April 19, 2026 8:24 am
CAIRO (AP) — Iran has doubled down on its pledge to restrict ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. Mediators are scrambling to extend the ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday. The dueling blockades have complicated Pakistani-led mediation attempts and raised questions about whether the two-week truce can be extended. Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf criticized the U.S. blockade as a “naive decision made out of ignorance.” He said Iran still seeks peace despite deep-seated distrust of the United States.
April 19, 2026 8:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department has extended its pause on sanctions on Russian oil shipments to ease shortages from the Iran war, days after Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out such a move. The general license means U.S. sanctions will not apply for 30 days on deliveries of Russian oil that has been loaded on tankers as of Friday. It extended a similar 30-day license issued in March for Russian oil that had been loaded by March 11. The extension underscores how the fallout from the Iran war has boosted Moscow’s ability to profit from its energy exports, which had been restrained since the invasion of Ukraine. The administration did not immediately explain the reversal.
April 19, 2026 8:30 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI and Justice Department are scrambling to rebuild a depleted workforce after a wave of departures over the last year. In response, leaders are easing hiring requirements and accelerating recruitment in ways that some current and former officials see as a lowering of long-accepted standards. The FBI has turned to social media campaigns to attract applicants, while also condensing training for candidates from other federal agencies and relaxing internal requirements for support staff seeking to be agents. The Justice Department has opened the door to hiring prosecutors right out of law school to help fill vacancies in U.S. attorney’s offices.
April 19, 2026 8:25 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eddie Murphy has received the American Film Institute’s life achievement award at a star-studded ceremony. The event, held Saturday night at the Dolby Theatre, featured appearances from Spike Lee, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, and more. Murphy, known for his roles in “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Shrek” over a nearly 50-year career, expressed gratitude for his family and career. Spike Lee praised Murphy’s cultural impact, while Chris Rock and others highlighted his influence across generations. The tribute, which will air on Netflix, also included performances by Jennifer Hudson.
April 19, 2026 8:22 am
Washington County 911 tells WJPA News that three people were injured in a house fire Saturday afternoon in North Franklin Township. A supervisor says the blaze broke out just before four-thirty. He says multiple calls reported flames showing at the home at 240 Park Avenue. Multiple fire departments were called out. The supervisor says two people were treated at the scene and another individual was reported to have suffered burns and was taken by private vehicle to a hospital. There has been no word on their condition. Two adults were displaced from the home, which sustained major damage. The State Police Fire Marshal is investigating and the Red Cross has been called in to assist the two individuals.
April 19, 2026 8:13 am
PITTSBURGH — A United Airlines flight from Chicago was diverted to Pittsburgh on Saturday. According to Allegheny County Police, at 11:47 a.m. the Allegheny County Bomb Squad was called for a report of a plane being diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport due to a security issue. United Airlines flight 2092 from Chicago O’Hare to New York LaGuardia was the flight that was diverted, according to United Airlines. All 159 passengers and 6 crew members were safely evacuated from the plane.
April 18, 2026 8:17 am
LUANDA, Angola (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Angola and hopes to bring a message of joy and encouragement to its long-suffering people. Leo arrived in Angola on Saturday as he opened the third leg of his four-nation trip through Africa. Leo’s plane touched down at Luanda’s international airport after the flight from Cameroon where he celebrated a morning Mass before an estimated 200,000 people. Leo had further comments en route to Angola about his back-and-forth with U.S. President Donald Trump over the Iran war. Leo said that it was “not in my interest at all” to debate the president but that he would continue preaching the Gospel message of peace.
April 18, 2026 11:42 am
BEIRUT (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron says a French soldier was killed and three others wounded in an attack on U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Macron identified the soldier as Staff Sgt. Florian Montorio from the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment. He added that three of Montorio’s comrades were wounded and evacuated. He said that Hezbollah is likely responsible for the attack. Macron demanded that Lebanese authorities arrest those responsible and work with UNIFIL, the U.N. mission in southern Lebanon. Macron expressed respect and support for the families of the soldiers and all military personnel in Lebanon.
April 19, 2026 7:00 am
Washington County Commissioners are exploring the possibility of moving the county’s food bank funding back to a local institution. Several years ago, the board began directing money to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, but are now considering whether the funding should go straight to the Greater Washington County Food Bank in the amount of three-hundred-thousand-dollars. During a recent meeting, commissioners tabled a motion to approve the funding to the Duquesne-based food bank. A decision on which organization should receive the money for the next fiscal year will likely be made in July.
April 19, 2026 7:00 am
BRADDOCK, Pa [WPXI]— A woman and a man are dead and several others injured following two shootings in Pittsburgh and one in Braddock Friday night into Saturday morning. According to WPXI and the Allegheny County Police, around 2 a.m. 911 was notified of a shooting in the 800 block of Braddock Avenue. When first responders arrived on scene, they found the victims. Investigators say that a small group of people were on a sidewalk on Braddock Avenue when an unknown person began firing at them from the other side of the street. Meanwhile, at around 2:30 a.m., police were called to Bedford Dwellings and found an unresponsive man, who was taken to a hospital and later died. In another incident, two people were shot on North Dallas Street in Homewood. They are in critical conditions. Police continue their investigation into all three cases. Anyone with information concerning these incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
