10 Things to Know for Thursday

/ AP

In this image made from video, displays show the Unha-3 rocket launch at North Korea's space agency's General Launch Command Center on the outskirts of Pyongyang, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. The rocket launch will enhance the credentials of 20-something leader Kim Jong Un at home a year after he took power following the death of his father Kim Jong Il. It is also likely to bring fresh sanctions and other punishments from the U.S. and its allies, which were quick to condemn the launch as a test of technology for a missile that could attack the U.S. mainland. Pyongyang says it was merely a peaceful effort to put a satellite into orbit. (AP Photo via APTN)

In this image made from video, displays show the Unha-3 rocket launch at North Korea's space agency's General Launch Command Center on the outskirts of Pyongyang, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. The rocket launch will enhance the credentials of 20-something leader Kim Jong Un at home a year after he took power following the death of his father Kim Jong Il. It is also likely to bring fresh sanctions and other punishments from the U.S. and its allies, which were quick to condemn the launch as a test of technology for a missile that could attack the U.S. mainland. Pyongyang says it was merely a peaceful effort to put a satellite into orbit. (AP Photo via APTN) (/ AP)

The Associated Press, None

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

1. US TRIES FOR A TRICKY BALANCE ON KOREA

Condemning the rocket launch too harshly risks rewarding the North, which seeks to leverage any global attention it gets into much-needed aid.

2. WHEN THE FED MIGHT RAISE INTEREST RATES

The central bank says rate will be kept near zero until U.S. unemployment falls to 6.5 percent, and provided inflation stays under control.

3. SYRIAN REGIME RAMPS UP ITS WEAPONRY

Scud missiles are being fired at insurgents trying to overthrow Assad, U.S. officials report.

4. MUSIC ROYALTY ROCKS NYC IN CONCERT FOR SANDY VICTIMS

The estimated global audience: More than 2 billion. The take from tickets alone: $30 million.

5. WHY GUNMAN MIGHT HAVE ATTACKED SHOPPERS AT ORE. MALL

The random shooter feels "the whole world is unfair, someone has to pay, and it doesn't matter who," an expert says.

6. WHAT'S AT THE HEART OF THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

The crippling divide centers on whether the nation moves toward a theocracy or retains its secular traditions.

7. GUATEMALA EXPELS MCAFEE TO MIAMI

Arrival in U.S. marks new twist in anti-virus software founder's escape from Belize.

8. A GALAXY SHOWS ITS AGE

Photos from the Hubble telescope confirm that a dim galaxy filled with blue stars is the oldest ever observed - at 13.2 billion years.

9. NOW HEAR THIS (IF YOU CAN)

A law limiting the volume of TV commercials takes effect Thursday.

10. DODGERS GO FOR BROKE

The team is on track to become only the second with a $200 million payroll - and could end the Yankees' streak of 14 years as baseball's biggest spender.