Ravi Shankar: Dead at 92.

North Korea: Launches a rocket that appears to reach the Philippines.

The Syrian opposition: Formally recognized by the U.S.

Shooting in Happy Valley: Three are now dead, among them the gunman, after yesterday's shooting at Oregon's Clackamas Town Center. (More here, including a media response flowchart.)

Major transportation package: Coming next week, from Gregoire.

Republicans are going to cave on the fiscal cliff standoff: Says Obama.

Punched in the face: A FOX News contributor covering pro-labor demonstrations in Michigan.

Could airplane rows get any closer together? The answer is yes.

The world is not ending: The Vatican promises.

The Mazama pocket gopher: In need of federal protection, experts say. (Also: cute!)

And a short history of the GIF: