To the Point

NATO today joined the US in warning Syria that the use of chemical weapons against its people would be “completely unacceptable.” We’ll update signs of a new, military offensive and debate the pros and cons of increased US intervention.  Also, we re-visit a brutal crime via "The Central Park Five," and we'll talk about the latest offers w/ House Speaker Boehner regarding the Fiscal Cliff.  

Once again today, America’s highest court failed to announce any plan to take up one or more cases involving the legalization of same-sex marriage. Now it’s expected to do so on Friday. Will the justices be paying attention to last month’s elections in 4 states? We’ll look at the high court’s options—and at the political ramifications, especially for the Republican Party. On Reporters Notebook later on, could deadly violence result from brain damage in professional football? Also in the news, Britain, France, Sweden, Denmark and Spain have summoned Israeli ambassadors to Israel to signal strong objection to Israel’s plans for expanding settlements in East Jerusalem.

Even before tomorrow's inauguration, Mexico’s newly elected president has been trying to alter the country’s negative image. We hear different views of what to expect.

With the deadline for avoiding the "fiscal cliff" just a month away, there are new doubts about whether it's going to be met. We hear about political lines in the sand..

A major second-term challenge for President Obama is ending the war in Afghanistan. What are America's goals beyond troop withdrawal by 2014?  What's the future of a country embroiled in violence for the past 30 years?

Three weeks after the election, there's been only one high-level meeting about the "fiscal cliff," despite warnings about a recession.  What are the prospects of reaching a deal?  Would it be so bad if they didn't?

If you've never heard of a MOOC, don't worry. Massive Open Online Courses are only a year old. But several schools are using them to reach millions of students worldwide.

Internet technology uses more electrical power than any other US industry except for manufacturing. How much energy is wasted to keep your information available full time?

For the first time since 1920, the Agricultural Census is showing an increase in American farmers. Some grew up in cities and are getting financial help from the government.

On the busiest week of the traveling season, we hear how the flying experience has changed as an industry with narrow profit margins struggles to meet public demand.