Category: News

Kabul airport explosions: US troops, Afghans killed – CNN

(CNN)Twelve US service members and dozens of Afghans have been killed in two bombing attacks outside Kabul’s airport, according to the Pentagon and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health.

The deadly blasts came as the United States and other Western countries raced to complete a massive evacuation of their citizens and Afghan allies following the Taliban takeover of the country.

An official with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health told CNN on Thursday that more than 60 people were dead and 140 wounded.

Fifteen US service members were injured in addition to the 12 dead, said Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander of US Central Command.

US officials have been warning over the past week that a threat of a terror attack at the airport was becoming more acute. Earlier on Thursday local time, US diplomats in Kabul warned American citizens to “immediately” leave several gates into the airport, citing security threats.

A US defense official had also told CNN that officials were concerned by a “very specific threat stream” involving the ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan.

US officials believe the group, ISIS-K, was likely behind today’s attack but are still working to confirm its involvement, according to a senior US official and another source briefed on initial assessments. The second source told CNN it may take a few hours before US officials are able to identify the specific individuals who carried out the apparent suicide bombing.

Source: Kabul airport explosions: US troops, Afghans killed – CNN

Mystery ‘jellyfish-shaped object’ filmed ‘entering atmosphere’ over Russia

A MYSTERIOUS “jellyfish-shaped object” which suddenly appeared in the Earth’s atmosphere has stunned local Russians.

In the footage, published on YouTube by Viral Hog, the comet-like object can be seen hurtling towards the Earth as stunned onlookers revel in its beauty.

A young boy, accompanied by his friends, can be heard calling out in his native Russian as he points towards the starry sky.

He then zooms in to get a closer look at the glowing object – which is spearheaded by a shiny point.

In the video’s caption, the user explains: “My friends and I saw the movement of some object in the sky, it looked like a comet, but it flew slowly and we realized that it was some kind of rocket or flying machine.

“A little later it exploded and a pattern in the form of jellyfish was formed, we even heard some kind of sound similar on blast.”

Source: Mystery ‘jellyfish-shaped object’ filmed ‘entering atmosphere’ over Russia

Three arrested after crack cocaine, fentanyl found in Cambria County home

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Three Lower Yoder Township residents have been arrested after a search warrant led to the discovery of suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl.

Jason Michael Piurkowsky, 24, Tatyana Marie Lynn Simms, 22 and Ryan Anthony Ressler, 20 are all facing multiple drug-related offenses.

A warrant was executed on the 100 block of Peach Street. During the search, police found 12 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 6.5 grams of suspected fentanyl and 407 grams of suspected marijuana.

Police: Cambria County man breaks into home, claims it’s a government building

Police also found three firearms, including a ghost gun with no markings, according to District Attorney Greg Neugebauer.

Cambria County Detectives, the Attorney General’s Office, and Cambria County SERT executed the search warrant.

Source: Three arrested after crack cocaine, fentanyl found in Cambria County home

Source: Hempfield retiree helps fend off attack on sheriff’s deputy in emergency room | TribLIVE.com

Hempfield retiree helps fend off attack on sheriff’s deputy in emergency room | TribLIVE.com

Joseph Twigger said he didn’t think twice in the emergency room at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg this week when he saw a county jail inmate trying to grab a sheriff deputy’s gun.

Source: Recall candidates target California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his top GOP rival Larry Elder in debate – CNNPolitics

Recall candidates target California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his top GOP rival Larry Elder in debate – CNNPolitics

(CNN)As polls have tightened dramatically in recent weeks in the effort to recall Gavin Newsom, the Democratic California governor and his allies have been warning of doomsday scenarios if he is ousted on September 14 and replaced by a conservative Republican bent on unraveling the state’s progressive agenda.

But as some of the major candidates vying to replace Newsom met for a debate in Sacramento Wednesday night — where they portrayed him as ill-equipped to handle the state’s many crises — there are some early signs that rank-and-file Democrats aren’t wasting time returning their vote-by-mail ballots in their effort to stop the recall.

5 People Shot Within 24 Hours In Allegheny County – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Just within a 24-hour period, there were three shootings in Allegheny County.

A 15-year-old boy was shot in Stowe Township, a man was shot in the Hill District and two men and a woman were shot in Spring Hill outside of the Three Rivers Manor apartment complex.

Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson says he was just there Friday and residents shared their concerns about the violence. He says he’s taking a multi-pronged approach to stop the shootings.

