In brief: Atlantis shuttle’s return to Earth marks milestone as final voyage

Cape Canaveral, Fla. – The last space shuttle is headed home.

Atlantis left the International Space Station on Tuesday and slipped away after a partial lap around the station.

All that remains of NASA’s final shuttle voyage is the touchdown, targeted for the pre-dawn hours of Thursday back home in Florida. Its return ends the 30-year run of a vessel that kept U.S. astronauts flying to and from orbit longer than any other rocketship

As a final salute, the space station rotated to provide never-before-seen views of the complex. Atlantis flew halfway around the outpost, cameras whirring aboard both craft to record the historic event.

Bachmann says migraines won’t impede campaign for presidency

St. Paul, Minn. – Republican Michele Bachmann moved swiftly Tuesday to address questions about her history of severe headaches, saying they wouldn’t affect her ability to serve as president.

The Minnesota congresswoman and White House contender rejected suggestions that migraines would prevent her from waging a rigorous campaign or from running the country if she wins.

“Let me be abundantly clear – my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief,” Bachmann said in a statement issued through her campaign.

She insisted that her symptoms are controlled with prescription medication and have not gotten in the way of a packed presidential campaign schedule or impaired her service in Congress.

Bachmann’s statement followed a report published late Monday by the Daily Caller saying Bachmann’s past migraines have led to hospitalizations and left her “incapacitated.” The online publication granted anonymity to former aides who described specific instances where Bachmann was reportedly sidelined by severe headaches.