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The end-of-year holidays have traditionally allowed presidents to bypass Congress and push through contested nominees with recess appointments. But with threats that House Republicans will stay in session over the holidays to block nominations, President Obama has tough political decisions to make.

The thing Democrats really want is the thing Republicans hate. And the thing Republicans want is the thing Democrats are against. And yet, somehow between now and Christmas, most political watchers believe the partisan differences will quietly be worked out.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is the ultimate immigrant success story and, with an overall approval rating of about two-thirds of residents in her state, she's arguably the most popular Republican governor in the country. But that popularity doesn't always extend to Hispanics.

Republicans are attacking President Obama and his team for allegedly saying they wanted energy prices to go up. The president scoffs at the charge. But some environmentalists say higher energy prices would be a good thing because they would spur the development of alternative technologies.

Vanderbilt University is enforcing a rule requiring student groups to accept anyone who wants to join, and allow all members to run for leadership positions. The policy creates a dilemma for faith-based organizations: Either drop requirements that leaders hold certain beliefs, or forfeit school funding and move off campus.

Rachel Veitch can't drive her beloved 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente any more because of her eyesight. Her "Chariot" has been with her nearly five decades and for more miles than a trip to the moon and back. She never considered trading in the car she loves.

President Obama is in South Korea Sunday to take part in a multilateral conference aimed at curbing nuclear proliferation. He arrives in South Korea at a time of considerable tension. North Korea is threatening to carry out a long-range rocket launch in April, an action the U.S. has warned it should not take.

Apple announced Monday that for the first time since the mid-1990s the company will start paying a dividend. At the end of 2011, Apple had almost $100 billion in cash burning a hole it its pocket, and investors have been clamoring for the company to start sharing the wealth.

The Northern Arapaho tribe in Wyoming has won a permit to hunt two bald eagles for religious purposes. It's the first time federal authorities have granted such approval for bald eagles. The move comes in the wake of a lawsuit that alleged that refusing such permits violated tribe members' religious freedom.

President Obama is nominating Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim, to the post of World Bank. For more details, NPR's John Ydstie talks to David Greene.