1. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been hearing the anger of Republicans over the attack on a US consulate in Libya. Clinton testified before Congress about the department's missteps leading up to the assault on the outpost in Benghazi.

 

2. The House has passed a bill to permit the government to borrow enough money to avoid a first-ever default for at least four months. The House passed the measure by a vote of 285 to 144. 

 

3. A cold wave with subzero temperatures is expected to keep its icy grip on much of the eastern US right into the weekend. The National Weather Service issued wind chill warnings across upstate New York and northern New England. 

 

4. And in Australia, a goat's graze with Australian police ended with his comedian owner getting the last laugh in court. A judge ruled today that neither the goat nor his owner could be found guilty of vandalism. Police fined the goat's owner after the animal ate flowers outside a city museum.