War on Christmas: Federal officials are preparing to ditch the color-coded alert system that's been stuck on yellow virtually every day since it debuted in 2002. But it's always red alert near the Pentagon, which is why the discovery today of a blinking Christmas ornament in a trash can in the Metro station there caused officials to shut down and evacuate the stop for an investigation. Fortunately for the commuters stuck outside during the panic, it wasn't particularly cold out today. Wait, what? Oh. -2

Room Service: Working for a luxury hotel in the District often means a chance to glimpse powerful people coming and going (and we don't just mean Eliot Spitzer at the Mayflower). Unless, that is, you're a Muslim who works for the Mandarin Oriental, in which case your bosses will tell you to stay away from floors occupied by visiting delegations of Israeli government officials. That's what happened at the hotel in Southwest over the weekend, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying there. This might, though, present a good Middle Eastern peace plan; just move all the Israeli settlers into the now-purged-of-Muslims Mandarin, and voila—no more conflict! -1

Maryland ♥ South Korea: Living in Maryland, instead of D.C., could have its perks. There's the blue crabs, the fact that jousting is the state sport, and—of course—the whole "voting representation in Congress" thing. Add to that list now the fact that Maryland drivers will automatically qualify for South Korean drivers licenses, and the Old Line State looks pretty good. Koreans will qualify for a Maryland license without taking a test, too, which is sure to alarm Fox News Channel. Even worse: Maryland has the same arrangement with France! +1

Hoard Bread, Milk, and Toilet Paper: The District and its suburbs always handle snow with the equanimity one might expect from residents of the capital of the world's mightiest nation—by closing schools, driving like lunatics, and generally freaking out. Prepare for the first major installment of such hysteria tomorrow afternoon. No less an authority than Bob Ryan says light snow showers could yield the season's first accumulating snow during the evening commute. We'll see you all in April, when it's safe to go outside again. -2

Yesterday's Needle rating: 54 Today's score: -4 Today's Needle rating: 50

The only thing better than noshing fresh hot empanadas at 7:28 a.m. is watching tempestuous Argentine hero Diego Maradona go apeshit while you chew. Special correspondents C.T. Schwink and Mike Madden report from El Patio in Rockville early Thursday morning, where the owner demands that everyone stands during the broadcast of Himno Nacional Argentino:

1st minute-About 30 people are here. They've set up rows of seats inside, as well as tables outside to watch the game. Couple of guys throw their blue and white jerseys over their button-up shirts and ties. Seems some people will be late to work today.

16th minute-Argentina goes up 1-0. The applause here lasts almost as long as the Univision announcer's "gooooooooooooooooooool!" That applause turns to snickering when the replay reveals that South Korea knocked the ball into its own net.

32nd minute-Argentina goes up 2-zippy. A man is tossing his baby in the air in excitement. The baby, for some reason, doesn't seem as thrilled.

45th minute-Two young Korean women, who wandered into the restaurant midway through the first half, shriek with delight as South Korea scores a goal just before halftime. A cameraman from Univision videotapes their celebration. Everyone else mostly ignores them. The Koreans leave abruptly after finishing their breakfast. As they depart, a waiter remarks, "I couldn't believe they were cheering for the Korean goal...but they're cute!" About 50 people are here now.

75th minute-Argentina scores again! An older woman in the kitchen starts ringing the order-up bell with a beaming smile.

Final whistle-Argentina wins, 4-1. A waitress points out that Schwink's Spanish is about as poor as the Koreans' play on the pitch today. At least his empanadas era muy delicioso.

Games resume at 7:30 a.m. Drinks at 8 a.m. Where to go? Consult our trusty guide: Where to Watch the World Cup.

Photo by Arne Musseler/Creative Commons Attribution License

Drug recalls, crime bills, and a double dose of foreign policy after the jump.

• The FDA issued a press release advising citizens to stop using certain Zicam products.  Why?  Because this supposed cure for the common cold can cause the loss of one's ability to smell.  The press release also reminds concerned consumers that "the loss of sense of smell can adversely affect a person’s quality of life, and can limit the ability to detect the smell of gas or smoke or other signs of danger in the environment."  So stop using Zicam or else you might go smell-blind and die in a fire.