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.

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 …

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 …

A Beastly Attack on Ted Cruz  —  The mud is flying early this cycle.  —  It is three years and three months before the next presidential election, but all it took for Ted Cruz to have his good name smeared was to take a single trip to Iowa where he mentioned that some social conservatives have urged him to run for president.

UPS to drop 15,000 spouses from insurance, cites Obamacare  —  United Parcel Service Inc. plans to remove thousands of spouses from its medical plan because they are eligible for coverage elsewhere.  The Atlanta-based logistics company points to the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare …

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.

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.

Top Democrat files suit against IRS over tax-exemption rules  —  A top House Democrat plans to file a lawsuit in federal district court Wednesday challenging the Internal Revenue Service's interpretation of a law that governs whether groups qualify for tax-exempt status as so-called social welfare organizations.

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 …

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 …

'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.

The GOP Plan to Crush Silicon Valley  —  What will become of Steve Jobs's angel?  —  When Congress returns from its summer recess in early September, it will have exactly nine legislative days to agree on a budget or the government will shut down.  House Republicans are seeking far greater cuts …

NSA story cuts into Obama's popularity with young voters  —  Controversy over the National Security Agency's surveillance programs is eroding President Obama's popularity — particularly among young voters.  —  Some polls show a double-digit drop in Obama's approval rating since Edward …

William Galston: How Much Transparency Do We Really Want?  —  Nations at war do not have a responsibility to make their military strategy public.  —  The controversy over NSA surveillance raises two distinct issues—privacy and transparency—that are often conflated.

House Republican says he's met with lawyers about impeaching Obama  —  Rep. Kerry Bentivolio this week said he's consulted with lawyers about impeaching President Obama.  —  The Michigan Republican on Monday said it would be “a dream come true” to see the president forced from office over criminal misconduct.

Wanted: A Boring Leader for the Fed  —  MEDFORD, Mass. — THE debate over who should succeed Ben S. Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, has been exceptionally personality-driven.  Supporters and opponents of the two leading contenders — Lawrence H. Summers, a former Treasury secretary …

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.