“Which is really trying to contact HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). I just had a meeting with them yesterday to see what can be done to increase safety, to really increase community input in these locations,” said Wilson.

Wilson is also working with local intervention groups to find solutions.

“I want to keep pointing back to if we follow the bullet that was in the guns of everyone that were there, what brought them to that moment?” said Wilson.

Wilson and Councilman Corey O’Connor believe putting more funding into community programs and prevention will help save lives.

“We see this with our young people that have bright futures that we want involved in our city, that they are going to be the future leaders of our city,” said O’Connor. “I think for us, it’s more the education to those individuals to say, ‘Look, there are great opportunities here. How can we help?’”

O’Connor says the Stop the Violence initiative alone receives around $3 million in funding. The council just introduced new grants to distribute in the near future.

“If you have organizations that are working within the community as well as with our leaders down at city government to try to get to the neighborhood and to have people in the neighborhood to work with these young kids, to give them a sense of hope and that there’s other things to do out there,” said O’Connor.

O’Connor says community policing also makes a big difference. He says the police chief and officers go out in neighborhoods to connect with residents and participate in youth programs.

MORE NEWS:North Allegheny School Board Meeting Adjourned Because Some Parents Wouldn’t Wear Masks

Source: 5 People Shot Within 24 Hours In Allegheny County – CBS Pittsburgh

Castle Rock man shot at random while on vacation on Miami Beach | 9news.com

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A gunman walked into a Miami Beach restaurant and fatally shot a tourist who was protecting his 1-year-old son.

The victim’s mother identified him to NBC 6 in Miami as 21-year-old Dustin Wakefield, who was visiting the area from Castle Rock, Colorado. Lora Wakefield said that Dustin was the father of a 1-year-old boy.

Tamarius Blair David Jr. told investigators he shot Wakefield on Tuesday night because he was high on mushrooms, which made him feel empowered.

He told investigators he walked into La Cerveceria restaurant and picked Wakefield out at random. Wakefield’s family says he stood up and got between David and his son, saying “He’s only a boy.”

Police say David then shot Wakefield multiple times. David then ran from the restaurant and was captured in a nearby alley. He is charged with murder.

Source: Castle Rock man shot at random while on vacation on Miami Beach | 9news.com

Source: New Yorkers disappointed in Hochul’s answer on investigating nursing home tragedy: ‘Not good enough’ | Fox News

New Yorkers disappointed in Hochul’s answer on investigating nursing home tragedy: ‘Not good enough’ | Fox News

New Yorkers, many of whom were still grieving, were not thrilled with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s, D., answer Wednesday regarding how she plans to investigate last year’s COVID-19 nursing home tragedy and the Cuomo administration’s reported cover-up.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D., was condemned for enforcing a mandate that forced COVID patients into nursing homes last year, which critics alleged led to the staggering death toll in those facilities, and reports later revealed his administration blocked the release of the true death toll.

Hochul was asked what she would do to get to the bottom of the sweeping tragedy.

“I need to continue working to identify the principals involved in those decisions,” Hochul told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday, adding she plans to assemble a new team over the next 45 days.

CUOMO ADMIN DELIBERATELY BLOCKED RELEASE OF TRUE NURSING HOME DEATH TOLL: REPORT

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021

Truck goes off road, catches fire on Pennsylvania Turnpike

Pittsburgh —

A truck went off the road and caught fire on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Wednesday.

⚠️ EB @PA_Turnpike is now CLOSED at Allegheny Valley Exit 48. Detour: Freeport Rd to PA 910 west to PA 28 south to I-579 south to I-376 east to re-enter the #paturnpike at the Pittsburgh Interchange.⚠️ https://t.co/KcoJ0Yx9fI

— PA Turnpike Alerts (@PATurnpikeAlert) August 25, 2021

The accident happened eastbound between Exit 48 (Allegheny Valley) and Exit 57 (Pittsburgh).

The truck has the name “N2 Solutions” written on it. N2 Solutions is a nitrogen services company.

Turnpike officials say the accident is affecting the right lane and drivers should expect delays.

No additional details have been released.

Source: Truck goes off road, catches fire on Pennsylvania Turnpike

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021

Capitol Police Clear Officer Who Shot Ashli Babbitt – The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Capitol Police announced on Monday that they had cleared a lieutenant who fatally shot a rioter inside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, after an extensive investigation found that he acted lawfully and potentially saved lawmakers and aides from serious harm or death.

