Here’s the top news this evening:

1. Early Afghan combat handover agreed (BBC) — Obama says this after meeting with Karzai.
2. France sends troops to Mali to fight al-Qaeda-allied militias (WashPost) — First Libya, now this. France is getting kind of aggressive these days.
3. US to get hotter, drier and more disaster-prone (The Guardian) — Interesting that a Brit paper is leading with this (of course, I think that’s because it knows I’m in the U.S.; readers in London probably see something else).
4. Obama to push assault weapons ban (WashPost) — White House disputes rumors he’ll back off because of the perceived resistance in Congress.
5. Local social media celebrity died of natural causes before wreck (thestate.com) — The news I previously shared about Rick Stilwell, a.k.a. @RickCaffeinated.
6. After 50 Years, Cuba Drops Unpopular Travel Restriction (NPR) — It doesn’t cover everyone though. Top scientists and athletes, for instance, are still stuck there.

Here’s what’s happening:

1. Biden Offers Glimpse of Gun Control Plan Coming in Days (NYT) — He speaks of “consensus,” but the NRA is not happy.
2. S.C.’s top educator, cop differ on guns in schools (thestate,com) — Quick show of hands: Who is shocked, shocked, that Mick Zais has jumped on this bandwagon?
3. Pakistan explosions kill scores (BBC) — I was debating between using this, and the story about Leon Panetta saying we’ve entered our “last chapter” in Afghanistan, which at least sounded important, but I went with the actual event rather than the rhetorical flourish.
4. Former SC State board chairman, police chief charged in kickback schemes (thestate.com) — Do things ever settle down and get normal on the SC state board? Over the years, it just seems like one upheaval after another…
5. Despite 12 Years in Senate, Hagel Has Few Allies There (NYT) — Sounds like the guy made more enemies than I did in 12 years as editorial page editor. Did he try as hard, or was he just a natural?
6. Crazy Or Canny? Talk Grows Of $1 Trillion Platinum Coin (NPR) — My gut says crazy, but we’ve pretty much established that my gut knows little about money.

Happy 78th birthday, Elvis! As for the rest of you, here are the headlines:

1. 2012 Was by Far the Hottest Year on Record for Most of U.S. (NYT) — Yeah, but were those other places Famously Hot?
2. United Finds Dreamliner Wiring Issue  (WSJ) — It was kind of weird how this morning, when I was reading about the Dreamliner fire all over national media, I didn’t find anything on SC news sites (that is, not on my phone apps, anyway). You know, since we make them here.This story is leading the WSJ site as I type this.
3. UN unable to deliver food aid to 1 million Syrians (The Guardian) — I’m starting to get Somalia flashbacks here…
4. Hugo Chavez to miss swearing-in (BBC) — OK, people seriously — is the guy even alive?
5. Sheheen urges SC House, Senate to apologize for hacking (thestate.com) — Office of Gov. Nikki “We Did Nothing Wrong” Haley criticizes him for it.
6. Graham: will not “cave” on debt ceiling debate (thestate.com) — This was at a Columbia press conference. I didn’t go, since it was about this and not something that interested me more, such as the Hagel nomination. I mean, this is about money or something, right?

As we begin the first full work week of the new year, here are the top stories:

1. National-Security Picks Face Tough Fight (WSJ) — Indeed, these nominations mark a strong contrast to the more consensus picks the president made four years ago.
2. Clinton returns to work (WashPost) — I wish she were back to stay; she is a good example of the kind of consensus nominations that characterized the first Obama administration.
3. US banks agree $18.5bn deal over mortgage crisis (The Guardian) — That includes BofA from up the road in Charlotte.
4. Ott to step down as S.C. House minority leader (thestate.com) — Apparently, Harry’s had enough of beating his head against the wall in a body where all decisions are made in GOP caucus meetings.
5. Police Say Aurora Shooting Suspect Looked Like Officer (NPR) — News from a hearing on the Batman shooter.
6. Inaugural Ball tickets sell out — before they were set to go on sale (WashPost) — The nation faced much greater challenges when Lincoln was inaugurated in 1861 — but Ticketmaster complications weren’t among them.

