President Obama will reportedly nominate John Brennan as CIA director Monday. Brennan, who currently serves as a counterterrorism aide, a favorite for the position, is considered a highly respected man devoted to his job. Brennan’s nomination won’t thrill those in the upper echelon of the intelligence community, who say that his relationship with the president gives him a license to micromanage their work. He's also been the face of the administration’s targeted-killing drone program—which some say should disqualify him from the position. Meanwhile, Obama is expected to name former Republican senator Hagel to succeed Leon Panetta at the Pentagon. The choice of Hagel, who split from his party to oppose the war in Iraq, is expected to spark a confirmation battle.

The U.S. State Department has openly dismissed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Sunday speech in Damascus calling it “meaningless,” and yet another attempt retain power. “His initiative is detached from reality, undermines the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi, and would only allow the regime to further perpetuate its bloody oppression of the Syrian people,” said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. Assad’s rare address—delivered before a photo collage of the war’s victims—proposed a peace plan made of a national reconciliation conference, a new government, and constitution. The State Department continues to urge President Assad to step down.

In a revealing interview with The Wall Street Journal, House Speaker John Boehner discussed the conversations he had with President Obama during closed-door fiscal-cliff negotiations. He says he was most shocked by Obama saying that Washington doesn’t have a spending problem. The speaker, just entering his second term, also explained his notorious “Go f--k yourself” snap at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “I was in Ohio, and Harry’s on the Senate floor calling me a dictator and all kinds of nasty things. You know, I don’t lose my temper. I never do. But I was shocked at what Harry was saying about me,” he said. Boehner also discussed his decision to vote for the Senate tax package—saying a "no" vote would do "serious damage to the economy.”

The wife of a gunman who killed three in the second massacre to hit Aurora, Colo., leapt from her second-floor window to escape his murderous rampage before calling the police. Her husband, Sonny Archuleta, was spraying the house with bullets, according to his wife’s sister, Corinne Wurzbacher. “Stephanie said she couldn’t understand how the bullets missed her. She’s faced with all of this grief and guilt. He just went nuts. I don’t think he cared who he hit,” she said. “He was in a really bad state of mind that night. He was really low. It was a drug fit. He wasn’t right in the head. I can only think that they tried to confront from.” Archuleta killed his wife’s father, sister, and sister’s boyfriend before being killed by police after a six-hour standoff.

Eager to avoid any extra fighting in his small country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pledging to erect a fortified fence along the Israel/Syria border to keep out spillover violence and possible Islamic radicals who have moved into the area. At Sunday’s cabinet meeting, he called the Syrian regime “unstable” and expressed concern over the country’s chemical weapons. “We know that on the other side of our border with Syria today, the Syrian Army has moved away, and in its place, global jihad forces have moved in,” Netanyahu said. Six of the area’s 45 miles have already been fortified. Also Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered a rare address, calling on foreign countries to stop arming rebels “who carry the ideology of al Qaeda.”

That ain’t no chump change. The New York Times reports that federal regulators and 14 major banks have reached a $10 billion settlement in the foreclosure-abuse case: $3.75 billion will be cash relief to those Americans who dealt with foreclosure in 2009 and 2010; $6 billion will be funneled toward homeowners in danger of losing their homes after falling behind on payments. The deal was almost held up by a demand of an additional $300 million to cover their role in the financial crisis, but that fell through. Another bright side of the deal: the end of a review of millions of loan files.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: it’s Chuck Hagel. Obama is expected to name the former Republican senator as his nominee to succeed Leon Panetta at the Pentagon. The choice of Hagel, who split from his party to oppose the war in Iraq, is expected to spark a confirmation battle. If confirmed by the Senate, Hagel willl be the first enlisted soldier and Vietnam veteran to serve as secretary of defense.

Finally. The Washington Post reports that the White House is developing a comprehensive gun control plan that will seek to set regulations far beyond a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity ammo. According to those involved in the talks, Vice President Biden’s squad is considering universal background checks for all gun buyers, a database to track the movement of guns through the nation, stronger mental-health checks, and harsh penalties for carrying a gun near a school. Aside from being in contact with NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s office, Biden and his aides will reportedly work around the NRA.

Eliot Spitzer will not be joining Current TV in its latest venture with Al Jazeera. The politician turned TV-show host announced the amicable breakup Sunday, noting that he had a relationship with Joel Hyatt and Al Gore—Current’s founders—not Al Jazeera. “Moving forward, their mission will be different,” he said. The former New York governor was asked to take over Keith Olbermann’s slot last year, nine months after his own CNN show was canceled.

It might be a little soon to be planning Valentine’s Day, but you might want to start thinking about where you’ll be the day after, when Asteroid 2012 DA14 is expected to pass dangerously close to Earth and a ring of its communication satellites. The asteroid’s discovery last year led to concerns that it might come a little too close for comfort, but astronomers have since dispelled the fear of possible impact. Still, depending on how close this celestial body gets to us—and it’s already predicted to pass Earth at a closer distance than the moon—the planet’s gravitational pull could warp its path. Scientists will be keeping an eye on 2012 DA14 in case a new threat of collision does arise.

