How Ted Cruz wins debates  —  Wolf Blitzer didn't think Ted Cruz had sufficiently answered his question.  Neither did Hugh Hewitt.  Or Maria Bartiromo.  Or Dana Bash.  So each moderator at the last two Republican debates pressed Cruz further.  —  “Yes or no?”  Blitzer demanded.

Iowa Poll: Clinton slides, leads Sanders by 2 points  —  Hillary Clinton has lost most of her lead over Bernie Sanders in the race to win Iowa's Democratic presidential caucuses, a new Iowa Poll shows.  —  Clinton, who has been the favorite all along, now leads Sanders by just 2 percentage points …

Alan Rickman, giant of British screen and stage, dies at 69  —  Much-loved star of stage, TV and films including Harry Potter and Die Hard - and owner of one of the most singular voices in acting ­- has died in London  —  Alan Rickman, one of the best-loved and most warmly admired British actors …

Planned Parenthood sues over undercover abortion videos  —  Planned Parenthood on Thursday filed a long-awaited federal lawsuit against the anti-abortion activists who have targeted the group with undercover videos for the last year.  —  The formal complaint marks the first time that Planned Parenthood …

Allen West: Sailors should have fought Iran  —  Former Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is criticizing the 10 American sailors detained by the Iranian military, saying they should have resisted arrest.  —  “The result of two U.S. Navy vessels being boarded and seized by an enemy …

Carson campaign in turmoil as finance chair quits  —  Ben Carson's national finance chairman Dean Parker resigned Thursday amid questions about his use of campaign funds and criticism from Carson allies and donors.  —  Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, appointed Parker, a tech industry entrepreneur …

U.S. Chamber Chief Warns of ‘Politically Stupid’ Voices in White House Race  —  The head of the nation's biggest business lobby inveighed against presidential candidates singling out immigrants, ethnic or religious groups, highlighting divisions among supporters of the Republican establishment …

Paul Ryan: Obama's State of the Union ‘degrades the presidency’  —  WASHINGTON — In a scathing response to President Obama's State of the Union Address, House Speaker Paul Ryan told USA TODAY on Wednesday that the speech's political tone toward Donald Trump and the Republican presidential field “degrades the presidency.”

Huckabee: “More Readiness On My Part” To Support Trump Than Others If I Lose  —  “At least with him there's an authenticity.”  —  Justin Sullivan / Getty Images  —  w.soundcloud.com  —  Mike Huckabee says if he's not the Republican nominee, he will likely support front-runner Donald Trump before other candidates in the race.

CBP Detects Over One Ton of Marijuana at the Pharr International Bridge  —  PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted 2,493 pounds of alleged marijuana that was concealed within a commercial shipment of fresh carrots.

Obama's Emphatic Answer When Asked if the First Lady Would Run for President  —  During a town hall meeting Thursday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Obama asserted that his wife Michelle Obama would never run for president.  —  When a man stood up in the crowd at McKinley High School …

Bill lets businesses refuse services to gay couples in Georgia  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Florists, bakers or any other private business owner could refuse service to gay couples getting married in Georgia, under legislation filed Wednesday that is likely to inflame the battle at the Capitol over religious freedom and gay rights.