More taxes: 'Behind us' or 'on the table'?

Democrats are bubbling over with ideas for raking in additional federal revenue even as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declared Sunday that "the tax issue is behind us."

GOP eyes shutdown as 'fiscal sanity' jolt

The appetite for a government shutdown is growing among Republicans, who shied away from one during the debt and spending fights in the last Congress but now say one may be needed.

Decisions questioned as historic season ends with Redskins' Griffin on bench

Robert Griffin III exhaled deeply and saluted the crowd as he walked off the field in the fourth quarter Sunday night. His sprained right knee, aggravated in the first quarter, finally gave out. It gruesomely buckled, brace be damned, when he tried to pick up a low shotgun snap. Fans cheered their hero as he exited the stage, knowing they'd have to wait through the offseason to watch him work his magic again.

Redskins: Burgundy and gold trump red and blue; fans put aside partisan differences

In a town known for partisan bickering and political infighting, the Washington Redskins long have been one of the few things that could unify forces as powerfully opposed as Republicans and Democrats.

Hagel is in for tough challenge to lead the Pentagon

As White House officials confirmed Sunday that the president plans to nominate Chuck Hagel on Monday as Pentagon chief, Republicans made it clear that the former senator from Nebraska will face a tough confirmation battle.

States surrender to health care law, set up exchanges

President Obama's signature health care reforms are accelerating into the new year, with a growing number of state-run insurance markets getting the green light from the federal government, even as critics decry the law as a dagger to small businesses and a tea party icon attempts to repeal it for the 34th time.

CURL: Obama supporters shocked, angry at new tax increases

Sometimes, watching a Democrat learn something is wonderful, like seeing the family dog finally sit and stay at your command.

Pakistani officials: U.S. drones kill 9 militants

Suspected American drones fired several missiles into three militant hideouts near the Afghan border on Sunday, killing nine Pakistani Taliban fighters, intelligence officials said.

NHL Lockout 2013: CBA deal marks the end

The day fans and players have been waiting months for finally arrived. The NHL lockout is over.

Egypt shakes up Cabinet, appoints 10 new ministers

Egypt swore in 10 new ministers on Sunday in a Cabinet shake-up aimed at improving the government's handling of the country's ailing economy ahead of talks this week with the International Monetary Fund over a badly needed $4.8 billion loan.

Inside the Beltway: The media's lousy aim

"Anti-gun New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was half-right when he told NBC's Jimmy Fallon that there is 'scant coverage' of other firearms news, because there is virtually no coverage of self-defense uses," says Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a Washington state-based interest group.

NFL playoffs: Ravens beat Colts, advance to face Broncos

Ray Lewis' last ride now will take him to Denver. Anquan Boldin, Joe Flacco and a staunch Baltimore defense made sure of that Sunday.

Giffords interview to air on shooting anniversary

A TV interview with former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband will air on the second anniversary of the Tucson shooting rampage that killed six and wounded Mrs. Giffords and 12 others.

Hearing may be 'minitrial' in Colorado theater shootings

The suspect in the Colorado movie theater killings returns to court this week for a hearing that might be the closest thing to a trial the victims and their families will get to see.

Assad calls on Syrians to defend the country

President Bashar Assad called on Syrians to defend their country against religious extremists seeking to destroy the nation, dismissing any prospect of dialogue with the "murderous criminals" he says are behind the uprising even as he outlined his vision for a peaceful settlement to the civil war.

Obama signs bill for Sandy flood insurance claims

President Obama has signed into law a $9.7 billion bill to pay flood insurance claims from Superstorm Sandy.

Commentary

PERKINS: 'Fiscal cliff' compromise deal betrays lack of courage

My neighbor's 10-year-old station wagon has a terrible noise coming from the engine compartment that has been getting louder over time. Something is obviously very wrong.

OLIVER: Google-FTC settlement a victory for the free market

While Christmas festivities for many concluded last month, American consumers received a late gift from two unlikely co-donors: Google and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who have resolved the agency's 18-month antitrust investigation into the company's search business.