The department’s decision to formally close the case followed a determination in April by the Justice Department that charges against the officer were not warranted in the shooting death of Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, on Jan. 6. Ms. Babbitt was among a throng of Trump supporters that began smashing its way through the entrance to the Speaker’s Lobby, a hallway just off the House floor, while officers were evacuating lawmakers from the chamber.

According to video of the encounter, as people in the mob shattered the lobby’s glass doors, Ms. Babbitt tried to climb through a hole in the glass and a police lieutenant on the other side fired a single shot, hitting her in the left shoulder. After being taken to a hospital, she died.

“The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters,” the Capitol Police said Monday, noting lawmakers were just “steps away.”

Source: Capitol Police Clear Officer Who Shot Ashli Babbitt – The New York Times

The police officer who shot and killed Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt will reveal his identity in a Lester Holt interview

The Capitol Police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt during the January 6 riot at the US Capitol will reveal his identity in an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt airing Thursday.

“Speaking out and revealing his identity publicly for the first time, the officer will share his perspective on the events of that day, including the aftermath of the deadly insurrection and the threats he has received,” NBC News said in a press release announcing the upcoming interview.

The interview with air Thursday on “NBC Nightly News,” which is anchored by Holt. Other portions of the officer’s interview will air on other NBC News platforms, including on “TODAY” and on MSNBC.

He was formally exonerated of wrongdoing in Babbitt’s killing following an internal investigation, NBC News previously reported.

Babbitt, and Air Force veteran who was the only rioter killed by police on January 6, when the officer shot Babbitt as she sought to climb through a shattered window and enter the Speaker’s Lobby. Lawmakers were fleeing from the building just steps away.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/cop-who-killed-ashli-babbitt-identity-nbc-interview-2021-8

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021

Seth Moulton, a Democrat who is speaking the truth about Afghanistan — and President Biden – The Boston Globe

US Representative Seth Moulton is back to a familiar place in the Massachusetts congressional delegation — out there, alone, as he speaks the truth about the chaotic aftermath of President Biden’s decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.“

To say that today is anything short of a disaster would be dishonest,” Moulton said in a statement he also posted on Facebook after the Taliban took over Kabul and scenes of Afghans, desperate to leave their country, took over cable news. When Biden first went on television to defend the withdrawal and blamed the chaos on Afghans who “did not want to leave earlier,” Moulton called out that presidential excuse as “utter BS.” He also told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the hasty withdrawal could lead to more veteran suicides.

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich flew unannounced into Kabul airport in the middle of the ongoing chaotic evacuation Tuesday, stunning State Department and U.S. military personnel who had to divert resources to provide security and information to the lawmakers, U.S. officials said.

Moulton and Meijer were on the ground at the Kabul airport for several hours. That led officials to complain that they could be taking seats that would have otherwise gone to other Americans or Afghans fleeing the country, but the congressmen said in a joint statement that they made sure to leave on a flight with empty seats.

“As Members of Congress, we have a duty to provide oversight on the executive branch,’” the two said in their statement. “We conducted this visit in secret, speaking about it only after our departure, to minimize the risk and disruption to the people on the ground, and because we were there to gather information, not to grandstand.”

Source: Seth Moulton, a Democrat who is speaking the truth about Afghanistan — and President Biden – The Boston Globe

Source: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/08/24/rep-seth-moulton-visits-kabul-airport-amid-chaotic-evacuation-to-provide-oversight/

2 men, woman shot outside apartment complex in Pittsburgh neighborhood – WPXI

One of the men was shot in the leg and ribs, and officers applied a tourniquet until paramedics got there, police said. He was taken to a hospital in serious condition.

The other man was shot in his right leg and suffered a graze wound to his head, police said. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

A third victim, a 21-year-old woman, showed up at a hospital with gunshot wounds to her right leg and left arm, police said.

Police were notified of the shooting by a ShotSpotter alert, which was followed by 911 calls. No arrests have been made.

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2 men, woman shot outside apartment complex in Pittsburgh neighborhood

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Source: 2 men, woman shot outside apartment complex in Pittsburgh neighborhood – WPXI

White House Staff Are Not Required To Get Vaccinated for COVID | Snopes.com

However, a vaccine mandate for federal employees states that they have to be regularly tested for the virus if they choose not to be vaccinated.

