Top Stories: Wintry Blast, 'Fiscal Cliff' Talks

Good morning.

Our early headlines:

-- Wintry Weather Blasting Northeast On Its Way Out.

-- Elder President Bush In Intensive Care.

-- Putin Signals He Will Sign Law Banning U.S. Adoptions Of Russian Children.

-- Jobless Claims Fell By 12,000 Last Week.

Other stories making headlines:

-- "On 'Fiscal Cliff,' Obama And Senators Returning To Washington For One Last Attempt At Deal." (The Washington Post)

-- "Republican Leaders Huddle Over Fiscal Cliff." (Politico)

-- "U.N. Envoy Calls For Transitional Government In Syria." (The New York Times)

-- "Nelson Mandela Returns Home After 18 Days In Hospital." (BBC Newsround)

-- Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz (D) Appointed To Fill Senate Seat Left Vacant By Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye's Death. (Hawaii Public Radio)

-- "Talks To Avoid East Coast Port Strike To Resume, Details Kept Mum." (CNBC)

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