One year after his death, America's former most-wanted still looms over U.S. politics. From attack ads to soundbites, Osama bin Laden's name continues to make headlines in the race to the White House as candidates try to score points with some high-profile name-dropping. Tonight, a former U-S special Operations advisor gauges just how safe America is after bin Laden.

Tomorrow, the defence begins to make its case in the trial against Michael Rafferty. Two months after the trial began, the defence will lay out its version of events. But the big question on everyone's mind: will Rafferty take the stand and testify? Criminal defence attorney Pat Harris has represented famous clients like Michael Jackson, and tonight he explains the dangers of the defendant taking the stand.

Plus, just days ago Alberta's Highway of Death claimed seven more lives after a horrific crash. After 46 deaths in five years, renewed calls urging the government to double its lanes has caught public attention. It's a key lifeline connecting Edmonton to the oilsands, but after so many accidents, isn't getting to work getting a little too risky?

Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

New photos surfaced today showing U.S. soldiers posing with the body parts of Afghan insurgents. They're latest in a series of incidents made public highlighting U.S soldiers' bad behaviour. But what about the campaign to win their hearts and minds? A veteran war reporter who was embedded with American troops says something has changed for the worse.

And, the video calling on Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad to stop her husband from killing his own people is going viral. Created by the wives of diplomats, the video is released at a time when violent attacks are popping up around the country, despite a ceasefire. I'll talk to the woman behind the video about why she targeted Asma.

Plus, hockey's in the headlines this spring, but the attention is focused on the level of violence in the playoffs. Many sports critics say it's the most violent in memory. Are the cheap shots cheapening playoff hockey?

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

The Anders Breivik trial resumed today in Norway and was marked by Breivik's 90-minute statement - a condensed version of his 1500 page manifesto. This trial is raising some eyebrows about the defence lawyers and how the about court is handling the case. Mark talks with one lawyer who's worked with a notorious killer to explain how a trial like this can have a lasting effect on you.

Plus, a series of anti-corruption raids in Montreal this morning resulted in 14 arrests including a high-profile construction boss. Allegations of corruption go all the way from the mayor's office to an $8 million dollar yacht. The Quebec government is trying to weed-out corruption, but could the government itself be the next casualty in the ongoing investigation?

And, Tupac Shakur's hologram performance on Sunday night continues to make waves across the world. Tupac is not the first to take stage from beyond the grave, but will dead performers kill live music? Music critic Alan Cross and New York radio DJ Charlemagne Tha God weigh in. 

Also, if you want to watch the rest of the video petition to Syrian first lady Asma Al-Assad, find it here.

Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

During the trial against Michael Rafferty today, Detective Staff Sergeant Jim Smyth took the stand to recount how he was able to determine the location of Tori Stafford's body. The jury was shown graphic photos from the scene of the crime. It's been a tense week for jurors in court, where they were warned they would be enduring horrific details. But what is it like to be a juror in a high-profile murder case? Find out tonight.

And, the lack of charges brought against Florida neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has caused any details about Trayvon Martin's death to be played out in the court of public opinion. Both sides are digging up evidence and presenting in the media, where activists and pundits argue out the case as if it's real. But if there ever is a trial, how will a judge or jury separate fact from fiction?

Plus, it's the largest lottery jackpot in history. The $640 million dollar prize has Americans scrambling to their local convenience store to pick up their chance at an overnight fortune. But with the odds so high, people need more than luck to win. Mark talks with a seven-time grand prize lottery winner to learn the secret that made him a millionaire.

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

The parents of Trayvon Martin spoke out in Washington today during a committe on hate crimes. They are fighting for justice for their son, who was gunned down one month ago in Florida by a white neighbourhood watch volunteer. Meanwhile, media are revealing details of Trayvon's life: his gangster attitude, his fashion and twitter history. Proof, they say that he wasn't the angel some make him out to be. But exactly what are they trying to prove?  

Plus, new details about the day Tori Stafford died are emerging today. Testimony coming from Michael Rafferty's drug dealer reveals his drug use during and after Tori's death. For weeks national attention has focused on the credibility of Terri-Lynne McClintic, but now the spotlight is on the other man on trial for killing Tori.

And, a United Nations peace deal was accepted by Syria today, drawing skepticism from the international community. President Bashar al-Assad toured a neighbourhood in Homs, showing off how his forces drove the rebels out of one of their strongholds. But after a year of bloodshed and 9,000 lives lost, is it too late?

Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.  

Today marks one month since Trayvon Martin was gunned down in Florida by neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The death has sparked debate over an extension of gun laws named Stand Your Ground that are both fuelling the outrage and protecting the gunman.

