10 things to know for Wednesday

[July 18, 2012]  (AP) -- Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (all times EDT):

1. SUICIDE BLAST KILLS DEFENSE MINISTER DURING MEETING IN DAMASCUS

A suicide bomber strikes the National Security building in Syria, killing the defense minister and wounding the interior minister in a brazen attack.

2. WEIGHT LOSS DRUG'S APPROVAL OFFERS NEW HOPE FOR OBESE PATIENTS

The innovation of Qsymia lies in targeting more than one of the brain signals that drive people to overeat.

3. HOW OBAMA PLANS TO CREATE A CORPS OF BETTER TEACHERS

The $1 billion effort aims to boost U.S. students' achievement in science, technology, engineering and math by rewarding high-performing educators with salary stipends.

4. BERNANKE RETURNS TO CAPITOL HILL

The Fed chairman will testify before the House Financial Services Committee at 10 a.m., a day after sketching a bleak picture of the U.S. economy.

5. WHY LAWS SET TO HELP OVERDOSE VICTIMS ARE CONTROVERSIAL

A nationwide push to give people limited immunity on drug possession charges if they seek medical help is seen by some as condoning drug use and amount to get-out-of-jail-free cards.

6. PENN STATE RESPONSE MAY DECIDE FUTURE OF ITS FOOTBALL PROGRAM

The university's president says he will reply to the NCAA's demand for information within days.

7. HOW A FINANCIAL REPORT WILL IMPACT THE VATICAN

The Holy See passes a key financial transparency test, which may go a long way toward removing its reputation as a shady tax haven long mired in scandal.

8. OBAMA FACES FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE AS ROMNEY CAMPAIGN MAY PASS HIS

If so, he will be the first president to be outspent by a challenger.

9. EGYPT'S INTELLIGENCE SERVICE EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS

The secretive agency produces a documentary to show itself as the defender of the nation in a bid for public support.

10. LINSANITY HEADS TO HOUSTON AS KNICKS LET HIM GO

New York said they will not match the Rockets' three-year, $25 million offer for the undrafted point guard.

[Associated Press]

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