Notice how on days when I’ve been light on posts, I try to at least give you a Virtual Front Page? Well, this is such a day:

1. Assad Warns Israel, Claiming a Stockpile of Russian Weapons (NYT) — This was in the context of a blustering speech about how he has the upper hand in the civil war, which could be true with the Russian help that he’s getting.
2. Overnight deal revives ethics bill in SC Senate (thestate.com) — I wrote about this earlier.
3. US agents murdered my son, claims Chechen father (The Guardian) — This case just gets weirder.
4. Boston bombing suspect ‘walking’ (BBC) — That’s according to his mom.
5. FBI: Potential ricin-laced letter sent to Obama (WashPost) — Just how many nutballs are out there watching way too much “Breaking Bad”?
6. Ethics charges against SC state senator include adult-store purchases (thestate.com) — That Robert Ford is accused of being ethically challenged is not shocking, but I guess the porn stuff makes it slightly more interesting.

Quite a newsy day:

1. Obama Set To Restart Guantanamo Transfers (WSJ) — So far, I’m only seeing this from the WSJ…
2. Man tied to Boston suspect is killed in FBI interview (WashPost) — Another young Chechen. I’m not saying he’s right, but somewhere Vladimir Putin is saying, “I told you so…”
3. U.S. admits to killing four of its citizens abroad (WashPost) — Note to Rand Paul: These were NOT in the U.S….
4. Man killed in meat-cleaver terror attack in London (The Guardian) — The U.S. reports said “machete.” Still. Is it just me, or are terrorists getting more and more primitive? A knife? A machete?
5. SC Senate bill to allow guns in restaurants, bars advances in House with fewer restrictions (thestate.com) — Because the House doesn’t want to be out-crazied by the Senate.
6. Emails Suggest IRS Criteria Developed by Lower-Level Workers (WSJ) — Which is kinda, you know, what we were told in the first place…

FSB photo showing alleged International Man of Mystery Ryan Christopher Fogle, seated at right. I like the touch of the one guy with the digitally blurred face.

It depends on what the definition of “news” is. Here’s mine, at this particular moment:

Here’s what we have at this hour:

1. Justice Department secretly obtained AP phone records (The Guardian) — AP’s top exec calls it a “massive and unprecedented intrusion.” Technically, the intrusion did not actually have mass and therefore couldn’t be “massive” (I once had an editor for whom this was a pet peeve), but you know what he meant.
2. Obama says he ‘will not tolerate’ IRS misdeeds (WashPost) — The word “outrageous” was used. What I want to know is, if the IRS had to screw up like this, why did they have to do it to groups that believe, as an article of faith, that this is just the kind of thing government would do?
3. Obama dismisses criticism of Benghazi talking points as ‘side show’ (WashPost) — Me, I’m feeling bad for PM David Cameron. Two headlines from his joint presser with POTUS, and neither is about their meeting. So much for the Special Relationship. Meanwhile… a car bomb kills several people in… Benghazi.
4. Philly abortion doctor guilty in 3 babies’ deaths (AP) — There were a lot of stories out there on this, but I used this because it was the only headline that used the word, “babies.”
5. Major Retailers Join Bangladesh Safety Plan (NYT) — Meanwhile, the death toll from the building collapse tops 1,100.
6. Steve Benjamin seeks re-election as Columbia mayor (thestate.com) — But I already mentioned that.

Just some quick headlines:

1. Official recounts frustration at Libya response (WashPost) — According to Jennifer Rubin, it was more dramatic than that headline makes it sound.
2. Bangladesh death toll tops 800 (The Guardian) — It just gets worse and worse.
3. Charges in Cleveland Abduction  (WSJ) — What a horrific story.
4. Jenny wins; Sanford admits to being in contempt (AP) — Of his divorce decree. His contempt for the people of the 1st District, and their willingness to submit to it, is another matter.
5. 17 U.S. officers stripped of missile power (The Guardian) — Nuclear missiles, that is. A very disturbing leaked report.
6. Lawmakers Shift Focus to Sex Assaults in Military (NYT) — This was a bigger story yesterday than today, but I didn’t do a VFP yesterday.