Your first front of the year, and first on the latest blog format:

1. Dow Notches Best Day in Over a Year  (WSJ) — Note to all the self-described “conservatives” on the SC delegation who voted against the “cliff” deal: Love it or hate it, said deal was the best thing Wall Street has seen come out of Washington in a long time. Think about it.
2. G.O.P. Spoils for a Debt Fight Obama Wants to Sidestep (NYT) — The biggest flaw in the deal, of course, was that we still have to have this fight — next month.
3. Syria unrest ‘has killed 60,000’ (BBC) — That’s according to the U.N. human rights commissioner. Just today, dozens were killed in explosions around Damascus.
4. Gov. Christie lambastes ‘toxic’ House Republicans over Sandy aid delay (WashPost) — First he gushes praise for Obama. Now this. Christie doesn’t care whom he ticks off, when the welfare of New Jersey is at stake…
5. Special election for Scott’s seat set (AP) — This is sort of turn-of-the-screw stuff, but it was the only thing local that seemed front-worthy. I thought it more significant than lurid crime news, or the fact that Nikki Haley’s husband is headed for Afghanistan.
6. Patti Page, Honey-Voiced ’50s Pop Sensation, Dies (NYT) — The NYT was the only one of my regular sources playing this up, but I decided to include it, for my more mature readers…

And here’s what we have today, in our first post-influenza edition:

1. Rice withdraws candidacy for secretary of state (WashPost) — I feel a little better now; I was really starting to worry about her.
2. Syria government ‘losing control’ – Russian official (BBC) — And if the Russians are saying it… things are not looking up for Assad.
3. Firm wants to offer another year of credit monitoring in SC (thestate.com) — And the hacking beat goes on.
4. Global life expectancy on the rise (The Guardian) — Seemed like an interesting take-note-of sort of item…
5. Boehner appears to ease on tax rise (The Guardian) — Meanwhile, the speaker is meeting with the president.
6. Sheheen drops fund-raising hint of 2014 rematch with Haley (thestate.com) — That’s the way The State is playing it anyway. I saw the same fund-raising email, and didn’t really see it as definitely moving the needle. Basically, Vincent was capitalizing on the news story that shows him outpolling Nikki.

A little early in the day, here is the news at this hour:

1. Hamas and Israel Agree to Cease-Fire in Gaza Conflict (NYT) — Good job by Hillary Clinton. Let’s see how long this holds now.
2. SC justices: Organized poker illegal, even in private homes (AP) — So the key, apparently, is to keep the game as disorganized as possible.
3. Mumbai attacks gunman executed (BBC) — Bringing that horrific story to an end…
4. Haley admits state failed to protect its residents (The State) — This is getting old at this hour, but it’s so remarkable, considering that we’re talking about Nikki Haley, that I’m including it.
5. Clyburn sees racism in attacks on Rice (WashPost) — What with the SC angle, I might do a separate post on this.
6. UN urges action on climate change (The Guardian) — Like anyone’s going to listen in this country, right? But we should…

Haven’t done one of these in a while, so here goes:

1. Iran Fired at U.S. Drone in Persian Gulf, Pentagon Says (NYT) — It happened last week, but apparently we’re just hearing about it.
2. China starts leadership transfer (BBC) — Thought I should mention this, since it involves the world’s most populous country.
3. GOP governors scramble over health care (WashPost) — This is because they put off implementing Obamacare until after the election. Something I’m not clear on, and this story doesn’t help me with — where does SC stand?
4. Order halts certifying Richland County House race (thestate.com) — Things remain complicated in the House District 75 contest between Joe McCulloch and Kirkman Finlay III, both of whom have been named as winners at different points this week.
5. How a Race in the Balance Went to Obama (NYT) — If you can find the time, it looks interesting (I’ve only glanced through part of it so far myself).
6. Giffords faces gunman in court (BBC) — The shooter gets seven consecutive life terms, plus 140 years for good measure.

It’s a slow news day locally. How slow? Well, I had to smile at this classic slow-local-news-day headline on the WIS website: Lost AL boy kept warm by puppies. Moving on, here’s what’s going on in the rest of the world today:

1. Bomb in Beirut Kills a Security Chief, Reviving Old Fears (NYT) — This may be related to the conflict in Syria. You should see the damage in the photo at that link. It’s a wonder it only killed eight people.
2. Dow Ends Week With a Thud (WSJ) — Sorry, I don’t make the news up. I just pass it on.
3. Ahead of Monday’s debate, campaigns hit Florida (WashPost) — Where they are neck-and-neck. Just once, it would be nice if Florida would make up its mind, and do so clearly.
4. Obama’s new attack line: ‘Romnesia’ (WashPost) — Sheesh. This will be over soon, people.
5. Obama Resilient in Swing State Polls (FiveThirtyEight) — The president holds a lead in 11 of the 13 swing states.
6. Malala ‘can make smooth recovery’ (Guardian) — Trust the Brit papers to keep an eye on these things around the world.