It’s OK, Justin, we forgive you. After TMZ posted photos of Justin Bieber seemingly holding a marijuana joint on Friday, the singer apologized on Twitter. Well, sort of. “Everyday growing and learning. trying to be better. u get knocked down, u get up,” he tweeted Saturday. Bieber was photographed with rapper Lil Twist, though it’s unclear whether they really were partying like it was 3012 that night.

Well folks, it is officially awards season. The National Society of Film Critics has unveiled its picks for the last year in cinema, and picked the end-of-life drama 'Amour' for best picture, best director and best actress awards Saturday. Daniel Day-Lewis got a best actor award for 'Lincoln,' and 'The Master' snagged a best supporting actress award for Amy Adams. Matthew McConaughey was named best supporting actor for his performances in both 'Magic Mike' and 'Bernie.' Oscar pool, anyone?

John C. Kiriakou is making history, but probably not in the way he'd hoped. On Jan. 25, the former CIA operative will become the first agent to face prison for a classified leak to the news, a crime punishable by 30 months in jail. Kiriakou’s fatal miscalculation came in the form of an agent’s name that he disclosed to a reporter via email. “If I’d known the guy was still undercover,” Kiriakou said, “I would never have mentioned him.” The violation is the first (known) one of its kind, breaking 1982’s Intelligence Identities Protection Act. Over the course of six decades, he is the only CIA operative who has been caught leaking classified information to the news. Kiriakou spent many of his 15 years in the agency undercover chasing al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

This is the last thing India needs right now. Pakistan has accused India of crossing the Line of Control in Kashmir and raiding a military post, killing one. India said that it had responded to a “ceasefire violation” but it didn’t enter Pakistan’s territory. While fighting across the lines is common, there are rarely casualties. Pakistan said that Indian troops left behind a gun while they retreated. Well, that should settle things.

The attorney for Lance Armstrong is denying a published report that the legendary cyclist will admit to the doping charges that cost him seven Tour de France titles. Tim Herman told the Associated Press that he has “no knowledge” of Armstrong's plans to confess. “When, and if, Lance has something to say, there won’t be any secret about it,” he said. The New York Times was the first to report his alleged plans to discuss the “sophisticated doping ring” he was rumored to have headed. Armstrong was stripped of all seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life by the USADA.

So much for that Friday Night Lights moment. The Green Bay Packers trounced the Minnesota Vikings 24–10 in the NFC wild-card game Saturday. An injury to Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder forced Minnesota to start Joe Webb—a backup who hadn’t thrown a single pass all season. Unfortunately, Webb lived up to that billing. Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson—who torched the Packers in previous meetings—was held to a quiet 99 yards rushing. The Bengals were booted by the Texans earlier Saturday. Indianapolis takes on Baltimore, and Washington faces Seattle on Sunday.

Bonus points if you get this quote: “I don’t love him, not like that!” What better excuse to get dressed up in 1920s garb than the Season 3 premiere of the cross-continental hit show, Downton Abbey? Salespeople at vintage clothing stores in New York have found themselves catering to customers aspiring to look like a member of the fictional Crowley family. One devoted Downton fan told the Daily News she’s prepping English desserts, like those the Crowley’s chef, Mrs. Patmore, would make, cucumber sandwiches and tea, and even concocting a “Lady Mary cocktail,” for her 10-person viewing party. (That quote was from Daisy. Duh.)

The father of the Indian student who was brutally raped and murdered wants the world to know her name. “My daughter didn’t do anything wrong, she died protecting herself,” he said, saying that her name would be an inspiration to sexual-assault victims. Immediately, social-media users picked up the call—a move that may pressure authorities to release it. The victim’s name was trending at the top of India’s Twitter, though Indian newspapers refused to use it. The Mirror has her name here. India law blocks the naming of victims of sex crimes.

Talk about sudden death overtime. After a marathon 16-hour negotiation session, the National Hockey League and the players union have struck a tentative deal to end the lockout. Given that the lockout lasted 113 days, hockey fans should expect about 50 games beginning Jan. 20 and with the Stanley Cup Finals in June. Players had just finished a vote to allow the head of the players union to dissolve the association if the vote hit a wall. Luckily, it didn’t get that far. The vote came at 5 a.m. Sunday.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner dodged a potentially career-ending, hashtag worthy bullet on the day of his reelection. Roll Call reports that a group of 25 Republicans had planned to vote against the Ohio representative before the election, but called it off 30 minutes before the vote when one of them rescinded. The group held firm to their self-imposed 25-member threshold, in spite of the fact that only 17 votes against Boehner were needed in order to cast a second ballot. Luckily for the speaker their coup failed, and with 220 votes he was officially reelected for another two-year term on Jan. 3. Is it time for Plan C?