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IRS official contradicts claims about reviews
(AP) An Internal Revenue Service supervisor in Washington says she was personally involved in scrutinizing some of the earliest applications from tea party groups seeking...
Chinese activist says he's being forced out by NYU
3:39am
(AP) Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, who was...
HK's Li buys Dutch waste company for 944M euros
3:39am
(AP) Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is buying a...
Talk of no-fly zone in Syria recalls Iraq effort
3:39am
(AP) The Obama administration, trying to avoid getting...
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Inspector in Philly building collapse commits suicide
Jun 14
Ronald Wagenhoffer had signed off on demolition work underway at Philadelphia site after getting complaints about the site from the public.
National Wire
NC Sen. Hagan facing powerful GOP force in 2014
Jun 17
(AP) Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan of North Carolina rode President Barack Obama's coattails in 2008, winning a seat Republicans had held for nearly four decades.
World looks to Bernanke to clarify stimulus plans
Jun 17
(AP) Is the era of ultra-low interest rates nearing an end?
UK's Cameron rallies world leaders to N.Ireland
Jun 17
(AP) British Prime Minister David Cameron says leaders gathering Monday for the G-8 summit in Northern Ireland should reach speedy agreement on trade and tax reforms, and...
UK's Cameron rallies world leaders to NIreland
Jun 17
(AP) British Prime Minister David Cameron says leaders gathering for the G-8 summit in Northern Ireland should reach speedy agreement on trade and tax reforms and draw...
Asian stocks higher on hopes US will keep stimulus
Jun 17
(AP) Asian stocks edged up Monday amid hopes that the U.S. Federal Reserve will put off plans to wind down its stimulus program.
Mountain Post, Back Mountain split twinbill
Jun 16
DALLAS — Mountain Post A gutted out a ninth-inning victory and Back Mountain answered with a two-hitter as the senior legion squads split a doubleheader on Sunday at Misericordia.
'Man of Steel' takes flight with $125M debut
Jun 16
Superman redo also took record for June's biggest opening away from “Toy Story 3.”
LOS ANGELES — “Man of Steel” leaped over box office expectations in a single weekend.
Venerable 'Days of Lives' wins Daytime Emmy drama series
Jun 16
Soap that started in 1965 wins for only 2nd time. Davidson, Tom take lead actor nods.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — “Days of Our Lives” won drama series honors for just the second time in 40 years at the Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
G8 facing uncertain recoveries
Jun 16
Officials from Group of Eight economies gathering today and Tuesday for summit
ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland — Europe is mired in debt and recession. Financial markets have hit violent ups and downs on fears that U.S. stimulus efforts may soon be scaled back. Japan is finally looking up after years of stagnation — but it remains an open...
Philharmonic Season Finale Tapas Brunch
Jun 16
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic held the fundraiser Season Finale Tapas Brunch June 9 at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Plains Township. Lizzy Kuna of Pittston, left, and Mina Hailstone of Forty Fort were there.
D.C. IRS supervisor scrutinized tea party cases
Jun 16
Paz provided no evidence senior IRS officials or anyone in administration involved.
WASHINGTON — An Internal Revenue Service supervisor in Washington says she was personally involved in scrutinizing some of the earliest applications from tea party groups seeking tax-exempt status, including some requests that languished for more than a year...
Hospital to offer hand transplants for children
Jun 16
Face transplants and other more radical surgeries are likely to follow, doctors say.
A Boston hospital is starting the world's first hand transplant program for children, and doctors say it won't be long until face transplants and other radical operations to improve appearance and quality of life are offered to kids, too.
In brief
Jun 16
BEIRUTBlast in embassy areaSyrian state TV and residents said Sunday an explosion shook a Damascus neighborhood that houses several embassies and a military airport.
Iranian moderate could hinder Israel
Jun 16
Leaders welcome change but still warn that the world should not be fooled.
JERUSALEM — The surprising victory of a reformist candidate in Iran's presidential election has put Israel in a difficult position as it tries to halt the Iranian nuclear program: With Hasan Rowhani likely to enjoy an international honeymoon, Israel could...
Suit states park service ignored own power line project findings
Jun 16
Environmental groups say agency looked the other way to get $66 million package.
The National Park Service ignored its own findings that construction of a massive power line across federal lands near Bushkill would cause serious adverse environmental impacts, so that it could accept $66 million in “mitigation,” an environmental coalition...
Officials back secret surveillance
Jun 16
Those interviewed maintain operations were essential in disrupting terrorist plots.
WASHINGTON — Current and former top U.S. officials on Sunday defended the government's collection of phone and Internet data after new revelations about the secret surveillance programs, saying the operations were essential in disrupting terrorist plots and...
