Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Thursday, March 17, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. OBAMA’S PICK FOR THE SUPREME COURT VACANCY TO START COURTESY CALLS WITH SENATORS
Judge Merrick Garland plans to visit Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy as Democrats hope to put unbearable election-year pressure on Republicans refusing to consider any Obama nominee.
2. HOW “SELF-FUNDING TRUMP” WOULD PAY FOR A GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN
The answer could be, in part, the Republican National Committee, which has resources he lacks for a general election.
3. EUROPEAN LEADERS PUSH AHEAD ON CONTESTED PLAN TO SEND MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES BACK TO TURKEY
With European unity fraying in the face of more than 1 million arrivals over the last year, Turkey is seen as the key partner to contain the influx.
4. WHERE YOU CAN VIEW THE HUMBLING LIMITS OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA
The Masik Pass ski resort has amenities including a luxury hotel, European chocolates and Heineken beer that defy U.N. efforts to bar trade in luxury items.
5. GOV. RICK SNYDER SAYS MICHIGAN AGENCY REPEATEDLY ASSURED HIM WATER FOR FLINT RIVER WAS SAFE
In prepared testimony for a House hearing, Snyder says he took immediate action finally learning of the contamination, nearly 18 months after the city began drawing its water from the Flint River.
6. SCAN OF KING TUT’S BURIAL TOMB SHOWS HIDDEN ROOMS
Analysis of the scans shows the rooms could contain metal or organic material, with one prominent researcher theorizing that the remains of Queen Nefertiti might be inside.
7. WHAT GETS ARGENTINE PRESIDENT MAURICIO MACRI ESPECIALLY RILED UP
In an interview with the AP, Macri becomes particularly animated when talking about about possibly his biggest challenge: cracking down on rampant corruption.
8. EX BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT TAKES CABINET POST SEEN AS ATTEMPT TO SHIELD HIM FROM PROSECUTION
The swearing-in ceremony for Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva comes a day after the release of tapes that a judge says show attempts to curry favor for the former president.
9. TO GAY GROUPS, NEW YORK’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY ENDS AN ERA OF EXCLUSION
The change stands to close a long chapter of controversy at the oldest U.S. celebration of Irish heritage, which will be broadcast live in Ireland and the United Kingdom for the first time.
10. WHERE A BALLET AND MUSIC SCHOOL STRUGGLES AGAIN TO SURVIVE
After enduring war, sanctions and dictatorship, Iraq’s only music and ballet school faces a funding crisis that could see it closed.
