Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. RUSSIA’S GAINS CLOUD OBAMA’S ASSURANCES TO BALTICS
The president’s efforts to convince former Soviet republics of his ironclad commitment to their security are complicated by the West’s inability to halt Russian aggression.
2. ISLAMIC STATE GROUP ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES
Amnesty International says the extremists have carried out a systematic campaign of mass killings, abductions and ‘ethnic cleansing’ in northern Iraq.
3. WHOM US DRONES TARGETED IN SOMALIA
A senior Somali intelligence official says the American military conducted an operation against the extremist al-Shabab network and its leader Ahmed Abdi Godane.
4. SYRIAN REBELS SET DEMANDS FOR FREEING UN TROOPS
Al-Qaida-linked militants holding 45 Fijian peacekeepers hostage want to be removed from a U.N. terrorist list and be compensated for the killing of three of their fighters in a shootout with international forces.
5. DETROIT’S HISTORIC BANKRUPTCY TRIAL TO BEGIN
The city’s lawyers will attempt to convince a federal judge that its plans to wipe out billions of dollars in debt should be approved.
6. ‘STONED DRIVING’ CONCERNS RISE AS STATES ALLOW POT
“We see the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington as a wake-up call for all of us in highway safety,” says Jonathan Adkins, executive director of Governors Highway Safety Association.
7. SURROGATE OFFERS CLUES INTO MAN WITH 16 BABIES
The industry that catered to foreigners has thrived on semi-secrecy, deception and legal loopholes, and Thailand’s military government is vowing to shut it down.
8. HOW SOUTH AMERICA HACKERS RATTLE PERU’S GOVERNMENT
Emails stolen by the LulzSecPeru collective from the Peruvian Cabinet’s network helped precipitate a no-confidence vote which the ministers barely survived.
9. FLORIDA TOWN SUSPENDS 2 POLICE CHIEFS AFTER TICKET QUOTA CLAIMS
Waldo, which has long had a reputation as a speed trap, is facing a scandal following allegations that its officers victimize motorists in order to turn a profit.
10. WHAT TENNIS’ HOTTEST, GROSSEST RITUAL IS
The passing of the sweat-soaked towel has become one increasingly common ritual that stands apart for its ickiness.