In rare contact, U.S. offers Russia deal for Griner, Whelan
WASHINGTON — The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for...
Woman who says she’s Charles Manson’s sister withdraws from dispute over his estate
LOS ANGELES — A woman who claimed to be Charles Manson’s sister has backed out of a dispute over the estate of the cult leader who was responsible for a string of murders across Los Angeles in 1969. L.A. County Superior Court Judge Ruben Garcia granted the withdrawal of the...
Ex-cops Kueng, Thao sentenced for violating Floyd’s rights
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced two former Minneapolis police officers who were convicted of violating George Floyd’s civil rights to lighter terms than recommended in sentencing guidelines, calling one “truly a rookie officer” and describing the other as “a good police officer, father and husband.”...
Followers of cleric enter Iraqi parliament in show of force
BAGHDAD — Hundreds of Iraqi protesters breached Baghdad’s parliament Wednesday chanting anti-Iran curses in a protest against the selection of a nominee for prime minister by Iran-backed parties. The majority of the protesters were followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The demonstrators, all of them men, were seen walking...
What are the 10 most commonly stolen cars in Pa.?
Passenger vehicle thefts in the U.S. rose 8% in 2021 compared to 2020, according to a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Almost 1 million vehicles were stolen nationwide last year, with full-size pickups accounting for 14% of the vehicles taken. “Used car values are at historical highs,”...
Big pink diamond discovered in Angola, largest in 300 years
JOHANNESBURG — A big pink diamond of 170 carats has been discovered in Angola and is claimed to be the largest such gemstone found in 300 years. Called the “Lulo Rose,” the diamond was found at the Lulo alluvial diamond mine, the mine’s owner, the Lucapa Diamond Company, announced Wednesday...
U.S. rocket system enables Ukraine to pummel key supply bridge
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian troops used American-supplied precision rocket launchers to knock out a vital bridge used by Russia to supply its forces in an occupied region of southern Ukraine, officials said Wednesday. The Antonivskyi Bridge over the Dnieper River was attacked late Tuesday, according to Kirill Stremousov, deputy head...
Sheetz, Pa. Lottery launch ‘Free Gas for a Year’ contest
OK, no one won last night’s Mega Million drawing. There’s another way to test your luck — especially if you’re feeling financial pain at the gas pump. Sheetz and the Pennsylvania Lottery have teamed up to offer a unique opportunity to give one lucky customer free gas for a year....
AR-15 style guns have brought in over $1 billion in 10 years
WASHINGTON — Gun manufacturers have made more than $1 billion from selling AR-15-style guns over the past decade, and for two companies those revenues have tripled over the past three years, according to a House investigation unveiled Wednesday. Those profits have come as the weapons have been used in mass...
Biden tests negative for covid, ends ‘strict isolation’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is ending his covid-19 isolation after testing negative for the virus on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday. That’s according to a letter the White House released Wednesday from Biden’s physician. Dr. Kevin O’Connor writes that Biden has completed his course of treatment with the...
Germany offers money to families of ’72 Olympic attack victims
BERLIN — The German government indicated Wednesday that it was willing to pay further compensation to the families of 11 Israeli athletes killed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich by a Palestinian group. Family members of the athletes have criticized the proposed amount as “insulting.” Relatives of the athletes...
Fed set to impose another big rate hike to fight inflation
WASHINGTON — With inflation at a four-decade high, the job market strong and consumers still spending, the Federal Reserve is under pressure to continue raising interest rates aggressively. When it ends its latest policy meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Fed is expected to impose a second consecutive three-quarter-point hike in its...
Griner testifies at Russia drug trial about interrogation
KHIMKI, Russia — The drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner resumed Wednesday in a Russian court with Griner testifying that a language interpreter provided during her questioning translated only a fraction of what was said. Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February. She acknowledged in court...
U.S. military making plans in case Pelosi travels to Taiwan
SYDNEY — U.S. officials say they have little fear that China would attack Nancy Pelosi’s plane if she flies to Taiwan. But the U.S. House speaker would be entering one of the world’s hottest spots, where a mishap, misstep or misunderstanding could endanger her safety. So the Pentagon is developing...
Thousands of North Carolina felons can now register and vote
RALEIGH, N.C. — Tens of thousands of people serving punishments for felony convictions in North Carolina but who aren’t behind bars can now register to vote and cast ballots following an appeals court ruling. Expanding the scope of those able to register and vote began on Wednesday, the State Board...
No Mega Millions winner; jackpot now over $1 billion
DES MOINES, Iowa — A giant Mega Millions lottery jackpot ballooned to $1.02 billion after no one matched all six numbers Tuesday night and won the top prize. The new estimated jackpot will be the nation’s fourth-largest lottery prize. The jackpot has grown so large because no one has matched...
Report: Trump effort to create fake electors enlisted Mastriano
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is using a grand jury in Washington to investigate efforts by former President Donald Trump and his inner circle to create false electors and pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter. Marc Short,...
In a first, coin bearing zodiac found off Israel’s coast
JERUSALEM — Israel’s Antiquities Authority said Monday it has discovered a rare 1,850-year-old bronze zodiac coin during an underwater survey off the coastal city of Haifa. The coin bears the image of the zodiac sign Cancer behind a depiction of the moon goddess Luna. Experts say the coin was minted...
Record rain causes heavy flooding in St. Louis area; 1 deadVideo
O’FALLON, Mo. — Record rainfall caused widespread flash flooding across the St. Louis area early Tuesday, killing one person, displacing many others and prompting rescues from vehicles and homes. One person died when a car in St. Louis was found covered in more than 8 feet of water. Several puppies...
Pa. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz indicates he’d vote yes on same-sex marriage bill
Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz said Tuesday he supports the right to same-sex marriage, making the statement as the Senate considers a vote that could codify that right into law. Several GOP lawmakers have stated support for “The Respect for Marriage Act” would codify at the federal level same-sex marriage...
Pet boa constrictor strangles owner; police investigatingVideo
FOGELSVILLE — A man’s pet boa constrictor wrapped itself around his neck, sending him to a hospital, where he died several days later, authorities in Pennsylvania said. Elliot Senseman, 27, died Sunday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, the Lehigh County coroner’s office said. The cause of death was...
New studies bolster theory coronavirus emerged from the wild
Two new studies provide more evidence that the coronavirus pandemic originated in a Wuhan, China market where live animals were sold — further bolstering the theory that the virus emerged in the wild rather than escaping from a Chinese lab. The research, published online Tuesday by the journal Science, shows...
Police: Woman who opened fire at Dallas airport shot at copVideo
DALLAS — A woman accused of firing several gunshots inside a Dallas airport faces a charge of aggravated assault of a public servant because she allegedly fired one round toward a police officer, according to an arrest warrant. The officer shot and wounded Portia Odufuwa, who was taken to a...
Drawing nears for estimated $830M Mega Millions prize
DES MOINES, Iowa — Lottery players will be gripping their tickets tightly ahead of Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing with an estimated $830 million prize on the line. The jackpot would be the nation’s fourth-largest lottery prize and the biggest in more than a year. The drawing will take place...
Western Pa. lawmaker says no to gay marriage, attends son’s same-sex wedding
HARRISBURG — A Pennsylvania representative attended the same-sex wedding of his son three days after voting against legislation to protect the recognition of same-sex marriages. Rep. Glenn Thompson, a Republican who represents a large swath of conservative northern Pennsylvania, voted against the bill brought by Democrats to the floor of...
