10 Things

10 Things to Know Today

by The Associated Press

Astrologers predict a rough "year of the sheep," some will boycott this year's lily-white Oscars; NBC News keeps its ratings lead even without Brian Williams and more national and international news for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.

1. HOW OBAMAVIEWS TERROR FIGHT

He says theU.S. is not at war with Islam but with people who have perverted the religion.

2. KIEV:WITHDRAWAL FROM STRATEGIC TOWN ALMOST COMPLETE

Ukrainianforces retreated from Debaltseve, on the most direct route between easternUkraine's two biggest cities, after weeks of heavy fighting with pro-Russianmilitants.

3. SURVEY:AMERICANS SUPPORT RAISING MINIMUM WAGE, PAID SICK LEAVE

The AP-GfKpoll finds that most favor the president's latest proposals on those issues buta majority doesn't think he is doing enough for the middle class.

4. RELUCTANTALLIANCES REIGN OVER IRAQ'S FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE

Shiites andKurds are warily teaming up in long-disputed Kirkuk which has vast oil wealth,while Sunni leaders are trying to get over their mistrust of the centralgovernment.

5. WHAT THEHOROSCOPES SAY ABOUT THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

Astrologersare saying the Sheep carries with it an unstable economy, turbulent weather andtransport accidents.

6. WHO'SPLEADING FOR WEAPONS

Libya asksthe U.N. Security Council to lift an arms embargo so it can fight the IslamicState group as it moves closer to Europe.

7. HOW MUCHA GREEK EURO EXIT WOULD COST

A "Grexit"is not favored by Athens or the EU and could shave 10% off Greece's economy andmean billions of euros in unrepaid debt to eurozone countries.

8. SUPERBUGINFECTION KILLS TWO IN CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL

Sevenpatients were exposed to the antibiotic-resistant CRE during procedures at aUCLA medical facility.

9. WHY SOMESAY THEY'LL BOYCOTT ACADEMY AWARDS

A year aftera richly diverse Oscar crop, all 20 acting nominees in Sunday's show are white.

10. NBC'S'NIGHTLY NEWS' KEEPS RATINGS LEAD

With LesterHolt filling in for the suspended Brian Williams, the show averaged 9.43million viewers last week, again besting ABC and CBS.