Check out "Apocalypse Not Quite Yet," a look at the Middle East and North Africa for Newsweek Issues 2013

Newsweek Issues 2013: Apocalypse Not Quite Yet

The Middle East and North Africa are teetering on the brink.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/12/26/apocalypse-not-quite-yet.html

(Written in early December for the special edition of Newsweek, "Issues 2013")

On a lighter note, for several recent snapshots check out these from Paris:

http://ruesdeparadis.blogspot.fr/2012/12/a-walk-to-montmartre-morning-after.html

and these from Venice:

http://lastrada.blogspot.fr/2012/12/santa-clauses-around-venice-this.html