Rating

True

About this rating

ContextAs of August 2021, employees of the White House, CDC, FDA, WHO, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, were not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. However, some of these places required regular testing and various precautions for people who did not wish to be vaccinated. Also, both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have set a deadline of early October for all workers to be vaccinated, unless they have a specific exemption.

Source: White House Staff Are Not Required To Get Vaccinated for COVID | Snopes.com

Police respond to suspicious package at Pittsburgh school – WPXI

By WPXI.com News Staff

PITTSBURGH — Officers with Pittsburgh police, the Bomb Squad, the Hazardous Materials Response Team, and the Spill Truck responded to a school in Squirrel Hill after a suspicious package was reported Tuesday.

Police said the package contained an unknown white powder and was delivered by mail on Monday to the Community Day School in the 6400 block of Forward Avenue.

The package came from outside of the country, police said, and was reported to police at 9 a.m.

Source: Police respond to suspicious package at Pittsburgh school – WPXI

Biden Delivers Remarks on Afghanistan | NBC News – YouTube

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at age 80 – CBS News

Charlie Watts, the self-effacing and unshakeable Rolling Stones drummer who helped anchor one of rock’s greatest rhythm sections and used his “day job” to support his enduring love of jazz, has died, according to his publicist. He was 80.

Watts provided the backbone of the Rolling Stones’ songs for more than half a century.

Source: Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at age 80 – CBS News

Butler police fatally shoot man who stabbed officer

BUTLER, Pa. —

A man was shot and killed by police in Butler after stabbing an officer Tuesday morning, state police said.

The incident happened in the area of the 300 block of West Jefferson Street, as the officer responded to a 911 call about a man acting erratically and jumping in and out of traffic, state police said.

No information on the officer’s condition was immediately available.

Police have not identified the man who was killed.

The investigation is ongoing. State police said they would discuss the incident at the Butler station at 10:30 a.m.

Source: Butler police fatally shoot man who stabbed officer

Source: Woman hit by motorcycle while on sidewalk in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood – WPXI

Woman hit by motorcycle while on sidewalk in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood – WPXI

By WPXI.com News Staff

PITTSBURGH — A woman was hit by a motorcycle that went off the road and onto a sidewalk in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood Monday evening.

Police said the driver of the motorcycle was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic on Fifth Avenue near South Aiken Avenue before the crash, which happened just after 6 p.m.

Officers had activated their lights and sirens to pull the motorcyclist over, but before they could even pursue or follow the bike, it jumped up onto the sidewalk and hit the woman as she was walking.

The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said. Two people who were in the area and have medical training helped her until paramedics arrived.

The man who was driving the motorcycle was taken to a hospital with jaw injuries, police said.

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August 24, 2021August 24, 2021

Pittsburgh teachers ratify contract, greatly aiding PPS’s transportation plan | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

BY ANDREW GOLDSTEIN

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

agoldstein@post-gazette.com

The Pittsburgh Public Schools district’s plan to open for in-person instruction five days a week got a major boost Monday as members of the city’s teachers union ratified a contract that includes a provision giving district officials the power to adjust school start and end times.

The issue became a flashpoint in negotiations as the district sought the ability to modify the times so that school buses could run extra routes in the morning and afternoon — providing transportation to thousands of city students who may have not had a ride to school otherwise — but the union initially fought back against the idea.

“We’re hopeful that the district is able to get many students back in their seats,” Nina Esposito-Visgitis, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said in an interview at the union offices on the South Side. “This was a very difficult part of the contract, but we’re hoping to bring lots of students back, and that this will be something that we continue to work on together.”

The contract will now go before the school board Wednesday night for final approval.

Source: Pittsburgh teachers ratify contract, greatly aiding PPS’s transportation plan | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

August 24, 2021August 24, 2021

Fauci apologizes, says he misspoke about getting COVID-19 under control in 2022

Dr. Anthony Fauci walked back his prediction Monday that it will take the United States more than one year to get control of COVID-19.

During an appearance on CNN, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser offered an apology and said he meant to say the goal is actually within reach sooner — the spring of 2022 instead of the fall of next year as he said earlier in the day — but only if people holding out on getting vaccinated decide to get the jab.

“No, Anderson, I have to apologize,” he told anchor Anderson Cooper. “When I listened to the tape, I meant to say the spring of 2022, so I did misspeak. And in the conversation with Mary Louise Kelly, she was saying, when do I think we can get some control? I said if we can get through this winter and get really the overwhelming majority of the 90 million people who have not been vaccinated, vaccinated, I hope we could start to get some good control in the spring of 2022. I didn’t mean the fall. I misspoke, my bad.”

