World: The situation at a remote gas facility in the Algerian desert is still uncertain and unresolved. As many as 650 people escaped after the attack by Islamist militants, authorities say, but an undisclosed number is still being held hostage. The Algerians have backed away from a report that 35 are dead and are now saying only that there have been casualties. Algerian state radio reports that 18 militants are dead.

National:  The Aurora, Co. theatre where 12 people died in a massacre re-opened last night with a free screening of “The Hobbit”. Among the guests were survivors and some of the 58 people who were wounded.

• No charges will be filed against the owner of a yacht that capsized off Long Island last July 4^th, drowning three children. The 34-foot motorboat had 27 people on board.
•   Former cycling champion Lance Armstrong admitted to Oprah Winfrey that he doped during all seven of his Tour de France wins and pretty much throughout his whole biking career. But he would not answer a question about whether he admitted to doctors while being treated for cancer that he had previously used performance-enhancing drugs.  He was less than forthcoming on other issues as well, and some among his former cycling crowd say he’s still a liar.

Guns: The Newtown School massacre change the opinion of many Americans about gun control, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll. Fifty-four percent of Americans think gun control should be stricter, as opposed to 39% only last April. The poll says 90% of Americans think there should be background checks for all gun purchases, including at gun shows.

Out of Bounds: Questions continue as to whether Notre Dame quarterback Manti Te’o was the victim of a hoax about his non-existent girlfriend, or a participant. Te’o mentioned her twice in interviews after he told the university he had been hoaxed. One theory has it that Te’o made up the sob story to help him win the Heisman trophy. He came in second.

Passing: “Dear Abby” advice columnist Abigail van Buren has died at age 94 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She said, “Most people just want someone to listen to them.” Her real name was Pauline Friedman Phillips and at the peak of her popularity her main competition was her twin sister Eppie Lederer, who wrote under the name Ann Landers. Eppie died in 2002 and “Dear Abby” was taken over that same year by Abby’s daughter when van Buren was diagnosed.

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