President of Venezuela Offers Asylum to Snowden  —  CARACAS — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday he had decided to offer asylum to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who has petitioned several countries to avoid capture by Washington.

Obama Call for Muslim Brotherhood Role Overtaken in Egypt  —  The Obama administration's call for an “inclusive” political process in Egypt with a role for the Muslim Brotherhood has been overshadowed by deadly clashes between security forces and supporters of the Islamist group.

Obama's never-mind presidency  —  At this intermission in the immigration debate, with House Republicans preparing to look askance at the Senate's handiwork, the argument is becoming ever stranger.  It has reached a boil, especially concerning border security, at a moment when illegal entries …

Police chief killed with rifle lost in ATF gun-tracking program  —  WASHINGTON—A high-powered rifle lost in the ATF's Fast and Furious controversy was used to kill a Mexican police chief in the state of Jalisco earlier this year, according to internal Department of Justice records …

Scott Walker signs abortion bill; providers quickly sue  —  Legislation requires doctors to have hospital admitting privileges  —  By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel  —  Madison — Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill Friday requiring doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges …

‘Dozens dead’ in school attack in Nigeria's Yobe state  —  At least 29 pupils and a teacher have been killed in a pre-dawn attack by suspected Islamists on a school in northeastern Nigeria, reports say.  —  Eyewitnesses said some of the victims were burned alive in the attack, in Mamudo town, Yobe state.

McCain: Suspend aid to Egyptian military  —  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called on the United States to suspend aid to the Egyptian military as the country grapples with clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.  —  “We have to suspend aid to Egyptian military …

Defense industry hatches new plot to kill the sequester  —  The defense industry is plotting a new attempt to do away with the budget cuts on tap for the Pentagon in 2014.  —  Defense firms have fought for two years to reverse the cuts from sequestration, warning that they would be devastating …

Foxx settles in for bumpy ride at DOT  —  New Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is taking the wheel of transportation policy for the Obama administration at a precarious time for road and transit funding.  —  The transportation funding bill that was passed under Foxx's predecessor …

Shale Gas Is Fracking Green  —  Ask a green what he or she thinks about fracking, and you're likely to get an earful of criticism about methane leaks, poisoned groundwater, and climate change disaster.  But a new report from the ecologically minded Breakthrough Institute (BI) …

Political rival claims assault by handshake  —  EASTON — Most of the time, a handshake shows good manners, serves as a greeting or demonstrates gratitude at the end of a sports match for a well-played game.  —  Robert “Bert” Webbe, an Easton Republican, says a handshake from First Selectman Tom Herrmann …

George Zimmerman trial: Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mother, testifies her son was screaming in 911 call  —  (CBS) The mother and brother of Trayvon Martin testified Friday morning that the Florida teen was the person who was screaming in the background of a 911 call the evening he was fatally shot.

George W. Bush to push immigration reform  —  Former President George W. Bush is expected to make a speech next week on how immigration reform is good for the country, the Dallas Morning News reports.  —  Bush will speak after a citizenship ceremony at the George W. Bush Presidential Center …