A few headlines to close your week with. I mean, a few headlines with which to close your week:

1. Obama: proof of chemical weapons a ‘game-changer’ (The Guardian) — Can’t for the life of me figure out why American publications are leading with this. I guess it just sounds different from abroad. The American outlets are stressing that the president says the intel isn’t all in yet. But the more important point is that he’s reiterating that if the WMD use is confirmed, it does indeed cross a red line.
2. Congress sends bill to end airport delays to Obama (WashPost) — Thereby causing Democrats to lose a political lever on any efforts to end the sequester.
3. 9/11 Plane Debris Found in Lower Manhattan (WSJ) — We’re talking a significant chunk of landing gear.
4. Survivors found in collapsed factory (BBC) — That is, the factory that collapsed in Bangladesh on Wednesday. Meanwhile, workers rampaged and burned other factories to protest unsafe conditions.
5. Lexington man accused of branding children (thestate.com) — Not to identify them or anything, just to hurt them.
6. ‘He stopped loving her today’ (Tennessean) — George Jones, the man Tammy stood by (up to a point), is dead at 81. I can’t resist wondering whether he’ll show up for his own funeral.

A quick look at the headlines:

1. U.S. Says It Suspects Assad Used Chemical Weapons (NYT) — U.S. joins Israel in saying this.
2. Boston suspects ‘targeted New York’ (BBC) — It’s interesting that the BBC is leading with this (so is The Guardian), while you can hardly find it on the NYT main page.
3. S.C. House passes bill to protect children against parental abuse (thestate.com) — Every once in awhile, the Legislature does something that makes sense.
4. Obama calls Bush ‘a good man’ (WashPost) — He sort of had to, since the occasion was the opening of the Bush library, but I thought it worth noting all the same.
5. ‘Pimp Stick Quezzy,’ Columbia rapper, pleads guilty to prostitution (thestate.com) — Well, that’s a shock. Some might think he was already sort of pleading guilty when he came up with the monicker.
6. West Columbia bank robbery suspect arrested waiting on taxi (thestate.com) — See, this is why we need better public transit. How’s a guy supposed to make a getaway if he has to wait for a cab?

Just a quick look at the current headlines:

1. Syria Used Chemical Arms Repeatedly, Israel Asserts (NYT) — Of the usual sources I peruse, only the NYT and the Guardian are leading with this right now, but I think they’re right.
2. Officials: U.S. wars motivated Boston suspects (WashPost) — Lots of angles out there on this, but I went with this one.
3. Haley signs Boeing incentives bill (AP) — The headline pretty much says it.
4. Suspicious item forces closure of downtown streets (WIS) — Again. This time it’s at Assembly and Laurel streets.
5. Interview with Elizabeth Colbert Busch (The Guardian) — I found it particularly interesting that a British publication was playing this on high up on their main news web page.
6. Developer Kahn files for bankruptcy (AP) — I found this shocking, and distressing.

As you can see, I’m unusually heavy on local today. Another interesting story that didn’t quite make the cut, on the Randy Scott saga: Leon Lott says Scott will always have a place in the sheriff’s department.

Our top stories tonight:

1. N. Korea may have nuclear missile, U.S. says (WashPost) — So “never mind” on all the dismissive stuff said earlier. The DIA says the missiles will likely be so inaccurate that they’ll have “low reliability.” But hey, aren’t nukes kind of like horseshoes — as in, “close” counts?
2. G8 states condemn NK nuclear moves (BBC) — Yeah, but I don’t know how much words are going to move the boy dictator.
3. SC House to fast-track Boeing incentives after Senate OK (thestate.com) — This is after the Senate gave final approval today.
4. Senate votes yes to gun debate with GOP support (The Guardian) — English news sources are playing this up more than American ones. Our gun fixation fascinates and appalls the Brits.
5. Notes On A Sex Scandal: Rebounding From Disgrace (NPR) — Guess which South Carolinian gets top billing in this national trend story, which also features the unfortunately named Anthony Weiner planning to run for mayor of NYC?
6. Creature Combined Human, Ape Traits (WSJ) — For all you missing link fans out there.

