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UN pauses evacuations through Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A United Nations agency paused the evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after the British military said a vessel was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman following the passage of several tankers that used a route backed by the ...

Inflation gauge jumps to 3-year high

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked, a sign rising costs could pose political problems for President Donald Trump and his political party as midterm elections near. Consumer prices rose 4.1% in May from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Thursday, the largest annual increase since April 2023. On a monthly basis, inflation was 0.4% last month, matching April’s increase and down from 0.7% in March. The increase was largely driven by more expensive gas, as well as pricier semiconductors and other computer ...

Briefcase: Penn Highlands adds dental hygiene diploma

JOHNSTOWN Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the addition of a Pre-Health Professions: Dental Hygiene Diploma, a 32-credit program scheduled to begin with the Fall 2026 semester. The program was developed in direct response to regional workforce needs, offering students an affordable pathway into a high-demand healthcare field close to home. The diploma was created to serve as a dedicated pipeline into Pitt’s new Regional Training Center-Hybrid Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Track, scheduled to launch in Fall 2027. Students who complete the diploma ...

Ticker: Top Court blocks suits against Roundup maker

The Supreme Court has sided with the maker of Roundup weedkiller, blocking thousands of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn users the product could cause cancer. The decision on Thursday is a victory for the Trump administration but could complicate relations with allies who want to limit pesticide use. The court ruled that federal regulations finding a cancer link unlikely protect the company from state lawsuits. US economy expanded at solid 2.1% pace in Q1 The U.S. economy expanded at a solid and unexpected 2.1% annual pace from January through March, the Commerce Department ...

Fireworks revenue expected to reach new heights in region

Revenues for both consumer and display fireworks hit record highs in 2025 and another record-setting year is likely this year as America celebrates its 250th anniversary on July 4. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, the fireworks industry saw revenues of $2.3 billion for ...