Clearing Gaza’s surface of bombs will take up to 30 years, aid group says
GENEVA — Clearing the surface of Gaza of unexploded ordnance will likely take between 20 to 30 years, according to an official with aid group Humanity & Inclusion, describing the enclave as a “horrific, unmapped minefield.” More than 53 people have been killed and hundreds injured by lethal remnants from...
Gallery: Photos from Oct. 23, 2025
Take a trip through Western Pennsylvania — and beyond! Join TribLive’s photo adventure, where every snapshot tells a story. From the rolling hills and rustic charm of Western Pa. to far-flung corners of the world, this collection captures the little sparks of humanity that connect us all. Think of it...
Senate to vote on paying ‘essential’ workers as shutdown hits Day 23
WASHINGTON ‒ The Senate is set to vote Thursday on a Republican-backed bill to pay some federal workers who are working through the government shutdown as the shutdown rolls into Day 23. The bill, known as the Shutdown Fairness Act and sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, would pay employees...
How Trump is demolishing the White House East Wing for his new ballroom
Workers have demolished much of the 83-year-old East Wing in preparation for President Donald Trump’s planned $250 million ballroom at the White House. Demolition work began without prior public notice on Oct. 20, when workers took down the entrance to the East Wing. Dismantling continued the next day when much...
Trump waltzes into ballroom controversy with ‘2 geniuses’ and an East Wing demolition
WASHINGTON - Standing at a podium last week in the East Room, President Donald Trump talked about two men who had advised him about zoning permits for his long-desired White House ballroom. At that Oct. 15 dinner, ordered up to thank private donors to the project, America’s 45th and 47th...
6 vie for 4 seats on Youngwood council
Six people are running for four spots on Youngwood council — including three incumbents, two newcomers and one who has filled in for a vacant seat on the board for about four months. Managing borough finances, replacing public works equipment, updating stormwater infrastructure, fostering community and addressing blighted properties are...
Penn-Trafford freshman installs ‘Kindness Rock Garden’ at Children’s Home
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh holds a special place in Penn-Trafford freshman Amelia Montenary’s heart. Her 8-year-old sister, Lucy, diagnosed with Trisomy 18 as a baby, has spent much of her life in the Bloomfield care facility. Also known as Edwards Syndrome, Trisomy 18 is a rare genetic condition that...
Fetterman, McCormick back Senate-rejected plan to pay some federal workers during shutdown
Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators — Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman — voted Thursday to pay some federal workers during the government shutdown, but the GOP measure failed to get enough support in the Senate. Democrats tried to push through a measure of their own that would have paid...
Trump expected to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next month
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing for a visit to the United States by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next month, in what could be the first state visit to the U.S. by a foreign leader in Trump’s second term, according to several people familiar with the...
Author Michael Wolff sues Melania Trump, saying she threatened $1B suit over Epstein-related claims
NEW YORK — Author Michael Wolff claims in a lawsuit that First Lady Melania Trump threatened to sue him for over $1 billion in damages if he didn’t retract Jeffrey Epstein -related statements he recently made about her. Wolff sought unspecified damages in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in state Supreme...
U.S. hits $38 trillion in debt, after the fastest accumulation of $1 trillion outside of the pandemic
WASHINGTON — In the midst of a federal government shutdown, the U.S. government’s gross national debt surpassed $38 trillion Wednesday, a record number that highlights the accelerating accumulation of debt on America’s balance sheet. It’s also the fastest accumulation of a trillion dollars in debt outside of the covid-19 pandemic...
U.S. puts sanctions on 2 Russian oil companies as Moscow holds nuclear drills
The United States hit Russia’s major oil companies with sanctions on Wednesday and accused the Russians of a lack of commitment toward ending the war in Ukraine, as Moscow conducted a major training exercise involving nuclear arms. The new sanctions were introduced one day after plans for a summit between...
