Mr. Speaker: Despite previous insistence that he will not run, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan says he will be a candidate for Speaker of the House if he has support from all wings of the Republican House. Ryan’s announcement relieves the …

Impolitic: Exiting House Speaker John Boehner, interviewed yesterday on CBS, condemned the uncompromising “false prophets” who drove him out of Congress. “The Bible says beware of false prophets,” Boehner said, “And there are people out there, you know, spreading noise …

The Gavel Drops: House Speaker John Boehner said he woke up yesterday morning, prayed, and decided to resign from Congress. His announcement that he will leave Oct. 30th shocked Washington and opened the door for the Republican far right to …

Triple Win: Gliding to an effortless win at New York’s Belmont racetrack late yesterday, the three-year-old colt American Pharoah proved that it is still possible to win horse racing’s Triple Crown. It hadn’t been done since 1978. The crowd roared …

Millions and Murder: Robert Durst, the odd real estate heir whose life has swirled with suspicions of murder and who was arrested Saturday, uttered what sounded like an admission last night in the closing moments of a six-part HBO documentary …

Christmas: In his traditional Christmas address Pope Francis denounced the “brutal persecution” of religious and ethnic minorities. “May Christmas bring them hope, as indeed also to the many displaced persons, exiles and refugees, children, adults and elderly, from this region …

Ebola: The surgeon who caught the Ebola virus treating patients in Sierra Leone has died, according to doctors at Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Martin Salia, 44, arrived Saturday in critical condition. Salia was a permanent U.S. resident, who caught Ebola …

World: A new video released by the Islamic State appears to confirm the death of American aid worker Peter Kassig, who was taken captive in Syria a year ago. The video does not show the killing, but does show a …

Ukraine Deal: NATO leaders are scheduled to meet today in Wales to discuss a variety of issues, including the Ukraine crisis and possibly to establish a quick-reaction force to defend members in Eastern Europe. They are becoming increasingly irritated by …

MH17: President Obama this morning challenged Russia and its President Vladimir Putin to allow an investigation of the crash site of Malaysian airlines Flight 17, and the proper handling of bodies. In stern terms, Obama repeatedly referred to “Russian backed …