Good wednesday morning. Im reena ninan. And im tahman bradley. We begin with isis beheading another american journalist. Its the second recorded killing of a hostage in less than a month. In both videos, the executioner places the blame on president obama who landed in europe overnight there to hold talks with allies about the isis threats and crisis in ukraine. We have live team coverage. Devin dwyer is traveling with the president. But we begin with Gloria Riviera live in washington. Gloria, good morning. Reporter good morning, reena. The white house has said thoughts and prayers are with the family of Steven Sotloff. They are said to be quietly grieving. It was just recently that Steven Sotloffs mother released a Public Statement pleading with isis for her sons release. The grisly video is called a second message to america from the Islamic Terrorist Group isis. In it 31yearold american journalist Steven Sotloff on his knees and this man. Im back, obama. Reporter possibly the same e
Rome. I want to say happy birthday to teddy and joseph, your 6yearold twins. Its a big day back home. Thanks for that. A big day in the berman household. That is it for early start. Starting buoyapoint with so obrian starts right now. Welcome, everybody. Our starting point this morning, the popes final day as head of the Catholic Church. In just about seven hours the office of the pope will be empty when benedict xvi is officially in retirement. This morning he blessed the cardinals who will pick his successor. Translator may he bless all of you in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit. Were live in rome this morning with the historic moment and what it means for the church. Well be talking with monsignor Rick Hilgartner of the u. S. Conference of catholic bishops. Senior Simone Campbell will join us and father edward beck is our guest. And time is running out. Two proposals meant to avoid drastic spending cuts but theyre both expected to fail, so can we avoid tomorrow
Hello, great to have you with us. We would like to welcome our viewers from the United States and around the world. Im john vause. And im rosemary church. The fate of a shaky ceasefire is uncertain after shelling over the weekend endangered the troops. Smoke rising above donetsk after explosions were heard near the airport and in the town of mariupol, one woman was killed. Three wounded in the violence. Prorussia separatists are blaming each other for the ceasefire which took effect late friday. Theyre monitoring this from the capital and reza, how close is the ceasefire to collapsing outright . Reporter john, its hard to say but obviously when you have a ceasefire you want to see calm. You want to see peace but unfortunately, in parts of this conflict zone that simply hasnt been the case. Over the past several minutes ukrainian officials in kiev say the rebels violated the ceasefire again during the overnight hours about five times. The rebels are saying ukrainian volunteers have viol
Special counsel robert mueller. Putting the president on notice that there will be a, quote, significant consequence. These truly are red lines. Would be a gross abuse of power. And diplomatic dilemma . President trump threatens to cut off american aid to other countries ahead of that key vote at the u. N. Considering the u. S. Embassy in israel. Ambassador Nikki Haley Says the administration is taking names. Jerusalem is the capital of israel. We begin today with the tax bill and what the president calls that big beautiful tax cut which he could sign into law as early as tomorrow, putting a notch in the win column, after what has been a very rough year for him and his party. Ive got a great team with me to help break it all down. And more importantly, what it means to all of you at home. I want to go to Nbcs Kristen Welker live at the white house where there was a lot of celebrating yesterday to say the least, kristen. I think we thought there was probably going to be a News Conferenc
Government function is on the line with added division over defense spending and disaster aid and health care for children. The deadline is 39 hours from now to get it done. At least one House Republican dares to hope the house and senate can hash things out in a day and a half. Charlie dent saying it would be an act of political malpractice after a successful tax reform to shut down the government. Suzanne malveaux, you are there and you talked to these folks, and are they going to get it done . Reporter they hope so. This is one of the things they dont want to happen, and you cant imagine such a success and then a dark cloud over it. They started in earnest at 8 00 this morning, and then they are keeping the government going and the deadline looming. What may happen, if they have to kick the can down the road on some of the more important issues, its a short temporary fix and a continuing resolution to fund the government until january 19th. Here are some of the Things Holding up the