It seemed it would be wrong to let 9/11 go by without taking the world’s temperature. The top stories:

1. Israeli Leader Sharpens Call on U.S. to Set Limits on Iran (NYT) — Meanwhile, we’re told that the Obama administration has rejected a request to meet with Bibi when he visits the United States this month to attend the UN General Assembly. Whether this is real, or some sort of disinformation campaign designed to give the U.S. plausible deniability when Israel acts on Iran, it’s ominous.
2. Protests at U.S. Embassy in Egypt (WashPost) — As is so often the case with most vehement protests in this region, it’s about some film that most Americans have never heard of. In fact, the Post reported, “It was not immediately clear what film they were referring to.”
3. Obama marks 11th 9/11 anniversary (BBC) — Meanwhile, according to the WSJ, Romney talked of beefing up the military.
4. Union chief: ‘Lunacy’ to think teachers strike will be settled today (ChiTrib) — Yeah, well, speaking of lunacy..
5. Romney win would sink US reputation in Europe – poll (Guardian) — Meanwhile, Obama’s not all that popular in Pakistan (surprise!)
6. The Mysterious Case Of China’s Disappearing Heir Apparent (NPR) — This will continue to bear watching. I wonder if we’ll ever actually learn what’s up with the guy. This is so retro, so Cold War. It’s one thing when North Korea hides what should be basic information. China is, you know, more of a biggish country. I wonder when it will start acting like it knows what century this is.

If I allowed seven stories on a front, which I don’t, the next story to make it would have been this: U.S. Missile Defense Strategy Is Flawed, Expert Panel Finds. It interested me mainly because I just happened to read today what I wrote right after the 9/11 attacks about our faith in Star Wars: “IF YOU HAD MENTIONED the words ‘missile defense shield’ to the terrorists who took over those planes last Tuesday, they would have laughed so hard they might have missed their targets.”

Just very quickly:

1. India’s Power Grid Collapses (WSJ) — More than twice as many people as live in all the United States are without power, calling into question the viability of the infrastructure of Asia’s third-largest economy.
2. ‘Thousands trapped’ in Syria city (BBC) — While the rest of us are dazzled by sport, the Beeb keeps its eye on the ball.
3. Boehner, Reid reach short-term spending deal (WashPost) — For “short-term,” read “until after the election.” Hmm. This raises a question: Can Boehner make a deal like this? Did he check with Cantor?
4. Phelps Sets New Olympic Record With 19 Medals (NPR) — Oh, wait — were you waiting to see this on TV tonight? Too late — everybody’s reported it.
5. Romney campaign attacks media (The Guardian) — “Kiss my ass. This is a Holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect.” It now joins “nattering nabobs of negativism” among the annals of warfare between GOP pols and the American news media.
6. Partisan Rifts Hinder Efforts to Improve U.S. Voting System (NYT) — This is the kind of “thumb-sucker” (to use the phrase of a national editor who once worked for me) that the NYT saves to top its report with on a slow news day. The premise: “Twelve years after a too-close-to-call presidential contest in Florida ended in a divisive Supreme Court ruling, the United States’ voting methods are as laden with problems as ever…”

I know my mix is missing anything local, but I could not find anything worthy. I’ve no idea what The State will put on its front tomorrow…

A slow news day, on the cusp of the official Dog Days, but hey — that just makes it a challenge:

