Just 101 miles separate Samoa and American Samoa. But one will be the first country in the world to welcome the New Year; the other will have to wait a full day.
Africa-Big-Five
The deadly church and mosque attacks in Nigeria and Kenya, and the deaths of Ghanaian and Ethiopian leaders dominated sub-Saharan Africa headlines in 2012. But lost in the midst were a series of positive stories. For every conflict, there was a milestone. For every violence, there was reconciliation. For every setback, progress. Here are the top 5 positive stories out of the continent, as chosen by those who call it home.
TECH-kruger-latest-sightings-nadav-ossendryver
School boy's wildlife-tracking website helps tourists spot big beasts.
SPORT-Jimenez-Leg-Break-Golf-Skiing
Miguel Angel Jimenez may be the oldest golfer to win on the European Tour, but his lust for life has put a big dent in his hopes of extending that record in 2013. The 48-year-old, known for his love of cigars and fine wine, has been ruled out for at least three months after breaking his leg while skiing in his native Spain at the weekend.
FISCAL CLIFF
POL-Fiscal-Cliff
An agreement to avert the fiscal cliff of automatic tax increases and spending cuts appeared "within sight," President Barack Obama said Monday, but lawmakers said nothing will pass Congress before a midnight deadline.
US-Fiscal-Cliff-Anger
The "fiscal cliff" is hours away. And Americans are angry. Across the country, millions are fed up with a Congress that seems unable to get some important things done.
MONEY-fiscal-cliff-rich
Being "rich" could become a whole lot tougher. Under one fiscal cliff proposal being worked out in Congress, taxes would rise only on couples making more than $450,000. That's a lot higher than the $250,000 threshold that policy makers had long marked as the dividing line between the middle class and the rich. Just under 2% of filers, or 2.85 million, have adjusted gross incomes above $250,000.
MONEY-debt-ceiling
It's official: U.S. debt will reach its legal borrowing limit on Monday, giving Congress about two months before it must raise the debt ceiling or risk causing the government to default on its bills and financial obligations. "I can confirm we will reach the statutory debt limit today, Dec. 31," a Treasury Department official said.
MONEY-Fiscal-Cliff-Impact
The fiscal cliff hasn't been reached yet, but it has already affected the nation's economy.
MONEY-family-tax-credits
With the fate of the fiscal cliff uncertain, the Shivers family is bracing for a big tax hit. Many families like the Shivers could also end up worse off by hundreds or thousands of dollars next year if a deal to avert the fiscal cliff isn't reached.
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