Self-Sabotage: Democratic leaders have bowed to the Republicans, agreeing to a short-term hike in the debt ceiling and allowing government to operate into December.   Mike Lofgren, a Republican staff member for the House and Senate Budget Committees for 28 years, writes in The …

City of Firelight: France and the world are in shock today after fire destroyed the roof and much of the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris, one of the oldest, most historic, and beautiful buildings in the world. This …

Return Fire: Israel has warned up to 100,000 residents of Gaza to leave their homes in advance of airstrikes. And Israel reports its first death in more than a week of fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza. The victim was …

 Marathon Bombing: This morning the toll is three dead and at least 176 injured in the double bombing at the finish of the Boston Marathon. Among the dead is an eight-year-old boy whose mother and sister also were injured. The …