Obama talks drones: Will it increase transparency for Pentagon to take lead?

Boy Scouts allow gay scouts, but leave ban on gay leaders in place

8:16 pm ET - The Boy Scouts of America voted to lift a ban on gay scouts, but critics say a decision to maintain a ban on gay scout leaders sends a mixed message and leaves the issue unsettled.

Obama renews push to close Guantánamo military prison

7:08 pm ET - When he took office, President Obama pledged to close the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. But Congress and much of the public are against such a proposal for the remaining 166 detainees.

Backchannels Did similar detours bring terrorism to streets of Boston and London?

1:21 pm ET - The early indications point to both sets of killers being second generation immigrants, who either through their social networks or online media came to militant Al Qaeda-style Islam later in life.

• London street slayer references British wars, not Nigerian insurgency
• Terrorism & Security London murder highlights 'lone wolf' terrorist concerns

Immigration reform is stuck in House, but 'gang' is resolute

7:56 pm ET - Bipartisan group of House lawmakers depart the capital for recess without clinching a deal on immigration reform, missing their self-imposed deadline. But members insist they aren't giving up.

Obama retools terror war, saying America is 'at a crossroads'

5:46 pm ET - In a major address on defense policy, President Obama said the war on terror is shifting and laid out new rules for drone strikes. He also proposed new plans for some Guantánamo Bay detainees.

• Backchannels Obama rhetorically ends the 'war on terror'

Trayvon Martin texts, photos: Might they change Zimmerman trial?

7:02 pm ET - Trayvon Martin texts, photos – all unflattering – were posted online Thursday by George Zimmerman's defense team. They may yet be ruled inadmissible in court. But they are already making the rounds in the court of public opinion, ahead of Zimmerman's murder trial.

With G8 leaders on the way, Northern Ireland ramps up security

5:17 pm ET - Amid a perceived triple threat of left-wing protestors, Islamist terrorists, and dissident republican paramilitaries, Northern Ireland is doubling its police force and preparing drones for the summit.

Death penalty reprieve in Colorado: what it could mean for James Holmes

6:39 pm ET - Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper called off the execution of a death row inmate, firing up the death penalty debate and potentially complicating the prosecution of alleged Aurora shooter James Holmes.

Defying naysayers on all sides, Kerry keeps pushing Israelis, Palestinians to table

5:01 pm ET - Conventional wisdom is that the Israelis and Palestinians are too far apart to even begin talks, but Secretary of State John Kerry appeared undaunted on his fourth visit in as many months. 

Hurricane forecast: Three to six 'major' storms could emerge this year

6:25 pm ET - Warm sea-surface temperatures and the long-reaching effect of conditions in the tropical Pacific are among the factors that could mean above-normal activity during the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season.

For India, worries of another 1989 moment in the region

5:28 pm ET - With NATO pulling out of Afghanistan in 2014, foreign policymakers in New Delhi are concerned that Pakistan may refocus militants on Kashmir. 

House passes market-based student loan bill: Is it a step toward a solution?

4:49 pm ET - The White House has threatened to veto the GOP-backed student loan bill, but supporters say passage invites input from the Senate to arrive at a compromise before rates jump on July 1.