First on CNN: Biden expected to skip first Democratic debate  —  Washington (CNN)Vice President Joe Biden has extended his window for deciding whether to jump into the 2016 presidential campaign, several Democrats say, allowing the contest to play out even longer before he answers …

Alabama sends message: We are too broke to care about right and wrong  —  Alabama might as well just send an invitation to the Justice Department.  Come on in guys.  Come on down.  —  No need to reply with an RSVP.  Because we know you'll be here.  How could you resist?

Putin wants to humiliate Obama with airstrikes in Syria  —  Barack Obama extends his hand to Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly.  —  The first thing to understand about Vladimir Putin is that he's not content just to win.  He has to destroy his opponents, foreign or domestic.

New batch of Hillary Clinton's emails shows her cautiousness on gay rights  —  Hillary Rodham Clinton has lately positioned herself on the forefront of gay rights, but tucked into a newly disclosed batch of her emails is a reminder that she had long taken a more cautious approach to the issue.

Sweet Cakes owners who refused to make same-sex wedding cake now refuse to pay $135,000 damages  —  “They are entitled to ... review of the case, but do not have the right to disregard a legally binding order.”  —  The Oregon couple who made national headlines when they refused to bake …

Cougar sightings rattle residents  —  Big cats seen in Lucerne Valley, Hesperia

It's the Abortion, Stupid  —  <p>If there's one thing Republicans established at this week's Planned Parenthood hearing it is that the organization's CEO, Cecile Richards, makes more than $500,000 — and probably deserves a raise. </p><p>Judging by the hearing, the only thing more painful …

Donald Trump in New Hampshire: Syrian Refugees Are ‘Going Back’  —  KEENE, N.H. — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would send Syrian refugees “back” if he were elected to the White House.  —  In New Hampshire for the first time since he failed to correct …

A Chief Justice Without a Friend  —  Lest anyone suppose that the beating Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is taking from Republican candidates might cause liberals to enfold him in a comforting embrace, the current issue of The Nation puts that thought to rest.

Why Pope Francis' Meeting With Kim Davis Is Such a Disaster  —  I woke up this morning to reports that during his recent U.S. visit, Pope Francis met with Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk best known for refusing to issue lawful marriage licenses, interfering with the ability of her deputies …

Woman says she is happier than ever after fulfilling lifelong wish of becoming blind  —  NORTH CAROLINA - A North Carolina woman says she is happier than ever after she fulfilled her lifelong wish of becoming blind.  —  Jewel Shuping, 30, has Body Integrity Identity Disorder, according to Barcroft TV.

Trump Cancels Virginia Rally Due To Hurricane With His Own Humblebrag  —  Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump regrets to inform you that his Friday rally in Virginia has been canceled on account of some inclement weather.  —  But he wants you to know that he called the whole thing off …

Exclusive: Obama brushed off Reid's plea on Palestinian state  —  <p>Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on two different occasions this year went to White House chief of staff Denis McDonough seeking a public commitment from President Barack Obama that he would veto any U.N. resolution calling …

Improving Mobile Profiles  —  People visit Facebook profiles more than four billion times per day, and we're continually looking for ways to make profiles the best place for people to curate their online identities and connect with others.  —  Today, we're unveiling some new, mobile-friendly features for Facebook profiles.

Kissinger Biography Is Great, Says Pal of Author and Kissinger in New York Times  —  This Sunday, the New York Times Book Review will publish a review of the first volume of Niall Ferguson's authorized biography of Henry Kissinger, Kissinger: The Idealist.  The reviewer is Andrew Roberts.