Cheat Sheet - What’s Ailing Hillary?

Today: Last-Gasp Fiscal-Cliff Deal Fails as Obama, Congress Deadlock Again , 11 Killed in Iraq Explosions , Israel to Ease Gaza Blockade December 31, 2012 SERIOUS 1. What’s Ailing Hillary? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized Sunday to treat a “blood clot” after a recent illness, fainting, and a concussion. Dr. Kent Sepkowitz on what’s behind her spokesman’s announcement. Read it at The Daily Beast Final Scramble 2. Last-Gasp Fiscal-Cliff Deal Fails The president and Congress are still squabbling as talks hit a wall with less than 24 hours to go. The Daily Beast’s Howard Kurtz on the final, pathetic scramble to avoid the fiscal cliff. Plus, Peter Beinart on how Obama has learned his lesson not to compromise with Republicans and more coverage of the fiscal cliff. Read it at The Daily Beast TRAGIC 3. 11 Killed in Iraq Explosions At least 11 people have been killed in a series of explosions in Iraq on Monday. Blasts near a home in the town of Mussayeb killed seven members of the same family. In the northern city of Hilla, an explosion was set off near the convoy of the governor of Babil province, missing the governor, but killing one other person. Meanwhile, explosions in Iraq’s disputed territories killed at least three more people. Violence in Iraq has declined in the last few years, but attacks still occur nearly every day. Read it at Reuters CONCESSIONS 4. Israel to Ease Gaza Blockade The Israeli military announced Monday that shipments of building materials will be allowed daily into the Gaza Strip—if the relative quiet along the border holds. It is the first real easing of the Israeli blockade that has been in place since Hamas took over the territory five years ago. It is also the first key concession of the ceasefire deal that ended eight days of fighting between Israel and Hamas last month. A military spokesman said that Israel began allowing shipments of gravel to Gaza’s private sector Sunday. Read it at The Associated Press TERRORISM 5. Al Qaeda: Bounty to Kill Ambassador Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is offering a bounty for anyone who kills the U.S. ambassador to Yemen or slays any American soldier in the country, according to an audio file they released Monday. Al Qaeda is allegedly offering three kilograms of gold to anyone who kills Gerald Feierstein, the U.S. ambassador in Sana. The group is also offering a separate bounty of $23,350 to anyone who kills an American soldier. Yemen, while a U.S. ally, has struggled with extremist groups—especially since the ouster of former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh earlier this year. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is the same branch of the terrorist group that ordered Muslims to step up protests and kill U.S. diplomats for the film Innocence of Muslims—which resulted in the killing of the U.S. ambassador in Libya and three other Americans. Read it at Reuters NOT WELL Chávez Suffers ‘New Complications’ In wake of fourth cancer surgery. MADE IN AMERICA Ford Focus is Top-Selling Car In the entire world. SICK OF IT ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Most Unpopular Phrase Tops list of “words to be banished.” SCARY Maine Man Shoots Tenants After fight about parked during a snowstorm. DEVELOPING Kanye: Kim Kardashian Is Pregnant Announces his “baby mama” at Atlantic City show. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. How Prison Changed The 'Scarsdale Diet' Killer Jean Harris, who grabbed headlines in the 1980s for killing her renowned doctor lover, died last weekend at age 89. In a 2004 interview with Tina Brown, she explained how prison made her 'smarter' and gave her greater perspective. More Videos Inside the Journal of West Memphis Three’s Damien Echols by Damien Echols Scarsdale Diet Doctor Killer’s Redemption by Michael Daly 2012’s Best On-Screen Kisses by Melissa Leon

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