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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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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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Hillary Clinton Is Hospitalized After Exam Finds a Blood Clot

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remains hospitalized for treatment and observation of a blood clot, and she's expected to be in New York-Presbyterian Hospital at least another day or so. The State Department said it was connected to a concussion she suffered earlier this month. NPR's Joe Palca talks with All Things Considered host Audie Cornish with the latest on her condition.

Hillary Clinton Is Hospitalized After Exam Finds a Blood Clot

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Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Areas Rebuilding After Sandy Seeking More Aid From Washington

Communities hit by Hurricane Sandy are waiting for more help from Washington. There's been no agreement on how much air they can expect, but people in the storm zone are concerned that repairs and rebuilding will be delayed, leaving them vulnerable to future storms.

Areas Rebuilding After Sandy Seeking More Aid From Washington

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New York's Times Square Preps For Marquee New Year's Event

The New Year's celebration in Times Square in New York is well known, but it actually takes a year of planning. As the event nears, preparations are intense, and it's not just the infamous ball; there are balloons to blow up, confetti to fluff and there's even a place for people to write their wishes on pieces of confetti that will be dropped from seven buildings in the area. With half a billion Chinese watching, and millions in Latin America, it's a worldwide celebration.

New York's Times Square Preps For Marquee New Year's Event

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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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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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Books

Diana Vreeland's Rise To 'Empress Of Fashion'

Diana Vreeland had a troubled childhood; her mother often told her she was ugly. But she later became editor-in-chief of American Vogue and one of the country's most revered fashion icons. Her life is captured in the new biography, Empress of Fashion: A Life of Diana Vreeland. Host Michel Martin talks with author Amanda Mackenzie Stuart.

Diana Vreeland's Rise To 'Empress Of Fashion'

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Economy

Is Our Economy Better Than Theirs?

The countdown is on to a new year — and the fiscal changes that are on the other side of midnight. But what else is on the cards economically for 2013, both here and overseas? Guest host Celeste Headlee puts the question to the Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy.

Is Our Economy Better Than Theirs?

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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."