The regional bureau of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. GOP ENJOYING SOME BREATHING ROOM
Karen Handel’s victory over Democrat Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District means Republicans held all four of their seats that were up for grabs in special elections this year.
2. UBER CEO KALANICK RESIGNS UNDER PRESSURE
The ride-hailing giant is trying to reverse damage done to its reputation by revelations of sexual harassment in its offices, allegations of trade secrets theft and an investigation into efforts to mislead government regulators.
3. SAUDIS SHAKE UP MONARCHY IN PALACE INTRIGUE
King Salman appoints his 31-year-old son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince, placing him first-in-line to the throne and removing the country’s counterterrorism czar and well-known Washington figure from the royal line of succession.
4. BRUSSELS ATTACKER MOROCCAN, NOT KNOWN FOR TERROR LINKS
A federal magistrate in Belgium says the attack suspect’s bag at the central train station contained gas canisters and nails.
5. HOW IOWANS ARE VIEWING TRUMP
Independent voters who propelled the billionaire businessman to the presidency see last year’s tough-talking candidate as a thin-skinned chief executive and wish he’d show more grace.
6. EX-HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF OPINES ON RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE
Jeh Johnson says Moscow conducted cyberattacks on the U.S. to influence the presidential election, but the assault did not change ballots, the final count or the reporting of election results.
7. WHAT’S GETTING TOP BILLING IN US-CHINA TALKS
Trump is counting on Beijing to use its economic leverage with Kim Jong Un’s totalitarian government as U.S. concern grows over North Korea’s nuclear capability.
8. KUSHNER SEEKS TO REVIVE MORIBUND PEACE TALKS
Trump’s son-in-law and chief Mideast adviser is headed to the region in hopes of laying the groundwork for a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, but it could be doomed to failure as in past decades.
9. NORTHERN GULF BRACING FOR CINDY
From the Florida Panhandle to eastern Texas, all are keeping an eye on the slow-moving tropical storm, which poses a threat of “life-threatening flash flooding.”
10. MARKELLE FULTZ SET TO DON SIXERS CAP
The Philadelphia 76ers are poised to draft the Washington star with the top pick in the NBA draft, pairing him with last year’s No. 1, Ben Simmons.