Posted Wednesday January 9, 2013 -- 7:48 a.m.

1.WHERE THE NRA IS FOCUSING GUN RIGHTS FIGHT

The group is opposing Obama's judicial nominees seen as likely to enforce stronger gun control laws.

2. MONTHS OF PREPARATION FOR THE COLORADO THEATER SHOOTING

Police testified James Holmes bought tear gas grenades two months before the rampage that killed 12 and chemicals to booby-trap his apartment.

3. A SYRIAN PRISONER SWAP

Rebels freed 48 Iranians held captive since August for more than 2,000 Syrians in what appeared to be the first prisoner swap of the civil war.

4. HOTTEST. YEAR. EVER.

U.S. temperatures were off the charts during 2012, a year marked by drought and a barely there winter.

5. WHAT THE US SEES IN PHOTOS OF MISSING INVESTIGATOR

Intelligence officials tell the AP Iran was behind images and video sent to the family of ex-FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared in 2007.

6. SIRI, WHAT SHOULD I WATCH?

TVs of the future will respond to voice commands, allowing viewers to chuck the remote.

7. ARMSTRONG AGREES TO TALK ABOUT DOPING

The interview with Oprah Winfrey addressing charges he used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career will air Jan. 17.

8. WHY YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF KANAKANAVU

There are only 10 speakers on the planet of the aboriginal language from Taiwan.

9. TWITTER EXPLODES OVER `BAMA QB'S GIRLFRIEND

Ex-Miss Alabama Katherine Webb now has more followers than boyfriend AJ McCarron after ESPN cameras lingered on her at the championship game.

10. WHO'S NOMINATED FOR THE BRITISH `OSCARS'

"Lincoln" led with 10 nominations, "Les Miserables" and "Life of Pi" nabbed nine each in the British Academy Film Awards race.

Copyright 2013: Associated Press