World News Briefs -- December 31, 2012 (Evening Edition)

U.S. Lawmakers Scramble To Iron Out Fiscal Crisis Deal, Congress Poised To Miss Deadline -- FOX News

Senators edged closer to a potential deal Monday that could contain the damage from a looming wave of tax hikes, even as it became clear that Congress would likely miss a midnight deadline for action -- leaving taxpayers unsure about how much they'll be paying in 2013.

For the near-term, it appears a tax hike will technically go into effect on Jan. 1. The House is not expected to vote on the issue Monday night, and the Senate still has not produced a bill on which Congress could act.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian PM says Assad ready for peace talks.

Assad's forces battle to retake Damascus suburb.

Syria 'facing 100,000 deaths in next year'.

Turkey discussing disarmament with Kurdish leader: aide.

Iraqi PM questions role of Turkey in unrest.

Series of deadly attacks hits Iraq.

Peres: Israel would talk to Hamas if it met Quartet terms.

Al Qaida in Yemen offers bounty for US ambassador.

Report: Saudi Arabia mulls German tank deal.

Exclusive: Huawei partner offered embargoed HP gear to Iran.

ASIA

Asian nations giving enthusiastic welcome to 2013.

Pakistan's military plays Afghan peacemaker.

Pakistan: 9 militants shot dead, dumped on road.

Pakistan releases more Afghan Taliban members: official.

Indian gang-rape victim's family want killers executed.

India rape sets off debate over women's rights.

Japan releases Chinese caught illegally fishing.

UN peacekeepers exit East Timor.

U.N. expert condemns move to oust Sri Lanka's chief justice.

AFRICA

Egypt's opposition still hopeful, despite many defeats.
Rwanda vows to help on Congo at U.N., assails "blame game".

CAR rebels say split over peace talks offer. Central African Republic crisis: Bozize offer rejected.

No African leader deemed worthy of leadership award.

Libya Coptic church blast kills two Egyptians.

Sudanese army retake Golo from Darfur rebels.

North African nations take different reform routes.

Nigeria President likens nation's unrest to Syria.

EUROPE

EU federalists: UK could be 'associate member'.

Monti aims for Italy vote majority, pro-Europe alliance.

Merkel warns Germans of tough economic times ahead.

Catalan leader Mas urges separatism in New Year speech.

France's 75% 'supertax' could be revived in Hollande's new year message.

Portugal braced for 'fiscal earthquake'.

Greek official caught in financial scandal. Greece moves to probe list tampering.

Central Asian migrants change the face of Moscow.

AMERICAS

"Fiscal cliff" tumble looms despite Senate efforts.

Fiscal cliff deal close but Congress to miss deadline.

Obama signs warrant-less surveillance bill.

Clinton's clot located between brain and skull, doctors say. Clinton admitted to hospital with blood clot. NBC reporter raises Hillary Clinton questions.

Hugo Chavez suffers new complications in cancer fight, Vice President reveals.

In Mexico, a new plan to end drug violence.

Brazil debates treatment options in crack epidemic.

Colombia negotiator says Cuba offers better conditions for peace talks with guerrillas.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

The top terror takedowns of 2012.

Danish spy seeks CIA credit for terrorist's death.

Yemen: Al-Qaida offers bounty for US ambassador.

Al-Qaida, allies carving out their own country in Mali.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Q&A: The US fiscal cliff.

Box office record for Bond: 'Skyfall' passes $1 billion mark.

2012 was a gusher year for OPEC.

2013 set for global grind but these economies could see an upside surprise.