Court Overturns DOMA, Sidesteps Broad Gay Marriage Ruling … The Supreme Court issued rulings on two highly-anticipated cases on gay marriage today.  By 5-4, it ruled the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, is unconstitutional.

Screaming protest disrupts vote on abortion bill  —  Sen. Wendy Davis, speaking to a large and adoring crowd gathered outside the Senate door, thanked her supporters.  —  “Today was democracy in action,” she told the crowd.  “You all are the voices we were speaking for from the floor.”

Republicans Across The South Promise Quick Action After SCOTUS Ruling  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Across the South, Republicans are working to take advantage of a new political landscape after a divided U.S. Supreme Court freed all or part of 15 states, many of them in the old Confederacy …

Name Mix-Up Helped Snowden Leave Hong Kong … The U.S. Justice Department needs to pay more attention to names and numbers when requesting other governments to detain its citizens, Hong Kong officials say.  —  By now, the world is very familiar with the name Edward Snowden …

‘Crossfire’ coming back to CNN  —  Washington (CNN) - An institution is coming back to CNN.  —  “Crossfire,” the long-running political debate show that aired on CNN from 1982-2005, is getting a reboot, the news network announced Wednesday.  Four new hosts - two on the left, and two on the right - will debut the program this fall.

Aaron Hernandez arrested  —  NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. — Aaron Hernandez was arrested Wednesday morning, more than a week after an acquaintance of the New England Patriots tight end was found dead in an industrial park near his house.  —  The Bristol County District Attorney's office released …

How Edith Windsor Learned She Won  —  Everyone at the apartment of Roberta Kaplan, the lawyer who argued Edith Windsor's successful challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, exploded in screams and sobs when the ruling came down.  Kaplan called her mother and said, “Total victory, Mom: it couldn't be better.”

Julia Gillard ousted as Australia prime minister  —  Julia Gillard confirms she will not contest next parliamentary elections after losing Labor party leadership ballot to Kevin Rudd  —  Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, has been sacked by her party just months …

In 2009, Ed Snowden said leakers “should be shot.”  Then he became one  —  In Internet chat, Snowden opined on travel, short-selling—and national security.  —  Aurich Lawson / The Guardian  —  Ed Snowden was 23 years old when he moved to Geneva in 2007.  Soon after arriving, he was looking for a taste of home.