From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with brian williams. Good evening. We are nearing the time when cardinals gather at the vatican and the 1 billionplus catholics around the world await a puff of white smoke from the chimney, announcing the election of a new pope. The problem for the Catholic Church is the drumbeat of scandal is now growing so loud and so vast, its taking a lot of attention from this process. And its actually affecting the number of Church Leaders who will come to rome and cast a vote. The top Catholic Leader in Great Britain has resigned. The top Catholic Leader in los angeles has been publicly humiliated. And the pope himself is now at the center of swirling rumors and press reports while on his way out. We begin tonight with nbcs Anne Thompson at the vatican. Anne, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian. With just three days left in his papacy, the vatican wanted the spotlight to be on Pope Benedict. Instead the world is seeing the darker side of the church, the infighting and scandals that today claimed britains highestranking catholic. For scotlands cardinal obrien, the end came with astonishing swiftness. Today obrien resigned and said he will not attend the conclave to elect a new pope. The First Cardinal in history to stay away, because of a personal scandal. Sunday, a british newspaper published accusations by three priests and a former priest that obrien engaged in inappropriate behavior with them, going back to the 1980s. Holy father accepted the resignation reporter 24 hours later, Pope Benedict accepted obriens resignation as archbishop of Saint Andrews and he had en boro. The Catholic Church is in quite a bit of turmoil. Reporter obrien denied the claims and said in a statement today, for any failures, i apologize to all whom ive offended. The one that handed me over to you reporter just last week, obrien spoke out about the american cardinal, mahoney under pressure to sit out the conclave because he shielded sexually abusive priests. We all acknowledge that sometimes if someone hassered in some way or another, it doesnt sort their judgment in other matters. Reporter its all revealing that sometimes nasty politics behind the pageantry. The fact that we havent been through a mourning period and a papal funeral has let the dogs loose over the last week in a way that would not normally have taken place in the normal course of the papal transition. Reporter after adoring crowds yesterday, today the pope dealt with another sordid mess. Last years leak of papal documents by the popes own butler. The pope decided that an internal report on that scandal would remain secret, known only to him and the next pope. Italian newspapers have run wild with speculation about a coverup. Wondering if that report led to the popes resignation. The vatican denies that. It certainly weighed on him, but i dont i think were putting more into it if we make that the decision. Reporter also today, the pope gave the cardinals permission to move up the start date of the conclave, but those discussions are not expected to happen until Pope Benedict officially steps down thursday night. Brian . Anne thompson at the vatican on this monday night. Anne, thanks. Now we go to washington where were one day closer to some broad and sweeping federal budget cuts, known by the clunky name of the sequester. Its due to happen friday and again tonight there doesnt seem to be any urgent or serious effort to stop it. In fact, with all of this going on, all of this looming, the u. S. Senate made a point of reading George Washingtons farewell address to the chamber today. Something they do every year. But, of course, this is no ordinary time, and to the white house we go. Nbcs Peter Alexander standing by there. Peter, good evening. Reporter brian, good evening to you. There is bipartisan agreement on one thing, that those sequester cuts will likely go ahead as planned at the end of this week. The white house in Congressional Republicans have made no progress toward a deal. While there was plenty of talking today, almost all of it was critical of the other side. The latest in the parade of public aofficials issuing dire warnings, Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano asked if the cuts would increase the likelihood of a terrorist attack. Were going to do everything we can to minimize that risk but the sequester makes it awfully, awfully tough. Reporter House Speaker john boehner. If the president was serious, he would sit down with harry reid and begin to address our problems. Reporter trying to capi capitalize on the visit by governors. In california, 9,600 lowincome students could lose financial aid. In texas, nearly 68 million for teachers and schools could be slashed. And in virginia, 90,000 civilian Defense Department employees could be furloughed. The president punctuated the urgency. All of us are concerned about our politics. Both in our own parties as well as the other parties. But at some point, weve got to do some governing. Reporter still, there have been no negotiations. No progress all weekend. Not even a phone call between the president and republicans in days. So why the lack of movement, especially if the cuts are so drastic . What youre seeing right now is solely that political positioning, trying to put themselves in a place where they are the ones dictating the terms of the eventual agreement to their political rivals. Reporter but the anticipation is already breeding anxiety. The sequester is part of the broad uncertainty that the federal government has foisted upon the question. Reporter even this firm in pennsylvania that the government found ways to cut costs is now at risk of