I'm Carl Azuz, we've got a lot to talk about today. Current events, culture events, even a couture event. We're starting with a political crisis.

 

A leader who says he is doing what's best for his country, some of his people accusing him of having too much power. The streets filled with protests and violence. It's happening in the country that's seen this before, in fact, less than 2 years ago, Egypt. This was the scene in Cairo on Tuesday, people who support president Mohammed Morsi and people who are against him fighting right outside the presidential palace. At least 6 people were killed and more than 670 were wounded. In a speech yesterday, president Morsi spoke out against the violence and says the people responsible will be punished. Military tanks in the streets of Cairo are just one sign, the tension is going away.

 

Next up, we are moving to Asia  and focusing on North Korea. The country says that some time between December 10th and 22th, it's planning to launch a rocket. But the North Korean government claims that the rocket is for science and research purposes. The thing is, if this launch happens, it would involve the same technology that would be used to launch a ballistic missile. It would also violate a pair of resolutions from the UN Security Council. The U.S has spoken out against this launch plan, it's also keeping an eye on it. Experts say this satellite image shows increased activity at the North Korean launch pad.

 

Let's bring it back to the U.S and head to the Washington DC. President Obama and U.S House Speaker John Boehner talked on the phone Wednesday. If you've been watching our show, you probably know what they were talking about, the fiscal cliff. Negotiations about this cliff and any deal to avoid it involve two main things. Taxes and government spending. Today, Jessica Yellin looks at one of those and compares the plans from two sides in the debate.

 

In the New Year taxes go up on everyone unless Washington takes action. But the government needs more money. President Obama wants to get some of it from the top 2% of wage earners. He wants to raise their tax rate and limit how much they can deduct. The White House says this will bring in 1.06 trillion dollars over ten years. Repulicans say they'll agree to bring in more money but not by raising tax rates. In fact they want to lower tax rates for everyone. Instead they raise money only by limiting deductions and closing loopholes. Speaker Boehner says this will raise 800 billion dollars over ten years.