CHEAT SHEET
TOP 10 RIGHT NOW
Maybe the holiday spirit—or a sense of impending doom—is finally getting through to them. Budget talks between House Speaker John Boehner and President Obama have taken a promising turn, sources close to the process tell The Wall Street Journal. Apparently, negotiations between the leaders have become more serious in recent days, as both Boehner and the White House are reportedly beginning to feel increasing pressure over the impending fiscal cliff. Another big change? Both sides have agreed to stop tattling on each other. A strict public moratorium on public commenting is now being followed on both sides—a sign experts say means the bargaining is only just beginning.