Plus, Canada's own award-winning director James Cameron has made history today, making the first solo mission to the deepest area under the ocean.  Find out what he discovered, and what the future of underwater exploration looks like. 

Find out what he discovered 11 kilometres down, and the movie he plans to make about it. Join us at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

A judge has described the Shafia family's sense of honour "twisted", their crimes "despicable" and "heinous" A guilty sentence was passed down to all those accused in the honour killings of Zainab, Sahar and Geeti Shafia, and their mother Rona Amir Mohammad. But how do you take the honour out of honour killings?

And, the Florida Primary has always been a hotspot for the immigration debate. While in the past politicians pandered to the Cubans, an influx of Latinos from other countries have prompted them to broaden their scope in the fight for the HIspanic vote. Videojournalist NIck Purdon went there to find out just how out of touch candidates are with the community they're trying to win over.

Plus, the NFL Super Bowl is a mere week away and some previews of the expensive ads have been released today. Advertisers shell out $3.5 million for 30 seconds and the guarantee that millions of eyes are focussed on your product. Tonight we look at past ads that result in success, and those that end in failure.

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.  

Today the U.S. government has rejected TransCanada's controversial Keystone pipeline application, but the company insists it remains committed to moving the project forward - it can reapply with an alternate route. While U.S. President Barack Obama blamed Republicans for inserting a deadline he considers too short, the GOP attacked him for taking away American jobs and sending oil to China. While Washington is busy arguing over who's to blame during a pre-election period, is Canada being thrown under their gas-guzzling bus?

Plus, it's been five days since the Costa Concordia capsized after hitting rocks off the western Italian coast, and today rescue efforts were temporarily halted when the ship sank further into the sea. For the 700 people involved in the recovery operation, hopes for finding anyone alive is growing slimmer by the hour. Tonight, a rescue diver explains the physical and emotional toll one takes on a recovery operation like this.

And, major websites including Wikipedia, Reddit and Wordpress were blacked out today to protest two bills that opponents say would censor the internet to the extent of changing how we use it forever. In response, six U.S. lawmakers have abandoned their support for the bill. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales explains the importance of the bill and why he shut down a site that receives 400 million unique page views monthly.

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

Time is running out for rescue crews working at the submerged cruise liner Costa Concordia as they frantically search for survivors before it's too late. It's been four days since disaster struck and 23 passengers are still missing but the number of recovered bodies is rising. Stunning new audio released today provides further proof the captain abandoned his post and fled once the ship began to sink leaving others to scramble for safety amidst the chaos.

And, activists say another 24 people have been killed in the anti-government protests happening throughout Syria. While both sides blame the other, Arab League observers continue to follow developments closely and have been seen hoisted on the shoulders of the demonstrators. But as blood continues to flow on a daily basis, just how long can the international community stand by and watch?

Plus, a new American bill that some say will significantly censor the internet is facing backlash from major websites. Wikipedia, Reddit, and Boing Boing are the latest names in the list of sites who will black out tomorrow in protest of the bill. It's a drastic move considering the the bill is only up for consideration, but tech companies involved in the debates say it's a move they can't afford not to take.

Mark is off. Reshmi Nair is hosting. Join us tonight at 8 ET.

The Costa Concordia cruise liner continues to sink into the waters off of western Italy, and rescuers are still searching for any signs of life. Italy's coastguard says 25 passengers are still missing, and as that number rises so do questions about how the captain could let a routine cruise go so wrong. Coast guard officials and passengers spotted him fleeing the sinking ship while the chaotic evacuation was underway. Tonight, hear a survivor of the Costa Concordia's tale, as well as a ship's captain on what ever happened to going down with the ship?

Plus, five former Toronto drug squad officers go on trial today, accused of a conspiracy of beating and robbing suspects of drugs and large sums of money and covering their own tracks. The charges date back to the late 1990s and all five have pleaded 'not guilty' and today will face a jury. The investigation and prosecution spans a decade and has cost $14 million, making this Canada's biggest case of alleged police corruption ever - but what is likely to change? Tonight we go behind the blue line as a former Chicago narcotics officer explains how he broke the silence and exposed corrupt members of his team.

And, 82-year-old veteran Canadian actor Christopher Plummer has won his first Golden Globe award for his role in the movie "Beginners." His previous Globe nomination was in 2009 for The Last Station, but this year he's widely considered a front-runner for an Oscar - a coveted award the actor has never won in his esteemed 60-year career. Tonight we reconnect with Christopher Plummer as he talks to Mark about his career and success.

Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network