Hi, this is Warren Alney. Thanks so much for listening to this podcast of To the Point,

and I want to tell you about another podcast that's available here at KCRW, and that's the program,

DNA, hosted by Francis Anderton.

Francis is well connected in the industry of design and architecture and art.

She used to be editor of an architecture magazine.

She knows the trends before they happen. She'll be able to fill you in on them. You can find DNA on KCRW's

iTunes page. From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is

To the Point.

Washington opens ties with Havana.

Hello again, I'm Arminolny, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

President Obama says isolation and punishment have not forced Communist Cuba to change, so he's reversing 50 years of diplomatic policy.

Critics call normalizing relations an undeserved bailout of the Castro regime based on the illusion that renewed ties will translate into political freedom.

Supporters say it puts the onus on Cuba itself to further liberalize its economy,

allow more dissent,

and ultimately establish democracy.

Will it produce a historic transition,

or more of the same?

Today's talking point,

Stephen Colbert moves on with Santa Claus, Abraham Lincoln,

and Alex Trebek.

First, here's the news.

...