Democrats May Find it Easier to Defend Reid's Open Seat  —  Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada announced Friday morning that he won't seek re-election when his term expires in 2016.  In a YouTube video, Reid explained his decision.  —  https://www.youtube.com/watch?  v=MqPWTECMIQo

REID RETIRING  —  After a brutal eye injury, the 75-year-old Senate Democratic leader decides to forego another grueling campaign for reelection.  —  Harry Reid, a soft-spoken, uninspiring public speaker but savvy backroom political operator, plotted his way up the rungs of the Democratic leadership throughout his career.

Co-Pilot in Germanwings Crash Hid Medical Condition From Employer, Prosecutors Say  —  DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Documents show that Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot who is believed to have deliberately crashed a Germanwings jet into the French Alps on Tuesday, had a medical condition that he hid …

The four faces of Cruz  —  At the risk of giving solace to the list of possible Republican candidates for the presidency, which seems larger than the starting offense for the Texas Longhorns, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) might have begun the implosion of his presidential candidacy the day after he announced it.

Insiders pump the brakes on Cruz  —  Republicans in Iowa and New Hampshire don't think the polarizing Texan can win.  —  Ted Cruz is the first Republican presidential candidate out of the starting gate, but GOP insiders in Iowa and New Hampshire are overwhelmingly skeptical …

Senators endorse Iran sanctions in budget vote  —  Senators unanimously approved an amendment Thursday that backs bolstering sanctions against Iran if President Obama can't verify that the country is following a nuclear deal.  —  The wave of support came after the amendment, offered by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), was amended.