The Democratic Congress successfully rammed through unpopular policies during this lame-duck session, but at least Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had to withdraw his pork-laden omnibus spending bill. This retreat suggests some members of Congress understand the public's fury over out-of-control federal spending.
One month after a deadly exchange of artillery fire, the two Koreas ramped up their rhetoric Thursday, with South Korea's president pledging unsparing retaliation if his country is attacked again and a top North Korean official threatening a "sacred" nuclear war if provoked.
Fresh off a peacekeeping trip to the Korean peninsula, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson warned that violence between North and South Korea could flare anew if the South continues its military drills and the North abandons its intentions to refrain from retaliation.
South Korea vowed Wednesday to "completely punish" North Korea if it attacks again, and mobilized hundreds of troops, tanks and helicopters for a massive military exercise prompted by high tensions on the peninsula.
A South Korean destroyer prowled the sea and fighter jets screamed across the skies Tuesday in preparation for possible North Korean attacks a day after the South staged provocative artillery drills on an island the North shelled last month.
North Korea backed off threats to retaliate against South Korea for military drills Monday and reportedly offered concessions on its nuclear program — signs it was looking to lower the temperature on the Korean Peninsula after weeks of soaring tensions.
The U.N. Security Council met in emergency session Sunday amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula and a North Korean warning of a "catastrophe" if South Korea goes ahead with a live-fire drill.
North Korea warned South Korea on Friday not to stage artillery drills on a front-line island the North bombed last month, saying it would hit back even harder than in the previous attack that killed four South Koreans.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson says he's received a formal petition to pardon legendary gunslinger Billy the Kid, and will make a decision on it before he leaves office at the end of the year.