going out of business itself. Because a lot of the agencies really dont know what they have to spend. They have been less inclined, in most cases, to spend anything. Reporter also tomorrow, the senate is expected to consider chuck hagels nomination for defense secretary once again. Brian, this time the republican filibuster is expected to fail. Hagel could be confirmed as early as this wednesday. Peter alexander at the white house tonight. Peter, thanks. Almost thankfully we at least get to talk about the weather, even though it is a massive blizzard churning its way across this country tonight. Watches and warnings are up in several states, many already hardhit. Now facing what is shaping up to be another recordbreaker in some parts. Weather channel meteorologist mike seidel joins us from wichita, kansas tonight. Hey, mike. Good evening. Hey, good evening, brian. All or parts of 20 states tonight into wednesday are under some type of Winter Weather warning or advisory. It stretches from texas to maine. Meanwhile, this morning the plains got hit hard by howling wind and blinding snow. The storm hit hard in the predawn hours in the texas panhandle. Oh, my god, dude. Reporter 2 to 3inch per hour snowfall rates and snowfall gusts clocked in amarillo. The National Weather Service Called it a crippling, historic blizzard. Were going to step outside and let you see what its like so far. More than a foot of snow and 77mileanhour wind gusts combined to create whiteout conditions can. Shutting down every road in the texas oklahoma panhandle. Texas rarely sees this much snow from one storm. Its amarillos second snowiest day on record with 17 inches. The National Guard and local emergency crews struggled through snowdrifts that topped 6 feet in places to reach dozens of stranded motorists. The storm also pummeled western oklahoma. As you folks already know out there, conditions are terrible for travel. As it blew into kansas, people in its path tried to prepare. As you can see, going to the Grocery Store and just hoping that we have enough food, and where i dont have to get back out in it. This storm is a tough onetwo punch for the region. Wichita had its second largest storm on record and kansas city the biggest snowfall. And heavy snow tonight and wednesday. And heres that forecast. Were looking at another 6 inches here in wichita overnight tonight. Kansas city where the snow moved in this afternoon, maybe another foot on the south side of town. And then tomorrow, the storm treks northeast. The snow streaks toward chicago, arriving tomorrow afternoon. They could see half a foot or more by wednesday morning. That would make it their biggest snowfall this season. Flights cancelled at ohare. But very few kplunts, in the midst of a horrible drought. Theyll take anything that falls out of the sky, even inches or feet of snow. Mike, we know its bad when youve got your snow glasses on. Mike seidel in windwhipped wichita, kansas for us. Mike, thanks. We go overseas now. John kerry has embarked on his first overseas tour as the new secretary of state. A whirlwind trip. Hell hit Nine Countries in ten days in europe, the middle east and already hes been confronted with his first big test in office. Our chief Foreign Affairs correspondent, andrea mitchell, is traveling with the secretary. Shes with us from our London Bureau tonight. Andrea, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian. Secretary kerrys Maiden Voyage almost went off course because of a problem no one has been able to solve. Syria. From breakfast, at number 10 with the prime minister. Quite a long tour. Well, its the beginning. Thank you. Thank you for being the first leg of it. A traditional breakfast. Reporter to dinner in berlin. The new secretary of states first day on the road was dominated by a war thousands of miles away. Sunday, Syrian Rebels shot down a government helicopter. But the assad regime still outguns the rebels. Raining skuds in aleppo friday. With russia arming assad, rebel leaders threatened to boycott a team meeting with kerry later this week to protest the u. S. And europes refusal to arm them. At this stage, isnt it time to revisit that policy . With a new secretary of state at a beginning moment of the second term of president obama, when he himself has expressed concerns about it, this moment is ripe for us to be considering what more we can do. Reporter as a senator, kerry said military aid should be considered. And mill re clinton and leon panetta both recommended arming and training some rebel units. But president obama rejected that proposal last year. Fearing weapons would get into the hands of al qaeda supporters. But today, facing rebel pressure, kerry hinted at a policy shift. We are determined that the Syrian Opposition is not going to be dangling in the wind, wondering where the sport is or if its coming. Reporter before leaving london, kerry called a key Opposition Leader and talked him into showing up for the meeting in rome later this week. Today proof that nothing is going to be easy, though, for americas newest top diplomat. Andrea mitchell in london traveling with the secretary tonight. Thanks. Dr. C. Everett coop has died. The fact that you recognize either his name or face is proof that what will be said about him most is true. He was the first truly public Surgeon General of the modern era, certainly the television era. He truly practiced public health. As Surgeon General, between 1981 and 87, he became an aggressive advocate for aids education and prevention. And he believed in using blunt language in educating the public but how it spread. He was also aggressive in his anti smoking effort, saying nicotine was more addictive than