10 things you need to know today: April 15, 2016

1. Clinton and Sanders clash in Democratic debate

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders traded sharp criticism Thursday in a Brooklyn debate ahead of next week's crucial New York primary. Sanders hammered the frontrunner for her ties to Wall Street and her vote for the Iraq war, saying she had the experience to be president but, "I do question her judgment." Clinton hit back confidently, criticizing Sanders on gun laws, and saying he was inexperienced on foreign policy. "I think you need to have the judgment on day one to be president and commander-in-chief," she said.

The New York Times NBC News

2. Earthquake kills at least 9 in Japan

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck southern Japan on Thursday, killing at least nine people and injuring hundreds more. The deaths were concentrated in Mashiki, the town hit hardest by the quake. The temblor buckled roads and knocked down at least 19 houses, while damaging hundreds more. "The shaking was so violent I couldn't stand still," said Hironobu Kosaki, a Kumamoto Prefectural Police night-duty official.

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CBS News

3. North Korea reportedly fails in missile-launch attempt

North Korea failed in an attempt to launch a medium-range ballistic missile on Friday, U.S. and South Korean officials said. The attempt, which came on a holiday marking the birthday of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, was the latest in a series of missile and nuclear tests designed to show strength. The moves have increased tensions and prompted world leaders to tighten sanctions against the isolated communist country.

USA Today CNN

4. Spanish minister resigns after Panama Papers revelations

Spain's minister of industry, energy, and tourism — Jose Manuel Soria — resigned Friday morning after Panama Papers documents linked him to offshore investments in the Bahamas. Soria is one of several high-profile public figures to be stung by revelations in the massive trove of documents leaked from a Panamanian law firm that sets up offshore tax shelters. Last week, Iceland's prime minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, said he was temporarily stepping aside after documents revealed he and his wife had set up an offshore company.

The New York Times

5. Tennessee governor vetoes Bible bill

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R) on Thursday vetoed a bill naming the Bible the official state book. Haslam said the legislation "trivializes the Bible" and is unconstitutional. "If we are recognizing the Bible as a sacred text, then we are violating the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Tennessee by designating it as the official state book," he said. Supporters, who can override the veto with a simple majority in both state legislative chambers, say the bill merely recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Bible to the state.

The Tennessean

6. U.S. sending troops and warplanes to the Philippines

The U.S. announced Thursday that it would send soldiers and military aircraft to the Philippines on regular, more frequent rotations, and step up joint patrols with Philippine forces in the South China Sea. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the moves were intended to "tamp down tensions" in the region, where China has been asserting its control over disputed islands. About 300 troops will stay in the country through the month. China's Foreign Ministry said the U.S. was "sabotaging regional peace and stability."

The Washington Post

7. Unemployment applications unexpectedly fall to lowest level in decades

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in more than 42 years, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Jobless claims unexpectedly dropped by 13,000 to 253,000. A Bloomberg survey had put the median forecast for the week's claims at 270,000. "This is further confirmation that the labor market is strong," said Patrick Newport, an economist at IHS Global Insight. Economists expect the improving jobs picture to boost consumer spending and growth this quarter.

Bloomberg

8. Former Manson family cult member recommended for parole

A two-person panel of California's parole board on Thursday recommended parole for ex-Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten. Van Houten, then 19 and the cult's youngest member, participated in the 1969 murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, stabbing Rosemary LaBianca 14 times. She did not participate in the murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others a day earlier. A model prisoner, she has been denied parole 19 times. Next the full parole board will review the case, then Gov. Jerry Brown will decide whether to approve parole.

NBC News

9. Trudeau proposes legalizing doctor-assisted suicide in Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday unveiled proposed legislation to legalize physician-assisted suicide for Canadians suffering from "serious and incurable illness" resulting in "enduring physical or psychological suffering." Only Canadian citizens using the national health-care system would be eligible. Foreigners are excluded. Several countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany, already allow assisted suicide, as do five states in the U.S.

The New York Times

10. Avatar, Deadpool sequels announced at CineCon

Director James Cameron announced Thursday that he is working on four Avatar sequels, rather than the three previously announced. The first is due in theaters in December 2018, nearly a decade after the original record-grossing blockbuster. The other three films will follow in 2020, 2022, and 2023, Cameron told theater owners at CinemaCon. In another CineCon announcement, Fox said Ryan Reynolds, director Tim Miller, and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick would team up again for a sequel to Deadpool, now the highest-grossing R-rated film ever, with $757 million worldwide.

Variety Entertainment Weekly