Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday:

1. FRESH HOPE FOR WORLD'S ABUSED WOMEN

A decision by a U.S. government board establishes for the first time that domestic violence victims can qualify for asylum in America.

2. MOTHER PLEADS FOR RELEASE OF CAPTURED US JOURNALIST

In a video, she appeals to the Islamic State militants to show mercy to 31-year-old Steven Sotloff, who was last seen a year ago in Syria.

3. WHY MANY PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS STILL DON'T HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE

Consumer advocates warn that insurance companies are still using wiggle room to discourage the sickest — and costliest — patients from enrolling in "Obamacare."

4. UKRAINE SEPARATISTS LAUNCH BOLD OFFENSIVE

The attack along a new southeastern front raises the prospect that the rebels are seeking to create a land link between Russia and Crimea.

5. HOW WEAPONS LESSON WENT TRAGICALLY WRONG

A 9-year-old girl being taught how to fire an Uzi at an Arizona range fatally shoots her instructor in the head when the weapon recoils.

6. CASH KEEPS FLOWING FROM ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE

The viral fundraising campaign for Lou Gehrig's Disease is approaching a stunning $100 million. And the money keeps pouring in.

7. REALITY SHOW BECOMES ALL TOO REAL

A crew member with the TV show "Cops" dies when gunfire breaks out as police in Omaha, Neb., disrupt a robbery.

8. WHO'S RIDING HUGE WAVES PUSHED ASHORE BY PACIFIC HURRICANE

Intrepid surfers and body-boarders flock to favored spots along the Southern California coast to take advantage of the storm-spawned surf.

9. BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES HIT DOGS, TOO

When their young owners return to school, many pets experience separation anxiety, experts say.

10. USC FOOTBALL PLAYER, HAILED AS HERO, ADMITS TO LYING ABOUT HOW HE BADLY INJURED BOTH ANKLES

Josh Shaw, a team captain, retracts his story about jumping off a balcony to save his drowning nephew. How Shaw actually was injured remains a mystery.