THURSDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Rescue crews hope to re-enter the Upper Big Branch mine tonight, while President Obama presses for more answers on mine safety.
* Unrest spread throughout Bishkek today, and while Kyrgyzstan’s president was forced to flee, he said from an unknown location that he would not resign.
* Chinese officials signal an encouraging shift on currency policy, but Krugman isn’t sure whether to believe them.
* After some encouraging weeks, new jobless claims went up last week unexpectedly.
* Spencer Ackerman considers the national security case against killing Anwar al-Awlaki.
* Republicans aren’t happy about it, but Senate Dems are moving forward on Goodwin Liu’s nomination to the 9th Circuit.
* Glacier National Park continues to lose its glaciers.
* The “16,000 IRS Agents” lie really is painfully ridiculous — which is why prominent Republican leaders keep repeating it, assuming Americans aren’t smart enough to know better.
* North Carolina’s Republican Party chairman wants Michael Steele to resign.
* Making the SAT “optional”: a growing number of colleges don’t require the SATs for admission.
* I have to admit, I’m glad to see the “former half-term governor” line start to catch on.
* Gregory Giusti was arrested this week for threatening Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s life over health care reform. Reflecting on what drove him to such behavior, Giusti’s mother blamed Fox News.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
