September 26, 2021 8:10 am
BERLIN (AP) — German voters were choosing a new parliament Sunday in an election that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy. Polls point to a very close race Sunday between Merkel’s center-right Union bloc, with state governor Armin Laschet running for chancellor, and the center-left Social Democrats, for whom outgoing finance minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seeking the top job. Recent surveys show the Social Democrats marginally ahead. The environmentalist Greens, with candidate Annalena Baerbock, are making their first run for the chancellery, and polls put them several points behind in third place.
September 26, 2021 8:03 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — At least four Palestinian gunmen were killed in shootouts with Israeli security forces during a sweeping West Bank arrest operation cracking down on the Islamic militant group Hamas on Sunday, the Israeli military said. It was the deadliest violence between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks and came amid heightened tensions following this year’s 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a Palestinian was shot dead near the northern West Bank city of Jenin and three others were killed in Biddu, north of Jerusalem. The Israeli military said an officer and soldier suffered serious injuries during the arrest in Burqin, near Jenin, and were airlifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
September 26, 2021 8:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion, 10-year bill strengthening social safety net and climate programs through the House Budget Committee, but one Democrat voted “no,” illustrating the challenges party leaders face in winning the near unanimity they’ll need to push the sprawling package through Congress. The Democratic-dominated panel, meeting virtually Saturday, approved the measure on a near party-line vote, 20-17. Passage marked a necessary but minor checking of a procedural box for Democrats by edging it a step closer to debate by the full House. Under budget rules, the committee wasn’t allowed to significantly amend the 2,465-page measure, the product of 13 other House committees. More important work has been happening in an opaque procession of mostly unannounced phone calls, meetings and other bargaining sessions among party leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers. President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have led a behind-the-scenes hunt for compromises to resolve internal divisions and, they hope, allow approval of the mammoth bill soon.
September 26, 2021 8:00 am
JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) — At least three people were killed Saturday afternoon when an Amtrak train that runs between Seattle and Chicago derailed in north-central Montana, toppling several cars onto their sides, authorities said. The westbound Empire Builder train derailed about 4 p.m. near Joplin, a town of about 200, Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams said in a statement. The accident scene is about 150 miles northeast of Helena and about 30 miles from the border with Canada. Liberty County sheriff’s dispatcher Starr Tyler told The Associated Press that three people died in the derailment. She did not have more details. Amtrak said in a statement that there were multiple injuries. The train had about 141 passengers and 16 crew members onboard, Abrams said. The train had two locomotives and 10 cars, eight of which derailed, he said. “We are deeply saddened to learn local authorities are now confirming that three people have lost their lives as a result of this accident,” Abrams said.
September 26, 2021 7:45 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — If you looked up in the sky Saturday morning, you may have seen something pretty big flying around. An eagle has taken flight over Pittsburgh after escaping from the National Aviary. “Kodiak” is a two foot tall Steller Sea Eagle. He escaped from the facility early Saturday morning. He was seen flying over the North Side. Animal control and officials with the Aviary are working to capture him safely. If you see Kodiak on your street or flying around, do not approach him and call the authorities. The Aviary can be reached by the public at 412-323-7235.
September 26, 2021 4:18 am
SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. — First Responders were busy Friday evening with multiple calls throughout Washington County. One call came in around 5:30 p.m. for a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 136 (Beau Street) and Cameron Road. South Strabane Fire and Police along with local EMS were dispatched to the scene, where crews took less than five minutes to put out a small car fire following the accident. Officials say there were only minor injuries in the accident. The roads were closed for about in hour in all directions while crews cleared the scene. Another call for a vehicle accident came in around 5:00 p.m. at the intersection of Ginger Hill Road and Route 88 in Union Township. Reports say multiple crews including a medical helicopter were dispatched to the scene. There is no word on injuries from that incident. (Photo: Facebook)
September 25, 2021 4:41 am
REDDING, Calif. (AP) – Thousands of people are under evacuation orders as a wildfire suspected of being started by arson rages in Northern California. The fire north of the city of Redding covers more than 9 square miles and is 10% contained Friday. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday night that approximately 4,000 residents are evacuated. Twenty-five structures have burned, including some homes. Authorities say a 30-year-old woman who was in the area where the fire began Wednesday afternoon was charged with arson. The Fawn Fire is the latest destructive fire to send Californians fleeing this year. Historic drought tied to climate change is making wildfires harder to fight.
September 25, 2021 4:39 am
DEL RIO, Texas (AP) – Federal and local officials say an encampment in a Texas border town where thousands of Haitian migrants gathered in recent days is now empty. It’s a stark departure from crowded conditions just days earlier, when almost 15,000 people huddled in makeshift shelters hoping for the chance to seek asylum. The Department of Homeland Security plans to continue flights to Haiti throughout the weekend, ignoring criticism from Democratic lawmakers and human rights groups who say Haitian migrants are being sent back to a troubled country that some left more than a decade ago.
September 25, 2021 4:38 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Two Canadians detained in China have been released from prison. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced their release Friday night, hours after the U.S. Justice Department resolved criminal charges against a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei. áCanadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China shortly after Canada had arrested Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in response to a U.S. extradition request. The deal with Meng calls for the Justice Department to dismiss fraud charges late next year. Kovrig and Spavor have spent more than 1,000 days in prison.
September 25, 2021 4:37 am
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California will strike the word “alien” from its state laws. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Friday that removes the word from various sections of the state code. The word will be replaced with terms like “noncitizen” or “immigrant.” Assemblywoman Luz Rivas authored the legislation and said the word “alien” has been weaponized and used in place of explicitly racial slurs to dehumanize immigrants. The change is California’s latest effort to update the language of its laws. Newsom signed a law earlier this year to insert gender neutral language in laws governing statewide elected officials.
