Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday, March 7:

1. NORTH KOREA THREATENS NUCLEAR STRIKE AGAINST U.S.

Pyongyang vowed the attack hours before the UN was to consider new sanctions for its recent nuclear test.

2. HOW LONG THE BRENNAN FILIBUSTER LASTED

Rand Paul spent nearly 13 hours on the Senate floor to block a vote on Obama’s choice for CIA director.

3. CHAVEZ’ LAST WORDS

“I don’t want to die. Please don’t let me die,” the Venezuelan leader mouthed to the head of his guard before dying of a heart attack.

4. LION KILLS WOMAN AT CALIFORNIA ANIMAL PARK

The volunteer intern had just entered 4-year-old Cous Cous’ enclosure, and authorities were investigating what provoked the animal.

5. CONGRESS TO VOTE ON GUN CONTROL

A Senate committee is considering four bills, including an assault weapons ban and near-universal background checks for gun purchases.

6. ARKANSAS PASSES NATION’S TOUGHEST ABORTION LAW

Most procedures would be banned after the 12th week of pregnancy, 10 weeks earlier than Roe v. Wade allows.

7. OBAMA COURTS GOP BEFORE BUDGET VOTE

The president had dinner with senators after the House sent a bill to the Senate that would stave off a late March government shutdown.

8. SUSPECT IN EXPECTANT PARENTS’ DEATHS ARRESTED

Julio Acevedo surrendered to police at a Pennsylvania convenience store and was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of an accident.

9. ADS COME OUT OF THE CLOSET

More gay ads are appearing, nearly two decades after Ikea’s TV spot featuring a gay couple prompted bomb threats.

10. RUSSIAN BALLET STAR GAVE GO-AHEAD FOR ATTACK ON RIVAL

But Pavel Dmitrichenko says he didn’t order anyone to throw acid in the face of the Bolshoi Theater’s artistic director.