Statement From Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on the Death of Hugo Chavez  —  Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Hugo Chávez Frías.  We met Hugo Chávez when he was campaigning for president in 1998 and The Carter Center was invited to observe elections for the first time in Venezuela.

Trying to Revive Talks, Obama Goes Around G.O.P. Leaders  —  WASHINGTON — With Republican leaders in Congress forswearing budget negotiations over new revenues, President Obama has begun reaching around them to Republican lawmakers with a history of willingness to cut bipartisan deals.

Sources: Paul Ryan to reject Medicare age shift  —  Rep. Paul Ryan's budget is now expected to exempt seniors 55 years old and above from his Medicare overhaul — despite his personal preference to raise that age to 56 — according to several GOP sources familiar with his plans.

Obama Administration Says President Can Use Lethal Force Against Americans on US Soil  — Drones: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Always Afraid to Ask  — Here's Why Obama Won't Say Whether He Can Kill You With a Drone: Because He Probably Can  — 8 Drones That Aren't Out to Kill You

GOP lawmakers say spending bill should target contraception mandate  —  A group of House Republicans said Tuesday that a bill to fund the federal government should include provisions targeting the contraception mandate in President Obama's healthcare law.  —  GOP lawmakers reintroduced …

Zimmerman Stuns Court, Waives Right to ‘Stand Your Ground’ Hearing in Trayvon Martin Case  —  ABC News - Zimmerman Stuns Court, Waives Right to ‘Stand Your Ground’ Hearing in Trayvon Martin Case (ABC News)  —  George Zimmerman's attorneys stunned court observers Tuesday when they waived …

Jon Stewart Taking Summer ‘Daily Show’ Hiatus To Direct First Film And “Challenge” Himself, John Oliver To Sub  —  UPDATE: After I broke the news, Jon Stewart told the media his feelings about going from television to movies.  “I am a television person who is accustomed to having a thought …

White House cancels tours over sequester cuts, as lawmakers call decision political  —  Sorry, Washington-bound spring-breakers.  Your White House tours have been canceled.  —  The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it will cancel all tours starting this weekend, due to sequester cuts.

New Report: Radical antigovernment movement continues explosive growth; SPLC urges government to review resources devoted to domestic terrorism  —  The number of conspiracy-minded antigovernment “Patriot” groups on the American radical right reached an all-time high in 2012 …

Exclusive Excerpt: Roger Ailes Off Camera  —  Roger Ailes is one of the most powerful—and controversial—characters in television media, pilloried by critics and many in the mainstream media and lionized by conservative viewers who can't get enough of his posse of charismatic hosts.

WATCH: Bill O'Reilly Harasses Gay Colorado Speaker Over Child Molester Laws  —  As expected, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly is continuing his smear campaign against Colorado House Speaker Mark Ferrandino (D), who is openly gay, because of his opposition to instituting “Jessica's Law,” …

L.A. mayor's race: Garcetti and Greuel top the field  —  City Councilman Eric Garcetti and Controller Wendy Greuel remained ahead of the pack in the race for mayor of Los Angeles early Wednesday morning with all city precincts reporting.  —  The top-two finishers in Tuesday's election …

‘If Iran reaches critical point in nuke drive, Israel will attack’  —  Outgoing US Central Command chief James Mattis: I take the Israelis at their word, and they won't need our help  —  In a little-noticed exchange Tuesday at the Senate Armed Services Committee, a top US general …

McConnell campaign shakes it up with Harlem Shake  —  (CNN) - The dance craze that's been sweeping the nation has made it to the campaign trail.  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's re-election team Wednesday put out a web video of a person wearing a mask of the Republican senator from Kentucky dancing to the Harlem Shake.

Cory Booker Will Make Senate Announcement After Governor's Race  —  The Newark mayor says he'll wait to make his campaign announcement until after the N.J. gubernatorial race this fall.  “It would would be wrong to hold a press conference,” says Booker.  —  Image by Larry Bussaca / Getty Images