Standoff In Venezuela’s Presidential Election

July 29, 2024 5:24 am

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition and President Nicolas Maduro’s government are locked in a high-stakes standoff as each side claims victory in Sunday’s presidential vote, which millions in the long-suffering nation saw as their best shot to end 25 years of single-party rule. Several foreign governments, including the U.S., held off recognizing the results as election officials delayed releasing detailed vote tallies after proclaiming Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote, to 44% for retired diplomat Edmundo González. Meanwhile, on the streets of Caracas, a mix of anger, tears and loud pot banging greeted the announcement of results by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council.

U.S Has ‘Serious Concerns’ About Venezuela

July 29, 2024 5:26 am

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States has ‘serious concerns’ about the announced result of Venezuela’s hotly contested presidential election that authorities say was won by incumbent Nicolas Maduro. Speaking in Tokyo on Monday shortly after the announcement was made, Blinken said the U.S. was concerned that the result reflected neither the will nor the votes of the Venezuelan people. He called for election officials to publish the full results transparently and immediately and said the U.S. and the international community would respond accordingly.

Israel Weighs Response To Hezbollah

July 29, 2024 5:27 am

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Middle East is bracing for a potential flare-up in violence a day after Israeli authorities said a rocket from Lebanon struck a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and killed 12 children and teens. Saturday’s strike raised fears of a broader regional war between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which has denied a role in the attack. Israel is weighing its response. Iran warned Israel that a strong reaction will lead to “unprecedented consequences.” The White House National Security Council says it is working on a diplomatic solution to “end all attacks once and for all” in the border area between Israel and Lebanon.

Harris Campaign Raising Money & Volunteers

July 28, 2024 7:36 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has raised $200 million since she emerged as the likely Democratic presidential nominee last week. The campaign announced the eyepopping fundraising total on Sunday for Harris, saying about 66% of the donations come from first-time contributors in the 2024 election cycle. Over 170,000 volunteers also have signed up to help the Harris campaign with phone banking, canvassing and other get-out-the-vote efforts. Election Day is 100 days away. Campaign communications director Michael Tyler says Harris has momentum, but ultimately the election will be decided by “a small number of voters in just a few states.  (Photo:  AP)

Trump & Vance Team Up For Minnesota Rally

July 28, 2024 7:37 am

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) — Donald Trump has wrapped up his rally in Minnesota as the presidential campaign enters a critical final 100-day stretch. The rally in St. Cloud on Saturday also featured his running mate, JD Vance. The rally was a gamble for Trump that could potentially force Democrats to devote resources to a state they might otherwise ignore. But it could also be a risk for the Republican nominee if he focuses on reach states instead of more traditional battlegrounds. Trump continued a pattern of escalating attacks against his likely opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, on crime and immigration. Harris spent Saturday fundraising in Massachusetts.

Cooler Weather Helps Firefighters In California

July 28, 2024 7:38 am

FOREST RANCH, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of firefighters battling a wildfire in northern California are getting some help from the weather just hours after the blaze exploded in size, scorching an area larger than Los Angeles. Officials said Saturday that cooler temperatures and an increase in humidity could help slow the Park Fire, the largest this year in California. Its intensity and dramatic spread led officials to make unwelcome comparisons to the monstrous Paradise fire in 2018, which killed 85 people and torched 11,000 homes. Paradise again is near the danger zone. The entire town was under an evacuation warning, one of several communities in Butte County.

MIddle East Bracing For Potential Violent Flare-Up

July 28, 2024 7:34 am

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Middle East is bracing for a potential flare-up in violence after Israeli authorities said a rocket from Lebanon struck a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. It killed 12 children and teens in what the Israeli military said was the deadliest attack on civilians since Oct. 7. The strike raised fears of a broader regional war between Israel and Hezbollah, which has denied a role in the attack. Saturday’s attack comes at a sensitive time, as Israel and Hamas are negotiating a cease-fire proposal to end the nearly 10-month war in Gaza and free the roughly 110 hostages who remain captive there.

Police Say McMurray Man Went On “Violent Rampage”

July 28, 2024 7:27 am

(WPXI) –  Neighbors are still shaken after police say a man went on a violent rampage throughout their Versailles neighborhood on Thursday night.  Investigators say Robert Kail stabbed Vinny Bazzone to death before randomly attacking his next-door neighbor and putting his wife in a headlock.  Bazzone’s employer, FamilyLinks, said he was a valued member of their team.  “He had just gotten home with his dinner in his hand, next thing you know… it’s horrible. It’s very scary,” said neighbor Debbie Segady.  Segady lives right door and saw Kail come home.  “He got out of his car stood by the steps over here where the owner of the home is, made a phone call, then the next thing I know he disappeared,” Segady said.  After police say Kail killed Bazzone, the violence continued.  According to police, Kail first went into this home and attacked the man in there, killing him. Then police say he went next door and then attacked the couple there just randomly.  When investigators asked why he did it, they said that he told them, “I did what I had to do.  Kail allegedly stabbed the neighbor next door in the hand and put his wife in a headlock. He left the home after they threatened him with a gun.  Police eventually found Kail in McKeesport — and when he was in custody at the department, investigators say he attacked an officer and started choking a police dog.

Boil Water Advisory Issued For Part Of Greene County

July 28, 2024 7:30 am

(WPXI) –  A boil water advisory has been issued for part of Greene County.  According to the East Dunkard Water Authority, people who live in the Davistown Area should boil their water before using it.  Officials say a power failure caused the Donley water tank to drain which caused water pressure to decrease. A loss of positive pressure can allow contaminants to enter the water.  The East Dunkard Water Authority is currently working to refill the Donley tank and restore pressure. After this is done, they will test the water for bacteria.  Anyone who needs water can go to a portable water tanker that has been set up at the intersection of Township Building Road, Bunner Hill Road and Pigeon Hill Road. Those people are asked to bring their own containers

FBI Confirms Trump Was Hit By Bullet

July 28, 2024 7:00 am

BUTLER, Pa. — Nearly two weeks after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the FBI has confirmed he was struck in the ear by a bullet. Gunman Thomas Crooks fired shots at Trump during his rally at Butler Farm Show on July 13.A former firefighter, Corey Comperatore, was killed. Two other men were injured in the shooting.Crooks was shot and killed by law enforcement. The FBI confirmed in a statement Friday: “What struck former President Trump in the ear was a bullet, whether whole or fragmented into smaller pieces, fired from the deceased subject’s rifle.” Friday afternoon, Trump announced he would return to Butler and host a rally in honor of the shooting victims.  (Photo:  AP)