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The end-of-year holidays have traditionally allowed presidents to bypass Congress and push through contested nominees with recess appointments. But with threats that House Republicans will stay in session over the holidays to block nominations, President Obama has tough political decisions to make.

Private security contractors were involved in a number of controversial shootings in Iraq during the war. With U.S. troops gone, American diplomats will be depending on up to 5,000 security contractors to keep them safe.

Egypt's tourist industry is crucial to its economy, and the number of visitors has fallen off sharply this year. Islamists are now expected to hold a majority of seats in parliament, and some have suggested banning alcohol and segregating beaches by sex.

When North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died last month, few were sorry to see him go, except in neighboring China, where the state-run press ran a smiling photo of Kim and mourned the loss of a "friend." So why did China back one of the world's most loathed dictators and is now supporting his youngest son?

An Iraq war veteran who is suspected of killing a park ranger has been found dead in a snowy stream at Washington's Mount Rainier National Park. The park had been closed since Sunday while authorities searched for Benjamin Barnes.

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum finished virtually even in Iowa's caucuses Tuesday, but after Rep. Michele Bachmann's sixth-place finish, she announced Wednesday that she is suspending her campaign. For more on the GOP race and the next contest — Tuesday's New Hampshire primary — Linda Wertheimer talks with NPR's Brian Naylor, who's in the city of Manchester.

A candidate forum was held in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday night, sponsored by the anti-abortion rights group Personhood USA. Participating in the event were Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, and Rick Perry. Front-runner Mitt Romney did not attend. South Carolina holds its primary on Saturday.

Under heavy pressure from his rivals, front-runner Mitt Romney defended his record as a venture capitalist. He also insisted he bears no responsibility for attack ads aired by his allies, and grudgingly said he might release his income tax returns this spring.

Theodor Geisel's first book for kids was rejected 27 times before it was finally published in 1937. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was inspired by a very ordinary street in Geisel's Massachusetts hometown.

NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson joins Melissa Block from Florida to discuss Monday night's Republican presidential debate.