1. Syria army steps up Aleppo attack (BBC) — One part of the world that does not have “slow news days.” You might also be interested to read this NPR story, Is Assad Carving Out A Haven For Syria’s Alawites? And this from The Guardian: Al-Qaida turns tide in battle for eastern Syria.
2. Aurora Suspect Charged With 24 Counts Of Murder (NPR) — And 116 cases of attempted murder. You didn’t have to be hit for it to be attempted murder, of course.
3. Insurance Rebates Seen as Selling Point for Health Law (NYT) — Hey, did you get yours? Mine was just under $100. Doesn’t affect what I think of Obamacare, though.
4. Romney’s remark creates new stir on overseas trip (WashPost) — Fresh from insulting the Brits, he ticks off the Palestinians.
5. Three people in Midlands have tested positive for West Nile virus (thestate.com) — This is obviously a very serious situation, since all three cases were middle-aged men!
6. Anti-Putin Punk Band Pleads Not Guilty (WSJ) — I just thought this had a lot of man-bites-dog elements. Or rather, punk-girl-bites-Putin elements. Including the fact that it’s the most prominent story on WSJ at the moment, which is an additional irony. Here’s a picture of the girls.

Then, of course, there’s the Olympics. An American won gold today. But I figure you know that’s going on…

Here’s what I’m seeing out there at the moment:

1. US tightens sanctions on Tehran (BBC) — One more click of the rachet. Do we have those naval assets in place yet? Is anyone paying attention?
2. Damning Penn State report reveals abuse cover-up (The Guardian) — Wow. If The Guardian is leading with this uber-American scandal (as are the WSJ, NPR, and the NYT), I guess I’d better put it on my front. But I can’t see leading with it. WashPost seems to agree with me…
3. Ray Tanner to be named new USC Athletic Director (thestate.com) — I can see how the job would have been his if he wanted it. But who’s going to coach baseball now? Oh, wait — I see it’s Chad Holbrook.
4. 2 charged in Beltway-style sniper case (Spartanburg Herald-Journal) — I hadn’t even heard anything like this was going on just up the road.
5. Wells Fargo to Settle Mortgage Bias Case for $175 Million (NYT) — This was to settle “to settle accusations that its independent brokers discriminated against black and Hispanic borrowers during the housing boom.”
6. Is recovery near? Why the housing bust may be over (WashPost) — This is what the Post led with instead of Penn State.

Here’s the news going into our mid-week holiday:

1. Pakistan to open supply routes after U.S. apology (WashPost) — Hillary Clinton says we’re sorry for killing a couple dozen of their soldiers awhile back.
2. Assad ‘regrets’ downing of plane (BBC) — I guess he figures if it works for us…
3. Human Rights Watch: ‘Torture Centers’ Stretch Across Syria (NPR) — The ugly picture is fleshed out a bit more…
4. U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran (NYT) — Just FYI. This helps protect the strait, but also puts more strike aircraft in position, if needed.
5. Quick At-Home H.I.V. Test Wins Federal Approval (NYT) — Here’s hoping it saves some lives.
6. Andy Griffith: A TV Icon From Mayberry To Matlock (NPR) — Well, y’all knew about this. There’s going to be some fine guitar-picking up on heaven’s front porch.

Kind of a mushy news day, but some interesting stuff:

1. GlaxoSmithKline ‘guilty of fraud’ (BBC) — Not usually the sort of thing I’d lead with, but it’s about the hardest news going.
2. Peña Nieto: Mexicans have given party a second chance (The Guardian) — Yep, I had to look to a British publication for well-played coverage of the election in the country that shares a huge and porous border with ours. As usual.
3. US Justice Department again nixes SC voter ID law (AP) — And so it is that more human energy is wasted on this more or less pointless battle between the parties.
4. Experts find ‘God particle’ … sort of (AP) — Scientists expected to say they’ve found evidence of the particle, even if they haven’t seen the particle itself. Sounds kind of like the scientific equivalent of seeing a burning bush. Or something. I’m not the one to explain it.
5. Romney campaign, at odds with GOP, says mandate is not a tax (WashPost) — This is the freakiest development of the day. Essentially, Romney’s campaign is agreeing with Obama, and refusing to go along with the gathering Republican consensus on the Excuse of the Day for hating Obamacare.
6. Anderson Cooper says he’s gay (NYT) — I’m sort in an SDII position on this one, in that I only halfway know who Anderson Cooper is (I knew he was a TV guy with white hair). Frankly, I thought the reason he gave in this report for not talking about his sexuality ere now a good one. But nobody’s asking me.

