Randy Howland works in his small office in March, shortly after he began a work-from-home job with a call center earning $10 an hour. Tamara Keith/NPR hide caption

'Pina': German filmmaker Wim Wenders' 3-D dance documentary is a homage to influential German dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch, who died in 2009. Donata Wenders/Neue Road Movies hide caption

Tunisian rapper El Général's "The President of the Country" is an essential song of the Arab Spring. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

A trader walks in New York City's financial district on Sept. 12, a day when stocks fell early based on fears that the Greek government would default, then rallied on news that China might buy Italian debt. This year, what sent the market into a tailspin often took place overseas. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

On Jan. 3, Iowans will caucus at 1,774 precincts across the state, in the first contest of the 2012 presidential nominating process. Above, Iowans caucus in 2004 at St. John's United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Precinct 87. Shaun Heasley/Getty Images hide caption

Heirloom beets served at Bibiana Restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. Joseph Silverman/The Washington Times /Landov hide caption