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

1. OBAMA’S CONTROVERSIAL DEFENSE PICKS

The president is nominating former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel defense secretary and counterterrorism John Brennan to head the CIA.

2.  A ‘MINI-TRIAL’ FOR COLORADO THEATER SHOOTING SUSPECT

As experts predict a plea deal, James Holmes’ weeklong preliminary hearing may be the closest thing to his trial over the rampage that killed 12 people.

3. LESS INTEREST IN GUN BUYS  IN STATES WITH MASS SHOOTINGS

An AP analysis finds requests for background checks late last year were among the lowest in Colorado and Connecticut.

4. CLINTON GOES BACK TO WORK

The secretary of state is meeting with deputies Monday, more than a week after she was hospitalized with a blood clot.

5. GOOGLE VENTURES INTO NORTH KOREA

Google CEO Eric Schmidt arrived Monday for a look at social media in the country with notoriously restrictive Internet policies.

6. HOW EUROPE’S UNIVERSITIES PREPARE STUDENTS

Graduates say they feel untrained to even make professional calls in the workplace after leaving school.

7. WHO WON SPAIN’S $1.1 BILLION LOTTERY

The annual “El Nino” jackpot was split among ticket holders in five regions, including Madrid.

8. 27-INCH TABLET TO DEBUT AT GADGET SHOW

The IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC is the size of a coffee table and allows four people to use it simultaneously.

9. WHERE YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK AT THE GYM

A new Dallas fitness club only allows members who are at least 50 pounds overweight and has no mirrors inside.

10. COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S BIG TEST

No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Alabama will have to play nothing less than a classic to match the hype for Monday night’s national championship.