All Things Considered

With a midnight budget deadline looming, congressional Democrats and Republicans seemed to move toward a deal that would head off a partial shutdown of the federal government. House Republicans were to be briefed Friday night on the details of a possible compromise. NPR's Ron Elving talks with host Michele Norris about the latest developments.

With reports of an imminent deal to avoid a partial shutdown of the government, the focus turned on the Republican majority in the House. The GOP has been reluctant to compromise with President Obama and the Democrats. NPR's David Welna talks with host Melissa Block about the latest developments

There are just hours to go before funding for government agencies runs out, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill still have not reached a deal on this year's budget. And instead of spending the day negotiating behind closed doors, the principal players duked it out before cameras in a escalating battle of blame.

Stefan and Erika Svanstrom of Sweden had an elaborate four-month-long honeymoon planned, but they had no idea that no matter where they went, disaster would follow.

As soon as they set out on Dec. 6, they were stranded in Munich, Germany because of a massive snowstorm. For tonight's edition of All Things Considered, the couple told NPR's Melissa Block they faced a Monsoon in Indonesia. Later, they flew to Perth in Australia and they were trailed by brush fire and then in Cairns, they were followed by a category 5 cyclone.

In 2001, Guatemalan singer and songwriter Gaby Moreno left her country for Los Angeles, where she got into the local music scene and took classes at the Musicians Institute. Her soulful vocals and ability to switch languages and genres have made her a rising star.