Covid-19 vaccines may help some cancer patients fight tumors
WASHINGTON — The most widely used covid-19 vaccines may offer a surprise benefit for some cancer patients — revving up their immune systems to help fight tumors. People with advanced lung or skin cancer who were taking certain immunotherapy drugs lived substantially longer if they also got a Pfizer or...
University of Virginia strikes deal to pause Trump administration investigations
WASHINGTON — The University of Virginia has agreed to abide by White House guidance forbidding discrimination in admissions and hiring, becoming the latest in a growing list of campuses striking deals with the Trump administration as it tries to pause months of scrutiny brought by the U.S. Justice Department. The...
In a sudden change of plans, Trump to demolish White House East Wing entirelyVideo
WASHINGTON — The White House’s East Wing is history. A White House spokesperson confirmed to USA Today that the “entirety” of the East Wing, which traditionally houses the first lady’s offices, will be undergoing “modernization and renovation” as a new ballroom is built, in a stark reversal of earlier plans....
Louvre museum heist becomes trend, memes on social media platforms
Just days ago, thieves pulled off a stunning heist at the Louvre in Paris, stealing historic jewelry valued at an estimated 88 million euros. The robbery occurred Sunday when hooded assailants broke through a second-floor window using a stolen movers’ lift before making off with jewels from the royal collection,...
North Carolina adopts new Trump-backed U.S. House districts aimed at gaining Republican seat
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Republican legislative leaders completed their remapping of the state’s U.S. House districts on Wednesday, intent on picking up one more seat for President Donald Trump’s push to retain GOP control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections. The boundaries approved by the state House aim to...
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner says tattoo recognized as Nazi symbol has been covered
PORTLAND, Maine — His U.S. Senate campaign under fire, Maine Democrat Graham Platner said Wednesday that a tattoo on his chest has been covered to no longer reflect an image widely recognized as a Nazi symbol. The first-time political candidate said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007,...
U.S. strikes another alleged drug boat — this time off the coast of Colombia
MEXICO CITY — The United States has struck an eighth alleged drug vessel, this time in the Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday. Hegseth said the airstrike in the eastern Pacific killed two people, bringing the death toll in the recent string of U.S. military attacks on alleged...
Gallery: Photos from Oct. 22, 2025
Take a trip through Western Pennsylvania — and beyond! Join TribLive’s photo adventure, where every snapshot tells a story. From the rolling hills and rustic charm of Western Pa. to far-flung corners of the world, this collection captures the little sparks of humanity that connect us all. Think of it...
Pa. Senate passes bill to allow Pennsylvania lottery winners to remain anonymous
The state Senate passed a bill on Monday that would allow Pennsylvania lottery winners to remain anonymous when collecting a prize of $100,000 or more. The bill, introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, cleared the state Senate unanimously shortly after its unopposed approval by...
A family health insurance plan now costs nearly $27,000. Why is insurance so expensive?
If it seems like your health insurance bill is rising faster than your paycheck, you’re not mistaken. The average cost for a family health insurance plan offered through the workplace was $26,993 in 2025, an increase of 6% from a year ago, according to the annual employer health benefits survey...
Government shutdown: Jeff Merkley gives marathon speech; latest Senate vote
WASHINGTON – A showdown is brewing on Capitol Hill. A Democratic senator took the floor all night to protest President Donald Trump’s administration, leaving a vote on the government shutdown up in the air as it entered its third week and is now the second longest in history at 22...
Louvre reopens after heist, as backlash grows over security flaws
PARIS — The Louvre in Paris reopened on Wednesday, three days after thieves made off with historic jewelry worth an estimated $88 million euros in a spectacular heist that has raised urgent questions over security lapses at the museum. Visitors queued to enter through the Louvre’s glass pyramid for the...
Most Americans support U.S. recognition of Palestinian state, Reuters/Ipsos poll shows
WASHINGTON — Most Americans — including 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans — think the U.S. should recognize Palestinian statehood, a sign that President Donald Trump’s opposition to doing so is out of step with public opinion, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The six-day poll, which closed Monday, found 59%...
