To the Point

Four more ships have been seized by Somali pirates who threaten vengeance for those killed during hostage rescues. We hear how instability in the Horn of Africa has bred international lawlessness. Should the merchant nations resort to force or help the region solve economic and political problems? Also, President Obama speaks hard truths about the economy and opens a crack in the door to engagement with Cuba. 

Despite a rash of mass killings, calls for increased gun control are falling on deaf ears.  Has the NRA prevailed in Washington and state capitols?  Will American guns continue to flow to Mexican drug cartels?  Also, the US resolves to do what's necessary to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean.

Secularism is a defining characteristic of the "Modern" world.  So why is there such an increase in religious belief? With two major religions celebrating holidays, we look at faith in America and other parts of the world. Also, "glimmers of hope" for the economy, and America's electrical grid and cyberspies.

Scientists of human behavior helped Barack Obama get to the White House. Now they're helping him "nudge" Americans to make "better" choices.  We hear the pros and cons of a new form of leadership. Also, stocks continue rebound on good news about banks, and a proposal for small investors to get in on bank bailouts.  What are the benefits and the risks?

In Latin America and in Washington there's pressure for changing the policy of isolating Fidel Castro's Cuba. As President Obama prepares for the Summit of the Americas, how far is he willing to go? Will he insist that Cuba change its repressive ways? Also, a hijacked crew retakes its ship from Somali pirates. On Reporter's Notebook, are Nevada politicians embarrassed to tax legal prostitution?

Defense Secretary Gates says cutting the F-22 jet fighter was "not even a close call,” but the project provides jobs in no less than 44 of the 50 states. We hear about upcoming battles over a defense budget that reorients the Pentagon from conventional warfare to counterinsurgency.  Also, President Obama greeted warmly in Iraq, and Vermont becomes the fourth state to recognize same-sex marriage.

In Turkey today, President Obama is making good on his promise to reach out to the Muslim world.  We hear about Turkey's importance as a strategic ally and a bridge to the rest of Islam and discuss the growth of independent, conservative religious thinking among young Muslim people around the world.  Also, the hunt for survivors after today's earthquake in Italy, and President Obama makes it a goal of the US to eliminate nuclear weapons.

A former American President once said, "I'm the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris."  Michele Obama is currently dazzling France having already dazzled London. We talk about America's newest first lady — Princeton graduate, Harvard lawyer, community organizer, fashion plate and role model. Does she have an agenda? Also, the unavoidably bad unemployment numbers, and same-sex marriage comes to the Midwest.  

Despite predictions that their nations would be divided, the G-20 leaders said today they will take unified action against the global recession. On Reporter's Notebook, does the US need a cyberspace security czar?

President Obama and Britain's Prime Minister Brown today renewed "the special relationship." But will they get the cooperation they want from the rest of the world?  We get a preview of the G-20 summit and the likelihood of resolving the global financial crisis. Also, Obama and Medvedev discuss reduction of nuclear warheads, and Alaska's former Republican Senator Ted Stevens gets a reprieve.