POL-Fiscal-Cliff

In what now seems like a fairy tale scenario, Friday was supposed to conclude the 112th Congress, with members heading home for holiday cheer with their loved ones.

POL-Fix-The-Debt-Ad

With just over two weeks for the White House and congressional Republicans to reach common ground on the nation's budget before the U.S. economy risks tipping over the so-called fiscal cliff, a group aimed at putting the U.S. on a better economic course released its first television ad highlighting a unified call to tame the nation's growing debt.

POL-McCain-Rice

Now that U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration for secretary of state, her supporters are criticizing those who brought her down as well as President Barack Obama, a long-time friend, who they say left her twisting in the wind.

POL-Massachusetts-Senate-Seat

Get ready Massachusetts: Another special election to fill a U.S. Senate seat may be coming your way. And jockeying is already underway among potential candidates, even before it's official there will actually be vacant seat and an election.

MONEY

MONEY-stocks-markets

U.S. stocks ended lower Friday as concerns about the fiscal cliff continue to eclipse signs of improvement in the global economy.

MONEY-jaguar-c-x75

If you were looking forward to buying one of those C-X75 hybrid supercars Jaguar had planned to produce, we have bad news for you. The British luxury car maker, has changed its mind and says it will not build it after all.

FEATURES AND COMMENTARY

ENT-Hobbit-book-movie-Vineyard

When people complain about the nearly three-hour length of the first installment of "The Hobbit" film trilogy because the source book is a slim 300 pages, they're forgetting that much of the story isn't from "The Hobbit" itself -- but expanded from the appendices to "The Lord of the Rings."

ENT-Fitness-Magazine-Katie-Holmes-Revenge-Body

In case Tom Cruise has been too busy to notice what he's been missing, Fitness magazine has gladly brought it to attention. The healthy lifestyle publication has called the physique of Cruise's ex-wife Katie Holmes one of the best celebrity bodies of the year.

ENT-John-Krasinski-Matt-Damon

Along with George Clooney and Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have one of the most enduring - and adorable - bromances in Hollywood. But Damon's "Promised Land" screenwriting partner, John Krasinski, seems to be creeping in on that action. When CNN spoke with "The Office" actor about working with Damon on the upcoming drama's script, Krasinski filled us in on the long hours spent at the Damon home, which was bustling thanks to Damon's four daughters.

TECH-social-login-gigya

There's a lack of trust between Internet users and the websites that collect their private data. These sites aren't going to stop gathering personal information anytime soon, but one company hopes to make the exchange less mysterious when people sign on to a site using a social-media profile.

Analysis-connecticut-shooting-mann

Analysis: Why gun controls are off the agenda in America

COMMENTARY-Zuckerman-Connecticut-Shootings