10 Things to Know for Today: 12-04
12/4/2013
In this Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 photo, the solid gold mask of King Tutankhamun is seen in its glass case, in the Egyptian Museum near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt. The 111-year-old museum, a treasure trove of pharaonic antiquities, has long been one of the centerpieces of tourism to Egypt. But the constant instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak has dried up tourism to the country, slashing a key source of revenue. Moreover, political backbiting and attempts to stop corruption have had a knock-on effect of bringing a de facto ban on sending antiquities on tours to museums abroad, cutting off what was once a major source of funding for the museum. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED METRO-NORTH’S DERAILMENT
The train’s engineer experienced a hypnotic-like “daze” and nodded at the controls before the crash, his lawyer says.
2. CONNECTICUT TO RELEASE 911 CALLS FROM NEWTOWN SHOOTING
The tapes of seven landline calls from inside Sandy Hook Elementary School will be released to the media.
3. HEZBOLLAH COMMANDER KILLED IN BEIRUT
The Lebanese militant group accuses Israel of assassinating one of its founding members outside his home.
4. CALM REMAINS ELUSIVE IN UKRAINE
Protesters set up tents across Kiev’s Independence Square and the government shows no sign of yielding.
5. BIDEN BEGINS VISIT TO CHINA AT A TENSE TIME
The vice president plans to raise the issue of Beijing’s newly-declared air defense zone that’s riling Japan and other regional allies.
6. WHY JUDGE’S DETROIT BANKRUPTCY RULING PUTS PENSIONS AT RISK
The city can scrub $18 billion, half of which are linked to retiree and health care obligations, while it restructures its debts.
7. HOW MUCH THE TALLY WAS FOR CYBER MONDAY SALES
Online shoppers set a record, with e-commerce spending rising 18 percent from last year to $1.74 billion.
8. HE PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE — AND GOT ONE
A Nigerian survived three days in an air pocket in an upended boat about 100 feet down in the Atlantic. A video of his dramatic rescue has gone viral on the Internet.
9. CURSE OF POLITICAL UNREST HITS EGYPT’S PHARAONIC TREASURES
The nation’s world-famous antiquities museum is facing riots at its doorstep and financial woes as turmoil continues.
10. BILLY JOEL SETTLING IN AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
The Piano Man says he’ll perform monthly at the famed New York City venue for as long as fans come to see him.