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5 killed attempting to rescue swimmer

National News

POWELL, Ohio — Five people have died on a river in Ohio after several of them went into the water to help another person who was struggling to swim, authorities said Monday. A motorist called 911 after spotting a frightened child with the group who was running along a nearby road to seek help, Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said at a news conference Monday. The group had gathered Sunday along the Scioto River in the Columbus suburb of Powell when one of them went into the river for a swim. “And that’s when the tragedy started to occur,” Balzer said, adding others who ...

Ebola death numbers reach at least 930

International News

BUNIA, Congo — The death toll in Congo’s Ebola outbreak has risen to at least 930, the country’s Ministry of Health said on Monday, with 37 new deaths reported in a 24-hour span Friday into Saturday, one of the highest totals. The deaths were recorded out of the 2,344 cases confirmed as of Saturday, the health ministry said. The Ebola outbreak that was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, and there is no approved vaccine or ...

Ukraine opens fire on Moscow

International News

Ukraine fired more than 400 drones toward Moscow in its latest major attack on the Russian capital, the city’s mayor said Monday. The blitz came hours after Russia bombarded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles in a relentless cycle of tit-for-tat strikes that make a settlement to end Moscow’s more than 4-year-old all-out invasion appear a distant possibility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said he would hold “key talks” Monday as he tries to defuse a domestic political crisis, after last week’s government reshuffle exposed a deep ...

Paramount, Warner must halt merger

Local Business

NEW YORK — A federal judge on Monday ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to halt their $81 billion merger for at least two weeks, allowing states that are challenging the deal more time to see their case through in court. Twelve states, led by California, sued to block Paramount’s pending buyout of Warner last week — alleging that such a combination would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers across the U.S. The states’ top prosecutors called on Warner and Paramount to not close ...

Briefcase: Backpack giveaway returns

Local Business

For the 14th consecutive year, more than 140,000 students and families across the U.S. will receive a much-needed gift heading into back-to-school season. Round Room LLC, one of the country’s largest Verizon authorized retailers, is continuing its commitment to the communities it serves by giving away more than $3 million worth of free backpacks at its stores. “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” takes place on Sunday at 1 p.m. at participating TCC and Wireless Zone stores. Local participating stores include: 5580 Goods Lane Suite 1067 in Altoona, 300 Walmart Drive, Suite 140 in ...