July 31, 2024 5:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the end of their two-year fight against inflation in sight, Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday are likely to set the stage for the first cut to their key interest rate in four years. That would signify a major shift in policy that could eventually lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses. Inflation has been falling steadily closer to the Fed’s 2% target for the past several months. And the job market has cooled, with the unemployment rate rising about a half-point this year to 4.1%. Financial market traders have priced in 100% odds that the Fed will reduce its benchmark rate at its Sept. 17-18 meeting, according to futures markets.
July 31, 2024 12:16 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. will pay for flu shots for farmworkers this year, a strategy to prevent bird flu from changing into something more dangerous. Dairy and poultry farms are dealing with outbreaks of bird flu, and 13 workers have picked up infections. All cases are mild and are believed to have spread directly from infected animals to people. But health officials are worried about what might happen if people are infected with bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time. It’s possible the viruses could swap gene segments, in a process that scientists call re-assortment.
July 31, 2024 5:16 am
BEIRUT (AP) — Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ supreme leader in exile who landed on Israel’s wanted list after the militant group staged its surprise Oct. 7 attacks, was killed in an airstrike in the Iranian capital early Wednesday. He was 62. Hamas said Haniyeh was killed at his residence in Tehran in an Israeli airstrike after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president. Israel has not commented on the accusation. His death makes him the latest Hamas official to be killed by Israel since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel.
July 30, 2024 5:19 am
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has extended his party’s control over the media, directly affecting informed democratic participation. Opposition politicians have long complained that they only get five minutes of air time every four years on public television, the legal minimum, to present their platforms before elections. His Fidesz party has won four consecutive two-thirds majorities in parliament, but is now facing its stiffest challenge yet from a former insider who has set up his own party. Opposition lawmakers and independent analysts say many Hungarians simply aren’t aware of corruption scandals and other abuses because they aren’t reported by media outlets loyal to Fidesz.
July 30, 2024 2:57 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Secret Service’s acting director says he considers it indefensible that the Pennsylvania roof used by the gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was unsecured. Ronald Rowe on Tuesday faulted local law enforcement for not circulating urgent information ahead of the shooting and for not adequately protecting the scene. Rowe also testified he recently visited the shooting site and said what he saw made him “ashamed.” Rowe assures lawmakers “people will be held accountable.” The Republican former president was struck in the ear by a bullet or a bullet fragment in the July 13 assassination attempt before a Secret Service counter-sniper killed the gunman.
July 30, 2024 8:54 am
LONDON (AP) — British police are questioning a suspect and working to understand what motivated a 17-year-old boy to attack children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class, leaving three dead and six in critical condition. A total of eight other children and two adults were wounded in the rampage in Southport in northwest England. Both adults and five of the children are in critical condition in local hospitals. Swift said on Instagram she was “completely in shock” and still taking in “the horror” of the event. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
July 30, 2024 4:51 am
Washington City Council will be greeted with a brief agenda on Thursday night. That does not mean the meeting will be without significant affect. On the agenda is a motion to reap the first benefit from last month’s approval of a bond refinance that extends payments by one year and frees up several hundred thousand dollars annually. The first positive outcome could be the elimination of the distressed pension tax. According to Finance Director Ken Westcott, keeping the tax could have increased pension contributions by some $300,000 this year. Also up for approval is the awarding of contracts for work needed at the 7th Ward Park and the contract for the 2024 road paving program. Council will meet Thursday night at 6:00 PM.
July 30, 2024 1:48 am
(WPXI) – A man is facing charges after leading troopers on a chase in Washington County on Monday. A Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson says troopers tried serving a federal arrest warrant on Avery Turner Jr. as he was leaving a gas station in North Strabane Township. When the troopers identified themselves, they say he ran to his car that was in the gas station parking lot and drove away, intentionally ramming an unmarked police vehicle with a Trooper inside. The spokesperson says that during the chase, Turner hit two vehicles and a telephone pole at the intersection of North Main Street and Walnut Avenue within Washington. He then got out of the car and ran because a road was closed for construction. Turner was eventually taken into custody without incident. He is facing fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, among other charges.
July 30, 2024 1:36 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania will lead a House task force charged with investigating the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. Kelly was appointed leader of the effort on Monday. Kelly was present at the Trump rally and his congressional district includes the city of Butler, where the attack occurred. The 13 lawmakers appointed to the task force by House leaders have backgrounds in law enforcement, legal affairs and the military. The lawmakers are expected to issue a final report on the attack before Dec. 13 and will have the authority to issue subpoenas as they conduct their investigation. (Photo: AP)
July 29, 2024 1:46 am
(WPXI) – Pittsburgh police are investigating alleged anti-Semitic graffiti that was left on two local synagogues. Graffiti was left on Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh sometime overnight Monday, police said. There are currently no suspects. Police are investigating, including the possibility that the vandalisms are related. Anyone with surveillance video of or anyone who sees or hears anything regarding these incidents is asked to call Zone 4 police at 412-422-6520.
