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Though the gap between spending and revenues has narrowed, it has stayed above the $1 trillion mark.

Also: International Monetary Fund warns of greater risk of global recession; Romney gets boost in Pew poll; security tight as German chancellor visits Greece; Felix Baumgartner's record skydive on hold.

Also: Suspect in ricin letters described as conspiracist and Elvis impersonator; North Korea "sets conditions" for return to talks; and former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords expresses her anger after gun bills fail in Senate.

Also: Osama bin Laden's son-in-law due in Manhattan court; the two Koreas ratchet up rhetoric; Catholic cardinals expected to set date for start of conclave; Northeast braces for more snow and flooding.

Also: New bride, four other women die in California limo fire; jury resumes deliberations in murder trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor; cooler weather helps in fight against California wildfires; and the Senate is expected to OK internet sales tax legislation.

Also: Tens of thousands take to streets of Tunis for funeral of slain opposition leader; car bombings target Shiites in Iraq; EU leaders try to reach budget deal; Bush family's emails are hacked.

Also: Disgraced Chinese official is indicted; Israeli-Palestinian peace talks may resume on July 30; third woman comes forward with accusation against San Diego's mayor; Snowden remains in Moscow airport.

Also: Vice President Mike Pence says the U.S. is ready to impose tough new North Korea sanctions; Germany may be closer to forming a coalition government; and Olympic workers fall ill with norovirus.

Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker offers his picks for the best music of the year, including Fiona Apple's latest album and a Bob Dylan DVD. He also addresses the topic of women in music, and he talks about the year in hip-hop. Tucker is the film critic for New York magazine.

Fresh Air's music critic Ken Tucker's picks for the best music of 2009 include songs by Taylor Swift, Billy Currington and Michael Franti as well as albums by Loudon Wainwright III, the Fiery Furnaces, and Bob Dylan.