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Democrats and Republicans are going to the brink over tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans in a showdown that threatens to send the U.S. over a year-end "fiscal cliff." So what's at the heart of the impasse?

Despite having one of the lowest HIV rates in Europe, Greece's recent jump in the number of infections, particularly among injecting drug users, is alarming. Health workers blame cuts in health and social services, including the end of what had been a successful needle exchange program.

In reaction to the announcement that Congressman Paul Ryan is the GOP vice presidential candidate, guest host Linda Wertheimer speaks with the junior senator from Ryan's home state of Wisconsin, Ron John Johnson.

The week between Christmas and New Year's used to be a sleepy spot on the American calendar. Nowadays, it's crammed with people rushing around reminiscing with friends and families, returning presents and raking in gift-card booty. Others, even perhaps members of Congress, go straight back to work in this fiscal cliffhanger of a year.

As political leaders try to reach a deal to avoid automatic spending cuts and tax increases at the year's end, income tax rates are a major sticking point. President Obama wants to raise taxes for some; Republicans don't want any hikes. But if nothing is done, rates could go up across the board.

Health care has been a major focus in recent budget battles. New legislation provides a temporary fix in payments for doctors, but it will be paid for by a decade of cuts to hospitals. And a program for long-term-care insurance won't ever get off the ground.

Since 1900, citizen scientists across the Americas have braved bad weather and lack of sleep to participate in the yearly count — essentially, a bird-watching marathon. In the process, these birds have created the world's longest-running database in ornithology and given scientists a great tool for assessing the health of bird populations.

Reversing a decade-old trend, more Afghans are now leaving the country than are returning, as uncertainty grows over the scheduled withdrawal of NATO troops in 2014. For many Afghans, legal migration is out of reach, but that doesn't keep them from sneaking out of their homeland.

On Monday, House Speaker John Boehner answered criticisms that Republicans have not proposed a deficit plan to counter the one from President Obama which they find so objectionable. Boehner's plan takes elements from presidential nominee Mitt Romney's proposal. David Welna talks to Melissa Block about the counteroffer.

Now that Congress has removed some of the uncertainty over the "fiscal cliff," most forecasters are saying the U.S. economy will expand by about 2 percent in the new year. That's a sluggish pace, but strong enough to keep lowering unemployment and boosting housing. Prospects for aircraft makers and farmers are also looking promising, helped by exports.