BALANCE FOR NORTH KOREA. Pulling Propaganda Points.
Condemning their rocket launch too harshly risks rewarding them, which seeks to leverage any global attention it gets into much-needed foreign aid.

FED MAY RAISE RATES. Interesting Formula.
The central bank says rate will be kept close to zero until U.S. unemployment falls to 6.5 percent, and as long as inflation stays under control.

SYRIAN REGIME RAMPS UP ITS WEAPONRY. Attacking Rebels
Scud missiles are now being fired at the insurgents who are trying to overthrow Assad, according to U.S. officials.

92 year old Ravi Shankar was a high profile Indian sitarist and composer, whose collaborations with Western classical musicians as well as rock stars helped foster a worldwide appreciation of India’s traditional music. He dies in a hospital near his home in Southern California.

His music transcended trends and cultural barriers. Here is one TV clip from The Dick Cavett Show. He is being introduced by former Beatles guitarist, George Harrison. The other is a rhythm bonanza.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gWCiLexilY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joyk_EMtzn0

NORTH KOREAN DEFIANCE. Launches Rocket.
North Korea launches a long-range rocket, ignoring warnings from the U.N. and the U.S.

GUNMAN KILLS 2 IN OREGON MALL
Terrorized shoppers run for cover as shots ring out, leaving three dead, including the shooter.

RIGHT TO WORK IN MICHIGAN. Focus on Neighboring States.
Proponents say the law brings more jobs. Opponents contend the real intent is to weaken organized labor.

OBAMA'S WORDS HAUNTING HIM. Flip Flop Taxes

Right to work, or left out of work for organized labor. 23 other states have it, but Michigan is a heavily unionized state in this nation.

10,000 labor union workers from throughout Michigan and the. Midwest are expected to march on the state capitol in freezing temperatures to protest the likely passage of a "right-to-work" law.

The state of Michigan has the fifth highest percentage of unionized workers in the US at 17.5 percent and the Detroit area is headquarters for General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler.

HSBC TO PAY $1.9BILLION. Money Laundering Investigation.
This forfeiture by the financial giant would be the largest in a case involving a bank.

MILITARY CUTS. Part of Budget Negotiations.
House Democrats and Republicans seek substantial reductions in defense spending to avoid falling off that fiscal cliff.

DICTATOR MORSI. Is Democracy Not Possible?
It should come as no surprise that heavy-handed rule has a long history in Egypt, as well as in this entire region.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH. Colorado Governor Declares Pot Legal.

Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has agreed to a settlement with the hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault, according to a New York jurist. However, details of the 63-year-old's agreement with Nafissatou Diallo are confidential.

Strauss-Kahn had been charged with attempted rape and then resigned from his IMF post.
Mr Strauss-Kahn had previously admitted to a "moral failing", but insisted their sexual encounter was consensual.

In the wake of Ms Diallo's accusations, other women came forward with sexual assault allegations against him.

FINANCIAL DEADLINE NEARBY. US Near Fiscal Cliff
President Obama and Speaker Boehner meet, but will they avoid that impending Fiscal Cliff?

SPECIAL OPS CASUALTY. One Dies During Rescue.
A U.S. military service member was killed during the Afghanistan mission that freed an American doctor.

PRIVATE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS. Rising Salaries.
Compensation drifts upward, while the number of those crossing the $1-million barrier holds steady.

MORSI'S DRAFT CHARTER. Polarizing Egypt.

Mexican authorities have announced that the wreckage of a small plane believed to be carrying singing superstar Jenni Rivera was found without survivors.

The U.S.-registered Learjet 25 went missing early Sunday after taking off from the city of Monterrey. The Mexican-American singer was better known for her work within the Norteña and Banda music genres.

July 2, 1969 - Dec 9, 2012

Before her life was cut short, this Mexican American entertainer was a symbol of resilience for millions of music fans on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border.