Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, July 18, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. RECOVERY WORK IS UNDERWAY AT MALAYSIAN PLANE CRASH SITE
Emergency teams, policemen and off-duty coal miners are combing a sprawling area in eastern Ukraine where Flight 17 ended up in burning pieces, killing all 298 aboard, as pro-Russian rebels say they have “most” of the airliner’s recorders.
2. PLANE VICTIMS: SOME WERE EN ROUTE TO AIDS CONFERENCE
As the identity of those who perished becomes clear, an outpouring of grief follows the news that a large number of AIDS researchers and activists were on board headed to Melbourne for a 20th anniversary meeting.
3. WHAT THE CURRENT TOLL FOR ISRAEL’S GROUND OPERATION IS
Nearly 20 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in Gaza on the 11th day of the conflict as Netanyahu says the country is ready for a “significant expansion” of the offensive.
4. IN IRAQ, SYRIA, MILITANTS TRY TO GOVERN AS A STATE
Flush with cash, insurgents from the group known as the Islamic State fix roads, police traffic, and administer courts. But they also run the risk of provoking a backlash from the people they have come to rule.
5. MICROSOFT READY TO BID FAREWELL TO NOKIA X PHONES
The company said it would shift future product designs to its Lumia line of Windows phones.
6. WHO EXPANDS INFLUENCE IN U.S. BACKYARD
During overlapping visits to Latin America, the leaders of China and Russia have been welcomed with open arms by governments that are among the most hostile to Washington.
7. ARMY TO BEGIN CHELSEA MANNING’S GENDER TREATMENTS
The former intelligence analyst who leaked secret documents has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the sense of being a woman in a man’s body.
8. GETTING BAKED. AND PICKLED. AND CANDIED
Beyond the more mundane pot brownies, the proliferation of marijuana edibles for both medical and recreational purposes is giving rise to a cottage industry of baked goods, candies, infused oils and cookbooks.
9. MARK 45 YEARS SINCE MAN’S FIRST STEPS ON MOON
One way to celebrate is to follow on Twitter as the Smithsonian recreates — in 140 characters or less per tweet — the eight-day Apollo flight that took place 45 years ago.
10. WHY FIRST-ROUND LEADER AT BRITISH OPEN ISN’T RESTING EASY
Six times in his last eight tournaments, Rory McIlroy has played poorly each Friday, robbing him of a chance to win.