Good morning.

Our early headlines:

-- Wintry Weather Blasting Northeast On Its Way Out.

-- Elder President Bush In Intensive Care.

-- Putin Signals He Will Sign Law Banning U.S. Adoptions Of Russian Children.

-- Jobless Claims Fell By 12,000 Last Week.

Other stories making headlines:

-- "On 'Fiscal Cliff,' Obama And Senators Returning To Washington For One Last Attempt At Deal." ( The Washington Post)

-- "Republican Leaders Huddle Over Fiscal Cliff." ( Politico)

-- "U.N. Envoy Calls For Transitional Government In Syria." ( The New York Times)

-- "Nelson Mandela Returns Home After 18 Days In Hospital." ( BBC Newsround)

-- Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz (D) Appointed To Fill Senate Seat Left Vacant By Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye's Death. ( Hawaii Public Radio)

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