archive
Politics
Most Of Congress In The Dark On 'Fiscal Cliff' Talks
December 13, 2012 Of the 535 members of Congress, not many are in the loop about negotiations to avoid automatic spending cuts and tax increases in the new year. Lawmakers are waiting to see what President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner come up with — and some are nervous about having to quickly vote on a bill despite misgivings.
Africa
Egypt Heads For Showdown Over New Constitution
December 13, 2012 Critics say Egypt's draft constitution, which was drawn up and approved mostly by Islamists, doesn't represent all Egyptians. They say the draft gives key Islamic scholars too much power on a broad range of legislative issues.
The Salt
Archaeologists Find Ancient Evidence Of Cheese-Making
December 13, 2012 Scientists have detected milk fat on 7,000-year-old pottery vessels from archaeological sites in Northern Europe. They think it's the earliest evidence of cheese-making, and they argue dairy products gave early farmers an evolutionary edge.
Planet Money
Will A $1.9 Billion Settlement Change Banks' Behavior?
December 13, 2012 For punishments to work, they need to be both swift and meaningful. The HSBC settlement may be neither.
It's All Politics
Report On CIA Interrogation Tactics Revives Torture Debate
December 13, 2012 In a closed-door meeting Thursday, lawmakers will consider whether to approve the report, which human rights groups are pushing to be made public. It's part of an ongoing fight over whether harsh interrogation methods, which critics compared to torture, were effective.
Arts & Life
Letters From 'Peanuts' Creator Reveal Bittersweet Romance
December 13, 2012 On Friday, Sotheby's is putting up for auction 44 letters and 35 drawings Charles Schulz gave to a young woman he was courting. Schulz, 48, wrote Tracey Claudius, 25, poignant, funny, even innocent notes in pictures and words, often using Charlie Brown to stand in for himself.