Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. PUTIN APPROVES DRAFT BILL FOR ANNEXATION OF CRIMEA
The action by Russia’s president means it is one step closer to formally taking over the Black Sea peninsula, which voted to secede from Ukraine.
2. CHINA FINDS NO TERROR LINK TO ITS NATIONALS ON JET
The remarks will dampen speculation that Uighur separatists in Xinjiang province may have been involved with the disappearance of the Boeing 777.
3. WHAT ILLINOIS VOTERS ARE UP TO
They’ll choose a Republican to try to win back the governor’s office in a race that already has drawn intense interest from labor unions.
4. `I FAILED HER AS A LEADER’
That’s what Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair says of his treatment of a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct. Sinclair pleaded guilty to lesser charges and awaits sentencing.
5. VP IN EUROPE TO SEND SIGNAL TO RUSSIA
Biden plans to meet with leaders of Poland and the Baltic states to show U.S. support for NATO members.
6. WHAT TOURISTS DO THAT MAY SURPRISE YOU
Visitors to New York City have more than Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building on their itineraries. Some just want to observe one of the nation’s busiest courts in action.
7. AMERICANS STILL SEEK SERIOUS NEWS
An AP-NORC poll finds people nibbling from a reporting buffet spread across traditional media and social networks.
8. WHAT CHRIS BROWN SAID TO KEEP HIM LOCKED UP
The Grammy-winning R&B singer will remain in jail after a judge says he was told Brown made comments in rehab about being good at using guns and knives.
9. MICK JAGGER’S GIRLFRIEND FOUND DEAD IN NYC APARTMENT
Fashion designer L’Wren Scott, who met the Rolling Stones frontman in 2001, died in what police are investigating as an apparent suicide.
10. MARCH MADNESS GETS EARLY START
Albany (N.Y.) meets Mount St. Mary’s and N.C. State faces Xavier as play-in games get underway for the NCAA tournament.
