December 18, 2023 1:39 pm
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office was released Monday. It elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals and published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.
December 18, 2023 6:59 am
PITTSBURGH – Japan’s largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel Corporation, is planning to purchase U.S. Steel. A press release issued on BusinessWire says NSC plans to acquire U.S. Steel for $55 per share, for a total of nearly $15 billion. The release says this acquisition was unanimously approved by the board of directors for both NSC and U.S. Steel. It’s expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2024. U.S. Steel will reportedly retain its name, brand and headquarters in Pittsburgh. The deal will also honor collective bargaining agreements with the United Steelworkers Union. NSC says this transaction will “enhance its world-leading manufacturing and technology capabilities” and allow the company to expand geographically for the benefit of stakeholders. We look forward to collaborating closely with the U. S. Steel team to bring together the best of our companies and move forward together as the ‘Best Steelmaker with World-Leading Capabilities,'” his statement said in part.
December 18, 2023 5:11 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea says North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea in a resumption of its weapons testing activities. Monday’s launch is the North’s second weapons firing in less than a day. It comes as North Korea vows retaliatory steps against the U.S. and South Korea for their decision to boost their nuclear deterrence plans. South Korea’s military says North Korea launched what appeared to be a long-range ballistic missile from its capital region Monday morning. North Korea’s Defense Ministry called its rivals’ decision to include nuclear operation scenarios in their joint drills an open threat to potentially use nuclear weapons against the North.
December 18, 2023 5:09 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza on a visit to the region Monday. It is the latest test of whether the U.S. can leverage its unwavering support for the offensive to blunt its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians. France, the U.K. and Germany joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend, and Israeli protesters have demanded the government relaunch talks with Hamas on releasing more hostages after three were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will keep fighting until it removes Hamas from power, crushes its still-formidable military capabilities and returns the dozens of hostages still held by the group after its Oct. 7 attack.
December 18, 2023 5:07 am
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) — A late-year storm has unleashed heavy rain and gusty winds as it barrels up the East Coast. The storm has flooded streets, forced water rescues and caused the cancellation of holiday celebrations. In the waterfront community of Georgetown, South Carolina, authorities say dozens of rescues occurred after motorists were stranded by floodwaters. The town is situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Media outlets are reporting water rescues on Kiawah and Seabrook islands. The tide gauge at Charleston, South Carolina, peaked at the city’s highest nontropical tide on record. The storm dumped up to five inches of rain across Florida.
December 18, 2023 5:03 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Lake effect snow showers will bring potential snow impacts to our area from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning with Winter Weather Alerts in our area. A Winter Storm Warning for the ridges of Fayette & Westmoreland counties and the mountains including Somerset, Garrett, Preston, and Tucker counties from 1 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Tuesday. A Winter Weather Advisory for Venango, Clarion, Forest and the ridges of Indiana County from 1 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Tuesday. Lake effect showers will begin to develop Monday bringing rain showers that will mix with snow showers as temperatures fall Monday afternoon. Snow showers are expected Monday afternoon and evening into Tuesday morning. A quick burst of snow will rapidly change visibility and coat roads making travel difficult. Snowfall locally could be a coating up to 2 inches with 2-3 inches possible around I-80 and north. The ridges and the mountains could see between 3-5 inches of snowfall with isolated higher amounts possible in Garrett and Preston counties.
December 18, 2023 2:01 am
UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. —(WPXI) – A Canonsburg man died after an altercation with his neighbor on Saturday. Harry Doleno, 69, was found dead behind A. Doleno Sewer and Plumbing on Seward Drive off McChain Road in Union Township. The Washington County coroner said Doleno was sprayed with pepper spray during the altercation. He reportedly walked away from the altercation after he was sprayed, but was found unresponsive a short time later. The cause and manner of Doleno’s death is under investigation. Saturday, Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh would only say the incident is under investigation. It’s not clear if charges will be filed against Doleno’s neighbor.
December 17, 2023 7:10 am
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Donald Trump has asked New Hampshire voters to help him secure the Republican presidential nomination before any rivals find their footing with the 2024 campaign’s opening contest just weeks away. His appearance Saturday in Durham is part of a swing taking the former president through early nominating states as he cites his wide polling lead over a dwindling field of GOP hopefuls. They’re trying to block his political comeback as Trump navigates multiple indictments and looks ahead to a potential rematch with President Joe Biden. The New Hampshire primary is Jan. 23, eight days after Iowa begins the nominating process on Jan. 15.
December 17, 2023 7:07 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The top strategist for the embattled super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign for the White House has resigned. Jeff Roe, the top adviser to Never Back Down, announced his departure on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, hours after The Washington Post published a story focused on internal disputes between the group and the campaign. He is just the latest senior staffer to exit Never Back Down, which has been the largest outside group supporting DeSantis’ candidacy. It’s the latest sign of trouble for the GOP hopeful less than one month before voting begins with Iowa’s kickoff caucuses.
December 17, 2023 7:05 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel’s government is facing local protests and calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies. A series of shootings, including of three hostages who were waving a white flag, have added to mounting concerns about its wartime conduct. Israel could come under further pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week. Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day on Sunday, the longest of the war. Aid groups say such outages complicate rescue efforts after bombings and make it even more difficult to monitor the war’s toll on civilians.
