Striking Israeli diplomats stop processing visas – Forbes
JERUSALEM — Israel’s foreign ministry spokesman says ministry workers are broadening their three-week strike for a salary hike by instructing diplomats abroad to cut off all contacts with their host countries and refusing to process some visa applications …

Society Confidential: Aretha Franklin talks to Jet about her health – Detroit News
The Queen of Soul says her health issues were “resolved” by the procedure she underwent at a Detroit hospital in early December. “I am not one to do a lot of talking about my personal health or business,” Aretha Franklin told her friend, Jet Magazine …

BSU men rolling heading into key WAC basketball game – Idaho Statesman
A wildly successful road trip has the Boise State men s basketball team atop the WAC standings. The Broncos (11-5, 4-0) drubbed Hawaii 79-55 late Saturday night in Honolulu to set up a Thursday night clash with Utah State (14-2, 3-0) at Taco Bell Arena …

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy asks state employees for budget cut ideas, and they respond – Register Citizen
HARTFORD (AP) Trimming top-heavy management, scrutinizing money spent on overtime and discontinuing leases for building space are among the budget-cutting ideas reaching Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s inbox. Facing a state deficit projected to top …