The regional bureau of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. WHAT TOOK BEST PICTURE AT OSCARS
In an upset, the segregation-era road-trip drama “Green Book” is crowned top film at the 91st Academy Awards. Not everyone, notably Spike Lee among others, was happy with the result.
2. TRUMP REFRAMES SUMMIT EXPECTATIONS
The U.S. president lowers expectations for North Korea’s denuclearization while eager to declare a flashy victory to offset the political turmoil he faces at home.
3. DENUCLEARIZATION STILL AN ELUSIVE TARGET
The issue of a declaration and verification from Pyongyang will likely eventually become a major sticking point in future negotiations as it did in past nuclear diplomacy.
4. US, VENEZUELA OPPOSITION SEEK TO OUST MADURO
Vice President Mike Pence travels to Bogota to meet with members of a regional coalition and Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at forcing out the embattled president.
5. R. KELLY REMAINS JAILED
Confidants for the 52-year-old R&B star are making arrangements to pay the $100,000 bail needed to free him as he awaits trial for aggravated sexual abuse.
6. WHO WILL PUBLICLY OPPOSE TRUMP ON NATIONAL EMERGENCY
A group of former national security officials is set to release a statement arguing that there is no justification for the president to use such a declaration to fund a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
7. SUPREME COURT DECIDING FATE OF CROSS-SHAPED MEMORIAL
At issue is whether a 40-foot-tall concrete cross at a highway median in Maryland violates the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
8. TOP HOUSE DEMOCRAT PRESSURING NEW AG BARR
Rep. Adam Schiff threatens to call Robert Mueller to testify, subpoena documents and sue the Trump administration if the full report on the special counsel’s Russia investigation is not made public.
9. MARKETS CHEER TARIFF DELAY
Trump’s decision to extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports raises cautious optimism in China and boosts share prices across Asia.
10. SERENA WILLIAMS CARTOON DEEMED NOT RACIST
A media watchdog in Australia rules there was no breach of its standards in a cartoon of the tennis star which attracted global condemnation.
