10 things to know for Friday

[December 28, 2012]  (AP) -- Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about Friday:

1. WILL ANYONE BUDGE

Top congressional leaders will meet with President Barack Obama at the White House in a last-ditch effort to bridge the fiscal divide, but there's no sign a deal is taking shape.

2. WHAT'S IN A NICKNAME

To many, retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf will always be "Stormin' Norman," the no-nonsense Desert Storm commander. But the general who died Thursday preferred a lighter sobriquet: "The Bear."

3. WHO SHOULD HAVE GUNS IN SCHOOLS

The NRA envisions armed volunteers to protect schools from attacks like the one in Newtown, Conn. School safety experts say trained police are needed.

4. TRYING TO KEEP A LID ON THE INTERNET

China passes rules aimed at tightening controls on Internet, following online postings about graft and abuses that rattled the ruling party.

5. CLOSING THE DOOR ON ADOPTIONS

Russia's President Vladimir Putin signs a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children.

6. WHAT'S THREATENING TO CRIPPLE PORTS

If 14,500 longshoremen strike, ships that move much of American commerce would be unable to use most major ports on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.

7. ANOTHER TRAGEDY ON THE TRACKS

Police in New York City were seeking a woman seen fleeing a subway station after a man was pushed onto the tracks and killed by an approaching train. It was the second such fatality this month.

8. WHEN RONALD REAGAN SOUGHT FASHION ADVICE

Confidential documents released by Britain's National Archives reveal the inner workings of the government led by Margaret Thatcher, including a query asking what former President Reagan should wear to go riding with the Queen.

9. PAVING THE WAY HOME WITH MUSIC

Voices of Valor, a pilot program helping veterans re-enter civilian life, uses music to ease the way.

10. BUSH SENIOR STILL IN HOSPITAL

As former President George H.W. Bush remains in intensive care at a Houston hospital, a longtime aide says, "put the harps back in the closet," Bush is in good hands.

[Associated Press]

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