An effective eye drug is available for $50.  But many doctors choose a $2,000 alternative.  —  The two drugs have been declared equivalently miraculous.  Tested side by side in six major trials, both prevent blindness in a common old-age affliction.  Biologically, they are cousins.

Newt Gingrich To Conservatives: ‘What Would You Have Done?’  —  A Message On Nelson Mandela That Conservatives Sorely Need To Hear  —  I think this is a fairly noteworthy statement from Newt Gingrich on Mandela's passing that should get some airing.  Gingrich is addressing …

Durbin: No ultimatum on jobless benefits  —  Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames.  —  The number two Democrat in the Senate and a Republican member of the budget conference committee on Sunday strongly signaled that an emerging budget deal will not include new spending on unemployment benefits.

Merrill Newman said he was comfortable during detention in North Korean hotel room  —  SANTA CRUZ — A relaxed Merrill Newman walked outside his Santa Cruz home on Sunday morning and was immediately greeted by a neighbor with a giant hug.  —  The neighbor told Newman how she “just knew” …

The Gallop Asian Bistro has taken seriously the allegations made by Ms. Dayna Morales, and those made against her.  Despite news reports to the contrary, this is not a simple, straight-forward matter and we have conducted our own internal investigation.  The results of that investigation …

No soul searching for Virginia GOP after losses  —  HOT SPRINGS, Va. — Virginia Republicans suffered a drubbing last month, losing all three statewide races (though a recount is impending in one).  A year earlier, it was pretty much the same story as Mitt Romney got swamped and the party unexpectedly lost ground in the Senate.

Democrats react to Rand Paul visit, Detroit ‘freedom zones’ proposal  —  DETROIT, MI — Democrats responded in a variety of ways to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's Friday visit to Detroit.  —  The Kentucky Republican was in town helping the GOP effort to start reaching out to minorities in Michigan …

Catholic School Fires Gay Teacher For Obtaining Marriage License  —  Michael Griffin taught French and Spanish at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pennsylvania for twelve years.  During that entire time, he's been in a relationship with his same-sex partner.

Eric Cantor on how Republicans can win again  —  Virginia Republicans are in the midst of a three-day gathering to sort through what happened in their across-the-board losses at the ballot box in 2013.  (We previewed this autopsy here.)  —  WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 13: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor …

‘There are now two Americas.  My country is a horror show’  —  The creator of The Wire, David Simon, delivered a coruscating speech about the divide between rich and poor in America, and how capitalism has lost sight of its social compact.  This is an edited extract

Protesters in Kiev Topple Lenin Statue as Rallies Grow  —  KIEV, Ukraine — In the biggest demonstration yet after weeks of growing momentum, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians filled the streets of Kiev on Sunday, tearing down and crushing a monument to Lenin in the city center and intensifying …

Lawsuits accuse Phila. police of resuming ‘nickel rides’  —  This is what Philadelphia police say about James McKenna's conduct: He was drunk and belligerent - and broke his neck banging his head against cell bars.  —  McKenna has a different account of what happened that June night in 2011.

Democratic Party has no more centrists  —  When I first heard the claim, I thought it was a mistake or hoax.  A talking head was describing a raging war in the Democratic Party between progressives and centrists.  —  Centrist Democrats?  Aren't they already extinct?  —  Yes, they're gone, the dodo birds of politics.