Just a quick run through the news:

1. Hiring in U.S. Tapers Off as Economy Fails to Gain Speed (NYT) — Not good.
2. North Korea warns embassies over safety (The Guardian) — OK, so if I say, “Yeah, you’re starting to worry us a little,” do you think the boy dictator would back off?
3. ‘Suspicious liquid’ shuts down Assembly (thestate.com) — This will bear watching.
4. Obama Budget Is Dismissed by G.O.P. and Attacked by Left (NYT) — Well, then, he must be doing something right.
5. Randy Scott’s letter requesting leave (thestate.com) — It’s good that the city is no longer hiding behind that “personnel matter” dodge — at least to this extent.
6. Portugal High Court Strikes Down Some Austerity Measures (WSJ) — Can’t we finish dealing with Cyprus before Portugal has a crisis?

Wrapping up your week:

1. Israel apologises to Turkey over Gaza flotilla deaths (The Guardian) — As a result, diplomatic relations are restored.
2. Supremes rule for county on ‘penny’ vote (thestate.com) — Bus service improvements set for June.
3. Cyprus pressed for bank breakthrough (BBC) — EU voices say Cyprus needs to come up with the money somehow.
4. FAA to close 149 airport towers amid budget cuts (WashPost) — The bite starts from sequestration.
5. Lebanese Leader Resigns Amid Sectarian Tensions  (WSJ) — Further destabilizing the neighborhood.
6. Some Toddler Foods Come With A Megadose Of Salt (NPR) — I had no idea…

Just a quick run through the news at this hour:

1. Eurozone in fresh crisis as Cyprus rejects bailout deal (The Guardian) — Crisis is becoming business as usual in the EU.
2. US assault weapons ban plan dropped (BBC) — Reid says it only could garner about 40 votes in the Senate.
3. Voting goes smoothly in 1st District primaries (Post & Courier) — So far, anyway. Want to know what will happen? In the general, it will be Sanford vs. Colbert’s sister.
4. Rand Paul Implies Support for Path to Citizenship (NYT) — I wonder if this is going to make Doug disappointed in the whole Paul family…
5. Syrians trade chemical attack claims (BBC) — Hmmm… Maybe that is where Saddams WMD went. Meanwhile, al Qaeda in Iraq (apparently) commemorates the Iraq invasion with a series of car bombings in Baghdad.
6. Papacy begins with plea for poor (BBC) — Which seems a good way to start. I like this Pope so far, if only because he, too, loves public transportation.

Here’s what we have:

1. U.S. to Bolster Missile Defense to Deter Attack by North Korea (NYT) — Not that I think anybody’s really worried, but who wants to be the guy who didn’t take any action, in case something does happen?
2. Vatican denies Dirty War allegations (BBC) — I haven’t even written a post congratulating Pope Francis on the new job, and already the guy’s in trouble.
3. JP Morgan accused of flouting rules (The Guardian) — Well, duh. The guy was a robber baron. Oh, wait, this isn’t about the guy…
4. Judge Strikes Down Surveillance Law  (WSJ) — I’m a little surprised this isn’t getting bigger play.
5. Maryland General Assembly repeals death penalty (WashPost) — Well, at least somewhere there’s a General Assembly doing something good.
6.  Europe Torn on Arming Syria Rebels (NYT) — France and Britain want to, but not the others.

