AP - Vice President-elect Joe Biden made a surprise visit to the Taliban's traditional stronghold in southern Afghanistan on Sunday and said the new U.S. administration will fully support troops battling the resurgent militants.

Politico - When Barack Obama spoke out again on the issue on Friday, Americans again had reason to hope that change may come to not only Washington but—at least as important—also to the widely despised Bowl Championship Series, or BCS.

AP - Two aid workers held by Somali gunmen for 108 days told Saturday how they feared death daily. The agency they work for said no ransom was paid for their release.

AP - When George W. Bush lifts off in his helicopter on Inauguration Day, leaving Washington to make way for Barack Obama, he may not be the only thing disappearing into the horizon.

AP - The Vatican is considering whether to join the European Union's anti-terrorism body, Eurojust, in a bid to increase security, an official said Saturday.

AP - Sen. Dick Durbin said Sunday that he is moving away from his initial resistance to accepting former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor and hopes a resolution to the disagreement will be reached soon.

AP - Down to single digits in his days left in office, President George W. Bush is warning the Republican Party not to become 'anti-immigrant' as it regroups from defeat and retools its leadership.

AP - Vice President Dick Cheney is offering some advice to his successor, Joe Biden: make sure you know what the president wants you to do.

Politico - Barack Obama suggested he's not likely to actively pursue criminal charges against national security officials who were directly involved in unlawful interrogations or wire-tapping, and said it would be difficult to quickly close down Guantanamo Bay.

Politico - With Senate Democrats complaining that Barack Obama didn’t put enough bricks and mortar into his stimulus package, one of Obama’s top economists on Sunday said why — to create jobs for women and not just “burly men.”

AFP - An Irish businessman who played a major role in his country's referendum rejection of the European Union's Lisbon treaty said Saturday he hopes to set up a branch of his party in Poland.

Politico - White House reporters for The New York Times predict that the market collapse will force President-elect Barack Obama to renege on many of his campaign promises, and one warned that he may be a one-term president if the economy doesn't improve.

AP - The family of a renowned British climber killed in an accident in the French Alps said Sunday they were devastated by the deaths of their son and his mountaineering companion.

Politico - White House reporters for The New York Times predict that the market collapse will force President-elect Barack Obama to renege on many of his campaign promises, and one warned that he may be a one-term president if the economy doesn't improve.

Politico - Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) suggested Sunday evening that Democratic leaders may not require that a Senate panel review the appointment of Roland Burris before he is sworn in as the next senator from Illinois.

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell may be the most powerful Republican in federal government, but he will have to work hard to herd his party's dwindled caucus during President-elect Barack Obama's congressional honeymoon phase.

AP - Ohio Sen. George Voinovich has told associates he intends to retire next year rather than seek a new term, party officials said Sunday night. He is the fourth Republican to make departure plans since the Democratic landslide in November.

Politico - Of the incoming cast of chief White House correspondents -- profiled this weekend on Politico -- Chuck Todd has the least experience as a television correspondent, and is just learning the ropes of his new on-air role.