10 Things to Know for Today

Friday, March 8, 2013

photo In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Hugo Chavez' mother Elena Frias, third from left, and brothers Adan, second from left, Argenis, first right, and Adelis, fourth from right, stand next to the flag-draped coffin containing the body of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez on display during his wake at a military academy where his body will lie in state until his funeral in in state in Caracas, Venezuela. Seven days of mourning were declared, all schools were suspended for the week and friendly heads of state were expected for an elaborate funeral Friday.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (times EST):

1) WHO WILL ATTEND CHAVEZ'S FUNERAL

At 10:30 a.m., world leaders and celebrities will join Venezuelans to honor and mourn the late socialist leader in a funeral shrouded in astonishing secrecy.

2) WHAT EXPERTS ARE SAYING ABOUT NORTH KOREA THREATS

They say Pyongyang lacks the technology for a nuclear strike on the U.S. and analysts say the rhetoric has the added effect of reaching North Korea's own people.

3) WHO IS OPPOSED TO TSA ACTION

Flight attendants, pilots, federal air marshals and even insurance companies are part of a growing backlash to a new policy allowing passengers to carry small knives and sports equipment onto planes.

4) HOW THE BUDGET BATTLE MAY AFFECT WORKERS

Federal workers at HUD, Homeland Security and the EPA face the possibility of furloughs - of varying lengths.

5) THE LIKELY CAUSE OF LION MAULING

The 550-pound lion that killed a 24-year-old volunteer at a California animal park likely escaped from a feeding cage and attacked her while she was cleaning its larger enclosure area, authorities say.

6) AL-QAIDA LEADER FACING JUSTICE IN U.S.

Captured in Jordan, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith - Osama bin Laden's son-in-law and a member of his inner circle - is to appear at 10 a.m. in a federal court in New York.

7) CALLING IT A POLITICAL CAREER

Democrat Carl Levin, a six-term senator, will not seek re-election in 2014, calling his decision "extremely difficult because I love representing the people of Michigan."

8) RACISTS NEED NOT APPLY

A police chief hired to rebuild a tiny Tennessee department dismantled by scandal is using a lie-detector test in a bid to keep bigots off his force.

9) WHAT YOUR FACEBOOK NEWS FEED WILL LOOK LIKE

The social network is revamping its main feature to make it appear more like the different sections of a newspaper.

10) BIEBS FEELIN' BETTER

Justin Bieber says he is "getting better," after fainting backstage at a concert in London, and the venue says tonight's show is scheduled to go ahead as planned.