Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. LEADERS SEEK RECORD $9 BILLION IN FUNDS FOR SYRIA
They are meeting in London to pledge financial assistance for millions of Syrians displaced by war — and try to slow the chaotic exodus of refugees to Europe.
2. SYRIAN REFUGEES STRUGGLE TO BUY FOOD
In a camp in northern Iraq, where jobs are scarce, a family of four gets by on one meal a day as aid dwindles.
3. DEMOCRATIC RACE SHAKEN, STIRRED
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are in a tug-of-war over who’s the best standard-bearer for progressive values.
4. SCIENTISTS WANT MORE ZIKA SAMPLES FROM BRAZIL
Four officials at the World Health Organization tell The AP that the Brazilians are starving international partners of up-to-date information.
5. WHERE ‘GAY CONVERSION’ THERAPISTS FIND SAFE HAVEN
In Israel, practitioners say their services are in demand, mostly by Orthodox Jewish men trying to reduce their same-sex attractions.
6. HOW SOME VIEW NORTH KOREA’S ROCKET PLANS
In diplomatic terms, the announced launch is yet another sign of disrespect for Pyongyang’s chief ally China.
7. CASE AGAINST BILL COSBY WILL CONTINUE
A key battle will be waged over explicit testimony the actor gave in a deposition more than a decade ago.
8. WHO MAY BE READY TO ACCEPT ARREST
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says if the U.N. finds he has lost his case against the United Kingdom and Sweden then he will turn himself into police at noon on Friday.
9. JOHNSON & JOHNSON, VIACYTE TESTING POSSIBLE DIABETES CURE
If it works as well in patients as it has in animals, it would end the need for frequent insulin injections and blood sugar testing.
10. RECRUITING CONTINUES, SEVERAL TOP 2017 QBS ALREADY COMMITTED
Any program that didn’t get its quarterback during national signing day better act soon because many of the top candidates in the class of 2017 have already made their college decisions.