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 …

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 …

Rep. Allen West: 'If Joseph Goebbels Was Around, He'd Be Very Proud Of The Democrat Party'  —  Arguably the most inflammatory member in Congress, GOP Rep. Allen West (FL) outdid himself yesterday by comparing the Democratic Party to the Nazi party.  Bristling at a new poll revealing …

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 …

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 …

SC Gov.Nikki Haley Endorses Mitt Romney on FOX and Friends  —  SIOUX CITY, IOWA— South Carolina Gov.Nikki Haley, a rising Republican star, endorsed Mitt Romney for President on FOX News Friday.  —  “Today is the day that I'm throwing all of my support behind Mitt Romney for president,"Haley said on FOX & Friends.

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.

Boehner on Keystone: We're fighting for the pipeline provision  —  They're going to fight on the pipeline.  —  Speaker John Boehner Friday morning told the House Republican Conference that he's hunkering down on the Keystone XL pipeline provision in the payroll tax holiday bill.

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.

‘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.

Cartoon Regularly Featured On Big Journalism Connected To Nazi-Era Magazine  —  In at least three instances, Andrew Breitbart's Big Journalism website has used an image connected to a Nazi-era German magazine noted for anti-Semitic cartoons and pro-Hitler leanings.

Russian fishing boat sinking in Antarctic waters  —  In this photo released by Maritime New Zealand, the Russian fishing vessel Sparta is seen in waters in the Ross Sea near Antarctica, Dec. 16, 2011.  (AP)  —  WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A Russian fishing vessel with 32 crew members was taking on water near Antarctica on Friday.

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.

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

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 …

Southaven Mayor Greg Davis' expense receipts prompt frank revelation  —  Purchase at store for gay men leads to mayor's admission  —  Southaven Mayor Greg Davis addresses the media last month following a meeting with the state auditor.  —  Receipts from embattled Southaven Mayor Greg Davis reveal …