(The Putin campaign’s “Have Dinner with Vladimir Putin!” events are more somber than their American counterparts. Guests are asked not to smile and only bread is served. via CNN.com)

Good morning! Here’s the news you may have missed:

The Lead Story: 

It’s a slow news week. Congress is — inching would be too fast of a word — towards compromise in the debt talks. So instead of zooming in on political gridlock again, check out CNN’s Year in Pictures. When you’re finished with the gallery, you’ll feel like you’ve just landed after an international trip.

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