July 19, 2020 7:50 am
A federal appeals court has overruled a judge’s decision that allowed the Texas Republican Party to hold an in-person convention in Houston, marking a win for the the nation’s fourth-largest city in an ongoing battle with the state GOP. In an order issued Saturday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed Friday’s ruling that would have permitted the Republican Party of Texas to host an in-person convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Judge Lynn Hughes had ruled that the city of Houston violated the GOP’s constitutional rights by canceling the event. The in-person convention was initially set to run from Thursday to Saturday. James Dickey, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, had said the party was still on-track to try a virtual gathering this weekend.
July 19, 2020 7:50 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – A United Nations agency is acknowledging that a U.S.-sought oil tanker “hijacked” off the coast of the United Arab Emirates after allegedly smuggling Iranian crude oil is back in Iranian waters. The International Labor Organization said that the tanker was hijacked July 5, citing its captain. That mirrors earlier reporting by The Associated Press. The ILO earlier filed a report saying the vessel and its sailors had been abandoned by its owners without pay since March off the eastern coast of the UAE. Iranian state media and officials have not acknowledged the hijacking and arrival of the tanker to Iran.
July 19, 2020 7:47 am
JOHANNESBURG (AP) – The number of people around the world who have died as a result of the coronavirus has passed the 600,000 mark as countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India struggle to contain infections. Hong Kong also warned of a resurgence in the virus as it issued tougher new rules on the wearing of face masks. While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with more than 350,000 cases, or around half of all those confirmed on the continent. India, which has now confirmed more than a million infections, on Sunday reported a 24-hour record surge of 38,902 new cases.
July 19, 2020 7:46 am
LONDON (AP) – Russia’s ambassador to Britain has rejected allegations that his country’s intelligence services tried to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine. Andrei Kelin said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday that there was “no sense” in the allegations made last week by the United States, Britain and Canada. Kelin also said his country had no interest in interfering in British politics. Intelligence agencies in the U.S., Britain and Canada on Thursday accused the hacking group APT29, known as Cozy Bear, of attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development. Britain Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that “Russian actors” had tried to interfere in last year’s general election.
July 19, 2020 7:45 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Police say protesters broke into a building, set it on fire and started dumpster fires late Saturday in Oregon’s largest city. Portland police declared the protest a riot and were working to clear the downtown area. Tear gas had been deployed. The fire at the Portland Police Association building was put out a short time later. Demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality have happened daily in Portland since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd on May 25. President Donald Trump has decried the disorder, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “lawless anarchists.”
July 19, 2020 7:42 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — A man was killed and at least one person was hurt in a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood. According to investigators, the shooting happened around 10 p.m. Saturday in the area of Sherwood Avenue and Bergman Street. At least one person was taken to the hospital following the shooting. Police said they were shot in the arm and were listed in stable condition. A man was found dead on the street in that area after being shot. He was identified as Clarence Thomas IV. Crews at the scene saw Pittsburgh police placing evidence markers at the scene. Officials said police were initially called to the scene when a shotspotter reported eight rounds fired in that area. Authorities did not release any information about a suspected shooter, and no arrests have been made at this point. It’s unclear what led to the shooting.
July 19, 2020 7:36 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — Another very hot day is expected Sunday with high temperatures in the 90s again. The heat and humidity could cause heat related illnesses as heat index values are expected to climb to 101 degrees. A Heat Advisory goes into effect from noon to 8 p.m. People should stay indoors and try to stay in an air conditioned space if possible. If you have to be outdoors, you’re urged to stay out of the sun and limit your time to early morning or evening when it will be cooler. You may want to check on your neighbors if they have trouble keeping their home cool and keep an eye on any pets. Double check when getting out of your car that you are not leaving kids or pets behind. It can turn deadly in minutes. Sunshine will be with the area through the morning. More clouds will build in during the second half of the day. A cold front will approach from the northwest, sparking showers and strong storms later in the day. The biggest threat with any storm that does pop up is damaging winds.
July 19, 2020 4:01 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – As Pennsylvania approached 100,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Friday, restaurant and bar owners say they’ll fight back against Gov. Tom Wolf’s orders to further limit the number of patrons they’re allowed to serve. Meanwhile, sports teams have submitted plans to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to allow fans in stands. The Wolf administration isn’t discussing details, but discourages spectators from attending games to prevent transmission of the coronavirus. Professional and college sports remain subject to Pennsylvania’s state-ordered limit of fewer than 250 people on site for games and practices, meaning that Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State football games cannot have fans in the stands.
July 18, 2020 10:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – When Congress approved the eye-popping $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill in March, it was the biggest rescue of its kind in U.S. history. Now, with the pandemic worsening, it’s clear that package was only the start, and Congress returns to work Monday to try to draft another one. The current round of aid is running out. Extra employment benefits expire and so does a federal eviction freeze. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is poised to roll out his $1 trillion-plus proposal. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi already has pushed through a more sweeping $3 trillion effort. Big spending that Congress hoped to avoid now seems inevitable.
July 18, 2020 4:17 am
(AP)-A surge of 34,884 new coronavirus cases has taken India’s tally to 1,038,716, as local governments continue to reimpose focused lockdowns in several parts of the country. The Health Ministry on Saturday also reported 671 deaths in the past 24 hours for a total of 26,273. The ministry says the recovery rate has slightly come down to 62.9%. About a dozen states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam, have put high-risk areas under lockdowns, only allowing essential food supplies and health services. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take concrete steps to contain the pandemic. He warned that the number of infections will double to 2 million by Aug. 10 at the current pace.
