In Memoriam: Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011  —  Christopher Hitchens—the incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant—died today at the age of 62.  Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the spring of 2010, just after the publication of his memoir …

Gingrich Duels With Challengers at Iowa Debate  —  SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The leading Republican presidential candidates largely shelved their contentious attacks on one another to deliver their closing arguments on Thursday night at the final debate before the nominating contests begin …

GOP wins light bulb fight  —  The shutdown-averting budget bill will block federal light bulb efficiency standards, giving a win to House Republicans fighting the so-called ban on incandescent light bulbs.  —  GOP and Democratic sources tell POLITICO the final omnibus bill includes …

Congressional leaders reach spending deal to avoid government shutdown  —  Congressional negotiators signed off Thursday evening on a $1 trillion spending agreement for federal agencies, just 28 hours before a deadline that would have led to a government shutdown.

Tea Party Group Leader Is Arrested at La Guardia  —  An influential Tea Party leader was arrested at La Guardia Airport early Thursday after he tried to board a flight with a semi-automatic handgun and its ammunition in his luggage, the authorities said.  —  Mark J. Meckler, 49 …

Nikki Haley to endorse Romney  —  South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, one of the most sought-after remaining Republican endorsements, will come out for Mitt Romney Friday morning, POLITICO has learned.  —  Haley will offer her formal endorsement on Fox and Friends, giving Romney an important boost ahead …

Air Force Vet Ron Paul Drops Bombs On Newt Gingrich for War Deferments  —  Air Force veteran and presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul.  R-Texas, has opened up a new line of attack against former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.  —  Interviewed by Megyn Kelly on Fox News Channel …

‘Batman’ star Bale punched, stopped from visiting blind Chinese activist  —  DONGSHIGU VILLAGE, China (CNN) — As Christian Bale approached an impromptu checkpoint leading to this tiny village in eastern China, four men blocking the narrow path started marching toward him in menacing unison.

Fewer Americans See U.S. Divided Into “Haves,” “Have Nots”  —  The majority would put themselves in the “haves” category if they had to choose  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans are now less likely to see U.S. society as divided into the “haves” and “have nots” than they were in 2008, returning to their views prior to that point.

Marcus Bachmann Backs Down and Caves on Bogus $150 ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Bill  —  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  —  Contact: John Becker, Director of Communications  —  BURLINGTON, Vt. - The heated standoff between Truth Wins Out and Marcus Bachmann abruptly ended today after the therapist agreed …

Exclusive: Iran hijacked US drone, says Iranian engineer  —  In an exclusive interview, an engineer working to unlock the secrets of the captured RQ-170 Sentinel says they exploited a known vulnerability and tricked the US drone into landing in Iran.  —  ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Allen West: Goebbels would be proud of Democrats  —  Tea party favorite Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said Thursday that Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels would be “very proud” of Democrats for shifting public sentiment against Republicans, and he blamed the press for helping spread their message.

Hitchens: ‘People Need Ritual, and Probably Particularly Funerals’  —  A never-before-published excerpt from a 2007 interview.  Read the rest of the interview here.  —  Reuters  —  You say that there's a harmony and beauty inherent in the laws of physics.  Can you say more about that?

The Mysterious Jeb Bush Poll  —  It started when the mayor of Merrifield, New Hampshire, tweeted that he'd gotten a robo-poll asking about a possible Jeb Bush presidential campaign.  It's continued, with random granite state citizens getting the same calls.  One of them sent over the gist of questions received last night.

Search form  —  By  —  WASHINGTON — Although final details were still elusive late Thursday, members of Congress appear to have reached a compromise on a federal budget for 2012 that would preserve the maximum Pell Grant while changing the program's eligibility criteria.