4 1/2 Things You Need To Know This Week
Jun 16
>> SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE: If you're walking down the street this Friday, take a look at the guy next to you. Don't breathe heavy and stare or he'll think you're weird. Just stop, calmly extend your hand and shake his. (Make sure you...
Bite mark evidence derided as unreliable in court
Jun 16
DNA better than bite mark analysis in many cases, and the FBI doesn't use it.
At least 24 men convicted or charged with murder or rape based on bite marks on the flesh of victims have been exonerated since 2000, many after spending more than a decade in prison. Now a judge's ruling later this month in New York could help end the practice for...
Former Dispatch editor/publisher dies
Jun 16
John Watson remembered as skilled writer, avid golfer and political force at paper.
John Watson, the former editor and publisher of Pittston's Sunday Dispatch, has died, his brother, Bill Watson, said.
Financial software on mind of Griffith
Jun 16
Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith said he has scheduled a meeting with county officials today to discuss his concerns about the upcoming implementation of a new financial software system.
Greater Pittston church tour focuses on works of art
Jun 16
Event organizer Jan Lokuta said this year the tour will focus on the way the church inspires the creation of art.
PITTSTON — The 8th Annual Tour of Historic Churches of Greater Pittston, which will visit St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church and the Italian Christian Church, is set for Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.
Police blotter
Jun 16
WILKES-BARRE — City police reported the following:• The Turkey Hill convenience store on Carey Avenue was robbed around 2:45 a.m. Saturday.
Summer food plan for kids returns
Jun 16
Food-n-Fun @ the Park program offers free lunch and snacks and supervised play.
WILKES-BARRE —The Wilkes-Barre YMCA, in partnership with the city of Wilkes-Barre, the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department and the Commission on Economic Opportunity, will offer its free Food-n-Fun @ the Park Program for the third year so fewer kids and teens go...
Dedicating their lives
Jun 16
Virtues of marriage stressed during special Mass
SCRANTON – On Sunday afternoon, 230 couples and their families celebrated their 25th and 50th anniversaries with a wedding anniversary celebration Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral.
Sandusky PSU fallout lingers a year later
Jun 16
Two trustees made case this month that university has already made major progress. in child safety, internal governance.
HARRISBURG — In the year since eight young men took the stand to testify they were sexually abused by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, the scandal has played out in the courts, in the halls of the university and in continuing debate about...
In brief
Jun 16
KINGSTON TWP.Assault leads to hospitalizationA Shavertown man was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after an alleged assault by a neighbor.
Obama chooses lawyer as Guantanamo closure envoy
Jun 16
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has chosen a high-powered Washington lawyer with extensive experience in all three branches of the government to be the State Department's special envoy for closing down the military-run prison at the Guantanamo Bay...
Davidson, Tom win lead acting Daytime Emmys
Jun 16
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Doug Davidson of “The Young and the Restless” and Heather Tom of “The Bold and the Beautiful” won lead acting honors at the Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
Turkey unrest goes on despite end to park protest
Jun 16
(AP) Riot police cordoned off streets, set up roadblocks and fired tear gas and water cannon to prevent anti-government protesters from converging on Istanbul's central...
US judge in Microsoft antitrust case dies at 76
Jun 16
WASHINGTON (AP) — Thomas Penfield Jackson, who as a federal judge in Washington presided over a historic Microsoft antitrust case and the drug possession trial of former Mayor Marion Barry, has died.
G-8 meeting will test NSA leaks' effect on US influence
Jun 16
WASHINGTON — On the surface, President Barack Obama would seem to have a strong hand as he heads to the annual Group of 8 economic summit. Instead, the meetings Monday and Tuesday seem set to provide the first test of how much his administration's...
IRS supervisor in DC scrutinized tea party cases
Jun 16
WASHINGTON (AP) — An Internal Revenue Service supervisor in Washington says she was personally involved in scrutinizing some of the earliest applications from tea party groups seeking tax-exempt status, including some requests that languished for more than a year...
Graham: Without immigration, GOP to fail in 2016
Jun 16
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are “in a demographic death spiral” and will fail in their effort to win the presidency if the party blocks an immigration overhaul, a leading GOP senator said Sunday.
Jet with President GW Bush makes emergency landing
Jun 16
DALLAS (AP) — A private jet that had former President George W. Bush on board made an emergency landing after the smell of smoke was reported in the cockpit.
Beauty queens vie for Miss USA crown in Las Vegas
Jun 16
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A group of 51 beauty queens from every U.S. state and the District of Columbia are preparing to smile and strut their way toward the 62nd Miss USA title.
Jesse Jackson Jr.'s lawyers say he wouldn't get good care in prison
Jun 16
WASHINGTON — Lawyers for former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who awaits sentencing July 3, say he needs ongoing mental health treatment for a mood disorder and assert that he is unlikely to get suitable care if sent to prison.


