heroin. He was brooklynborn, Ivy League Educated and taught medicine in the ivy league. He believed in the power of prayer at the bedside fd sick. Charles everett coop was 96 years old. Still ahead as our broadcast continues on a monday night, what doctors are now saying about treating one of the most common childhood illnesses. And a reversal for the millions of women who have been told to take calcium and vitamin d. To protect their bones will leave themselves at risk. And later tonight, hits and misses and plenty of controversy after hollywoods big night. O ] im lorenzo. I work for 47 different companies. Well, technically i work for one. That company, the United States postal service® works for thousands of home businesses. Because at usps. Com® you can pay, print and have your packages picked up for free. I can even drop off free boxes. I wear a lot of hats. Well, technically i wear one. The u. S. Postal service®, no business too small. With thermacare heatwraps. 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Its three cleaning zones with dynamic power bristles reach between teeth with more brush movements to remove up to 100 more plaque than a regular manual brush. And even 76 more plaque than Sonicare Flexcare in hard to reach areas. Oralb deep sweep 5000 power brush. Life opens up when you do. In health news tonight, new guidelines for parents struggling with the most common of Early Childhood ailments, as a lot of us know and thats ear infections. According to todays advice, less is more when it comes to using drugs to treat an earache, though try telling that to an anxious parent at 3 00 a. M. Our chief medical editor, dr. Nancy snyderman, reports. Like most parents, harry bronsteen has a lot of sleepless nights when his son gets sick. Nonstop ear aches for the six months of life. We fwelt helpless after a while. It isnt so surprising. Other than the common cold, ear infections are the number one reason parents see a pediatrician. Reporter acute middle ear infections are caused by a buildup of fluid behind the ear drum. And the main reason children are prescribed antibiotics. But the new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this cause of ear aches in kids ages 6 months to 12 years old may help parents and pediatricians avoid unneeded medications. The goal is to improve the diagnosis and to make sure that we preserve the healing power of antibiotics by using them judiciously in kids who benefit most and conversely giving kids who dont need them the opportunity to improve on their own. Reporter for bronsteen, knowing when to take abraham to the doctor has been confusing. We were there constantly, sometimes two or three times a week. Reporter according to the new guidelines, children with ear aches might be good candidates for antibiotics if they have a history of frequent ear infections. If theres a fever higher than 102. 2, lasting longer than two days. And a bulging ear drum indicating possible infection. Without these symptoms, an earache is mostly caused by a virus, allergies, even teething. In these cases, it is safe to put off seeing the doctor, to skip the antibiotics. I want to show daddy about ear infections, okay . Reporter and to just give a child pain relievers for discomfort. I know its hard to believe at 3 00 in the morning, but that pain reliever will get to the ear sooner than an antibiotic. Which will still take 48 hours. And brian, a reminder to immunize your children, stay away from cigarette smoking and breastfeeding is a good way to keep down ear infections too. And nancy, as we mentioned, calcium was in the news in your area today. Right. The United States task force came out today for over 50 of women over the age of 60 take calcium and invite minute d. To prevent hip fractures. Authorities today are saying dont take it, its just not worth it, no proof it relationships. Better off to take just through real food and dairy. Eat your food. Forget the pills. Dr. Nancy snyderman, thank you, as always. Well take a break. When we come back, our oscar coverage about last night when we continue. Hi im terry, and i have diabetic nerve pain. I worked a patrol unit for 17 years in the city of baltimore. When i first started experiencing the pain, its hard to describe because you have a numbness but yet you have the pain like thousands of needles sticking in your foot. It was progressively getting worse, and at that point, i knew i had to do something. When i went back to my health care professional, thats when she suggested the lyrica. Once i started taking the lyrica, the pain started subsiding. [ male announcer ] its known that diabetes damages nerves. Lyrica is fda approved to treat diabetic nerve pain. Lyrica is not for everyone. It may cause serious allergic reactions or suicidal thoughts or actions. Tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Or swelling, trouble breathing, rash, hives, blisters, changes in eye sight including blurry vision, muscle pain with fever, tired feeling, or skin sores from diabetes. Common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain, and swelling of hands, legs, and feet. Dont drink alcohol while taking lyrica. Dont drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. Those whove had a drug or alcohol problem may be more likely to misuse lyrica. Ask your doctor about lyrica today. Its specific treatment for diabetic nerve pain. To hear more of terrys story, visit lyrica. Com. Theyre about 10 times softer and may have surface pores where bacteria can multiply. Polident kills 99. 