Very briefly:

1. Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez dies (The Guardian) — In other news, Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. I’d like to think this augurs well for Venezuela’s future, but that remains to be seen. Things there are likely too messed up for things to get better soon. Still — this guy was a linchpin of trouble we’ve had in the region, with his buds in Bolivia, Ecuador, etc. We’ll see.
2. Dow Clinches Record, Topping 2007 All-Time High (WSJ) — Something else that could have been the lede, on another day. Do you feel more affluent? I don’t.
3. World stock markets hit new highs (BBC) — Thanks to the Beeb for letting us know this wasn’t just a U.S. phenomenon.
4. Senate committee approves Brennan for CIA (WashPost) — You know, the drone guy.
5. TSA Will Lift Ban Of Small Knives, Wiffle Ball Bats Aboard Planes (NPR) — Hey, maybe that means I won’t have to throw yet another keychain-sized Swiss Army Knife in the trash in order to board! Next, maybe I’ll be able to take my car keys into the State Fair…
6. Elephants walking (thestate.com) — OK so it’s not huge news (although you could possibly say it was earth-shaking). But it’s local.

It’s not much of a news day, but we haven’t had one of these this week, so here goes:

Kind of a slow news day, but since I feel like I owe y’all a post or two, here goes:

1. John Allen retires and declines Nato appointment (The Guardian) — This is the Marine general who got caught up in the Petraeus scandal, for those of you who keep track of your newsmakers that way. I thought it would be interesting to use a British version of this American story. After all, NATO affects them, too.
2. Tunisia PM Hamadi Jebali resigns (BBC) — I haven’t been following this one, but it sounded important. The Beeb led with it.
3. Obama Turns Up the Pressure for a Deal on Budget Cuts (NYT) — While Congress is away, the president doesn’t play, but talks about money stuff…
4. AG Wilson to return contributions tied to Harrell (thestate.com) — This was the newsiest thing I could find locally. If you’ll recall, the AG has agreed to investigate the Speaker.
5. Pistorius says he thought girlfriend was an intruder (AP) — This is his first public account of what happened.
6. As 3-D Printing Becomes More Accessible, Copyright Questions Arise (NPR) — I just think “3D printing” sounds like a cool thing, even if I remain a little confused as to what a 3D print is. What, for instant, is it made of, chemically? Does it have insides, or is it just a shell? I don’t know… OK, the story sort of answers those questions. What it doesn’t answer is what it’s good for. Get back to me when there’s a 3D device that scans a gold bar and makes another gold bar. Made of, you know, gold…

A quick look at the headlines:

1. Obama Hails Bipartisan Plan to Overhaul Immigration (NYT) — For more on this, go to my previous post.
2. Army Chief Warns of Egypt’s ‘Collapse’ as Chaos Mounts (NYT) — Not sure how much weight to give this. If it’s accurate, this should be the lede story.
3. Activists: At least 65 found bound, shot in Aleppo (WashPost) — The ongoing bloodshed in Syria takes a chilling new turn.
4. Senate committee approves Kerry (The Guardian) — Hey, that’s who they wanted all along.
5. SC Supreme Court to hear Nikki Haley ethics case (thestate.com) — Ol’ John Rainey just won’t let go.
6. Cats killing ‘billions of animals’ (BBC) — “And where, oh where is the outrage?” cried a dog spokesman. OK, I made that part up.

Here’s what we have going on:

1. S&P 500 Ends Above 1500 (WSJ) — The story says the market did this “for the first time in five years on Friday, capping its longest streak of daily gains since 2004.” The NYT described it this way: Stocks Near New Heights as Small Investors Regain Faith.
2. Court rejects Obama’s recess appointments (WashPost) — It should cheer up the administration’s critics, still smarting over Obamacare, that the court found that the president violated the Constitution in naming three to the NLRB last year.
3. Fatal clashes mark Egypt uprising (BBC) — That’s three stories in a row, any one of which could have been the lede on an ordinary day.
4. Cause Of Boeing’s 787 Problems Remains A Mystery (NPR) — The fleet remains grounded.
5. Exxon now ‘most valuable company’ (The Guardian) — Yo, Isaac Newton! What made the mighty Apple fall?
6. Freezing rain in SC means school closings, wrecks (AP) — But it should be warmer tomorrow, and tonight won’t be as cold here as last night.