Martinez becomes NM gov as new year starts  —  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Republican Susana Martinez has claimed her place in history as New Mexico's first female governor, taking office with the start of the new year.  —  Martinez, 51, formally became governor during a private ceremony at midnight in the Capitol Rotunda.

GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS ON REPEAL.... At least we know what one of the first bills to receive a vote will be in the new House. … Maybe so.  But there's almost certainly a realization on everyone's part that House Republicans are doing this for show.  If passed, their repeal measure …

Equality, a True Soul Food  —  John Steinbeck observed that “a sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.”  —  That insight, now confirmed by epidemiological studies, is worth bearing in mind at a time of such polarizing inequality that the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans possess …

Public Workers Facing Outrage as Budget Crises Grow  —  FLEMINGTON, N.J. — Ever since Marie Corfield's confrontation with Gov. Chris Christie this fall over the state's education cuts became a YouTube classic, she has received a stream of vituperative e-mails and Facebook postings.

Chavez, Clinton chat at Brazil inauguration  —  Despite a simmering diplomatic row, President Hugo Chavez and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were seen having a brief, friendly chat Saturday at the inauguration of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff.  —  “They talked and smiled, at least for five minutes.

Ex-Senator Is Now the Only Major Black Hopeful in a Chicago Race  —  CHICAGO — Danny K. Davis, a longtime United States representative, has dropped out of the race to become Chicago's mayor, creating the situation that black leaders here had for months been clamoring for …

Statement by the President on the terrorist attacks in Egypt and Nigeria  —  I strongly condemn the separate and outrageous terrorist bombing attacks in Egypt and Nigeria.  The attack on a church in Alexandria, Egypt caused 21 reported deaths and dozens of injured from both the Christian and Muslim communities.

Woman, 41, drowns trying to drive across flooded road as natural disaster in Australia reaches ‘biblical proportions’  —  A woman drowned after trying to cross a flooded causeway in Australia, becoming the first victim of relentless flooding that one official has described as reaching ‘biblical proportions,’ police said today.

Tea Party Activists Angry at G.O.P. Leaders  —  As Tea Party politicians prepare to take their seats when the 112th Congress convenes this week, they are already taking issue with Republicans for failing to hold the line against the flurry of legislation enacted in the waning weeks …

U.S. officials: Barak ‘deceived’ us about his role in peace process  —  Sources tell Haaretz that Clinton and Obama feel Defense Minister exaggerated about his ability to ‘nudge Netanyahu toward an agreement with the Palestinians’.  —  The U.S. administration is furious with Defense Minister Ehud Barak …

How to Break Bread With the Republicans  —  DEAR President Obama:  —  Sorry to bother you.  I know you are busy.  But I have the sense that you could use a few words of advice.  —  In a matter of days, Republicans will control the House of Representatives and have a larger voting bloc in the Senate.

Gov. Christie Defends ‘Disney World’ Trip During Blizzard  —  AP/The Huffington Post  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? … FREEHOLD, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was criticized for vacationing in Florida as a blizzard pummeled the East Coast, defended his trip and praised his state …