Steve Inskeep

Assuming all goes as planned, at least 49 states will have signed on to a broad settlement between the banks and state attorneys general over robo-signing. Troubled homeowners may see some benefit, the banks will get some immunity provisions and the Obama administration is hoping to get some credit for negotiating the deal.

Fighting in Syria has intensified within a few miles of the capital city. Damascus has remained under firm government control but in the suburbs, the army has sent in tanks to retake areas that had been under the effective control of rebels. Activists inside Syria say more than 60 people have died in the past day.

The contempt hearing for Pakistan's prime minister has been adjourned until next month. Pakistan's Supreme Court wants him to explain why he refused to reopen an anti-corruption case against the country's president.