Kind of a big news day. Here are the top six stories:

1. SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS HEALTH-CARE LAW (WashPost) — Hey, it’s not just me. The WashPost also put it in all caps. The subhed: Roberts joins liberal wing, says mandate is permissible. You might also want to check out the NYT report, as they historically do an excellent job of explaining court decisions.
2. Health Care Law Upheld: Now What? (NPR) — A look at where we stand now.
3. House holds Eric Holder in contempt (The Guardian) — And then the Republicans were all like, “Oh, yeah? Well then, we’ll just cite your AG with contempt!”
4. 5 witnesses say Haley did nothing wrong (thestate.com) — I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a feeling that when these unprecedented hearings are over, the gov is gonna walk. You?
5. Murdoch to invest billions in the US (The Guardian) — Apparently, the grass looks greener over here, where we’re not all in his face over phone-hacking. Otherwise, the story is about the Big Split that has been foreshadowed the last couple of days.
6. Stocks Bounce Back (WSJ) — Apparently because of encouraging news out of Europe.

Kind of a slow news day, but that just makes it a challenge:

1. Gun battles erupt near Damascus (BBC) — Of course, it’s not a slow news day in Syria… Meanwhile, Turkey Says It May Target Any Syrian Forces Nearing Border after downing of Turkish aircraft.
2. Reid: Student loan issue basically worked out (WashPost) — Hey, it’s news when this Congress works out anything.
3. Fans greet returning Gamecocks (thestate.com) — It really shows how far we’ve come when we’re all let down for our baseball team to come in second in the nation. Good job, guys. As Ron Morris wrote, “These will stand forever as the glory days for USC baseball, a three-year stretch unmatched by any team in any other sport at USC. Along the way, USC posted 158 wins and lost 50 games.”
4. Murdoch admits News Corp faces divided future (The Guardian) — This is a few hours old, but it’s still a talker of a business story.
5. University Of Virginia Reinstates President, After Public Outcry (NPR) — After the vote, she said, “I want to partner with you in bringing about what’s best for the university.” Now see, I would have fired her again right then and there, for using “partner” as a verb…
6. Big Ben tower renamed for jubilee (BBC) — Big Liz?

My week of vacation had to come to an end sometime. Your top stories:

1. Obama ‘lifts shadow’ of deportation for young (The Guardian) — The pres shows some cojones in a bid for Hispanic votes, putting Republicans in the position of having to decide how much outrage to evince. Oh, and sorry (not really) if some readers object to my using some Spanish in that sentence (for English, press 1…)
2. Egyptian generals shutter parliament, order its dissolution, state media say (WashPost) — The Arab Spring hasn’t quite led to Nirvana yet.
3. Russia Sending Air and Sea Defenses to Syria, Exporter Says (NYT) — Nobody but the NYT was playing this up, but it sounds hairy to me. It’s like the Russkies are ticked they never got to use that stuff against our stuff, toe to toe, in the Cold War, so they’re setting up a confrontation here, just in case we decide to intervene.
4. S.C. jobless rate rises to 9.1% in May (SCBR) — Was this in the paper this morning? I don’t think so, but I don’t remember. In any case, even if it’s a little old, it’s important.
5. ECB ready to act ‘if necessary’ (BBC) — Head of the Euro central bank tries to ease worries leading into Greece’s general election Sunday.
6. Election officials uphold decision in 7th (thestate.com) — Well, that didn’t work, did it, Dick? Any other ideas for salvaging the party elite’s preferred candidate?

Here are the top stories:

1. New ‘massacre’ in central Syria (BBC) — No good news from that front.
2. Dow Jumps 286.84 Points in Broad Rally (WSJ) — Just to throw you a little good news.
3. Wisconsin Vote Underscores Challenges for Democrats (NYT) — There are a bunch of stories out there like this today, and it’s ridiculous. This was a recall vote over the prerogatives of public employee unions. Not exactly the realm where the Dems compete for swing voters. About like saying that because Wisconsin rejected a bill to roll back millionaire’s taxes, the GOP is in trouble.
4. Ray Bradbury, Author Of ‘Fahrenheit 451’ And Other Classics, Dies (NPR) — Kind of a long headline. Hey, if you have to be told who Bradbury was, you probably don’t want to read this.
5. 68 years later, and Hitler is still dead (Various) — Hey, I couldn’t let the day go by without an acknowledgment of the day we put more than 150,000 men on a beach in spite of the deadliest efforts of the Third Reich to keep us off of. And then liberated Europe.
6. Columbia clears way for Walmart (The State) — This is old now, but it’s still the biggest local story.