Search results for

The influential writer and cultural critic died Thursday at the age of 62 from complications of cancer of the esophagus. Hitchens confronted his disease in part by writing, bringing the same unsparing insight to his mortality that he had directed at so many other subjects.

Mitt Romney returned to form in the final Republican presidential debate before the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses. Romney, who had perhaps his shakiest debate performance in Des Moines over the weekend, appeared to regain his composure in Thursday night's debate in Sioux City, Iowa.

Queen Jackson has been homeless for about a year. As she recently told her case manager, Debra MacKillop, it all started in 2009, when she was laid off. Since then, there have been hard moments — and some precious ones, as well.

Andreas Georgiou wants to make Greece's statistical office boring and reliable. His efforts have been met with a strike and a criminal investigation that could lead to life in prison.

At Kmart stores across the country, anonymous donors are walking in and paying off the layaway accounts of strangers. This seems to have started in Michigan, but the holiday spirit is spreading. Kmart says the stealth benefactors usually ask for accounts that include toys.

Congressional negotiators have reached agreement on a compromise spending bill to avert a weekend federal shutdown. They also worked toward a deal renewing the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits for another year.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann once appeared to be the favored Republican presidential candidate in Iowa. But she's been near the bottom of most polls since. Bachmann is making an aggressive push to finish well in next month's Iowa caucuses, and she embarks on a multi-day bus tour of the state Friday.

Commentator John Ridley talks to Renee Montagne about the controversy following the publication of an online column on the Forbes website titled "If I Were a Poor Black Kid." The columnist, Gene Marks, is a middle-aged white man.

Denver is buzzing about quarterback Tim Tebow and the resurgent Denver Broncos. This Sunday's match-up between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos is expected to be one of the most-watched NFL games of the season. Tebow has drawn attention for the public display of his Christian faith.

A last-minute deal on spending avoids a partial government shutdown. But disagreements remain on the payroll tax and unemployment benefit issues.