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On Thursday, a bid to extend the payroll tax cut failed in the Senate, and Republicans blocked the president's nominee to head a new financial watchdog agency. But the White House is still convinced President Obama is winning the broader political argument.

The Senate has again rejected proposals to extend the payroll tax holiday through next year, with Republicans objecting to using a "millionaires surtax" to pay for it. NPR tried to find millionaires who also object — but with little success.

A final report on the April 2010 fatal explosion at Upper Big Branch coal mine not only blames Massey Energy for the disaster but exposes regulation failures within the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

European Union leaders wrapped up a 10-hour-long meeting in Brussels agreeing on a fiscal pact that will require stricter budget discipline. But Britain is among countries not signing on to the deal. The head of the European Central Bank is calling the pact positive. It's not clear, though, whether the move is enough to relieve Europe's debt crisis in the near future. NPR's Philip Reeves wraps up the meeting.

Spirit Airlines has launched a new promotion mocking former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was sentenced to 14 years this week for crimes including trying to sell a vacant U.S. Senate Seat. Spirit's "Slammer Sale" features $14 fares in and out of Chicago. The airline is calling this a "seat-selling" sale.

The United Kingdom wants some safeguards for its financial services industry. But other major European Union nations are moving ahead on changes to address the zone's financial crisis.

Authorities have started to arrest some of the hospital's owners and staff. Families of the victims allege patients were abandoned and left to die in the fire.

Also making headlines: Euro zone nations push for deal to address crisis; U.N. climate summit approaches "decision time;" missing ex-FBI agent appears in hostage video.

This week, the Barbershop guys discuss a series of comments by Newt Gingrich suggesting that underprivileged kids could improve their work ethic by cleaning school bathrooms. Also, after nearly 30 years and numerous appeals, Philadelphia prosecutors are no longer seeking the death penalty for convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said the temperatures at the plant have fallen below boiling point.