shepard smith takes a look back at the headlines that shaped 2013. this year we have seen a nearly unprecedented level of partisan gridlock in congress, but terrorism, kidnapping, a historic change in the catholic church, and the passing of nelson mandela. all marked the year in news. 2013 started with all eyes on congress. a last-minute deal to avoid the most serious consequence of the so-called fiscal cliff bull the failure of both parties to reach a broader agreement led to steep budget cults nope as sequestration, and a debt celling showdown months later. north korean leader kim jong-un claimed he conducted an underground nuclear test. the u.n. respond with new financial restrictions that even china approved. the carnival triumph cruise ship lost power after a fire in the engine room. thousands of passengers drifted in the gulf of mexico for five days with hardly any food or water in the end and no working
shook the hand of a former terrorist. one-time commander of the i.r.a. martin maginnes. he s now the deputy first minister. the transformation coming as a result of the good friday agreement which was signed in 1998. that agreement led to the formation of the new northern ireland aseem sxwli decommissioning of arms by paramilitary organizations. that agreement might not have happened without the intervention and commitment of an american president. it was bill clinton whose ancestors who chose to commit time and resources to the peace process. it was he who asked george mitchell to chair peace talks that led up to the good friday agreement. i don t think i will ever forget watch president clinton s reception in belfast and dublin.