April 23, 2025 4:59 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump has again lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump says Zelenskyy is prolonging the “killing field” after the Ukrainian leader pushed back on ceding Crimea to Russia as part of a potential peace plan. Zelenskyy on Tuesday ruled out the idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia as part of any potential peace agreement. Talks are set for Wednesday in London among U.S., European and Ukrainian officials. During similar talks last week in Paris, U.S. officials presented a proposal that included allowing Russia to keep control of occupied Ukrainian territory as part of a deal. That’s according to a European official.
April 23, 2025 4:56 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of people have begun filing through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis at the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral. Tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica. The Vatican says it may keep the basilica open past midnight due to high turnout. Mourners have been waiting hours to reach the casket during the procession. Francis died on Monday at age 88 and his funeral is on Saturday. Cardinals met in private on Wednesday to finalize preparations and plan the conclave to elect Francis’ successor.
April 23, 2025 4:50 am
The South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors approved a conditional use application by a 4-1 vote for the Washington County Transit Authority to establish a new bus depot along Berry Road, the former site of a store and driving range, as a central hub for Freedom Transit’s fleet of vehicles. Supervisor Jeff Bull dissented, citing concerns over the transit authority’s tax-exempt status, which could result in a loss of tax revenue for the township and shift the financial burden onto residents. The board also approved an ordinance to implement a Traffic Impact Fee program to ensure fair contributions to the township’s transportation infrastructure. The fee will be imposed on developers of new residential, commercial, or industrial projects that generate additional traffic. The board also approved by 4-1 the final land development plan submitted by 79/70 Associates to redevelop the former Washington Mall site on Oak Spring Road including a Warehouse Club, Fuel Station, RV Dealership, and Service Center. Bull was the opposing vote stating traffic impact and developer concerns.
April 23, 2025 2:57 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors have adopted an ordinance to allow personal warehouses in the township. Development for a personal warehouse venue by CC Realty Advisors is still in the conceptual stage and supervisors took steps at their voting meeting to tie down a few loose details in the ordinance. Better defined parking regulations and a minimum acreage limit will be added to the ordinance. CC Realty Advisors approached the zoning hearing board with variances regarding parking and township officials want to make sure that parking is adequate for the needs of the development and that with a minimum acreage figure, the development will not be overcrowded. Data from other personal warehouses around the country pertaining to parking and lot size are now in township officials’ hands. That was not the case when the ordinance was adopted several months ago. They are studying the data to determine the precise regulations. One idea that had been discussed is the ability for parking to take place in front of garage doors. That idea will not be implemented. In other township business, supervisors authorized the Public Works Director to apply for Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewage Grants for projects on McGregor Drive and Curry Avenue. Next month’s meeting schedule will be different. The non-legislative meeting will be held on May 13, the legislative meeting will be held May 27, all because of the Primary Election on May 20.
April 22, 2025 5:45 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks jumped in a widespread rally and more than made up for their sharp drops from the day before. The S&P 500 rose 2.5% Tuesday to erase Monday’s loss, which came on worries about President Donald Trump’s trade war and his attacks on the head of the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.7%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 2.7%. Equifax, 3M and other companies reporting better profits than analysts expected helped lead the way. The value of the U.S. dollar also stabilized after sliding against the euro and other competitors, while longer-term Treasury yields held steadier in the bond market. (Photo: AP)
April 22, 2025 5:05 am
Harvard University announced Monday that it was suing to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration’s demands to limit activism on campus. Meanwhile, U.S. stocks tumbled as investors worldwide grow more skeptical about U.S. investments because of President Donald Trump’s trade war and his criticism of the Federal Reserve, which are shaking up the traditional order.
April 22, 2025 5:03 am
Walgreens has agreed to pay up to $350 million in a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, who accused the pharmacy of illegally filling millions of prescriptions in the last decade for opioids and other controlled substances. In a settlement Friday, the nationwide drugstore chain must pay the government at least $300 million and will owe another $50 million if the company is sold, merged, or transferred before 2032. The government’s complaint also alleges Walgreens sought payment for many of the invalid prescriptions through Medicare and other federal healthcare programs in violation of the False Claims Act.
April 22, 2025 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has expressed support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following media reports that he shared sensitive military details in another Signal messaging chat that included his wife and brother. President Donald Trump on Monday called it “fake news” and pointed to what he called disgruntled workers. The administration’s posture is meant to hold the line against Democratic demands for Hegseth’s firing at a time when the Pentagon is engulfed in turmoil, including the departures of several senior aides. The White House has framed the revelation as the outgrowth of a power struggle between Hegseth and the career workforce. But some of the recently departed officials were brought in by Hegseth.
April 22, 2025 4:57 am
LONDON (AP) — Officials from Britain, the U.S., European nations and Ukraine are due to meet in London to push for a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. British Defense Secretary John Healey said Wednesday’s meeting will include “what a ceasefire might look like and how to secure peace in the long term.” But a plan for the talks to involve foreign ministers was scrapped at the last minute after the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unable to come because of a scheduling issue. Those attending include retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
April 22, 2025 4:56 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals have taken their first decisions following the death of Pope Francis. They have set Saturday as the date for his funeral and are allowing ordinary faithful to begin paying their final respects starting Wednesday, when his casket is brought into St. Peter’s Basilica. The cardinals met for the first time Tuesday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Francis died Monday at age 88. He was the first pope from Latin America.
