To the Point

Osama bin Laden used grainy videos and scratchy audiotape to address the world from inside a mountain cave.  The Islamic State has mastered social media to disseminate shocking propaganda, attracting instant attention worldwide.  The video of James Foley’s execution is just one example.  We hear what might be next.

Target, Wal-Mart and Bed, Bath & Beyond are among the companies that no longer ask job applicants if they’ve ever been arrested. We hear why the “ban the box” movement is spreading across the country.

Does college pay off? It’s top of mind for parents and students… especially since 2012, when total student debt passed the mind-boggling landmark of one trillion dollars. Is it possible to make college more affordable for more students? We’ll grade new alternatives to traditional ivy-covered brick and mortar classrooms.

In Ferguson, Missouri, the use of military equipment against peaceful protesters backfired on local police, producing an escalation of violence. Where did those resources come from? We’ll follow the trail.

After yesterday’s 5-hour meeting with diplomats from Ukraine and Russia, Germany’s Foreign Minister told reporters: “things can get even worse." Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have won enough ground to make a ceasefire unlikely — while separatists say new Russian arms and soldiers are on the way.

After 5 days of escalating confrontations between protesters and local police, the Missouri Highway Patrol took charge in Ferguson last night. In a welcome change since Saturday’s police shooting of a young, black man, there were “no road blocks, no tear gas and no arrests.” But the shooting itself has not been explained, and long-term issues have yet to be resolved.

History’s worst outbreak of the Ebola virus has killed more than 1000 people. Medical officials face an ethical question: who should receive a tiny supply of drugs never tested on human beings, which might do more harm than good? We’ll give an update on a public health emergency that could go worldwide.

Almost 300 Russian Army trucks, painted white, are somewhere on the road between Moscow and the Eastern Ukrainian border. Vladimir Putin calls the convoy humanitarian aid for a crisis the West is ignoring; Ukraine suspects it’s a “Trojan Horse” to help Russian separatists.

US companies complain about higher taxes at home than abroad, and a growing number are fleeing to other countries to save their investors money. President Obama calls that “unpatriotic,” and he’s threatening executive action.

Two years after President Obama took the US out of combat in Iraq, he’s authorized airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State. How deeply should the US become re-engaged? Can Iraq remain a unified country?