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The Democratic Republic of Congo has for years been fraught with devastating economic and political crises, often resulting in violent conflict. Among the countless victims of the violence are the women, many of whom have been raped and sexually abused. A new play, Ruined, tells their story on stage.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois House on Friday and will soon face trial. Also, this week Roland Burris continues his push to be seated as the embattled governor's successor to President-elect Barack Obama. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell offers an update on the complicated political drama.

In our Christmas tradition, writer David Sedaris is back for another holiday storytelling of his life as Crumpet the Elf. The not-so-secret alter-ego of Sedaris was a Santa's little helper in a Macy's department store. Sedaris recounts the tale from his memoirs The SantaLand Diaries.

Jazz singer Rene Marie decided not to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" at a Denver civic event, and instead sang "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," known as the black national anthem. And that decision has been met with widespread scorn. Marie explains the fallout and why she doesn't regret her decision.

The presumed Democratic presidential nominee met Monday with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and senior U.S. and Iraqi officials in Iraq. But Sudarsan Raghavan, the Washington Post's Baghdad bureau chief, says Obama reporters with no details of his discussions.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), apologized this week for blasting conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh as an "entertainer" and "incendiary," describing the radio pundit's raw outspokenness. But the apology leaves some to ask, who's really leading the GOP, Steele or Limbaugh?

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last Friday that gay marriage was a constitutional right, making Iowa the fourth state to allow gay marriage. Also this week, Vermont legislators overturned a veto of a gay marriage bill, the first state legislature to vote in favor of gay marriage. Will other states follow?

President Obama has named Sonia Sotomayor as his choice to serve on the Supreme Court and succeed Justice David Souter, who will soon retire. If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and only the third woman appointed to the high court.

The Obama administration last week pledged to spend $275 billion in hopes of reducing mortgage interest rates and lowering monthly mortgage payments. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros reacts to the bailout plan and discusses reasons behind current problems faced by the mortgage industry.

President Barack Obama spoke to a joint session of Congress for the first time last night before a national audience. He outlined an ambitious plan to repair the national economy, and reemphasized his commitment to health care, and education as top priorities. But some Republicans are skeptical of Obama's agenda.