To the Point

With America's transportation system on the verge of collapse, the Highway Trust Fund is about run out of money. Even if Congress passes a short-term fix, what are the consequences of falling behind for competition in the global economy?

Barack Obama is the first sitting President to visit East Africa, where opportunities for US investment are threatened by both terrorism and counter-terrorism. We hear about his appearances in Kenya and Ethiopia.

A new method for editing DNA is faster, easier and cheaper than ever. It promises breakthroughs in fighting disease and creating drought and fungus resistant crops ­­ but also raises the specter of mutant species, designer babies and other sci­-fi like scenarios. 

Planned Parenthood is playing defense after two undercover videos appear to show executives discussing the price of fetal tissue leftover from abortions for medical research. The controversy is all about the ethics of medical research, but is the real goal to make "a woman's right to choose" harder than ever -- just in time for the next election cycle.

The FBI is conducting a massive investigation into last week's killing of four Marines and a sailor in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We hear what's known about the young, Muslim shooter and the potential impact of the incident in southern states that are rapidly changing.

There are now 16 GOP candidates for president, and the first televised debate will include the top ten in public opinion polls.  Donald Trump is currently number one. Does that reflect the real views of Republicans or saturation news coverage and poor polling? 

After today's unanimous support by the UN Security Council, Congress has 60 days to approve or reject the nuclear deal with Iran. Even some Democrats have reservations. We look at the prospects on Capitol Hill and the possible consequences of success or failure.

They're celebrating in Sinaloa province, where Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is a local hero. But in Mexico City and Washington DC, his prison escape is a nightmare involving government corruption and international traffic in heroin and cocaine.

In a campaign for justice reform, Barack Obama is plowing new ground for an American president: commuting dozens of sentences for non-violent crimes and visiting inmates in a federal prison. But he's not alone. Conservative Republican Senators agree a system that's not working means an opportunity to save money.

Uber is the most conspicuous company in the "sharing economy" that's turning jobs into gigs that don't have traditional worker protections. Presidential candidates are being challenged to thread their way between venture capitalists, business leaders and a new generation of employees.