Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. MISSOURI MOVES TO DEFUSE TENSION OVER KILLING OF UNARMED BLACK TEEN
County police in riot gear and armored tanks give way to state troopers walking side-by-side in solidarity with thousands of protesters in a St. Louis suburb and a peaceful night passes.
2. UKRAINE: INSPECTORS CHECKING RUSSIAN AID CONVOY
The development seems to be a sign that the two countries are taking steps to ease mounting tensions over the shipment.
3. WHAT PONTIFF IS URGING YOUTH TO DO
Pope Francis implores young Catholics to renounce the materialism that afflicts much of Asian society and reject “inhuman” economic systems that disenfranchise the poor.
4. AL-MALIKI STEPPING DOWN AS IRAQ’S PRIME MINISTER
His decision ends a political deadlock that plunged the country into uncertainty as it fights Islamic State militants.
5. ROBIN WILLIAMS HAD PARKINSON’S DISEASE, WIFE SAYS
The diagnosis was yet another challenge for the Oscar winner, along with depression, anxiety and his decades-long struggle to stay sober.
6. UNLIKELY SOURCE MAY HELP IN EBOLA FIGHT
Scientists are pursuing an experimental way to extract drugs from tobacco plants in the fight against the virus that has killed more than 1,000 in West Africa.
7. AMISH GIRLS SAFE AFTER APPARENT ABDUCTION
The girls turned up 13 miles from where they disappeared from their family’s northern New York roadside farm stand, authorities say.
8.BITTERSWEET BIRTHDAY FOR PANAMA CANAL
The famous waterway turns 100 and is marred by doubts about the country’s ability to harness the full benefits of a multibillion-dollar expansion.
9. CANDLESTICK PARK GOES OUT ROCKIN’
A concert by Paul McCartney closes the storied venue that was home to the San Francisco 49ers and Giants.
10. WHO’S FOLLOWING BUD SELIG AS BASEBALL COMMISSIONER
His second-in-command, Rob Manfred, is elected by team owners to take over when Selig retires in January.
