10 Things to Know for Today
12/3/2013
In this Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013 photo, Japanese dishes are served on a table for dinner at Japanese restaurant Irimoya Bettei in Tokyo. Washoku, the traditional cuisine of Japan, is being considered for designation as part of the world’s priceless cultural heritage by the U.N. this week. But even as sushi and sake booms worldwide, purists say its finer points are candidates for the endangered list at home. The younger generation is increasingly eating Krispy Kreme donuts and McDonald’s, not rice. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. SPEEDING TRAIN CRASH RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY MEASURES
Some experts say the Metro-North derailment could have been avoided if an automated crash-prevention technology had been installed on the system.
2. HOW OBAMA IS TRYING TO MOVE PAST HEALTH CARE SITE ISSUES
The president is focusing on the benefits of the law while accusing the GOP of trying to take them away without offering alternatives.
3. UKRAINE’S GOVERNMENT WINS CONFIDENCE VOTE
Despite continued protests over EU snub, the president’s party defeats no-confidence motion in parliament.
4. BIDEN SEEKS TO REASSURE JAPAN OVER CHINA’S AIR DEFENSE ZONE
The vice president says the U.S. is “deeply concerned” about Beijing’s unilateral change of the status quo in the East China Sea.
5. PROTESTERS STORM PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE COMPOUND IN BANGKOK
In a reversal of tactic, Thai police remove barricades and don’t stop demonstrators’ moves.
6. PORTRAIT EMERGES OF DETAINED AMERICAN IN NORTH KOREA
The 85-year-old war vet is remembered affectionately by members of his once-feared South Korean guerrilla group.
7. VIN DIESEL VISITS PAUL WALKER CRASH SITE
The “Fast and Furious” actor attended a private memorial service before thanking fans for paying their respects to his late co-star.
8. ISRAELIS PIT BIBI VS. BOUGIE
In a country with a tough militaristic image, people often call politicians and army leaders by their colorful childhood nicknames.
9. JAPAN’S TRADITIONAL CUISINE SEEKS GLOBAL HERITAGE NOD
Chefs say Japanese “washoku” cooking, which symbolizes harmony and uses seasonal flavors, is threatened by the rise of fast food staples such as McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme.
10. SEAHAWKS CLINCH BERTH, EYE HOMEFIELD
Russell Wilson throws three touchdown passes and Seattle becomes the first team to clinch a spot in the NFC playoffs with a 34-7 win over New Orleans.