Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. OBAMA THRUSTS GUN CONTROL DEBATE INTO FOREFRONT OF 2016 RACE
While Republicans and Democrats are divided on the issue, both parties see the president’s executive actions as an opportunity to generate enthusiasm among primary voters.
2. IRAN PRESIDENT CRITICIZES SAUDI ARABIA OVER SEVERING TIES
Hassan Rouhani says Riyadh cannot “cover up” its crime of executing a leading Shiite cleric by breaking off diplomatic relations with Tehran, even as the kingdom’s allies begin limiting their links to his country.
3. WHY OREGON WILDLIFE REFUGE TAKEOVER CAN WAIT
The cautious approach by federal officials could stem from the fact that no one has been hurt in the faceoff, and no one’s being held hostage.
4. U.S. PACIFIC FLEET SHRINKS AS CHINA GROWS MORE AGGRESSIVE
Navy officials say vastly improved technology on those vessels outweighs any disadvantage from a drop in numbers.
5. OIL PRICES FALL EVEN WITH SPAT BETWEEN 2 BIG PRODUCERS
Some experts say the explanation lies partly in robust production from the U.S. even as relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran hit a new nadir.
6. WHO IS PROMISING TO BREAK UP BANKS
Bernie Sanders will vow to create a “too-big-to-fail” list of companies within the first 100 days of his administration whose failure would pose a grave risk to the U.S. economy.
7. CALIFORNIA MISSES MARK FOR SAVING WATER 2 MONTHS RUNNING
Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a 25 percent cutback statewide beginning in June during the state’s fourth year of drought.
8. WHAT’S BEHIND MOST AIRLINE DEATHS
There were more airline deaths worldwide due to deliberate acts in 2015 than from accidental air crashes, for the second year in a row, according to an industry tally.
9. FARADAY REVEALS SLEEK, SPORTY CONCEPT CAR IN VEGAS
The automotive future according to a new electric car maker looks an awful lot like a Corvette crossed with the Batmobile.
10. CHARGERS, RAIDERS, RAMS FILE FOR RELOCATION TO LOS ANGELES
They are trying not to be left out in the race to return the NFL to the nation’s second-largest market after a 21-year absence.
