Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. CAMBODIA TRIBUNAL CONVICTS KHMER ROUGE LEADERS 35 YEARS AFTER GENOCIDAL RULE ENDED
Khieu Samphan, the regime’s 83-year-old former head of state, and Nuon Chea, its 88-year-old chief ideologue, are sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity.
2. WHO NEARS DEAL OVER MORTGAGES
Bank of America tentatively agrees to pay up between $16 billion and $17 billion — by far the largest Justice Department settlement arising from the economic meltdown.
3. ISRAEL, HAMAS HARDEN POSITIONS AS CAIRO TALKS GO ON
The temporary 72-hour truce ends early Friday and an extension has not yet been confirmed. Threats – likely tactical – of resumed hostilities are traded.
4. FINAL ARGUMENTS BEGIN IN PISTORIUS TRIAL
The prosecution says the athlete’s lawyers have floated more than one theory in a dishonest attempt to defend him against a murder charge for his girlfriend’s killing.
5. OBAMA TO SIGN $16.3B OVERHAUL OF VA
The bill is a response to reports of veterans dying while awaiting medical appointments and of a widespread practice of employees covering up long wait times.
6. WHICH NATURAL DISASTER MIGHT BE FIRST TO HIT HAWAII IN 20 YEARS
Iselle was supposed to weaken, but it didn’t. Now the islands are poised to face their first direct hurricane since 1992.
7. BUSINESS OF SURROGACY LARGELY UNREGULATED
Pairing childless, well-off couples with women in Thailand or India who agree to carry the child for money is usually a bargain that suits all concerned — until something goes wrong.
8. WHERE NEW BUILDINGS COME FROM OLD IDEAS
In Japan, a new generation of architects finds success by reinterpreting the past, pushing human-friendly alternatives to metal-and-concrete structures.
9. NEWTOWN TRAGEDY SPURS ONE FATHER TO CREATE
A renowned jazz saxophonist whose daughter died in the Connecticut school massacre is preparing an album called “Beautiful Life,” an effort to show how she lived.
10. LA PORN PERMITS DON’T GIVE ACCURATE PRODUCTION PICTURE
Industry officials say many filmmakers have gone underground following an ordinance that requires actors to wear condoms.