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• To Curb Rape, Muslim Group Wants End to Co-Ed Schools

  

  Many Muslims are rejecting the suggestion made by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and argue that it runs counter to recent trends in the Indian Muslim community. The Christian Science Monitor reports.

• Postage Rises, But USPS Teeters on the Edge of Ruin

  If lawmakers don't act, the US Postal Service could run out of money "between six months and a year" and there could be a period of time when mail isn't delivered, policy and economics experts said.

• With Group Effort, Japan Suicides Fall to 15-Year Low

  

  Japan has one of the world’s highest suicide rates. But last year the number of suicides fell below 30,000 for the first time in 15 years, thanks in part to community efforts. The CSM reports.

• Medicare in the Crosshairs on Capitol Hill 

  

  Sen. Lamar Alexander, (R-TN), explains why he voted "yes" on the "fiscal cliff" bill, and why Congress needs to reduce entitlement programs.

• Why the Rush to Fixed Income May Be Dangerous

  

  Investors are flocking to fixed income ETFs -- but they may be dangerous when rates rise.

• Taxes Must Rise if Entitlements Go Unchecked: Hubbard

  

  If Americans want larger entitlement programs, they must be prepared for higher taxes, Glenn Hubbard, a former Bush economic aide, told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Wednesday.

• All Eyes Are on the Fed, but 'Fiscal Cliff' Looms Larger

  

  Markets expect the Fed to continue buying Treasurys, but the course for rates is more likely to be determined by the "fiscal cliff" talks.

• Forecasting Wall Street With a Finger in the Wind

  

  A weak economy, soft corporate earnings and the fiscal cliff, investment houses are warning of impending market turmoil. The outlook is gloomy for the immediate future, with glimmers of optimism for the longer term.

• Detroit Slashes Jobs 

  

  Could Detroit become the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy protection? Doc Thompson, Detroit Talk Radio host, weighs in; while Ernest Istook, Heritage Foundation, discusses fiscal cliff concerns; and Robert Reich, Former Labor Secretary and Casey Mulligan, University of Chicago Professor of Economics, discuss the jobs report.

• Time to Be Picky About Corporate Bonds

  

  Investors looking to buy corporate bonds must temper their expectations for 2013.

• Political Stalemate in Washington 

  

  At the end of the year, tax rates are scheduled to increase on all Americans, with CNBC's John Harwood.

• Small Employers Weigh Impact of Providing Health Insurance

  Businesses like restaurants and hotels that rely heavily on low-income workers are trying to decide how to change their business models for the new health care law. NYT reports.

• Most Expensive Military Programs

  

  Read ahead to see the most expensive U.S. military programs currently under way.

• House Committee Lobbies for Right to Repeal Volcker

  

  The House Financial Services Committee urged transparency during the Volker Rule rulemaking process — or the right for Congress to amend or repeal the outcome.

• Volcker Says Rule Is Already Changing Wall Street

  

  Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker told CNBC his namesake rule has already changed how Wall Street does business.

• Sen. Reid Reports Little Progress in 'Cliff' Talks

  

  Sen. Harry Reid said Tuesday that "fiscal cliff" talks have made little progress, sending stocks down, while Senate Republican Mitch McConnell ripped into President Obama for taking his argument on the road.

• Efforts to Curb Social Spending Face Resistance

  

  Emboldened by gains in Congress, Democrats appear less willing to compromise in “fiscal cliff" talks on cuts to entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security, The New York Times reports.

• Budget Standoff Weighs on Holiday Shopping Season

  

  The impasse in Congress over the “fiscal cliff” could be the Grinch that steals Christmas if it isn’t resolved soon.

• Good News, Bad News in Averting the 'Fiscal Cliff'

  

  With Congress returning from Thanksgiving, here’s the good news for those looking to avoid the “fiscal cliff”: Members of both parties do agree on one LARGE point — taxes for the wealthy should go up.

• Congress on Thanksgiving Break 

  

  Joseph Plumeri, chairman & CEO of Willis Group Holdings, discusses whether he thinks Washington can get a deal on the table before the end of the year.