Today's Headlines & Columnists

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Sunday, December 25, 2011 TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS How Gingrich undid a tax deal BOB WOODWARD | Newt Gingrich's revolt against a 1990 tax compromise shook politics in ways that echo down to today's presidential campaign and last week's showdown over payroll taxes. (By Bob Woodward) Gingrich fails to qualify for Va. primary After a surge in the polls, the former House speaker suffers a setback that underscores how far he has to go to build a fully functioning campaign organization. (By Zachary A. Goldfarb) Md. clan celebrates family, freedom Each year, the Boludas of Bowie gather to celebrate Christmas with a musical production and Cuban fare. (By Hamil R. Harris) Bethesda residents seek changes in intelligence campus The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency off MacArthur Boulevard in Bethesda is slated to become something called the "Intelligence Community Campus -- Bethesda," though precisely what will go on there is way too secret for nearby residents to know. (By Ian Shapira) Redskins stumble against Vikings' backups, 33-26 With running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Christian Ponder knocked out of the game with injuries, their backups ignite a late charge for a victory over the Redskins. (By Mike Jones) METRO Prince George's woman beaten during home invasion County police said the 70-year-old was beaten in her Capitol Heights home; a neighbor says the victim was asleep when intruders entered. ( by Martin Weil , The Washington Post) Bethesda residents seek changes in intelligence campus The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency off MacArthur Boulevard in Bethesda is slated to become something called the "Intelligence Community Campus -- Bethesda," though precisely what will go on there is way too secret for nearby residents to know. ( by Ian Shapira , The Washington Post) Flea market proves a Christmas Eve gift Bargain hunters roamed the Funky and Fabulous Fleamarket in Northwest Washington in search of one last gift Saturday. ( by J. Freedom du Lac , The Washington Post) Test scores will be checked for cheating D.C.'s state superintendent of education is seeking an outside firm to investigate 2011 standardized test scores and ensure they are valid. ( by Michael Alison Chandler , The Washington Post) David B. Isbell dies at 82 He was a partner in the Washington law firm Covington & Burling, former president of the D.C. Bar Association and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia Law School for almost 50 years. ( by Bart Barnes , The Washington Post) More Post Local: Washington, DC Area News, Traffic, Weather, Sports & More - The Washington Post POLITICS How Gingrich undid a tax deal BOB WOODWARD | Newt Gingrich's revolt against a 1990 tax compromise shook politics in ways that echo down to today's presidential campaign and last week's showdown over payroll taxes. ( by Bob Woodward , The Washington Post) Gingrich fails to qualify for Va. primary After a surge in the polls, the former House speaker suffers a setback that underscores how far he has to go to build a fully functioning campaign organization. ( by Zachary A. Goldfarb , The Washington Post) GOP candidates look to Bushes Various Bush family members have sprinkled their endorsements among several GOP candidates, but Jeb Sr. remains uncommitted. ( by Peter Wallsten , The Washington Post) Occupy protesters test D.C. mayor Like several big-city mayors, Mayor Vincent C. Gray's tolerance for activism is being tested by protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement. ( by Tim Craig , The Washington Post) On health care, GOP's words speak louder than actions More than a year after Republicans first pledged to "repeal and replace" President Obama's new health-care law, the GOP is campaigning on the "repeal" without moving to "replace." ( by David A. Fahrenthold , The Washington Post) More Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post STYLE Middle-aged woman is 'invisible' no longer An over-50 woman's husband left her to pursue other women. Now she's feeling not at all "invisible" to the opposite sex. (, The Washington Post) More Style: Culture, Arts, Ideas & More - The Washington Post SPORTS TV and radio listings: December 25 (, The Washington Post) Opportunity, not an asterisk A condensed season may offer the last hurrah for the NBA's elder statesmen to add another trophy. ( by Michael Lee , The Washington Post) Giants, Cowboys set for NFC East showdown By beating the crosstown Jets, the Giants set up a winner-take-all game with the Cowboys for the NFC East title. Meanwhile, the Lions secured their first playoff berth since 1999. ( by Mark Maske , The Washington Post) The game that keeps on giving The two-overtime contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day remains an unforgettable game 40 years later. ( by Amy Shipley , The Washington Post) Heat ready for a comeback After lofty promises and ultimate disappointment, the Miami Heat is determined to learn from last season. ( by Amy Shipley , The Washington Post) More Sports: Sports News, Scores, Analysis, Schedules & More - The Washington Post WORLD Oil interests push China into Sudanese mire China, which gets nearly a third of its imported crude oil from Africa, has invested billions of dollars in the past 15 years to pump crude from this war-scarred land. But the division of what until five months ago was a united country has pushed Beijing into a political minefield in defense of its assets. ( by Andrew Higgins , The Washington Post) Protesters flood Moscow streets demanding reforms The largest rally yet demands an end to the endemic corruption of Russia's political culture. ( by Michael Birnbaum , The Washington Post) Iraqi premier chides restive provinces In recent weeks, Sunni-dominated Anbar and Diyala have indicated they may seek greater autonomy. ( by Dan Morse and Asaad Majeed , The Washington Post) Syrians mourn bombing victims as violence persists The blasts Friday have contributed to fears that Arab League delegation will have limited effect. ( by Alice Fordham , The Washington Post) North Korea invokes founding leader in power transfer to his grandson As Kim Jong Eun tries to take power, North Korea portrays a resemblance to Kim Il Sung, the Great Leader. ( by Chico Harlan in SEOUL , The Washington Post) More World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post EDITORIAL The Latin upbeat Hard-won progress against poverty in the Americas ( by Editorial Board , The Washington Post) Christmas spirit How 'White Christmas' captures the longing for peace, goodwill and the comforts of family (, The Washington Post) An appreciation of religious holidays (, The Washington Post) Hospitality in Hawaii (, The Washington Post) Helping those with disabilities feel at home (, The Washington Post) More Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post BUSINESS China's towns are piling up debt Bloombeg News findings suggest China is failing to curb borrowing that a central bank official has said will slow growth in the world's second-largest economy if it is not controlled. ( by Michael Forsythe and Henry Sanderson — Bloomberg , The Washington Post) More Business News, Financial News, Business Headlines & Analysis - The Washington Post Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 © 2011 The Washington Post Privacy Policy