10 Things to Know for Thursday

Published 9:54 pm Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday:

1. WHAT’S WITHIN THE NSA’S POWER

Congressional testimony reveals that the agency can snoop not just on a terror suspect’s phone records but also the records of everyone he calls, everyone who calls those people — and everyone who calls them.

2. MILITARY MISSES TARGETS

An AP investigation finds that the downsizing military has unloaded $4.2B in surplus gear — meant to fight terrorism and drug trafficking — on law enforcement agencies in areas with few officers and little crime.

3. THE US ECONOMY’S SILVER LINING

Growth remains weak, but last quarter’s pickup supports forecasts that things will get better the rest of the year.

4. WHY EGYPT’S MILITARY SAYS IT’S KEEPING MORSI UNDER WRAPS

For his own safety. But it’s also possible that if his place of detention were revealed, it would attract throngs of the ex-leader’s supporters.

5. SYRIAN PRESIDENT’S LATEST PR EFFORT

Assad’s new Instagram profile shows photos of him visiting the wounded or smiling among supporters.

6. POPE’S POPULIST STYLE NOT FOR EVERYONE

He’s turning the Vatican upside down, and some conservatives and traditionalists aren’t pleased.

7. WHERE WET WEATHER IS WREAKING HAVOC

The wettest July ever recorded in Puerto Rico has destroyed homes, swept away cars and disrupted power.

8. MORE TO LIKE ABOUT FACEBOOK

The social network’s stock passes its $38 IPO price before falling back slightly. It’s the highest the stock has traded since its debut a year ago.

9. OJ CREDITED WITH GOOD BEHAVIOR

The former NFL star wins parole for some of his 2008 convictions for kidnapping and armed robbery, but still faces at least four more years behind bars.

10. WHO’S ON MLB’S RADAR

Fourteen players are likely to be disciplined as early as this weekend in baseball’s latest doping scandal. And Alex Rodriguez could face a lifetime ban.