Jill Abramson and the Times: What Went Wrong?  —  In the gossipy world of New York journalism, the firing of Jill Abramson from her position as the executive editor of the Times provoked a veritable explosion of talk, posts, and Instagram pictures of the objects of interest.

‘Hump Day’ event cancelled after students claim bringing a camel to campus was racist  —  Students at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota have cancelled an event to celebrate the end of the year after complaints that bringing a camel on campus could offend those of Middle Eastern cultures.

Editors' note  —  (CNN) — CNN has discovered multiple instances of plagiarism by Marie-Louise Gumuchian, a former CNN news editor.  She wrote frequently about international news, writing and reporting about Africa, Europe, and the Middle East from our London bureau.

Wolfeboro residents demand commissioner resign over racial slur  —  A police commissioner in a predominantly white New Hampshire town said he won't apologize for calling President Barack Obama the N-word, and he sat with his arms crossed while angry residents at a meeting called for his resignation on Thursday.

Democratic Party Still Seen More Favorably Than GOP  —  Both parties face “upside down” net favorable ratings  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans view the Democratic Party more favorably than the Republican Party, even though both parties have a net unfavorable rating.

The case for skepticism about climate scientists.  —  Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio came under attack this week for refusing to submit to scientific authority.  “I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it,” he said in an interview with Jonathan Karl.

The Arkansas Race Is Not Over Yet  —  In a year full of tough challenges for the Democrats, Tom Cotton may have opened up an opportunity.  —  Each election year has its own unique characteristics.  No two are alike, and this is one of the many things that make politics so interesting.

Ore. Senate hopeful accused of stalking boyfriend  —  Oregon GOP Senate candidate Monica Wehby was accused by her ex-boyfriend last year of “stalking” him, entering his home without his permission and “harassing” his employees, according to a Portland, Oregon police report.

Sources: Donald Sterling refuses NBA sanctions, threatens to sue  —  Through his attorney, Donald Sterling has directly refused to adhere to serious NBA sanctions.  —  SI.com has learned that Clippers owner Donald Sterling has hired prominent antitrust litigator Maxwell Blecher …

Statement from IOP Publishing on story in The Times  —  Dr. Nicola Gulley, Editorial Director at IOP Publishing, says, “The draft journal paper by Lennart Bengtsson that Environmental Research Letters declined to publish, which was the subject of this morning's front page story of The Times …

WPC14 UNDERCOVER VIDEO White Student Booted From White Privilege Session - His Race Was Too Offensive  —  MADISON, Wis. - When one looks through the rhetorical veneer of the White Privilege Conference, hypocrisies abound.  —  The White Privilege folks say Christianity is oppressive …

Congress Party Concedes Defeat as India Backs Modi  —  NEW DELHI — The Indian National Congress, which has headed India's government for nearly all the country's post-Independence history, conceded defeat to the opposition leader Narendra Modi on Friday, as voters rendered a crushing verdict …

House Speaker's Spokesman: No “Commitment” To Pass Immigration Reform  —  White House advisor Valerie Jarrett said the administration had received assurances from Speaker John Boehner.  UPDATE: Jarrett tweets Boehner had made a “commitment to trying.”  —  White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett

Why We're Changing Our Comments Policy  —  At National Journal, we believe that public service is a noble calling; that ideas matter; and that trustworthy information about politics and policy will lead to wiser decisions in the national interest.  Those principles are reflected in everything we do …

Dem Senator: Boko Haram Is Not Islamist  —  New Hampshire senator Jeanne Shaheen says Boko Haram, the Islamic terrorist group that has kidnapped hundreds of Nigerian girls from their families and forced them to convert to Islam, should not be confused with Islam.  The Democrat made the point in a Thursday hearing.