October 19, 2026 4:54 am
HONG KONG (AP) — China says its economy grew 4.5% for the July-September quarter from a year ago. That moves the country closer to meeting its annual growth target as the year nears its end. The better-than-expected official data issued Monday accelerated from the 4.3% year-on-year growth recorded in April-June, which was the slowest expansion in more than three years. It also comes at a time when China’s trading partners, including many European Union nations, feel an increased urgency to balance their trade deficits with the country. For the whole year, Chinese leaders have set a growth target of 4.5%-5%, down from last year’s 5% expansion. Experts say China is likely to meet the lower end of that goal.
October 19, 2026 4:53 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones, killing one person and injuring eight others. Local authorities say the attack damaged buildings and infrastructure in three districts. Ukraine’s Air Force reports that Russia launched a large-scale overnight air attack with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and 269 drones. Ukrainian air defenses have destroyed or suppressed 243 drones and four missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry claims it carried out a “massive strike” on targets in Ukraine with “ground-based high-precision weapons and strike drones.” The attack damaged a data center, logistics hub, industrial facility and locomotive depot in Kyiv.
October 19, 2026 5:39 pm
(AP) – Christiane Amanpour will be leaving CNN after 43 years. The network’s longtime anchor plans to scale back her daily show, “Amanpour,” on CNN International to once a week starting in 2027. She will end her show in May and leave the network the following month. Amanpour, 68, will also end her PBS show at year’s end. She will continue her podcast, “The Ex Files,” with her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin. Amanpour’s exit coincides with a new era at CNN as it comes under new owner Skydance, after an $81 billion merger that brings CNN and CBS under one roof.
October 18, 2026 4:52 am
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Voters in Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province will decide Monday whether to begin a process that could lead to independence, testing national unity. President Donald Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state have rallied Canadians around their country. Monday’s vote is not a direct referendum on independence. Alberta, home to most of Canada’s proven oil reserves — the fourth largest in the world — will decide whether to remain a province or begin the legal process toward a future referendum on separation. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans not to take the outcome for granted and asked for a decisive result.
October 18, 2026 8:07 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has thanked the faithful in St. Peter’s Square for their prayers after his hospitalization for lung surgery. Speaking from a window overlooking the square, he said he would gradually resume his activities with God’s help. The pontiff had a malignant tumor removed last week and expressed gratitude to the medical staff at Gemelli hospital. He said the experience made him feel closer to those facing illness. The 71-year-old pope is recovering well and plans to continue his duties, including a scheduled trip to South America in November. His surgeon sees no clinical reasons to cancel the trip. (Photo: AP)
October 18, 2026 8:05 am
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Canada’s defense minister says that people have been killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire, while reports said that large numbers of injured people were being transported to hospitals. Fire crews scrambled late into the night Saturday as fierce winds whipped flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and into the surrounding rural area. It was not immediately clear how many people were killed or injured, but a doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, 120 miles northwest, told Canada’s national broadcaster that patients were being brought to hospitals across the city as health-care facilities around the base became “completely overwhelmed” by the number of people needing care.
October 18, 2026 8:09 am
MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Trudy brings heavy rain and strong winds to Mexico’s southwestern and west-central Pacific coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. A hurricane warning remains in effect from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes. On Sunday, Trudy is expected to bring 4-8 inches of rain, with isolated totals of around 12 inches. Authorities warn of potentially life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Meanwhile, Typhoon Champi strengthened into a Category 4 super typhoon as it moved past Guam. U.S. President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration for Guam, authorizing FEMA to coordinate federal disaster relief efforts.
October 18, 2026 7:35 am
CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — An apparent landslide killed a bicyclist and injured another Saturday along the Great Allegheny Passage, according to the coroner. Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker identified the deceased victim as a 76-year-old woman from Florida. Officials are working to notify her next of kin. The other bicyclist was taken to the hospital after the accident, Baker said, though he didn’t specify their condition. State Police were sent to mile marker 87.6 on the Great Allegheny Passage for reports of two people trapped under a rock. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has taken over the investigation. Officials with Ohiopyle State Park said in a social media post that a rockslide happened within the park, and that the injured bicyclist was flown to a hospital with serious injuries. In a social media post, Great Allegheny Passage officials said the landslide has closed the trail between Ohiopyle and Connellsville. Trail users have been told to avoid that section.
October 18, 2026 7:00 am
A house fire in the 300 block of Duncan Avenue in the city of Washington just after ten Saturday morning is under investigation. Washington County 911 says the fire was brought under control quickly and there were no injuries.
October 18, 2026 7:49 am
PITTSBURGH — A pair of pelicans was rescued Saturday after escaping their enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Zoo officials said that one of the pelicans, Joey, had been safely rescued from the Allegheny River near Sharpsburg late in the afternoon, while the second bird, Felicity, was also rescued a little later. “Zoo staff are overjoyed and relieved that the birds are healthy, and deeply grateful for the community’s support during this event,” the zoo said in a social media post. The zoo reportedly took more than a dozen tips from the public, and received help from Pittsburgh River Rescue, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Aviary. Both birds will undergo a health check back at the zoo before returning to their habitat. (Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium)
