Supervising News Editor Maggie Leung -- 404-827-1401
UPCOMING
POL-Fiscal-Cliff (Will update)
An agreement to avert the fiscal cliff of automatic tax increases and spending cuts appeared "within sight," President Barack Obama said Monday, but lawmakers said nothing will pass Congress before a midnight deadline.
North-Carolina-Wilmington-10 (Will update)
Forty years after they were convicted by a jury of firebombing a grocery store in Wilmington, North Carolina, civil rights activists who became known as the "Wilmington 10" were pardoned Monday by the state's outgoing governor.
Venezuela-Chavez-Health (monitoring)
Leaders in Venezuela's capital are asking residents to take a more somber approach than usual to ring in the New Year.
PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED STORIES
CNN SHOWCASE
Iraq-One-Year-Later -- By Chelsea J. Carter
A year ago, with the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq, there was cautious optimism in Iraq about its future. That was on "Iraq Day," the celebration of the December 31 deadline for American troops to withdraw from the country -- a moment that marked the official end of the war. One year later, much about a post-war Iraq remains unclear -- for the Iraqis and Americans who lived it and fought it -- as the country struggles to define itself, with its government stumbling from one political crisis to another.
INTERNATIONAL
Iraq-Violence
At least 16 people were killed and dozens were injured in attacks across Iraq Monday amid an apparent uptick in sectarian tensions. Most of the attacks targeted Shiites, including bomb blasts that injured pilgrims traveling to shrines just days before a religious celebration.
Venezuela-Chavez-Health
Leaders in Venezuela's capital are asking residents to take a more somber approach than usual to ring in the New Year.
South-Africa-Mandela
South African President Jacob Zuma urged his countrymen Monday to keep the ailing Nelson Mandela in their prayers.
New-Years-Date-Line-Quirk
Just 101 miles separate Samoa and American Samoa. But one will be the first country in the world to welcome the New Year; the other will have to wait a full day.
Africa-Big-Five
The deadly church and mosque attacks in Nigeria and Kenya, and the deaths of Ghanaian and Ethiopian leaders dominated sub-Saharan Africa headlines in 2012. But lost in the midst were a series of positive stories. For every conflict, there was a milestone. For every violence, there was reconciliation. For every setback, progress. Here are the top 5 positive stories out of the continent, as chosen by those who call it home.
TECH-kruger-latest-sightings-nadav-ossendryver
School boy's wildlife-tracking website helps tourists spot big beasts.
SPORT-Jimenez-Leg-Break-Golf-Skiing
Miguel Angel Jimenez may be the oldest golfer to win on the European Tour, but his lust for life has put a big dent in his hopes of extending that record in 2013. The 48-year-old, known for his love of cigars and fine wine, has been ruled out for at least three months after breaking his leg while skiing in his native Spain at the weekend.
FISCAL CLIFF
POL-Fiscal-Cliff
An agreement to avert the fiscal cliff of automatic tax increases and spending cuts appeared "within sight," President Barack Obama said Monday, but lawmakers said nothing will pass Congress before a midnight deadline.
US-Fiscal-Cliff-Anger
The "fiscal cliff" is hours away. And Americans are angry. Across the country, millions are fed up with a Congress that seems unable to get some important things done.
MONEY-fiscal-cliff-rich
Being "rich" could become a whole lot tougher. Under one fiscal cliff proposal being worked out in Congress, taxes would rise only on couples making more than $450,000. That's a lot higher than the $250,000 threshold that policy makers had long marked as the dividing line between the middle class and the rich. Just under 2% of filers, or 2.85 million, have adjusted gross incomes above $250,000.
MONEY-debt-ceiling
It's official: U.S. debt will reach its legal borrowing limit on Monday, giving Congress about two months before it must raise the debt ceiling or risk causing the government to default on its bills and financial obligations. "I can confirm we will reach the statutory debt limit today, Dec. 31," a Treasury Department official said.
MONEY-Fiscal-Cliff-Impact
The fiscal cliff hasn't been reached yet, but it has already affected the nation's economy.
MONEY-family-tax-credits
With the fate of the fiscal cliff uncertain, the Shivers family is bracing for a big tax hit. Many families like the Shivers could also end up worse off by hundreds or thousands of dollars next year if a deal to avert the fiscal cliff isn't reached.
