Russia Launches Largest Drone Attack On Ukraine

November 25, 2023 4:36 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian military officials say Russia launched its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, said Saturday that Kyiv, was the main target. In total, around 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones were launched by Russia against Ukraine, of which 71 were destroyed by air defense, Ukraine’s armed forces said. At least five civilians were wounded in the hours-long drone assault on Kyiv, which saw several buildings damaged, including a kindergarten. The wounded included an 11-year-old child, according to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko. In addition to Kyiv, the Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions were also targeted

Gaza Cease-fire Enters Second Day

November 25, 2023 4:32 am

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Egyptian officials say Hamas is preparing to release 14 Israeli hostages Saturday for 42 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in the second swap on the second day of a four-day cease-fire. The truce has allowed critical humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Hamas on Friday released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war. Those freed from captivity in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Filipino. The truce has allowed more deliveries of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, where civilians have been desperate for food, water, medicine and fuel. Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners, all woman and minors.

Fire Crews Called To North Franklin Auto Dealership

November 24, 2023 8:17 am

No injuries were reported after fire crews were called to the Crown Auto dealership at Washington Crown Center in North Franklin Township Friday morning.  Washington County 9-1-1 dispatchers say it’s believed that a bad belt in a rooftop unit on the dealership may have caused all the smoke.  A working structure fire was reported around 6:15 a.m.  No Injuries resulted but firefighters reportedly had to deal with some icy conditions on the roof of the building.   No other information is currently available.

OxyContin Maker’s Settlement Divides Victims In Crisis

November 24, 2023 5:12 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The legality of an agreement by the maker of OxyContin to settle thousands of lawsuits over the harm done by opioids is going before the Supreme Court. Families that lost loved ones to overdoses are divided over Purdue Pharma’s plan to settle with governments. The settlement could provide billions of dollars to address an overdose epidemic and pay victims. But the settlement would protect from future lawsuits members of the Sackler family, which owns the Connecticut-based company. One Florida woman who lost her son to an opioid overdose says it’s a chance to move on. A Massachusetts mother says it’s an unfair protection for a wealthy family that profited from helping cause a crisis.

Olympic Runner Pistorius Up For Parole

November 24, 2023 5:11 am

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius could be granted parole on Friday after nearly 10 years in prison in South Africa for killing his girlfriend. The double-amputee Olympic runner was convicted of a charge comparable to third-degree murder for shooting Reeva Steenkamp in his home in 2013. He has been in prison since late 2014. Pistorius turned 37 this week and has been given a second chance at parole after he was wrongly ruled ineligible at a first hearing in March. Pistorius was one of the world’s most admired athletes when he shot Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet door on Valentine’s Day 2013.

Black Friday Deals Offered But Will Shoppers Spend?

November 24, 2023 5:10 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Expect big discounts and other enticements to lure shoppers to stores for Black Friday. But retailers worry those may not be enough. Consumers are coming under pressure as their savings dwindle and their credit card debt grows. And although they have gotten some relief from easing inflation, many goods and services like meat and rent are still far higher than they were just three years ago. The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, expects shoppers will spend more this year than last year, but their pace will slow given all the economic uncertainty. The group has forecast that U.S. holiday sales will rise 3% to 4% for November through December, compared with a 5.4% growth of a year ago.

Irish Police Arrest 34 People In Dublin Rioting

November 24, 2023 5:08 am

LONDON (AP) — Irish police have arrested 34 people after suspected far-right protesters in central Dublin attacked police, damaged shops and set fire to vehicles. The rioting happened on Thursday night after an unidentified man stabbed three children outside a school earlier in the day. The head of the Irish police, Commissioner Drew Harris, said Friday that an officer was seriously injured in the violence that began after news spread that a 5-year-old girl was receiving emergency medical treatment at a hospital. At least 100 people took to the streets, some armed with metal bars and covering their faces. Police said the street violence was caused by “a small group of thugs.”

Israel Releases 39 Palestinians From Prison

November 24, 2023 5:06 am

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has released 39 Palestinian prisoners in line with a truce deal that saw 13 Israeli hostages freed by militants in Gaza hours earlier. Thirty-three prisoners were freed Friday in the West Bank and handed to a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross. Qadura Fares heads an advocacy group for prisoners. He said the remaining six prisoners were being freed from a Jerusalem lockup. The releases on both sides were part of a deal for a four-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war that began Friday. Over the next four days, 150 Palestinian prisoners and 50 Israeli hostages are to be freed.

Family Disputes Uniontown Shooters Claim

November 24, 2023 5:03 am

UNIONTOWN, Pa. — (WPXI) – A 16-year-old girl continues to fight for her life after police say a 36-year-old man who called her his girlfriend shot her. Police said the teen was shot in the head by 36-year-old Nathan Glasscock (pictured) Monday night in Uniontown. Police said Glasscock told them he didn’t mean to shoot her. They said he told them he wanted to shoot the grandmother for interfering in his relationship with the girl. The victim’s great-aunt, however, says that’s a lie. The grandmother — Karen Leydig — and the girl were just 10 feet away from each other when police say Glasscock pulled the trigger. The teen is in critical but stable condition at Ruby Memorial Hospital. Glasscock is due in court on Nov. 28.

Woman Injured In Morris Twp Fire

November 24, 2023 4:56 am

An early morning fire in Morris Township has injured at least one person.  Washington County 911 says the blaze was reported just before 3 a.m. at a home along Lemon Hill Road.  Dispatchers tell WJPA News one female was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital.  Her identity and condition were not available.  Fire crews from numerous departments were called to the two-story home.  There is no word on the cause of the fire at this time.