by law.
The court also upheld California's flexible approach to handling inmates' appeals of their convictions. All the justices agreed that the state is reasonable in requiring only that inmates file habeas corpus petitions "as promptly as the circumstances allow."
FLORIDA
Shuttle Discovery set for final launch todayAfter 143 million miles and nearly a year all told in orbit, space shuttle Discovery is poised to blast off Thursday one last time. When Discovery returns from the International Space Station, it will be the first of the three surviving shuttles to be decommissioned this year.
ILLINOIS
Blagojevich charges may be pared downIn a surprise move, federal prosecutors moved to dismiss three wire fraud and racketeering counts against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is to be retried April 20. Judge James Zagel said he would rule Thursday. Twenty counts would remain.
GREECE
Police, protesters clash during strikeYouths wearing ski masks threw chunks of marble and fire bombs at riot police as clashes broke out in Athens during a mass rally against austerity measures, part of a general strike that crippled services and public transport around financially struggling Greece. Some of the protesters marched on parliament, chanting: "Don't obey the rich -- fight back!" Fifteen policemen were injured.
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