China Bracing For Fresh Tensions With Trump

November 7, 2024 5:08 am

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office, China is bracing for unpredictability in its ties with the United States. The first time China faced Trump in the White House, there was a trade war, a breach of protocol over Taiwan’s former leader, and a president-to-president bromance that turned sour. Now, Trump has promised to slap blanket 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports, and even higher if Beijing makes a move to invade Taiwan. On the other hand, Trump has asked Taiwan to pay Washington for protection against China. And he has accused Taiwan of stealing the semiconductor industry years ago from the U.S.

Large Airstrikes Hit Beirut Suburbs

November 7, 2024 5:10 am

Several large airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early Thursday morning, including one on a site adjacent to Lebanon’s only international airport. The Israeli military had issued an evacuation notice for the site, saying there were Hezbollah facilities there, without giving details. The Israeli military also announced it’s expanding its ground operation in northern Gaza to include part of Beit Lahiya, where Israel says Hamas militants have regrouped. The town has been heavily bombed since the earliest days of the war. Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem says the Lebanese militant group is open for cease-fire negotiations only once “the enemy stops its aggression.” His speech marked the 40-day mourning period for the former Hezbollah chief, who was assassinated in Beirut.

Cuba Reeling After Hurricane Rafael

November 7, 2024 5:17 am

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba is reeling after a powerful Category 3 hurricane ripped across the island and fierce winds knocked out the country’s power grid. The magnitude of the impact from Hurricane Rafael remained unclear through the early hours of Thursday. Forecasters had warned that Rafael could bring “life-threatening” storm surges, winds and flash floods to Cuba after ravaging parts of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

Harris Makes Concession Speech

November 6, 2024 5:41 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Faced with a sweeping rejection by American voters, Kamala Harris has conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump and is encouraging supporters to continue fighting for their vision of the country. The Democratic vice president said the battle would continue “in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square.” “Sometimes the fight takes a while,” Harris said at Howard University, her alma mater, where she had hoped to make a victory speech after the election. “That doesn’t mean we won’t win.” Harris’ decisive defeat shattered hopes that she could rescue Democrats’ chances after President Joe Biden’s reelection effort stalled and she replaced him at the top of the ticket.

Two Dead In Fayette County Hostage Situation

November 6, 2024 2:52 pm

(WPXI) – Two people were found dead at a reported hostage situation in Fayette County. The public has been asked to avoid an apartment building in North Union Township all day due to an active police incident that, according to court documents, is a hostage situation. Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday morning that there is an “extremely active scene” at Woodview Terrace. Troopers were called to the area at 8:07 a.m. We’ve just learned that two people were found dead in an apartment. Their identities have not yet been revealed. A criminal complaint alleges Charles “Chuck” Nara was holding a woman hostage in an apartment. The complaint states the child of the woman being held in the apartment had a note that said in part “call cops hostage situation…do not approach door 50 gallons of gas and a gun.” When the child went to report the note at the apartment’s front office, they heard a boom and saw black smoke coming from Nara’s apartment. Police also viewed surveillance footage that shows a “large plume of smoke” pouring from the window.

Trump Elected 47th President

November 6, 2024 4:17 am

Republican Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts. Republicans reclaimed control of the Senate, picking up seats in West Virginia and Ohio. Top House races are focused in New York and California, where Democrats are trying to claw back some of the 10 or so seats where Republicans have made surprising gains in recent years.

U.S. Senate Race Too Close To Call

November 6, 2024 4:34 am

The U.S Senate race between longtime, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and David McCormick is too close to call. With 96-percent of the vote counted, McCormick has a one-point lead at 49.2% to Casey’s 48.2%. Casey has won his last three reelection bids since taking office back in 2006. McCormick has never held an elected office, but he built name recognition when he went head-to-head with Dr. Mehmet Oz for a Republican Senate seat nomination two years ago.

Reschenthaler Wins In 14th Congressional District

November 6, 2024 4:19 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Guy Reschenthaler won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Reschenthaler, 41, was running for a fourth term in his Republican-leaning district in southwestern Pennsylvania. Reschenthaler defeated Democrat Chris Dziados. Reschenthaler, a former state lawmaker and U.S. Navy lawyer, was first elected in 2018. The Associated Press declared Reschenthaler the winner at 10:05 p.m. EST.

State Legislative Races

November 6, 2024 4:45 am

Most of the State Legislative races show GOP incumbents holding on to their seats.  In the 15th Legislative District Joshua Kail leads Democrat Ashlee Caul.  In the 39th, Republican Andrew Kuzma leads Democrat Angela Girol.  Incumbent Republican Natalie Mihalik has defeated challenger Peter Kohnke in the 40th.  In the 46th,  incumbent Jason Ortitay wins over Alex Taylor and in the 50th, incumbent Republican Bud Cook easily defeats Democrat Drew Manko.

Republicans Sweep Statewide Row Offices

November 6, 2024 4:25 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans will hold all three of Pennsylvania’s statewide row offices in January, with York County District Attorney Dave Sunday (pictured) taking over as attorney general. Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Auditor General Tim DeFoor were reelected Tuesday as well. It was a good day for incumbents in the Legislature, as most if not all of them seeking reelection will be returning to the Capitol for another term. The state House went into the election with a one-seat Democratic majority. The Senate is in Republican hands, with a 28 to 22 margin.