April 15, 2021 3:37 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A House panel has advanced a decades-long effort to pay reparations to the descendants of slaves, approving legislation Wednesday night that would create a commission to study the issue. The commission would study possible remedies such as compensation and a formal apology. It’s the first time the House Judiciary Committee has acted on the legislation. Still, prospects for final passage remain poor in such a closely divided Congress. The vote to advance the measure to the full House passed 25-17 after a lengthy and often passionate debate that stretched late into the night.
April 15, 2021 3:36 am
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan’s president and an unofficial delegation of former senior U.S. government officials sent by President Joe Biden have reaffirmed “rock solid” U.S.-Taiwan ties. “I can see with confidence that the United States’ partnership with Taiwan is stronger than ever,” former Sen. Chris Dodd said. U.S. support for Taiwan is coming at a time of increased naval maneuvers and flybys by China’s military in the waters and airspace around the self-ruled island. Taiwan said it would work with the US and other like minded countries to safeguard peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
April 15, 2021 3:35 am
HONG KONG (AP) – Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong is warning foreign forces not to interfere with the bottom line of national security in the city, threatening retaliation amid tensions between China and Western powers. The U.S., Britain and their allies have condemned China’s tightening control over Hong Kong’s freedoms, including the sweeping national security law and electoral reforms that have all but silenced the once-vibrant opposition in the semi-autonomous territory. The director of the central government’s liaison office says everyone in Hong Kong needs to respect the legal responsibility of upholding national security in the city. Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam described the 2019 pro-democracy protests, which sometimes erupted in violence, as almost like terrorist activities.
April 15, 2021 3:34 am
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) – A white former Minnesota police officer has made her first court appearance in the traffic-stop shooting of Black motorist Daunte Wright. Kim Potter appeared alongside her attorney at a brief initial appearance Thursday over Zoom. She posted $100,000 bond after being arrested Wednesday. Potter’s next court appearance is set for May 17. The judge reminded Potter that while out on bond she must remain law-abiding, make all court appearances and not possess or transport any firearms or explosives. She’s charged with second-degree manslaughter in what her chief said appeared to be a case of confusing her Taser with her handgun. Wright’s family members, Black community leaders and others are calling for more serious charges.
April 15, 2021 3:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration has rolled out a sweeping set of sanctions on Russia over its election interference, hacking efforts and other malign activity. They include Treasury Department sanctions against 16 people and 16 entities related to Russia’s election interference efforts. President Joe Biden also has signed an executive order granting the Treasury Department new authorities to sanction Russian government hackers and the information technology companies supporting them. And, along with allies, the United States has sanctioned Russian individuals and entities that have supported Russia’s claimed annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, which is not recognized by the international community.
April 15, 2021 3:19 am
AVELLA, Pa. – Multiple fire crews responded to a garage fire in Avella early this morning. According to Avella Fire Chief Eric Temple, that incident broke out on Campbell Street around 2:30 a.m. when a car sitting outside of the garage caught fire and spread to the structure. Avella Volunteer Fire Department had the flames out fairly quick according to the chief, who appreciated the mutual response from West Middletown and Brooke County, West Virginia crews.
April 15, 2021 3:15 am
CANTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – One person was treated on scene for injuries after a house fire in Canton Township Wednesday night. According to reports, that blaze broke out around 8:30 p.m. on Dogwood Drive. When that 911 call was first placed, there was a fear of possible entrapment, but everyone made it out of the building. According to Ambulance and Chair, one person was treated for minor injuries on scene. Canton Township Fire Department responded to the call, along with the South Strabane Fire Department. Reports say the Fire Marshal was called to the incident, but there is no word on what started that fire. The scene was active until approximately 11:15 p.m. (Photo: Facebook)
April 15, 2021 2:41 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania has extended its “pause” on use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by another four days after federal government health advisers said they need more time to investigate reports of rare blood clots. The state Health Department told vaccine providers on Thursday to refrain from using J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine until April 24, or until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration issues new guidance. All six clotting cases were in women under the age of 50. The CDC said Wednesday that one of the cases involved a 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman who has since recovered.
April 14, 2021 9:43 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Bernie Madoff, the financier who pleaded guilty to orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in history, has died in prison. A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Madoff died at the federal medical center in Butner, North Carolina, apparently of natural causes. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. Last year, Madoff’s lawyers filed court papers to try to get the 82-year-old released from prison in the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he had suffered from end-stage renal disease and other chronic medical conditions. The request was denied.
April 14, 2021 4:16 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A use-of-force expert says former Officer Derek Chauvin was justified in pinning George Floyd to the ground because because he kept struggling. The witness, Barry Brodd, testified Tuesday for the defense at Chauvin’s murder trial. He contradicted a parade of authorities from both inside and outside the Minneapolis police force who said Floyd used excessive force and violated his training. At one point he suggested that if Floyd was being compliant, he would have had both hands in the small of his back, “and just be resting comfortably.” That prompted an incredulous response from the prosecutor, who said Floyd was moving because he was struggling to breathe by shoving his shoulder into the pavement. The defense began presenting its case after 11 days of prosecution testimony.
