Al Qaeda Conference Call Intercepted by U.S. Officials Sparked Alerts  —  It wasn't just any terrorist message that triggered U.S. terror alerts and embassy closures—but a conference call of more than 20 far-flung al Qaeda operatives, Eli Lake and Josh Rogin report.

Obama cancels meeting with Putin amid Snowden tensions  —  In a rare diplomatic snub, President Obama is canceling plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next month.  —  The decision reflects both U.S. anger over Russia's harboring of National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden …

Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski clash over Fox, MSNBC  —  Co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough clashed Wednesday morning on “Morning Joe” over whether there is a difference between Fox News and MSNBC, with Brzezinski calling Fox a “mouthpiece for the Republican Party.”

Christie Is Candidate GOP Voters Want Least As Their 2016 Nominee  —  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie holds a narrow lead among Republicans for the party's 2016 presidential nomination, but even more GOP voters say he's the candidate they least want to see nominated.

Rick Santorum: Liberals ‘Make It Uncomfortable For Students’ To Shower At The Gym  —  Next time you feel uncomfortable showering at the gym, blame it on liberals and their abortion rights agenda.  Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R) does.  —  Speaking to anti-abortion group Students …

The Day Our Earth Stood Still  —  Don Graham's decision to sell The Washington Post was his reverse Sophie's Choice moment.  —  She had to decide which cherished child to save and which to send to the gas chamber.  Don and the Graham family weren't forced to make an anguishing choice but did so anyway.

CNN Exclusive: Two more women come forward, say San Diego mayor harassed them  —  Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers  —  (CNN) — The man on the voicemail is flirty and clearly asking for a date.  But it's the name on the message that's raising red flags.  —  “Hi, it's your newly favorite congressman, Bob Filner.

King: Global warming ‘not proven, not science’  —  Congressman addresses FD crowd Tuesday  —  While a warmer planet may not be harmful, deficit spending and Obamacare are, according to Rep. Steve King.  —  King, the Republicn who represents Iowa's 4th Congressional District …

Give Snowden Immunity  —  The United States should give former NSA contractor Edward Snowden immunity from prosecution in exchange for congressional testimony.  —  The suggestion may strike many of my fellow national-security conservatives as outrageous.  Snowden certainly violated the law and may have committed treason.

Daring to Fail  —  Secretary of State John Kerry has pulled off a major achievement in getting Israelis and Palestinians to say yes to the United States.  Can he now get them to say yes to each other?  —  I admire Kerry's doggedness in getting Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table …

The Dick Durbin Debit Card Fiasco  —  by Richard A. Epstein (Peter and Kirsten Bedford Senior Fellow and member of the Property Rights, Freedom, and Prosperity Task Force)  —  A recent ruling in federal district court is sending tremors through an already roiled market.

Is Amazon Art a doomed venture?  Let's hope so  —  I do not think it will revolutionize the art world: … I expect the real business here to come in posters, lower quality lithographs, and screen prints, not fine art per se.  And sold on a commodity basis.

Hundreds protest Obama outside Phoenix high school  —  FONT:  —  Hundreds of protesters wielded signs, chanted slogans and argued with each other Tuesday outside Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, while President Barack Obama spoke about housing and the economy inside.