February 19, 2025 3:59 am
ROME (AP) — The Vatican says Pope Francis slept peacefully and ate breakfast after developing pneumonia in both his lungs. An early update Wednesday came from the Vatican spokesman. The Vatican said late Tuesday that Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment. “Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican said. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a late update that the pope is in good spirits and is grateful for the prayers for his recovery,
February 19, 2025 3:55 am
A robbery suspect in Cecil Township was arrested shortly after the crime occurred. Cecil Township Police were dispatched to the Marathon Oil station on Millers Run Road shortly after 8:00 o’clock Tuesday night. The suspect left on foot and was captured two hours later. The unidentified suspect is being processed at the Washington County Jail and is awaiting preliminary arraignment. Assisting Cecil Township in the pursuit was the South Strabane Township K-9 Unit, the McDonald Police Thermal Drone Unit, Sheriff’s Department and Canonsburg and North Strabane Township police departments.
February 19, 2025 3:28 am
PITTSBURGH —(WPXI)- A Butler County native who was imprisoned in Russia for more than three years is back in Pittsburgh. Police and airport officials said Marc Fogel landed at Pittsburgh International Airport late Tuesday afternoon. Fogel’s family also confirmed he’s back in Pittsburgh, saying that he’s happy to be back and is adjusting. His return comes just days after completing the “medical phase” of the State Department’s transition protocol, according to a statement issued on Saturday. He was in Texas undergoing medical evaluations. Fogel, a Butler County native, had been serving a 14-year sentence in a Russian penal colony for having a small amount of medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor for chronic back issues. He was teaching in Russia when he was detained at an airport in 2021. Fogel returned to the U.S. on Feb. 11 after being released from prison in exchange for Alexander Vinnik, according to the Associated Press. Sasha Phillips, the Fogel family attorney, issued a statement requesting privacy for Marc. “After an extended period of being held hostage, Marc has finally returned to Pittsburgh, but his journey to recovery is only just beginning. He has been strongly advised to limit public exposure as he embarks on the slow and challenging process of healing from the harrowing trauma experienced by him and his loved ones,” the statement reads in part. Fogel’s Saturday statement read in part, “I cannot wait to rejoin our community but this will take a bit of time and I ask for some patience in replying to you all. I look forward to reaching out to all of you in due time.”
February 18, 2025 10:37 am
JENKINTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Officials say schools are closed and residents have been ordered to shelter-in-place after a large fire broke out at an aerospace manufacturer’s facility in a town north of Philadelphia. Abington Township Police say the fire broke out at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown on Monday night and witnesses said there was an explosion and flames could be seen inside. Police say the building was evacuated, all employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported. SPS Technologies describes itself as a developer, manufacturer and global supplier of a line of aerospace fasteners and precision components. Schools in the area are closed and officials say the shelter-in-place order is in effect because smoke and particulates are filtering across the area.
February 18, 2025 5:05 am
TORONTO (AP) — A Delta Air Lines plane has flipped upon arrival at Toronto’s Pearson Airport and ended up on its roof, injuring 18 people. The airport’s chief executive says all 80 people on board survived and those hurt had relatively minor injuries. The flight from Minneapolis attempted to land on a dry runway at around 2:15 p.m. Monday in Toronto. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph were blowing snow at the time. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Video from the scene shows the Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR upside down on the snowy tarmac as emergency workers hosed it down. The plane was somewhat obscured by snow from a winter storm that hit Toronto over the weekend.
February 18, 2025 5:04 am
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The top diplomats from Russia and the U.S. met in Saudi Arabia to discuss improving ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. Tuesday’s talks represented a rapid and major change in American foreign policy under President Donald Trump. No Ukrainian officials were present at the meeting. It came as the beleaguered country is slowly but steadily losing ground against more numerous Russian troops in a grinding war that began nearly three years ago. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country won’t accept any outcome from this week’s talks if Kyiv doesn’t take part. European allies have also expressed concerns they are being sidelined. Beyond Ukraine, the meeting has been expected to focus on thawing relations between Russia and the U.S.
February 18, 2025 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is seeking access to troves of sensitive taxpayer data at the IRS. That’s according to two people familiar with the inner workings of the plan who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. If successful, Musk and his group would have access to millions of tightly controlled files that include taxpayer information, bank records and other sensitive records. The people who spoke to The Associated Press and requested anonymity said DOGE is specifically seeking access to an IRS system, that enables employees “to have instantaneous visual access to certain taxpayer accounts.” Advocates fear that the potential unlawful release of taxpayer records could be used to maliciously target Americans.
February 18, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner has stepped down from her role at the agency over Department of Government Efficiency requests to access Social Security recipient information. That’s according to two people familiar with the official’s departure who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Acting Commissioner Michelle King’s departure from the agency —after more than 30 years of service — was initiated after King refused to provide Department of Government Efficiency staffers at the Social Security Administration with access to sensitive information, the people said.
February 18, 2025 4:58 am
(AP) – Southwest Airlines is eliminating 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history. The Dallas-based airline said Monday that the job cuts would be focused almost entirely on “corporate overhead and leadership positions,” including senior leadership and directors. Eleven senior leadership positions, representing 15% of the company’s senior management committee, are also being eliminated. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the job cuts are part of a plan by the airline to slash costs and transform the company into a “leaner, faster, and more agile organization in a statement.
February 18, 2025 4:54 am
The Bentworth School district sent a letter to parents and guardians in the district Monday informing them of ‘a potential student threat’. In the letter, the district says the situation was reported around 5 p.m. through the Safe2Say system and State Police were immediately notified. A thorough investigation was conducted and police informed the district that ‘the matter has been fully resolved and determined to be not credible’. The district says its own investigation will continue and they will follow their student discipline policy. No other details were released. Superintendent Scott Martin thanked the student and their family for bringing “this concerning information to our attention so quickly”.
