10 Things to Know for Thursday January 23, 2014

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

1. WHAT IRAN IS SAYING ABOUT ASSAD'S FUTURE  Iranian President Rouhani calls for free and fair elections in Syria, saying it would respect any outcome.   DAVOS FORUM

2. HOW VIRGINIA IS VIEWING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE  The attorney general concludes that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional and will no longer defend it in federal lawsuits challenging it.   GAY MARRIAGE-VIRGINIA

3. COMPROMISE DOUBTFUL IN UKRAINE  Thick black smoke from burning tires engulfs Kiev as an ultimatum issued by the opposition to the president to call early election or face street rage was set to expire.  UKRAINE-PROTESTS

4. TEXAS EXECUTES MAN DESPITE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION  A Mexican national is executed for killing a Houston police officer despite pleas and diplomatic pressure from the Mexican government and the U.S. State Department. TEXAS EXECUTION

5. POLL: NICE GUY, SO-SO PRESIDENT  A new AP poll finds that less than a third of Americans consider Obama to be an above-average commander in chief, but nearly twice as many find him likable.  AP POLL-OBAMA

6. DIVIDED PANEL TO REVEAL NSA SPY RECOMMENDATIONS  The changes to the government's surveillance programs seek to satisfy legal, privacy and civil liberties concerns.   NSA SURVEILLANCE

7. POLL FINDS DROP IN UNINSURED RATE  The nation's uninsured rate drops modestly in January as the major coverage expansion under Obama's health care law got underway, a survey finds.   HEALTH OVERHAUL-UNINSURED

8. WHAT HIT SHOW IN U.K. IS STIRRING DEBATE  "Benefits Street," reality TV for austerity times, is a smash hit featuring welfare recipients, but it's creating controversy in Britain.   BRITAIN-POVERTY TV

9. HOW SESAME STREET HOPES TO IMPROVE KIDS' NUTRITION

A three-year experiment in South America suggests better eating habits displayed by Bert and Ernie and Cookie Monster have had a positive effect. SESAME STREET-HEALTH

10. HOW SHERMAN FEELS ABOUT PUBLIC OUTCRY  The Seattle Seahawks' All-Pro cornerback says he was "surprised" by the negative reaction his postgame rant received on social media and the airwaves.   SUPER BOWL-SHERMAN SPEAKS