10 things happening in the world today

Published 12:10 am Thursday, May 10, 2012

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

1. FRESH OFF STAND FOR GAY MARRIAGE, OBAMA HITS FUNDRAISING TRAIL

He heads to California today for a sold-out fundraiser with Hollywood’s elite at the home of movie star George Clooney.

2. NO SIGNS OF SURVIVORS FROM PLANE CRASH ON INDONESIAN VOLCANO

The Russian-made passenger plane carrying 45 crashed just minutes after taking off on a demonstration flight for potential buyers.

3. PROSECUTORS TO REST CASE AGAINST JOHN EDWARDS

They begin wrapping up their corruption case at 8 a.m., with no plans to call the former presidential candidate’s mistress to the witness stand.

4. GOVERNMENT RELEASES LATEST FINDINGS ON SUNBURN RISKS

New government figures at noon detail a growing problem: sunburns and the use of tanning beds that raise the risk of skin cancer.

5. FOREIGN ADOPTIONS PLUMMET TO THE LOWEST POINT IN 15 YEARS

Experts say the drop from 45,000 in 2004 to 25,000 last year is due in part to a crackdown on baby selling and also a sputtering world economy.

6. PROBE FINDS $5.6 BILLION IN QUESTIONABLE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTIONS

A new government report identifies 2,600 pharmacies that made questionable billings, including a Kansas drugstore that submitted more than 1,000 prescriptions each for two patients.

7. TWO STRONG EXPLOSIONS RIP THROUGH SYRIAN CAPITAL

Syrian state TV says dozens are dead or wounded in the blasts that heavily damaged a military intelligence building in Damascus, which is tightly controlled by forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.

8. JURORS DELIBERATING IN JENNIFER HUDSON FAMILY SLAYINGS CASE

They got the case Wednesday and return at 10:30 to resume deliberations in the Chicago trial of the man accused of murdering the Oscar winner’s mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

9. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO SUE ARIZONA SHERIFF

After failing to reach a deal with Phoenix-area Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the government says it intends to sue him over allegations of civil rights violations, including the profiling of Hispanics.

10. UNCOVERING THE HEROIC SIDE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD

An exhibit opening today in New York remembers Arnold’s exploits before he became a traitor, such as his role in defeating the British at the Battles of Saratoga. .