Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. HOW OBAMA VIEWS TERROR FIGHT
He says the U.S. is not at war with Islam but with people who have perverted the religion.
2. UKRAINE REBELS CAPTURE STRATEGIC RAIL JUNCTION
The town of Debaltseve provides the rebels transportation connections that boost their regions’ capacity to function as a unified entity.
3. US WITHHOLDING DETAILS OF IRAN NUKE TALKS FROM ISRAEL
The admission by the Obama administration reflects increasingly strained ties between Washington and Jerusalem.
4. WHO’S PLEADING FOR WEAPONS
Libya asks the U.N. Security Council to lift an arms embargo so it can fight the Islamic State group as it moves closer to Europe.
5. POPE FRANCIS MARKS BEGINNING OF LENT
“We are limited creatures, sinners always in need of penitence and conversion,” the pontiff says as Catholics and other Christians prepare spiritually for Easter.
6. WHY SOME SAY THEY’LL BOYCOTT ACADEMY AWARDS
A year after a richly diverse Oscar crop, all 20 acting nominees in Sunday’s show are white.
7. BOSTONIANS FROLIC IN EPIC SNOW
But the mayor warns against some of the shenanigans — such as jumping out windows into snow piled higher than 10 feet in some spots.
8. NBC’S ‘NIGHTLY NEWS’ KEEPS RATINGS LEAD
With Lester Holt filling in for the suspended Brian Williams, the show averaged 9.43 million viewers last week, again besting ABC and CBS.
9. DR. SEUSS IS IN THE NEWS
A recently discovered manuscript by the late author with illustrations called “What Pet Should I Get” will be published this summer.
10. HOSTILE SOCCER FANS CAUGHT ON VIDEO
Authorities are investigating after Chelsea fans singing a racist song prevented a black man from boarding a subway in Paris.