To the Point

Barack Obama is coming on strong among Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire—states with mostly white voters.  Elsewhere, many black voters are supporting Hillary Clinton. Also, stocks rebound after addition Federal Reserve action, and another dramatic prediction about climate change.

As the CIA Director talks behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, there's new information about the destruction of secret videotapes. Also, terrorists strike at the capital of Algeria, and interest rates, Wall Street and consumer spending.

As 190 nations meet in Bali to start the next treaty against global warming, Al Gore receives the Nobel Peace Prize and warns about "mutually assured destruction." We hear about the global marketplace that's developing to cope with climate change.  Also, the Supreme Court affords judges discretion when sentencing crack offenders, and a conversation with Oslo Norway, where Al Gore has accepted the Nobel Peace Prize.

With foreclosures at record levels, President Bush wants the mortgage industry to volunteer help for sub-prime borrowers. Who might win and who will keep on losing? What will it mean for the price of housing and a potential recession?Also, an off-line nuclear reactor delays cancer tests around the world. On Reporter's Notebook, why did the CIA destroy videotapes of interrogations?

Mitt Romney said today no Mormon authority will influence what he does if he's elected President of the United States. With a religious test prohibited by the Constitution, should any candidate have to defend his or her religion? Also, the President's plan to assist sub-prime mortgage holders, and two Gypsy clans go to court over who controls fortune telling in Southern California.

President Bush says it's up to Iran to avoid international sanctions, but the latest Intelligence Estimate will make his case harder to make with western Europe, Russia and China.  We look at the prospects and hear more about how and why the Administration released a report that contradicted its own policies. Also, habeus corpus gets its day in court--again, and medical researchers think they have explained why the flu always comes in the winter. 

The CIA says Iran is not trying to build nuclear weapons any more, but President Bush says it's still a real threat to the rest of the world. We look at how the latest National Intelligence Estimate looks to America's friends and potential enemies. Also, with the first voting less than a month away, five Republican candidates have a shot at primary victories.

Today, at its special air time of 1pm.

Saudi Arabian judges will review the case of a rape victim sentenced to 200 lashes. Is misogyny part of Islamic law? In the US, a woman can run for President, but not without misogynistic attacks on the Internet and on the campaign trail. Attitudes toward women and how they're shaped by religion and culture. Also, Iran and the latest National Intelligence Estimate. Plus, Putin wins; Chavez loses.  We'll look at elections in Russia and Venezuela. 

At the UN, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called George Bush "the devil."  He's reached out to Fidel Castro and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On Sunday, voters may given him new powers and extend his influence for a long time to come.  Also, protests in Sudan call for execution of a British teacher, and America's hurricane season goes out with a whimper.

Vladimir Putin has restored authoritarian rule, but growth and stability have made him wildly popular with most Russians. This weekend's parliamentary elections are expected to increase Putin's strength, even as his presidency will soon come to an end. Will he hold on to political power? Are America's frayed relations with Russia in for further deterioration? Also, citizen Musharraf is sworn in as Pakistan's president, and fireworks from last night's Republican debate in Florida.