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Even Finish Masks Volatile Year For U.S. Economy

A trader walks in New York City's financial district on Sept. 12, a day when stocks fell early based on fears that the Greek government would default, then rallied on news that China might buy Italian debt. This year, what sent the market into a tailspin often took place overseas. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Economy

Even Finish Masks Volatile Year For U.S. Economy

Stocks ended up around close to where they started the year. Markets were mostly unfazed by the U.S. debt downgrade. But big changes in the European economy and governments in the Middle East made for a tumultuous year, when what sent the market into a tailspin often took place overseas.

Even Finish Masks Volatile Year For U.S. Economy

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Movies

How Accurate Is 'The Iron Lady'?

The Iron Lady is a look at the life of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, played by actress Meryl Streep. Streep's performance has been winning early praise, but how well does the movie capture what really happened? Robert Siegel talks with political biographer John Campbell. Campbell wrote The Iron Lady: Margaret Thatcher, from Grocer's Daughter to Prime Minister. This is the final installment of our fact check film series.

How Accurate Is 'The Iron Lady'?

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In Greece, A Muted Christmas Amid Tough Times

A homeless man begs for money during the launch of Christmas celebrations in Athens' central Syntagma Square, Dec. 9. Difficult economic times have meant subdued holiday activities — and even carolers, who traditionally receive money for their songs, are feeling the pinch. Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images

In Greece, A Muted Christmas Amid Tough Times

Traditionally, Greek children go door to door during the holidays, playing the triangle and singing songs of the season. In return, people give them a few euros. But this year, high unemployment levels, rising crime, and austerity measures are dampening everyone's spirit.

In Greece, A Muted Christmas Amid Tough Times

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Rotterdam Port Feels Effects Of European Debt Crisis

As the debt crisis spreads across Europe, the economy in the region is slowing to a crawl. One place that's starting to feel the impact of the slowdown is the massive port of Rotterdam in Holland. It's the biggest port in the world outside Asia. Much of what's bought and sold in Europe goes through Rotterdam.

Rotterdam Port Feels Effects Of European Debt Crisis

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Russians Keep Up Protests For Free Elections

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets of Moscow. They disagree with elections allegedly rigged in favor of Vladimir Putin's party. Lilia Shevtsova, senior Russia analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, talks to Steve Inskeep about the demonstrations.

Russians Keep Up Protests For Free Elections

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Only The Brits: Not Christmas Without Pantomime

If you think of the British as reserved and proper, think again. This is the season when the Brits loosen their stiff upper lips and, even in these austere times, devote themselves to merry-making. They grab their kids and head for the theater for a raucous and peculiarly British form of entertainment: the traditional Christmas pantomime.

Only The Brits: Not Christmas Without Pantomime

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For Norway, A Horrific Memory Lingers

The Holiday season is a time for cheer. But in Norway, the memory of the horrific bombing and shooting seven months ago, still lingers. Weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz talks with Anders Gaiever, a Norwegian newspaper columnist, about what he remembers from that day, and how the man who carried out the attacks might avoid jail time.

For Norway, A Horrific Memory Lingers

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Poked And Prodded For 65 Years, In The Name Of Science

Experiences in youth shape our health in old age. That's the key lesson from the world's longest-running medical study. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

Shots - Health News

Poked And Prodded For 65 Years, In The Name Of Science

For 65 years, thousands of people have let themselves be weighed, measured, and tested. The result: The world's longest running study on human health. By far the most important finding is that early childhood experiences have a huge impact on health and well-being in adult life.

Poked And Prodded For 65 Years, In The Name Of Science

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100-Year-Old Christmas Letter Printed In 'Irish Times'

An Irish man received a touching Christmas gift when a 100-year-old letter from his mother to Santa was printed in the Irish Times. The slightly scorched paper had been stuck in the chimney of her childhood home in Dublin for more than 80 years until the current owner discovered it.

100-Year-Old Christmas Letter Printed In 'Irish Times'

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Italians Are Mostly Window Shopping This Christmas

A woman gazes into a shop window in downtown Rome. Due to tough austerity measures, even wealthy Italians are buying less this holiday season. Max Rossi/Reuters hide caption

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Max Rossi/Reuters

World

Italians Are Mostly Window Shopping This Christmas

Harsh austerity measures, new taxes and the specter of a deep recession are keeping even wealthy Italians from indulging on Christmas this holiday season. Not only are high-end stores empty, but even fruit vendors and trinket stalls are desperate for customers.

Italians Are Mostly Window Shopping This Christmas

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During The Holidays, Greeks Discuss Country's Future

The scene is a family dinner party in Athens, where Greeks discuss the future of their country, the Germans and whether Greece should remain in the eurozone.

During The Holidays, Greeks Discuss Country's Future

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'Mind The Gap' Indeed: Woman's Fall Beneath Train Captured On Video

A "mind the gap" reminder at the Acton Town Underground Station in London carmen_seaby via Flickr hide caption

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carmen_seaby via Flickr

The Two-Way

'Mind The Gap' Indeed: Woman's Fall Beneath Train Captured On Video

They're very serious in Great Britain about the need to "mind the gap" when you step off a train. And video of an inebriated woman who fell onto the tracks makes clear it is indeed possible to slip through the space between a train and a platform.

6-Year-Old British Boy Wins $4,700 Pie In Raffle

Mince pies are a centuries-old Christmas tradition. And this year, a six-year-old boy in England won the most expensive mince pie in the world. A London pie maker raffled it off. To make the $4,7000 dessert, he used rare ingredients. And, buried in the holiday treat was a solid platinum coin worth nearly $1,000.

6-Year-Old British Boy Wins $4,700 Pie In Raffle

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