Top Stories: Wave Of Bombings In Baghdad, Political Battle Over Tax Cut

By Mark Memmott

Published December 22, 2011 at 8:05 AM CST

Good morning.

Our early headlines:

-- Dozens Killed, Scores Injured In Wave Of Bombings In Baghdad.

-- Third Quarter Growth Estimate Revised Down Again, To 1.8 Percent.

-- U.S. Cites 'Self Defense,' Concedes Poor Coordination In Pakistan Incident.

Other top headlines:

-- "Payroll Tax Cut: Obama Ups Pressure On Boehner." (Politico)

-- "Experts See A False Dawn In Economy's Recent Gains." (The New York Times)

-- "North Korea Awaits Kim Jong Un's Opening Moves." (Morning Edition)

-- "Syrian Forces Pursue Assaults, Arab League Team On The Way." (Reuters)

-- Sixth Person Accuses Former Philadelphia Daily News Sports Columnist Of Sexual Abuse. (Philadelphia Daily News)

Mark Memmott

Mark Memmott is NPR's supervising senior editor for Standards & Practices. In that role, he's a resource for NPR's journalists – helping them raise the right questions as they do their work and uphold the organization's standards.

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