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After theories circulated online that late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was poisoned with a radioactive element, Wired Magazine contributor and poison expert Deborah Blum decided to look into it herself. Her suspicion is far from that of the regular conspiracy theorist. She thinks the polonium found on his things indicate just one thing: He was a heavy smoker.

Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, gifts have come into the grief-stricken Connecticut community by the truckload. Parents say they're not sure how to celebrate, but some hope the traditions will bring back some sense of normalcy.

Four novels for the year's end: a new Raylan Givens adventure from Elmore Leonard, a story of psychology and obsession from Ellen Ullman, Thomas Caplan's latest spy thriller and Alex Gilvarry's debut set in the fashion world and Guantanamo Bay.

Author Ayad Akhtar writes about three books that deal with the intersection of religion and literature in the U.S. What is your favorite book on American faith? Tell us in the comments.

With several things to worry about — including the possibility of automatic tax increases and spending cuts — it appears American consumers weren't in the cheeriest of holiday spirits on the last weekend before Christmas. Shoppers were out, but analysts say their spending was subdued.

ABC polled a few Santa suit makers, who say Santa's girth has been steadily increasing. The man known for excess can now order suits up to size quadruple X. That's a 70-inch waistline.

The National Rifle Association spokesman says killers such as Adam Lanza would find other ways to try to kill so many people. Lanza shot and killed 20 school children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

You may not know that the traffic signal, the firehouse pole, and instant coffee were all invented by people of color. The stories behind those inventions and many more are included in the new book, Mad Science. Editor Randy Alfred speaks with guest host Celeste Headlee.

The city of Taranto is heavily dependent on a steel plant, the largest in Europe, which provides some 20,000 jobs. A court has ordered a partial shutdown because the factory spews carcinogens into the air, but the government has rejected the court's ruling, saying the economy needs the jobs.

Fresh Air's television critic says there weren't any new shows this year that wowed him and that all the shows he watched and loved this year were ones that have been on for at least a season. His No. 1 favorite remains Breaking Bad.