10 Things You Need To Know For Wednesday

2012 was one hot year--the warmest year on record for the continental United States, breaking the previous index set in 1998 by a long shot. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Tuesday that the average temperature of the year was 55.3 degrees—1 degree above the 1998 record and 3.2 degrees hotter than the 20th Century average. 2012 was also the driest year for the U.S. since 1988, marked by an historic drought in the Midwest, wildfires, and super storms.

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News in Photos: The 10 topics you should be ready to talk about today.

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Hugo Chavez Suffers Lung Infection, May Miss Inauguration

The Venezuelan leader may not attend his inauguration due to health conditions.

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is battling a severe lung infection that has caused breathing difficulties. Although the Venezuelan government has criticized assumptions that he is close to death, there are reports surfacing that the Socialist leader is being kept alive by life support machines.

Chavez was re-elected in October and is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 10.  If he is incapacitated to a hospital bed in Cuba, “he won’t be able to go,” said David Blair, Telegraph’s Chief Foreign Correspondent. “But if he’s alive he can’t hand over to his successor.” (Telegraph)

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10 Things You Need To Know For Friday

After 14 years of painstaking labor, North Korea finally has a rocket that can put a satellite in orbit. But that doesn't mean Pyongyang is close to having an intercontinental ballistic missile. Experts say North Korea is years from even having a shot at developing reliable missiles that could bombard the U.S. mainland and other distant targets. However, North Korea did gain attention and the outrage of world leaders Wednesday with its launch of a three-stage, long-range rocket.

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News in Photos: The 10 topics you should be ready to talk about today.

10 Things You Need To Know For Monday

Gas prices are near or above $5 a gallon in California after refinery disruptions caused fuel shortages that experts say could continue to burden motorists into next week.

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News in Photos: The 10 topics you should be ready to talk about today.