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House Speaker John Boehner was dealt a major defeat Thursday night. After spending most of the week trying to round up votes for his "Plan B" to extend tax cuts for virtually everyone, he pulled the measure without a vote. The clock keeps ticking toward the end of the year, when automatic tax increases and spending cuts are set to hit.

Look at Patrick Kruger's house and you see the bottom of his tree through a window, and the top pushing through a damaged roof. Kruger was actually having a little fun. He broke his 14-foot tree in two and used building materials to create the illusion.

Authorities in Denham Springs, La., threatened Sarah Childs with arrest because her holiday lights were arranged in a particular shape. A judge sided with her, issuing a temporary order allowing her to light up the night with the shape of an extended middle finger.

One week ago, 20 children and six adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Also today: The National Rifle Association holds a news conference; President Obama says hundreds of thousands have signed petition seeking "serious steps" to end gun violence. and the first lady writes to Newtown.

With the collapse of House Speaker John Boehner's "Plan B," there's renewed talk about the likelihood that the end-of-year tax hikes and automatic spending cuts will not be avoided. A dive off the so-called fiscal cliff could hit the economy hard. But it also could force compromise in the new year.

Across India, an unusual name is popping up on signs in restaurants and businesses. Connections between the murderous dictator and the subcontinent may explain why.

Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, gifts have come into the grief-stricken Connecticut community by the truckload. Parents say they're not sure how to celebrate, but some hope the traditions will bring back some sense of normalcy.

George McGovern, Arlen Specter, Warren Rudman, Dan Inouye ... just some of the political giants who died in 2012. This week's super-sized Political Junkie column is dedicated to their memory.

Also: Peace envoy meets with Assad; woman in police uniform kills U.S. contractor in Kabul; snow could make post-Christmas travel tough in much of the nation; Sen. Mike Crapo, D-Idaho, faces drunk driving charge.