10 things to know today

Published 6:36 am Monday, May 7, 2012

1. France’s new president faces immediate scrutiny over plans to solve debt crisis

Francois Hollande plans to flip the trend of budget-tightening that has dominated Europe, causing investors to question whether his new tack will solve or worsen the debt crisis.

2. World market indexes lower after elections

Uncertainty about Europe’s ability to solve its debt problems sends Japan’s stock market down 2.8 percent and Greece’s a massive 8 percent.

3. House Republicans seeking to prevent budget cuts to the Pentagon

House Budget Committee meets at 1 p.m. on a $300 billion measure that uses cuts to food aid, health care and social services to prevent cuts to troop levels and military modernization.

4. Secretary of State Clinton opens three days of talks with India

The top item on her agenda: Urging New Dehli to curb its dependence on Iranian oil.

5. Putin takes oath of office in Moscow

Thousands of riot police prevent hundreds of demonstrators from protesting his return to the presidency.

6. Mystery at Churchill Downs

Authorities are looking into whether foul play was involved in the death of a worker whose body was found in a barn at the famed racetrack hours after the Kentucky Derby.

7. Fugitives who fled $1.2 million investment fraud nabbed in Arizona

Nelson and Janet Hallahan’s 12-year run from an Illinois Ponzi scheme conviction ends a day after authorities featured the couple on “America’s Most Wanted.”

8. Court battle threatened over boy on girls’ field hockey team

A 13-year-old New York boy has been told that after two years as a member of a high school girls’ team, he is off the squad. The reason: He’s too skilled.

9. Caroline Kennedy announces Profiles in Courage Awards

Among those to be honored at 9 a.m. are three Iowa Supreme Court justices ousted by voters after the court unanimously decided to legalize same-sex marriages.

10. Baltimore designated hitter becomes winning pitcher in 17-inning marathon

Orioles’ Chris Davis throws the final outs in 9-6 victory over Boston. It marks the first major league game since 1925 when both teams put a position player on the mound.