10 things to know for Wednesday

[August 01, 2012]  (AP) -- Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (times EDT):

1. LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL IN INDIA

Now that power has been restored, work resumes while the government investigates what went wrong.

2. AUTHOR GORE VIDAL DIES AT 86

The playwright, politician and commentator made his living by challenging power.

3 HOW ROMNEY'S OVERSEAS TOUR COMPARES WITH OBAMA'S IN 2008

His recent visit to Britain, Israel and Poland was never envisioned to be as eye-catching but comparisons between the two trips are not favorable to the GOP candidate.

4. TED CRUZ WENT FROM LONGSHOT TO GOP CANDIDATE FOR SENATE

His upset victory over David Dewhurst puts him in a good position to likely represent Texas in Washington, D.C.

5. WORKER ACCUSED OF SETTING SUB FIRE RETURNS TO COURT

He could face life in prison when he appears at his 9:30 a.m. hearing for causing $400 million in damage to the vessel.

6. PANETTA DEALS WITH IRAN IN ISRAEL VISIT

The defense secretary says the nation must either negotiate acceptable limits on its nuclear program or face the possibility of U.S. military action.

7. WHAT ARE THE FED'S ANSWERS TO BOOSTING THE ECONOMY

Federal Reserve policymakers issue a statement at 2:15 p.m. following their two-day meeting.

8. OBAMA REPRISES MIDDLE-CLASS TAX DEBATE

The president's push for a tax cut for households earning less than $250,000 a year sets up another distinction between him and rival Mitt Romney.

9. BADMINTON PAIRS FACE SANCTIONS FOR PLAYING TO LOSE

The fate of the eight players will be decided at a disciplinary hearing this morning.

10. WHAT'S NEXT FOR PHELPS NOW THAT HE HAS 19 MEDALS

The Olympic champion still has three more races ahead of him and a chance to break more records.

[Associated Press]

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