Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, May 15, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. WHY DID AMTRAK TRAIN SPEED UP BEFORE CRASH
That’s a question investigators are exploring in the wake of the deadly derailment in Philadelphia.
2. GRIM DISCOVERY NEAR CHOPPER CRASH IN NEPAL
Rescuers find three bodies right by the wreckage of a U.S. Marine helicopter that disappeared while on a relief mission in the earthquake-hit country; six Marines and two Nepalese soldiers were on board.
3. A KING AMONG BLUESMEN
B.B. King, whose scorching guitar licks and heartfelt vocals made him the idol of generations of musicians and fans, dies at 89.
4. ROHINGYA BOAT PEOPLE TRYING TO SCALE WALL OF RESISTANCE
More than 800 migrants land on the shores of Indonesia and Thailand after being adrift at sea for weeks, despite Southeast Asian countries who say boat people are not welcome.
5. ATTEMPTED COUP IN BURUNDI APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED
The office of President Pierre Nkurunziza announces he’s back in the country, a day after fighting between loyalist troops and a general seeking to overthrow him.
6. OBAMA VOWS TO KEEP ARAB ALLIES SECURE AMID IRAN DEAL
But the president’s claim of winning support from Gulf nations for his nuclear diplomacy with Tehran appears far from certain.
7. DOGGIE DRAMA COMES TO A HEAD
Johnny Depp’s Yorkshire terriers are preparing to flee Australia for the U.S. after an official threatened to euthanize them because they were allegedly sneaked into the country.
8. SELF-DRIVING CARS COMING CLOSER TO REALITY
Google’s pod-like two-seater needs no gas pedal or steering wheel and will make its debut on public roads this summer.
9. PHONE MONITORING APPS FLOURISH IN SOUTH KOREA
Under a new law, no one 18 or younger can buy an Android smartphone without installing applications that block users from visiting porn sites, or downloading content deemed harmful.
10. BRADY APPEAL, DEFLATION SPAT NOW IN GOODELL’S HANDS
The NFL commissioner will hear the New England quarterback’s appeal of his four-game suspension over “deflategate,” despite union objection.
