ADVISORY CNN Wire Outlook

Supervising News Editor Sarah Aarthun -- 404-827-1401

UPCOMING

POL-Fiscal-Cliff (will update)

The Senate's top Democrat and Republican are working this weekend to forge a compromise to prevent the country from going over the fiscal cliff, the combination of sweeping spending cuts and widespread tax increases that will otherwise take effect in days

Syria-Civil-War (will update)

Russia's top diplomat and the international envoy to Syria warned Saturday that the Middle East nation's conflict is becoming more militarized and sectarian, further endangering the region. The statements came on what may be one of the bloodiest days since the start of the conflict: At least 364 people were killed Saturday, the opposition Local Coordination Committees said. Of those, 220 were executed in Deir Balbah, outside of Homs, the group said.

New-York-Subway-Death (will update)

A woman wanted in connection with the death of a man shoved in front of a subway train this week is in custody, New York police said Saturday.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED STORIES

CNN SHOWCASE

POL-Congressional-Watchdog-Group-Threatened -- By Scott Bronstein and Joe Johns

Inside an ordinary office building six blocks from the Capitol, investigators sift through evidence of possible violations against ethics and laws committed by the nation's elected representatives. This is the Office of Congressional Ethics, also known as the OCE. It is one of the most important watchdogs in Washington. That's because the OCE is the only quasi-independent government body whose sole mandate is to formally investigate members of Congress. But it could soon be silenced by the very people it investigates.

INTERNATIONAL

Syria-Civil-War

Russia's top diplomat and the international envoy to Syria warned Saturday that the Middle East nation's conflict is becoming more militarized and sectarian, further endangering the region. The statements came on what may be one of the bloodiest days since the start of the conflict: At least 364 people were killed Saturday, the opposition Local Coordination Committees said. Of those, 220 were executed in Deir Balbah, outside of Homs, the group said.

Syria-Newlyweds-Death

For the third time, Mahmoud Al-Qassab lowers the body of one of his children into the ground. He steps back as neighbors and relatives shovel dirt over his teenage daughter's grave. He does not cry or wail. "I thank God this is my third martyr: Ahmed, Abdullah and now her. I thank God, and I will not say anything against his fate," Mahmoud told an activist filming the small funeral. Just a few months ago, 18-year-old Ayat Al-Qassab sang and danced with her mother and aunts as they dressed the bride in her wedding gown. Now, her shattered and bloodied body lies in a grave below the crumbling, bullet-ridden buildings of Homs.

India-Rape-Victim

Indian authorities plan to add murder charges against the suspects in the brutal gang rape that led to the death of a 23-year-old woman and sent outraged protesters to the streets.

Egypt-Morsy

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy declared a "new era" for the country Saturday, saying the new constitution guarantees equality under the law and puts power in the hands of lawmakers, not the president.

Russia-Plane-Crash

A passenger plane overshot the runway at a Moscow airport Saturday, killing four of the eight people on board, according to emergency management officials.

Pakistan-Deadly-Blast

A bus explosion Saturday in the Pakistani port city of Karachi killed at least six people and wounded 40 others, police said.

Chile-Victor-Jara-Charges

A Chilean judge has charged eight former military officers in the 1973 killing of Victor Jara, a famed leftist singer-songwriter who was among the first victims of the country's military dictatorship.

Pakistan-Deadly-Blast

A bus explosion Saturday in the Pakistani port city of Karachi killed at least six people and wounded 40 others, police said.

Cuba-Venezuela-Chavez

Venezuela's vice president arrived in Cuba early Saturday to visit President Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from a recent cancer surgery, a Cuban state newspaper reported.

SPORT-svindal-skiing-world-cup-bormio

Saturday's World Cup downhill race in Bormio ended in a thrilling dead heat as Aksel Lund Svindal extended his overall lead despite narrowly missing out on a three-way share of victory.

SPORT-tony-greig-cricket-australia

The cricket world is mourning the passing of former England captain Tony Greig, a larger than life character who helped revolutionize the sport in the late 1970s before becoming a high-profile commentator.

U.S.A.

New-York-Subway-Death

A woman wanted in connection with the death of a man shoved in front of a subway train this week is in custody, New York police said Saturday.

Connecticut-School-Shooting-Lawyer

A Connecticut lawyer is requesting permission to sue the state over the Sandy Hook school shooting, saying his 6-year-old client was left with emotional and psychological trauma because authorities failed to make a safe setting at the school.

Maine-Same-Sex-Marriage

A chorus of whoops and cheers greeted Steven Bridges and Michael Snell as they exited City Hall in Portland, Maine, early Saturday as the first same-sex couple to wed under a new law.

Connecticut-Jean-Harris-Obit

Jean S. Harris, the headmistress whose trial for the murder of the "Scarsdale Diet" doctor captured the nation's attention with its details of sex and infidelity, has died, her son said.

US-Winter-Weather

Another wave of winter weather -- this time smaller -- will dump more inches of snow Saturday in the East Coast, forecasters said.

US-Nigerian-Obama-Law

A Nigerian immigrant's dream came true when President Barack Obama signed into law a rare private bill granting him permanent residency. Victor Chukwueke, who lives in Michigan on an expired visa, came to the United States 11 years ago to undergo treatment for massive tumors.

POLITICS

POL-Fiscal-Cliff

The Senate's top Democrat and Republican are working this weekend to forge a compromise to prevent the country from going over the fiscal cliff, the combination of sweeping spending cuts and widespread tax increases that will otherwise take effect in days

POL-Weekly-Addresses

President Barack Obama and Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri ratcheted up the pressure on the other over the fiscal cliff negotiations in their weekly addresses on Saturday.

POL-Obama-Meet-The-Press

President Barack Obama will make his first Sunday show appearance in more than three years this week, as he and congressional leaders are down to the wire on reaching a deal to avert the fiscal cliff.

POL-Idaho-Senator-DUI-Arrest

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, will not contest the charge that he was driving under the influence early last Sunday at his January court appearance, his spokeswoman said.

MONEY

MONEY-stocks-lookahead

Can the stock market shake off yet another punt by Congress? It just might.

FEATURES

FEA-Belief-Evangelicals-Guns

Evangelicals should not defend the use, proliferation and availability of assault weapons with as much vigor as they defend their faith, Pastor Daniel Darling says. In spite of some who insist the Second Amendment is drawn from the Bible, he says, there is no clear-cut Christian position on gun control.

FEA-Russian-adoptions-limbo

Josh and Jenni Johnston already have photos and memories of 4-year-old Anastasia, the HIV-positive Russian orphan they met in November and hoped to welcome into their family. Now they don't know what the future holds after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a controversial law that bans the adoption of Russian children by American families. The new law creates uncertainty for 46 American families who have already met prospective adoptees, according to the U.S. State Department. The agency, which helps facilitate foreign adoptions, hopes Russia will lift the ban altogether, but in the meantime is working to resolve pending adoptions.

COMMENTARY-Obeidallah-lessons-2012

Commentator Dean Obeidallah asks: Are you smarter at the end of 2012?