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In a paper to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, researchers identified five possible planets around the star Tau Ceti. One of these alien worlds is within the star's habitable zone. Study co-author Steven Vogt discusses whether life could exist on the planet.

The Massachusetts senator has already carried out sensitive diplomatic efforts on behalf of President Obama, with a strong focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent years.

The normally strident National Rifle Association remained largely silent for nearly a week after the Newtown shootings. That ended on Friday, with a news conference that the group promised would unveil ideas to make sure such a thing would not happen again.

Over the past quarter-century, millions of people have poured into theaters to see the stage-musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Now it's opening in movie theaters; director Tom Hooper tells NPR's Melissa Block that it was a total labor of love.

Many say Dec. 21, 2012, is the day ancient Mayans prophesized the world would end, but scholars say that is not what the calendar said. The day is the end of a cycle in Mayan life, but not the end of the world.

After a 1996 mass shooting, the country changed its gun laws and the government bought back roughly 20 percent of all guns. Since then, gun violence has been down, and there have not been any mass killings.

How does a post-industrial city manage property that no longer generates tax revenue but still needs the grass cut? One entrepreneur says he has a solution: He's buying up 1,500 empty city lots and planting thousands of trees. But where backers see a visionary proposal, critics see a land grab.

If John Kerry leaves the Senate to become secretary of state another Kennedy could fill his Senate seat — at least on an interim basis. And ousted Republican Scott Brown could have fighting chance of returning to the Capitol.

Carl Kasell reads three quotes from the week's news: Cliffmas is Coming; Baking for Boys; The Official Wait Wait Couple of the Year.

With Christmas on Tuesday this year, stores may be jam-packed this weekend. Those busy stores are also going to be on the lookout for shoplifters, especially at self-checkout machines, where it is a big problem.