As fiscal cliff bill becomes law, new Congress takes over

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe fiscal cliff was averted, but issues like the the sequester and debt ceiling awaitThe new Congress will vote on $60 billion in aid to Superstorm Sandy victimsHouse Speaker John Boehner canceled the vote on the aid in light of the fiscal cliff voteDemocrats gain seats in both chambers, but Republicans keep control of the House(CNN) -- A new Congress takes office Thursday, and many...

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Crises averted, but more fights loom

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe vote prevents tax increases for more than 98% of Americans It also wards off $110 billion in automatic cuts to domestic and military spendingMost Americans will still see a payroll tax increase after a 2011 cut expiresOther fiscal challenges this year include the debt ceiling and a continuing budget resolutionWashington (CNN) -- After exhaustive negotiations that strained the country's...

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Senate passes deal to avert fiscal cliff deal; will House?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe measure now goes to the House where a vote could come TuesdayA statement from House leadership made no promisesUnder the Senate package, taxes would stay the same for most AmericansIt leaves a range of big issues unaddressed.As the fiscal cliff looms, what's your New Year's message to Washington? Go to CNN iReport to share your video.(CNN) -- A full two hours after a midnight deadline,...

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Opinion: 12 lessons

What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012What we learned in 2012STORY HIGHLIGHTSDean Obeidallah: You are smarter today than 365 days agoObeidallah: You probably learned a few Korean words like "Gangnam Style"He says we found out poultry...

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Senate leaders tackle fiscal cliff deal

STORY HIGHLIGHTSChiefs of staff for the Senate's top Democrat and Republican will lead fiscal cliff talksMcConnell hopes there will be a plan to present to the Senate "as early as Sunday"If there isn't one, Reid says that he'll put an Obama-backed bill up for a voteSome congressmen say Americans have a right to be frustrated by the stalemate As the fiscal cliff looms, what's your New Year's message...

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Obama, congressional leaders to meet Friday

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: McConnell's spokesman says Obama should give details of his proposalBoehner, Reid, Pelosi and McConnell will meet at the White House on FridayThe Senate returns to work; the House will be back in session Sunday Without a deal, taxes go up and spending gets slashed in the new yearWashington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama and congressional leaders will discuss the looming fiscal...

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Decluttering before the New Year

Time off work during the holidays is a perfect time to tidy up your home and work spaces to start the New Year right.STORY HIGHLIGHTSDo your New Year's resolutions include a push to clean up? Here are some tips to startBeing organized is about being in control, says professional organizer Susan FleischmanCleaning clutter can eliminate the need to buy what you simply can't find(CNN) -- Whatever other...

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Top celebs

updated 9:20 AM EST, Thu December 20, 2012CNN readers' favorites: Celebrity womenNo. 10: Sandra BullockNo. 9: Angelina JolieNo. 8: Katy PerryNo. 7: Taylor SwiftNo. 6: Sofia VergaraNo. 5: Carrie UnderwoodNo. 4: Jennifer LawrenceNo. 3: Jennifer Aniston No. 2: AdeleNo. 1: Catherine, Duchess of CambridgeCNN readers' favorites: Celebrity menNo. 10: Justin TimberlakeNo. 9: Jeremy RennerNo. 8: Brad PittNo....

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Zelizer: Six political lessons of 2012

2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The year in pictures2012: The...

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NATO worker killed by woman in Afghan police uniform

By Masoud Popalzai, CNNupdated 5:09 AM EST, Mon December 24, 2012Afghan policemen stand guard at the site where a female police officer shot dead a foreign civilian adviser. STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Monday's incident is the first to involve a female shooterNEW: On Sunday, a police commander killed five officersOfficials do not know if the woman is indeed part of the Afghan policeA Pentagon report says...

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Little common ground in debate on guns

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe NRA wants to staff every school in America with "qualified armed security"Obama, Democrats and others see tougher gun control as the way to limit future massacresWhile both sides want to keep children safe, it seems they are living in two different worldsWashington (CNN) -- For National Rifle Association Vice President Wayne LaPierre and many other pro-gun Americans, the task is...

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