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Before Rhode Island's General Assembly passed dramatic changes to the pension system, the state had one of the most underfunded pensions in the country. Many of the state's unions aren't happy with the changes and are gearing up for a legal fight.

Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History dismisses claims that the apocalypse is coming. Some people predict catastrophe in 2012, based on Mayan forecasts. Anthropologists now say there are two, not just one, ancient references to December 2012. But they warn modern forecasters of doom have "twisted the Mayan cosmovision."

Last month, for the first time ever, a CBS-New York Times poll showed Congress' approval rating had plunged to a single digit — 9 percent. And following this week's failure by the supercommittee to agree on a deficit reduction plan, many lawmakers fear that number can only get worse.

Egypt's military rulers named a former prime minister under Hosni Mubarak to head the new government. The move is likely to further incite the tens of thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, demanding the resignation of the ruling military council. And for the first time, pro-military protesters gathered in another of Cairo's squares.

Rival Palestinian leaders met in Cairo this week to discuss prospects for a reconciled government. For more than four years, the Palestinian Authority has governed the West Bank, while the militant Islamist group, Hamas, has ruled the Gaza Strip. But any government that included Hamas would face serious obstacles.

Shoppers flooded stores across the country as the holiday shopping season officially got under way and people rushed to grab deals on electronics, toys and other merchandise. But retailers' big day was marred by reports of attempted robbery, fighting, and of a woman who allegedly pepper sprayed other customers.

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson picks new music for the hard-to-please on a host's shopping list.

When Catholics arrive at church for the beginning of Advent this weekend, they may find themselves stumbling over not only the words, but also the music. The Vatican has changed the English-speaking Mass to make it more faithful to the Latin. Some see that as a renaissance for composers and for the music publishing business.

Iowa voters catapulted the young senator from Illinois to victory in the state's leadoff caucuses four years ago. The president's campaign, which is gearing up in the early states ahead of next year's election, is counting on activists to stick with him in 2012.