Need to Know News: New Congress takes office Thursday; What's next for Syria; Starbucks introduces reusable cup

Each day, we here at "Piers Morgan Tonight" put together the news you need to know – from what happened last night to what will happen today.

For January 3, 2013 – New Congress takes office Thursday, will tackle old Congress' leftovers, what's next for Syria in 2013, and Starbucks introduces $1 reusable cup to cut down on waste...

• A new Congress takes office Thursday, and many of the same difficult issues that snagged the last one will fall into its lap: "President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill to avert the fiscal cliff, a deal worked out after lengthy, grinding friction between Democrats and Republicans."

• What's next for Syria in 2013?: "Syria's civil war has been grinding on for nearly two years now, resulting in the deaths of more than 60,000 people, according to estimates from the office of the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner."

• Starbucks introduces $1 reusable cup to cut down on waste: "Starting Thursday, Starbucks customers will have the option to save their planet – and their wallets – a dime at a time. The coffee giant is offering $1 plastic cups, which can be reused for drink purchases at a discount of ten cents."

• Sandy Hook students return to class for first time since Newtown shooting: "For the first time since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Christine Wilford plans do something remarkable on Thursday that once was routine: drop her child off at school."

• Strong, Louisville continue climb, rout Florida in Sugar Bowl: "It looked like the receiving line at a wedding. As Louisville coach Charlie Strong spoke to a camera crew on the field at the Superdome on Wednesday night about a program-changing win, some of Florida's best players waited patiently."
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