Helen Thomas, trailblazing reporter, dead at 92  —  Helen Thomas, whose career covering the White House dated back to the Kennedy administration, died on Saturday at the age of 92, the Gridiron Club announced in an email to members on Saturday.  —  Thomas was the first woman to join …

Obama's safe, overrated and airy speech  —  The president's remarks gave us context to the episode, but not a single opinion on the issues that brought us here  —  When people hold their breath for your imminent words, isn't it exasperating when you open your mouth, but don't say much?

Israel: Palestinian prisoners to be freed in talks  —  JERUSALEM — Israel will release some “hardcore” Palestinian prisoners as part of the new breakthrough by Secretary of State John Kerry in efforts to restart Mideast talks, a senior Israeli official said Saturday.

Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight Blog Is to Join ESPN Staff  —  Nate Silver, the statistician who attained national fame for his accurate projections about the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, is parting ways with The New York Times and moving his FiveThirtyEight franchise to ESPN …

We Have to Step In and Save Detroit  —  For months, the question in many minds has been not whether Detroit would file for bankruptcy, but when.  —  But while Detroit's decision this week to enter bankruptcy might make it easier to improve the city's fiscal position, it will prove far tougher …

Congressional Black Caucus members would support Florida boycott  —  A number of House Democrats are lining up behind the Rev. Jesse Jackson's threat for an economic boycott of Florida following the not-guilty verdict in the death of Trayvon Martin.  —  The lawmakers, all members …

China's Flying Propaganda Weapon Will Blow Your Mind  —  What's the latest weapon in the Chinese military's arsenal of high-tech killing machines?  It might be an airplane capable of disseminating propaganda so powerful it induces nervous breakdowns, according to report in Tuesday's Global Times …

Rise of the Warrior Cop  —  Is it time to reconsider the militarization of American policing?  —  On Jan. 4 of last year, a local narcotics strike force conducted a raid on the Ogden, Utah, home of Matthew David Stewart at 8:40 p.m. The 12 officers were acting on a tip from Mr. Stewart's former girlfriend …

Fireworks in Cuccinelli, McAuliffe debate  —  HOT SPRINGS, Va. — Virginia's gubernatorial hopefuls bashed each other for 90 minutes Saturday over jobs, the ethics scandal that's consumed Gov. Bob McDonnell and social issues as they faced off in their first debate of the most closely-watched election of 2013.

Obama Addresses George Zimmerman Verdict  —  Here's the transcript of President Obama's remarks on the George Zimmerman verdict today.  —  Here's what I agree with: … The rest of his remarks, on the topic of race, would be welcome following an incident involving racial profiling by police.