NASA to abandon International Space Station

Ok, so maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but I'm sure it got your attention. What's really happening is this: NASA may not be permitted to pay the Russians for Soyuz flights there and back. The following is from a story at Space.com:



The Iran Nonproliferation Act bans U.S. payments to Russia for services related to the $100 billion international station unless the president confirms Russia is working to prevent its scientists and engineers from passing weapons technology to Iran.



What that means is NASA is not currently permitted to pay the Russians for flights to and from ISS. And the Russians have already advised NASA they will be demanding payment for future flights.
Leaders on Capital Hill have promised they'll find a way to exempt NASA from the ban, if they can keep from killing each other...
But this may be a moot point anyway. If the shuttle resumes flights as planned we won't have to worry about catching a ride with anyone.