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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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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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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.

Secretary Clinton's Clot Located Behind Right Ear

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Dec. 4 in Brussels, before she fell ill. Kevin Lamarque/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Lamarque/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Secretary Clinton's Clot Located Behind Right Ear

The clot is located in a vein that's in the space between her brain and skull. A statement by Clinton's physicians released by the State Department said the clot did not result in a stroke or neurological damage. The statement added that the doctors were "confident she will make a full recovery."

Economy

Europe Fails To Stimulate Growth In 2012

Europe spent much of this year trying to hold its common currency pact together. Greece, Spain, Italy and other countries flirted with disaster as interest rates spiked, forcing the debtor nations to accept austerity programs. The turmoil was bad enough to push much of the eurozone into recession.

Europe Fails To Stimulate Growth In 2012

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After Fruitless Weekend, Congress Still Seeks Fiscal Deal

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, leaves the Senate chamber to caucus in the Capitol on Sunday. Molly Riley/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Molly Riley/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

After Fruitless Weekend, Congress Still Seeks Fiscal Deal

Both the House and the Senate were in session Sunday evening, but a bipartisan push by Senate leaders fell short. Monday is the last day to avoid the tax hikes and spending cuts, though Congress may still reach a deal over the next few days.

After Fruitless Weekend, Congress Still Seeks Fiscal Deal

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A Busy And Head-Scratching 2012 Hurricane Season

This satellite image from Oct. 28 shows Hurricane Sandy in the Atlantic Ocean before making landfall. NASA via Getty Images hide caption

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NASA via Getty Images

Environment

A Busy And Head-Scratching 2012 Hurricane Season

Superstorm Sandy is what most people will remember from the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. But Sandy was just one of 10 hurricanes this year during a season that was both busy and strange. From an El Nino that never materialized to meandering tropical storms, meteorologists were baffled.

A Busy And Head-Scratching 2012 Hurricane Season

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Sunday