From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW, Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

President Obama talks tough on Iran.

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

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

The president said today he's appalled and outraged

and that he strongly condemns the killing of election protesters in Iran.

But he denied that he escalated his criticism in response to Republicans on Capitol Hill.

We'll hear more about today's news conference.

Meantime, North Korea is vying for the world's attention. A ship reportedly

loaded with banned weapons is being trailed by a U.S. destroyer. There are reports of plans

to fire a missile toward Hawaii. What about the president's hope for constructive engagement?

On reporter's notebook later on, the president defends the so-called public option for health care reform. First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John D.

and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point.

North Korea has escalated tensions with the U.S. and the United Nations.

We'll look at the provocations and the possible options for action.

On reporter's notebook, what a so-called public option for health care reform put insurance companies out of business.

We'll hear what President Obama has to say about that.

First, his news update.

He began his news conference today by responding to complaints about lukewarm support for election protesters in Iran.

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