US doesn't know what Snowden took, sources say  —  HONG KONG - 2013: In this handout photo provided by The Guardian, Edward Snowden speaks during an interview in Hong Kong.  Snowden, a 29-year-old former technical assistant for the CIA, revealed details of top-secret surveillance conducted …

Why the White House is uneasy with picking Janet Yellen as Fed chair  —  Obama advisers have reservations about having the current Fed vice chairwoman succeed Ben Bernanke.  (Federal Reserve/Flickr)  —  Many of the economic advisers whom President Obama consults with favor Larry Summers to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve.

Police: Australian baseball player killed by Oklahoma teens — just because  —  (CNN) — A random act of violence has left a promising 23-year-old college baseball player dead, a family devastated and two countries half a world apart rattled.  —  Christopher Lane, who was from Australia …

Islamists Step Up Attacks on Christians for Supporting Morsi's Ouster  —  NAZLA, Egypt — The call for revenge raced through this village southwest of the capital and echoed from the loudspeakers of mosques last week as the military invaded two protest camps in Cairo, killing hundreds …

Bill Kristol reverses course: Sarah Palin 'doesn't have a future' in U.S. politics  —  Republican political strategist and Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol appeared on “Morning Joe” Tuesday morning to walk back statements he made to ABC Online on Sunday regarding the political fortunes of erstwhile Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R).

The price Gina Gray paid for whistleblowing  —  President Obama, in his news conference this month, said that Edward Snowden was wrong to go public with revelations about secret surveillance programs because “there were other avenues available for somebody whose conscience was stirred and thought …

How The NRA Built A Massive Secret Database Of Gun Owners  —  While the National Rifle Association publicly fights against a national gun registry, the organization has gone to incredible lengths to compile information on “tens of millions” of gun owners — without their consent.

Are David Miranda and Caroline Lucas victims or criminals?  —  The detention of a journalist's partner and a Green MP reopen the debate over state power  —  Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, and others deliberately crossed the line from protest to interfering with a company

Senator Cruz may have to wait eight months to stop being Canadian  —  (Reuters) - Senator Ted Cruz, who recently discovered that he is likely a Canadian, must win security clearance from Canada's spy agency, fill in a four-page form and then wait up to eight months to sever his ties to America's northern neighbor.

Immigration Reformers, Wake the F' Up!  —  I get that it's difficult for immigration reformers to see and accept the writing on the wall — that reform is likely dead in this Congress.  It's incredibly important for the country as well as for millions of undocumented immigrants whose lives will be directly affected.

Al Jazeera Makes Limited American Debut  —  There was ample attention in journalistic circles as Al Jazeera America had its premiere on Tuesday — particularly among those who could not watch.  —  The news channel — which replaced Current TV at 3 p.m. Eastern time — was expected to be carried …

Top Roger Ailes Adviser Fired and Escorted From Fox News Building (Exclusive)  —  UPDATED: Brian Lewis, executive vp corporate communications, was ousted after an investigation found breach of contract and “issues relating to financial irregularities,” the network says in a statement.

Syria conflict: ‘Chemical attacks’ kill hundreds  —  Chemical weapons attacks have killed hundreds on the outskirts of Damascus, Syrian opposition activists say.  —  Rockets with toxic agents were launched at the suburbs of the Ghouta region early on Wednesday as part of a major bombardment on rebel forces, they say.

Newest Spy Court Pick Is a Democrat but Not a Liberal  —  WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who has filled a secret court that oversees surveillance almost entirely with Republican-appointed judges, has named Judge José A. Cabranes, a Democratic appointee …

'I'm Not Paranoid': Matthews Says GOP'ers Calling Obama ‘Obama’ Attempt to ‘Delegitimize’ Him  —  MSNBC host Chris Matthews went off on Tuesday about what he characterized as a variety of efforts by Republicans and conservatives to “delegitimize” President Barack Obama.

There won't be any GOP alternative to Obamacare  —  We're hearing more and more rumblings from top Republicans that the GOP's current position on Obamacare is untenable — that the party can't continue to call for the destruction of Obamacare forever without offering any alternative.

Wedding contest canceled after rule excluding gay couples generates protest  —  A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize gay marriage in Ohio won't be on the ballot this November.  —  SANDUSKY  —  Organizers have said it could have a shot in November 2014, but the end game remains to be seen.