Today's edition of quick hits:
* It's safe to say relations between the United States and Russia have been better. (Then again, they've been worse, too.)
* