Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Monday, Feb. 9, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. OBAMA AND MERKEL HOLD TALKS OVER UKRAINE
Ahead of Russian-Ukrainian dialogue in Minsk on Wednesday, the U.S. and its NATO allies want to show unity over their support for Kiev.
2. EGYPT SOCCER RIOT KILLS MORE THAN 20
The turmoil, only three years after similar violence left 74 people dead, began ahead of a match east of Cairo and raises further questions about security forces’ policing of crowds and protesters.
3. NEW ENGLAND FACES THIRD STORM IN TWO WEEKS
Winter-weary northeast braces for another round of snow, with Boston in the crosshairs for up to two feet.
4. DEMOCRATS TIE JEB BUSH TO ROMNEY
Comparisons between the former Florida governor and the 2012 GOP candidate are meant to prevent him from defining himself as a reformer.
5. SAM SMITH, BECK WIN BIG AT GRAMMYS
The 22-year-old British soul singer sweeps the music awards with three big wins for song and record of the year as well as best new artist. Beck’s “Morning Phase” is crowned best album.
6. WHICH STATE IS SET TO ALLOW GAYS TO MARRY
Alabama will become the 37th to accept same-sex couples to wed as a federal judge’s order overturning its ban goes into effect.
7. FAMILY AWAITS WORD ON HOSTAGE HELD BY THE ISLAMIC STATE
The parents of American aid worker Kayla Jean Mueller cling to hope that she is alive, days after the militant group said she died in a Jordanian airstrike.
8. WHO IS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON CAMPAIGNS
Some of the candidates running for office themselves are putting up millions of their own dollars to fund their quest for a political post.
9. MALAYSIA’S OPPOSITION LEADER AWAITS SODOMY SENTENCE
The U.S. and international human rights groups say the charges against Anwar Ibrahim, who had already been imprisoned once in the past decade, are politically motivated.
10. WHY HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING HANGS IN THE BALANCE
The department’s budget will freeze by Feb. 27 if Congress doesn’t come to an agreement over immigration matters in its annual funding bill.