Earlier, on NPR , Fauci made the comment about the fall of 2022. He said it was contingent on widespread vaccinations, a contentious issue lingering more than eight months after the jabs became available to the public, as the more contagious delta variant causes a new spike in cases and health officials push for booster shots.

Source: Fauci apologizes, says he misspoke about getting COVID-19 under control in 2022

Pedestrian hit by motorcycle in Pittsburgh – WPXI

By WPXI.com News Staff

PITTSBURGH — Two people were injured, including a pedestrian, after a motorcycle crash in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Monday.

The incident occurred on Fifth Avenue and South Aiken Avenue around 6:15 p.m.

Police said a motorcycle struck a pedestrian who was walking on the sidewalk. The motorcycle had been traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic just before the incident, police said.

Officers activated their lights and sirens, but before they could even pursue or follow the motorcycle, the vehicle had jumped up onto the sidewalk and struck a female pedestrian.

Source: Pedestrian hit by motorcycle in Pittsburgh – WPXI

Source: US Capitol Police says shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was ‘lawful’ – CNNPolitics

US Capitol Police says shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was ‘lawful’ – CNNPolitics

(CNN)The US Capitol Police officer who shot and killed pro-Trump rioter Ashli Babbitt on January 6 will not face any disciplinary action, the department said Monday.

“USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) determined the officer’s conduct was lawful and within Department policy, which says an officer may use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life, including the officer’s own life, or in the defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury,” the department said in a statement.

The officer will not be named, the department said, out of consideration for the officer’s safety.

“This officer and the officer’s family have been the subject of numerous credible and specific threats,” the department sad.

As Biden Faces a Political Crisis, His Party Looks On in Alarm – The New York Times

Democrats fear that if the pandemic or the situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen, their party may lose the confidence of the moderate swing voters who lifted it to victory in 2020.

Source: As Biden Faces a Political Crisis, His Party Looks On in Alarm – The New York Times

Tennessee flooding leaves 21 people dead and around 20 others missing – CNN

(CNN)At least 21 people are confirmed dead while about 20 others remain missing after severe flooding that swept through Humphreys County in Middle Tennessee, local officials said.

“We’ve experienced devastating loss of life over the last couple days,” Grant Gillespie, the police and fire chief of Waverly, Tennessee, said in a news conference Sunday evening.

Twenty of those killed in the flooding Saturday were confirmed dead within the city of Waverly, the county seat, a news release from the Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency said. One other was confirmed dead elsewhere in the county.

Local officials revised the number of missing down from an earlier count of 45. Gillespie explained the figure was high because the storm had knocked out cell service, making it difficult for people to reach their loved ones.

In a separate news conference in Nashville, Gov. Bill Lee described a “tremendous loss of life” in Waverly, with “homes washed off their foundations, cars strewn around the community.”

“It is a devastating picture of loss and heartache,” he said.

The director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said his agency had confirmed 16 fatalities but acknowledged the discrepancy with local authorities, saying it was due to the state’s validation process.

“You might see a discrepancy in numbers sometimes, what’s coming from the sheriff or what’s coming from our official reports, and it’s really just a matter of process,” Director Patrick Sheehan said. “What we know is there are a number of people still missing.”

Source: Tennessee flooding leaves 21 people dead and around 20 others missing – CNN

Deadly firefight erupts at Kabul airport as evacuation chaos continues

The administration is considering extending the deadline for the complete troop withdrawal beyond its original Aug. 31 date, Biden said Sunday.

Source: Deadly firefight erupts at Kabul airport as evacuation chaos continues

Tractor-trailer overturns, spills beams onto Route 65 in Pittsburgh – WPXI

By WPXI.com News Staff

PITTSBURGH — Route 65 southbound was closed after a tractor-trailer hauling I-beams overturned early Monday morning in Pittsburgh.

The crash happened just after 2 a.m. in the city’s Chateau neighborhood, approaching the North Shore.

A hazmat team was called because diesel fuel leaked from the truck, which rolled onto its passenger side, officials said.

The driver was able to get out of the truck’s cab and was not hurt, according to police.

Crews removed the truck from Route 65 before clearing the beams from the roadway.

Route 65 southbound reopened about 8 a.m.

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Source: Tractor-trailer overturns, spills beams onto Route 65 in Pittsburgh – WPXI