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Monday

Deal To Avert 'Fiscal Cliff' Appears Likely

The Capitol is illuminated in Washington, where the House and Senate remain in session. The two chambers will miss a deadline to avoid the "fiscal cliff" tonight, as 2013 begins. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Deal To Avert 'Fiscal Cliff' Appears Likely

Vice President Joe Biden was meeting late Monday with Senate Democrats to brief them on a proposed deal to stop the sharp tax increases and spending cuts. The Senate may vote on the deal Monday night, but there will be no vote in the House until Tuesday at the earliest.

NPR's coverage of President Obama's comments on the "fiscal cliff" talks

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Chief Justice John Roberts On Fiscal Woes: Don't Look At Us

Chief Justice John Roberts speaks in Farmington, Pa., in June. Ann Wilkins/AP hide caption

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Ann Wilkins/AP

It's All Politics

Chief Justice John Roberts On Fiscal Woes: Don't Look At Us

The leader of the judicial branch of government uses his end-of-year report on the state of federal courts to highlight efforts to trim government costs, and to note: "For each citizen's tax dollar, only two-tenths of one penny go toward funding the entire third branch of government!"

New Year's Eve 2012: The World Celebrates 2013

Revelers count down to 2013 near the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, where thousands gathered for the city's first public countdown to the New Year. AFP/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

New Year's Eve 2012: The World Celebrates 2013

It is New Year's Eve. And that means people will: go to parties and drink Champagne; ignore the hubbub and go to bed by 10; start cooking for New Year's Day; watch college football — or some combination of the above. For many people, the center of attention tonight will be New York's Times Square, where the famed ball will drop.

Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Could Post-Superstorm Sandy Rebuilding Energize The Economy?

Some economists predict that the reconstruction from the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy will produce a stimulus effect for the U.S. economy in 2013 — especially in construction and related industries. Others say the losses associated with a storm will outweigh any positive effects from the rebuilding.

Could Post-Superstorm Sandy Rebuilding Energize The Economy?

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Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge

Congolese women wait for food to be distributed at the Mugunga III camp for displaced people outside the eastern town of Goma on Dec. 2. Jerome Delay/AP hide caption

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Jerome Delay/AP

Africa

Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge

In recent years, the Congolese city of Goma has been a bit of a haven for those fleeing war in surrounding areas. But now, the army and rebels are both in the city, raising fears that fighting could break out at any time.

Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge

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From 3-D Printers To Wired Glasses, The Tech Year Ahead

Google Glass will be part of a trend in 2013 of computing and connectivity in devices we don't generally think of as computers. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

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Seth Wenig/AP

All Tech Considered

From 3-D Printers To Wired Glasses, The Tech Year Ahead

It's unlikely 2013 will be the year that jet packs make it big, but the coming year could bring us a host of other new technology trends and products, like 3-D printers for consumers, even smarter smartphones, and more connected devices like glasses and cars.

From 3-D Printers To Wired Glasses, The Tech Year Ahead

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Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback

Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., enters a room full of supporters on Election Day, Nov. 6, in Flagstaff, Ariz. Ralph Freso/AP hide caption

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Ralph Freso/AP

It's All Politics

Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback

KJZZ News

Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick is returning to Washington this week after sitting out a term following her 2010 defeat. This time around, Kirkpatrick hopes to strengthen her foothold in a swing district, but she's dealing with a tricky electorate.

Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback

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Green Grapes And Red Underwear: A Spanish New Year's Eve

Ringing in the New Year in Spain requires eating a dozen grapes and wearing a very specific kind of undergarment. Jeff Koehler hide caption

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Jeff Koehler

The Salt

Green Grapes And Red Underwear: A Spanish New Year's Eve

As a clock tower rings out 12 chimes, people all over the country will scoff a dozen grapes, hoping for good luck. With several seeds per grape and only a couple of seconds to swallow each one, the task is harder than it sounds. And then there's the bit about wearing a gift of red undergarments.

Is The Party Over For The Tea Party?

Tea Party supporter William Temple of Brunswick, Ga., protested outside the Supreme Court in June as justices debated the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law. David Goldman/AP hide caption

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David Goldman/AP

It's All Politics

Is The Party Over For The Tea Party?

All large classes elected to Congress want to change Washington. The Tea Party has found that there are all kinds of tripwires built into the American system of checks and balances that prevent newcomers from quickly remaking the political culture into their own image.