Israel Faces New Condemnation Over Rafah Strikes

May 27, 2024 9:46 am

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel faces new condemnation over strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah that local health officials say killed at least 45 Palestinians. Some of those killed were displaced people living in tents that were engulfed by fire. Many were women and children. Israel has faced surging international criticism over its war with Hamas. Even some of its closest allies like the United States are expressing outrage at civilian deaths. Israel says it adheres to international law even as it faces scrutiny in the world’s top courts. One of those courts last week demanded that Israel halt its offensive in Rafah.

North Korea To Launch Rocket, Carrying Spy Satellite

May 27, 2024 3:58 am

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second military spy satellite by early next week. The notification of the banned launch drew quick, strong rebukes from its neighbors. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were meeting on Monday with Chinese Primer Li Qiang in Seoul for their first trilateral meeting in more than four years. The notification says the launch would be between Monday and June 3. North Korea didn’t specify what was being launched, but it has said it plans three launches of military spy satellites this year. South Korea’s military said Friday that signs of preparations to launch a spy satellite had been detected.

EU Foreign Chief Says Israel Must Respect UN Court

May 27, 2024 3:54 am

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s foreign policy chief has insisted that Israel must abide by the U.N. top court’s rulings and end its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. He also questioned the possible involvement of authorities in the settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Josep Borrell further pressured Israel to take immediate actions to make sure that tax income meant for the Palestinian authorities are no longer stopped. Borrell insisted Israel had driven the Palestinians to the edge of a catastrophe because “the situation in Gaza is beyond words. The occupied West Bank is on the brink, risking an explosion any time.”

Latest Deadly Weather In US Kills At Least 18

May 27, 2024 3:50 am

VALLEY VIEW, Texas (AP) — Powerful storms have killed at least 18 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The storms obliterated homes and destroyed a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S. Seven deaths were reported in Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado Saturday night plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park. Five people were killed in Arkansas, two in Oklahoma and one in Kentucky. Tens of thousands of residents were without power across the region.

Weather Continues To Wreak Havoc

May 27, 2024 3:44 am

Violent storms continued to tear through the Washington County area on Sunday. At approximately 3:45 PM on Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Washington County and surrounding areas. According to Washington County 9-1-1 officials, no widespread damage was reported. West Penn Power is reporting 2900 people without power in several areas. In Washington County, just under 2000 people are affected by power outages, the majority of the outages are in Centerville and West Pike Run Township. Other areas that are reporting outages have less than 100 in their areas.

PRT Continues Rail Replacement

May 27, 2024 3:42 am

PITTSBURGH —(WPXI)- Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s rail replacement project at the Willow Avenue crossing will soon switch to the outbound tracks. Currently, PRT crews are working on the inbound tracks at Willow Station. But, on May 29, they will switch sides and start replacing the outbound tracks. That work is expected to take until June 16. Riders using St. Anne, Willow, and Overbrook Junction should use the inbound platforms to travel inbound or southbound while this work is underway. PRT warns riders may experience up to 40-minute delays when operators must wait for oncoming vehicles to pass. The Red Line will continue to operate as normal from downtown to South Hills Village. Additionally, rail cars will continue to terminate at Penn Station through May 31.

Woman Dies After South Strabane Crash

May 27, 2024 2:46 am

South Strabane Township emergency responders were dispatched to an accident at the intersection of E. Beau Street and Davis School Road Sunday afternoon. At 2:00 PM a three car accident occurred. According to Washington County 9-1-1 officials, one victim was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner, that victim was 93 year old Rose Marie Gillespie. She died shortly before 5:00 PM at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.  Two other victims were transported to the hospital by ambulance. East Beau Street was closed to traffic for approximately two hours on Sunday. (photo credit: South Strabane Fire Dept. Facebook page)

Hamas Says It Fired Rockets From Gaza

May 26, 2024 7:32 am

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Rocket sirens sounded across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, for the first time in months on Sunday, as Hamas claimed to have fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza. The militants have continued to fire projectiles at communities around Gaza more than seven months into the war but have not fired longer-range rockets in months. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the latest barrage. Earlier on Sunday, aid trucks entered Gaza from southern Israel through a new agreement to bypass the Rafah crossing with Egypt after Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side of it earlier this month. But was unclear if humanitarian groups would be able to access the aid because of ongoing fighting in the area.  (Photo:  AP)

Boeing Aiming For First Astronaut Launch In June

May 26, 2024 7:29 am

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Boeing is now aiming for its first astronaut launch at the beginning of June. Officials for the company and NASA said Friday that weeks of review show that the capsule can safely fly with two test pilots, despite a propulsion system leak. The small helium leak was discovered following the first launch attempt on May 6 that was scuttled by an unrelated rocket problem. Boeing’s Starliner capsule is already years late in transporting astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA. SpaceX has been launching crews since 2020.

Memorial Day Means Big Sales For Retailers

May 26, 2024 7:28 am

(AP) – In what had long been celebrated every May 30 to honor America’s fallen soldiers, Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971, observed on the last Monday in May. Businesses increasingly have chosen to stay open on the holiday, leading to what is now one of the biggest retail sales and travel weekends of the year. Government offices, post offices and schools are closed, as is the stock market, banks and a handful of businesses. The vast majority of retailers will be open, with many trying to lure customers with big promotional sales. Hours may vary by location.