Apple Unveils High-Tech Virtual Reality Headset

June 5, 2023 5:55 pm

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple has unveiled a long-rumored headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter’s ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public’s imagination. After years of speculation, Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday hailed the arrival of the sleek goggles — dubbed “Vision Pro” — at the the company’s annual developers conference held on a park-like campus in Cupertino, California, that Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs helped design. The Vision Pro will sell for $3,500 when it comes out early next year, a price likely to limit its appeal.  (Photo:  ABC)

Former FBI Agent Convicted Of Spying Dies In Jail

June 5, 2023 5:54 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI agent convicted in one of the most notorious spying cases in American history has died in prison. Robert Hanssen took more than $1.4 million in cash and diamonds to trade secrets with Moscow. Prison officials say Hanssen was found unresponsive in his cell at a federal prison in Florence, Colorado. He is believed to have died of natural causes. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of Hanssen’s death and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. He had been serving a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole since 2002.

U.S. Releases Video Of Close-Call In Taiwan Strait

June 5, 2023 9:59 am

BANGKOK (AP) — The United States military has released video of what it called an “unsafe” Chinese maneuver in the Taiwan Strait on the weekend, in which a Chinese navy ship cut sharply across the path of an American destroyer, forcing the U.S. vessel to slow to avoid a collision. The incident occurred Saturday as the American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal were conducting a so-called “freedom of navigation” transit of the strait between Taiwan and mainland China. The video released Monday shows the Chinese ship cutting across the course of the American one. It came on a day when both U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu were in Singapore for an annual defense conference.

One Dead & Two Injured In Two Vehicle I-70 Crash

June 5, 2023 7:40 am

State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash late Sunday along Interstate 70 that left a man dead, and two others injured.  Troopers say it happened just before 11 p.m in the eastbound lanes near the Jessop Place exit.  A vehicle driven by 67 year old Thomas McCluskey of McDonald struck the other vehicle, which was also traveling eastbound, causing both to spin-out and strike the concrete median.  He was transported to Washington Hospital where he died. A passenger in his vehicle, identified as 62-year-old Alice Eiszler of Bridgeville was not injured. The driver of the other vehicle, 28-year-old Jennifer Piersol of Bridgeville and a 1-year old passenger where both transported to Washington Hospital but there is no word on the severity of their injuries. State Police say they continue to investigate.

Transgender Adults In Florida ‘Blindsided’

June 5, 2023 5:09 am

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A new Florida law banning gender-affirming care for minors is getting a lot of attention nationally as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis runs for president, but it’s also impacting transgender adults. Children were the main focus of debate and coverage of the new law that DeSantis signed last month. However, it also includes restrictions on adult care. That’s creating chaos for patients and providers in the state with what’s estimated to be the nation’s second-highest transgender population. Patients now have to be treated face-to-face by a medical doctor. Those restrictions have proved particularly onerous because many trans adults were seeing nurse practitioners and using tele-health.

Mystery Of Private Plane Crash Deepens

June 5, 2023 5:08 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The pilot of the business jet that flew over Washington and crashed in Virginia appeared to be slumped over and unresponsive, the fighter jet pilots reported, according to two US officials briefed on the matter. The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the military operation and spoke on condition of anonymity. Authorities say four people were killed in the crash in a remote part of Virginia Sunday. The identities of the four people weren’t immediately released. Federal investigators say it will take a few days to solve the mystery of why the plane veered off course and slammed into a mountain.

Russia Claims It Thwarted Ukrainian Attacks

June 5, 2023 5:06 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian officials say their forces thwarted large Ukrainian attacks in two provinces of Ukraine illegally annexed by Moscow. Ukraine didn’t confirm the attacks, making it unclear whether they marked the start of an anticipated counteroffensive. Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a rare early morning video released Monday that its forces pushed back a “large scale” assault Sunday at five points in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province. A ministry spokesman said 250 Ukrainian personnel were killed. A Moscow-installed official in southeast Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia province says Kyiv’s forces also attempted to breach Russian defenses there but were repelled after advancing less than a quarter-mile. The Ukrainian military suggested the Russian reports were part of a misinformation campaign.

Trooper Shoots & Kills Man During Illegal Street Racing

June 5, 2023 5:03 am

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Authorities say a state trooper shot and killed a man whose vehicle struck two troopers as law enforcement tried to get control of an illegal early morning street racing gathering on a Philadelphia interstate. State police say troopers were called to I-95 in the Penn’s Landing area shortly before 3:30 a.m. Sunday where “numerous vehicles and pedestrians” were illegally blocking the highway. One vehicle didn’t stop and struck two troopers, and a trooper shot and killed the 18-year-old driver. State police and the city’s district attorney are investigating. Officials say the street racing gathering was one of several that took place in the city overnight.

Fatal Crash In Fayette County

June 5, 2023 4:59 am

MENALLEN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man died after the car he was driving lost control and crashed into a gas station sign in Menallen Township, Fayette County. According to Pennsylvania State Police, the crash happened near 7902 National Pike at 10:40 p.m. Saturday. The 28-year-old driver was traveling west on Route 40 when he sped through the intersection at Northgate Highway. The car left the westbound lane onto the raised median in the center of the road, officials said. The car lost control and merged into the eastbound lane while still going west. It went off the roadway and hit the Kwik Fill sign, where the car came to a final stop. The driver was unrestrained and had to be extricated from the car. He was taken to Uniontown Hospital in critical condition where he later died.

Scenery Hill Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash

June 5, 2023 4:56 am

AMWELL TOWNSHIP, Pa. – (WPXI) – A Scenery Hill man is dead after the motorcycle he was driving crashed into the side of a semi-truck in Amwell Township. According to the Washington County Office of the Coroner, Joseph Smetanka Jr., 60, was driving his motorcycle on Route 40 when he crashed into a tractor trailer that was turning left into the westbound lane on Route 40 near 10 Anderson Drive. The crash happened at around 9:39 p.m. Saturday. Smetanka was pronounced dead about an hour after the crash. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. The crash is being investigated by Pennsylvania State Police.