June 25, 2025 9:23 am
LONDON (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the country is ending support for the vaccine alliance Gavi. Speaking at a Gavi meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, Kennedy criticized the organization for “ignoring science” and losing public trust. He expressed concerns about Gavi’s collaboration with the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing them of stifling free speech. Kennedy also questioned Gavi’s vaccine recommendations, including immunizing pregnant women and funding vaccines in poorer countries. Gavi defended its decisions, citing WHO guidance and the role of vaccines in reducing childhood mortality. The U.S. has contributed $8 billion to Gavi since 2001.
June 26, 2025 5:02 am
ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisory committee endorsed fall flu vaccinations Thursday for just about every American but with a twist: The group says people should only be given shots free of an ingredient antivaccine groups have falsely tied to autism. The seven-member panel, which includes vaccine skeptics, replaced the previous 17-member group earlier this month. Public health officials are worried that ideological decisions could make vaccines less accessible and more expensive for millions of Americans.
June 25, 2025 5:40 pm
ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisory panel plans to revisit long-settled questions about childhood vaccines. On Wednesday, the new committee announced it would be looking into the childhood vaccine schedule and into specific shots like the hepatitis B and MMR-chickenpox combination. Pediatricians and scientists are expressing alarm. The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the committee, calling its process “no longer credible.” The panel also discussed COVID-19 vaccines and shots that protect infants from RSV.
June 25, 2025 5:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve will continue to wait and see how the economy evolves before deciding whether to reduce its key interest rate, Chair Jerome Powell says, a stance directly at odds with President Donald Trump’s calls for immediate cuts. Powell said Tuesday that the economy is in a good position and that the Fed needs to learn more before adjusting rates. Powell is facing two days of what could be tough grilling on Capitol Hill, as Trump has repeatedly urged the Fed to reduce borrowing costs.
June 25, 2025 5:14 am
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts are meeting at what might be a historic summit. It could also drive a wedge among the 32 member countries. Just a week ago, things had seemed rosy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was optimistic for an agreement to dedicate 5% of GDP to defense spending. Then Spain rejected the new target, calling it “unreasonable.” Trump too has said that America should not have to respect the goal. Questions also remain over Ukraine’s place at the meeting. The summit Wednesday has also been clouded by the U.S. bombing of nuclear installations in Iran.
June 25, 2025 5:11 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding after initially faltering. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both sides Tuesday, saying they had fought “for so long and so hard” that they do not know what they are doing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had brought Iran’s nuclear program “to ruin,” but a new U.S. intelligence report found the program has been set back only a few months after U.S. strikes over the weekend. The early assessment was issued Monday by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
June 24, 2025 5:16 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says seven soldiers were killed in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when an explosive device affixed to their armored vehicle detonated. Tuesday’s explosion was a particularly deadly incident for Israel’s military inside Gaza. Over 860 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war against Hamas began in 2023. Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, said it had ambushed Israeli soldiers taking cover inside a residential building Tuesday in the southern Gaza Strip. It was not immediately clear whether the two incidents were the same. The deadly attack came as the Palestinian death toll inside Gaza passed 56,000.
June 25, 2025 1:59 pm
June 25, 2025 3:47 pm
June 24, 2025 4:42 am
PITTSBURGH — Heat and humidity will continue to push the heat index near 100 degrees again on Wednesday. An Extreme Heat Warning continues for Washington, Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, and portions of Westmoreland and Fayette counties through Wednesday evening as heat indices up to 105 are possible in these locations. A few isolated showers or storms may develop later in the day on Wednesday. Be aware of potential heavy downpours and the threat for damaging winds with any storm that develops.
