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Virtually everyone agrees that allowing the nation to fall off the so-called fiscal cliff would be a bad thing. Government programs would be cut, taxes would rise, and experts say the economy would fall back into recession. And after all that, the nation still would be dealing with a budget deficit.

Irish writer Colm Toibin's novella recounts familiar stories of the New Testament, as seen through the eyes of Jesus' mother. But this isn't the iconic blushing virgin you're used to seeing. Toibin's Mary is modeled after the fierce heroines of Greek tragedies — and she is filled with anger.

Eurozone finance ministers have decided to give Greece two more years, until 2016, to turn around their budget deficit. What eurozone leaders did not agree on is whether to release more aid to Greece — money that's needed as its outstanding loans come due.

A police officer in Sarasota, Fla., said he was being conscientious when he arrested a homeless man in a park, who was charging a cell phone in a picnic shelter. The officer accused him of theft of city utilities. A judge threw out the case.

"GIF," as in the file type, has been chosen as Oxford Dictionary's American word of 2012. It's short for graphic interface format. The runner up? "YOLO," which is short for "You only live once."

Also: Microsoft Windows chief steps down; Sen. Kerry reportedly being considered for defense secretary; last solar eclipse until 2015 will be visible from Australia.

People hoping to save a few dollars by choosing insurance with low upfront costs may be losing out. Hospitals and other health care providers sometimes fail to apply discounts when individuals, rather than insurers, are paying the bills.

If the government goes over the "fiscal cliff," millions of households could see tax increases because of an obscure part of the tax code, known as the alternative minimum tax. Host Michel Martin talks with NPR Business Editor Marilyn Geewax about exactly what could happen and who would be affected.

The discovery of new foods by chefs of the prehistoric age may have helped our human ancestors evolve, archeologists say. Hominins that lived about 3 million years ago began eating grasses and sedge, which helped them survive in different environments.

Perry said nothing should be done to change the U.S., because he believes in "the greatness of our Union."