99 of odor causing bacteria and helps dissolve stains so dentures are cleaner, fresher, and brighter. [ male announcer ] polident. So dentures are cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Ive always had to keep my eye on her. But, i didnt always watch out for myself. With so much noise about health care. I tuned it all out. With unitedhealthcare, i get information that matters. My individual health profile. Not random statistics. They even reward me for addressing my health risks. So im doing fine. But shes still going to give me a heart attack. Were more than 78,000 people looking out for more than 70 million americans. Thats health in numbers. Unitedhealthcare. To help protect your eye health as you age. Would you take it . Well, there is. [ male announcer ] its called ocuvite. A vitamin totally dedicated to your eyes, from the eye care experts at bausch lomb. As you age, eyes can lose vital nutrients. Ocuvite helps replenish key eye nutrients. Ocuvite has a unique formula not found in your multivitamin to help protect your eye health. Now thats a pill worth taking. [ male announcer ] ocuvite. Help protect your eye health. An eventful weekend in daytona. First the harrowing wreck, the drivers walked away. Not all spectators did. Over 20 injuries, 2 enough to require hospitalization. For a lot of dedicated race fans, part of the appeal is being close to the action. In this case, it was too close that day. Workers did emergency repairs to the fence through the night and right up until the start of sundays daytona 500. While it was won by jimmy johnson, it was Danica Patrick who made history, first woman on the pole position, first to lead a green flag lap and the first topten finisher, finishing at eight. Large study tonight in the new england journal shows that the mediterranean diet, meaning fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fat from olive oil and nuts can really help prevent Heart Disease and strokes. Over this fiveyear study people on the diet were 30 less likely to develop cardio vascular disease than those on a general lowfat diet. Researchers say the key here, replacing bad quality calories with good. It was an internal memo that went public and triggered a lot of public talk across this country today. The yahoo ceo, Marissa Mayer has banned all employees from working at home. Starting in june, employees who now must remotely work must show up at the Office Every Day instead. This announcement upset a lot of folks, especially some working moms. About 10 of American Workers now do their jobs from home, at least one day a week. And companies have promoted a more flexible workplace in recent years. Another break. When we come back, about last night. Some of the jawdropping high notes and a few sour ones at the oscars. Are gonna happen to us. Im here at my house on thanksgiving day, and i have a massive heart attack right in my driveway. An artery in your heart, its called the widow maker. And mine was 95 blocked. They took me to the hospital, and the doctor put me on a bayer aspirin regimen. 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If you have any sudden decrease or loss in hearing or vision, or if you have any allergic reactions such as rash, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, stop taking cialis and get medical help right away. Ask your doctor about cialis for daily use and a 30tablet free trial. Finally tonight, about the oscars. The ratings were up over last year, about 40 million americans watched the marathon broadcast in all or in part. If you missed the red carpet preview show, its really easy to catch you up. The interviewer says you look amazing. The celebrity then says, thanks, i just wanted to be comfortable. And they say that even if theyre wearing a doylely. As for the rest of the show, they got an edgier as oscars. Our review from Kristen Dahlgren in hollywood. Reporter it was a show filled with massive productions. Reporter the cast of les misunlike in the movie, singing together for the first time. Mega stars, like barbra streisa streisand. Reporter and new oscar winner adele. But if music was the theme of this Years Academy awards, Seth Mcfarland hit the wrong note for some. He was often offensive. He was less often funny. Reporter mcfarland, best known as the creator of family guy, mixed song and dance with his signature blend of biting humor. And the quest to make Tommy Lee Jones laugh begins now. Reporter in the end, the show may have been saved by a stumble. Best actress winner Jennifer Lawrence got a standing ovation after she fell on her way to the stage. You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that i fell and thats really embarrassing, but thank you. Reporter ben affleck talked about his own pitfalls on the way to a best picture win for argo. He was snubbed by the academy for best director. And it doesnt matter how you get knocked down in life, because thats going to happen. All that matters is that youve got to get up. Reporter the first lady presented that award in a surprise appearance via satellite. Welcome to the white house, everyone. Reporter there was the usual glitz and glamour. But the show was criticized for leaving stars of the past like Andrea Griffith and Phyllis Diller out of its in memo yum segment. And after a flop for mcfarland, daniel daylewis may have gotten the biggest laugh. I may have been committed to play margaret thatcher. Reporter proving something that mcfarland himself joked about in his monologue. Hosting the oscars Seth Mcfarland, worst oscar host its that bad . Uhhuh, uhhuh. Reporter may be the toughest job in hollywood. Kristen dahlgren, nbc news, los angeles. And thats our broadcast on a monday night, as we start off a new week. Thank you for being here with us. Im brian williams. And, of course, we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. Good night