Sarah Palin's Nomination Chances: A Reassessment  —  In November 2009, I wrote an article entitled “10 Reasons That Sarah Palin Could Win the Republican Nomination.”  The article wasn't necessarily arguing that she was the favorite to take the nomination, but it did suggest she had a credible chance at it.

New health-care rules to take effect  —  The new year will bring important changes to U.S. health-insurance rules, as new provisions related to last year's massive health-care overhaul take effect.  —  The new rules are designed to help those caught in Medicare's “doughnut hole,” …

Chief justice urges progress naming judges  —  WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats must find a long-term solution to selecting federal judges, Chief Justice John Roberts says, while blaming both sides for the political gridlock of judicial nominations in the Senate.

‘A big f—  deal’ and more: The top 10 political quotes of 2010  —  Vice President Joe Biden's use of profanity, a New York congressman's admission of groping and a denial of witchcraft were among the top 10 political quotes of 2010.  —  The healthcare reform debate is featured in several others …

Manhattan Status Symbols: Washers and Dryers  —  THE final noisemaker has squealed and the last dinner guest has straggled home, so the holiday extravaganza that is Christmas and New Year's — spread out over two long weekends and punctuated by a blizzard — is over.

Interior ministry: Suicide bomber behind Egypt church blast  —  (CNN) — Evidence indicates that a suicide bomber caused the explosion outside a church in Egypt on Saturday that killed at least 21 people, the country's interior ministry said.  —  Authorities believe the bomber was killed in the blast …

Miller ending legal battle, conceding Senate race  —  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Republican Joe Miller has conceded the Alaska U.S. Senate race to party rival Sen. Lisa Murkowski, ending nearly two months of debate and court litigation.  —  Miller announced his decision at a news conference in Anchorage Friday …

Nigerian capital Abuja hit by barracks bomb  —  Victims of the explosion were taken to a morgue in the Nigerian capital  —  Several people have been killed by a bomb blast at a bar near a barracks in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.  —  Nigeria's president condemned the attack …

Weekly Address: Democrats and Republicans Have Shared Responsibility to Move America Forward  —  WASHINGTON - In his weekly address, President Obama resolved to do everything he can to make sure the economy is growing, creating jobs, and strengthening the middle class in the new year.

Gov. Christie praises his administration for work done after blizzard, chastises mayors for local efforts  —  TRENTON — At his first public event since a blizzard slammed the state, Gov. Chris Christie praised state workers and his administration for their response to the storm and said he wouldn't have done anything differently.

2011 looks grim for progress on women's rights in Iraq  —  Men view a Baghdad display that warns that women who don't wear the hijab, or traditional Muslim head covering, will be punished in the afterlife.  The display, which depicts women engulfed in flames, was erected by Islamist leaders …

Baby Boomers Expected to Drain Medicare  —  The Biggest Generational Wave in History Could Leave Medicare System Broken  —  The first baby boomers will turn 65 Jan. 1, beginning a flood of applications for Medicare benefits that experts fear could drain the economy and hold political repercussions for President Obama.

Violence as Pakistan strikes over blasphemy law  —  KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) - Violence flared Friday as police and protesters clashed during a mass protest strike that closed businesses across Pakistan over a bid to end the death penalty for blasphemy.  —  Police said protesters near the home …