Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. ISLAMIC STATE ISSUES VIDEO ULTIMATUM TO JAPAN
The terrorist group threatens to kill two Japanese hostages if Tokyo doesn’t pay $200 million in ransom within 72 hours; Prime Minister Abe vows to save them.
2. OBAMA SPEECH SEEKS TO INFLUENCE 2016 DEBATE
The president’s State of the Union address will highlight income inequality and middle-class economic issues to put them on the agenda for the next election.
3. OHIO HIGHWAY OVERPASS COLLAPSE KILLS ONE PERSON
The stretch of interstate 75 was undergoing demolition when it collapsed over traffic below.
4. COLORADO SHOOTING CASE GOES TO COURT
The trial of James Holmes who admitted to killing 12 people in a movie theater will provide a rare glimpse into the mind of a mass shooter.
5. U.S. DELEGATION HEADED TO CUBA
The Obama administration says it has clear yet modest objectives for the first high-level normalization talks between the two nations.
6. WHY THE IMF IS LOWERING ITS GLOBAL GROWTH FORECAST
The international organization says weakness in major economies, including China’s, will trump gains from low oil prices.
7. WHERE CROSS-DRESSERS DANCE DESPITE THE FEAR
In conservative Pakistan, transgendered and cross-dressing men entertain at weddings and parties to make a living in spite of harassment and abuse.
8. POPE REAFFIRMS CHURCH’S CONTRACEPTION BAN
At the same time, he says it’s not true that to be a good Catholic “you have to be like rabbits.”
9. WHO’S UNDER NFL SCRUTINY
The league is looking into whether the Patriots deflated footballs that were used during their win over Indianapolis in the AFC title game.
10. NATIONALS GET MAX SCHERZER FOR SEVEN YEARS, $210 MILLION
The deal makes the 30-year-old the richest right-handed pitcher in the major leagues.
