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Now the White House chief of staff, Lew finessed the 2011 deal that set up the automatic spending cuts and tax hikes set for the new year — and did it in a way that put President Obama in the catbird seat for the current talks. Now he's a possible pick to be the next Treasury secretary.

The framers of the Constitution didn't spell out all the responsibilities of the speaker of the House. In practice, one of those duties has been engaging in one-on-one negotiations with a president on important policy issues. But John Boehner says no more — even with new fiscal fights looming.

Gangsters in Karachi are a little different from the American variety. They often control armed groups linked to political parties. Uzair Baloch is known as the don of Karachi's Lyari slum. But ask him if he's a gangster, and he'll laugh. He says he's a politician and a social worker.

A year after the Navy SEAL operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that killed Osama bin Laden, the CIA is stepping up drone attacks in Yemen and has broadened its targeting of al-Qaida's arm there. It is clear that al-Qaida isn't dead yet, and counterterrorism officials say the group is diminished. But its ideology, a kind of al-Qaida-ism, will take longer to die.

From higher payroll taxes to automatic cuts in military spending, the looming budget crisis could drag the economy back into recession and create turmoil in the financial markets, economists say. To better understand what's at stake, have a look at some of the key phrases involved in the crisis.

Republicans want to raise revenue by closing loopholes in the tax code instead of by raising rates. But tax breaks like the charitable deduction and the mortgage interest deduction come with interest groups willing to fight tooth and nail for them.

Put down that chicken wing and put in your two cents. Fake your way at least well into the third quarter, when everyone else at your party Sunday is well into their Bud Lights.

Water wells and streams in Leroy Township, Pa., have been bubbling up with methane gas in the past few months. The state's Department of Environmental Protection blames nearby natural gas fracking operations. A local well operator has installed water filters for residents and says the problem has been fixed.

NPR's Tom Goldman joins guest host Susan Stamberg to talk about his impressions of the London 2012 Olympics so far and what's in store for next week.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is looking for momentum as Republicans caucus and vote in three states on Tuesday: Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. And dissatisfaction with front-runner Mitt Romney in Missouri could point to a potential opportunity for President Obama in the fall.