If Congress doesn't make a deal before January, massive spending cuts will go into effect automatically in 2013. iStockphoto.com hide caption

A student takes part in an exercise to disarm IEDs in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Sean Carberry/NPR hide caption

Nut brittles from the Las Cruces Candy Company are studded with pecans, pistachios and almonds, and infused with New Mexico's signature chili peppers — both green and red. Melisa Goh/NPR hide caption

Spirit Family Reunion performs at NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C. Tom Bullock/NPR hide caption

Mitt Romney gets a kick out of South Dakota Sen. John Thune's comments during a January rally in Dubuque, Iowa. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

Government employees demonstrate against the Spanish government's austerity measures in Madrid, on Friday. The economic situation has forced some Spaniards to leave the country for work. Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Russ Irwin has toured with Aerosmith for 15 years. His new solo record, Get Me Home, was released this May. Courtesy of the artist hide caption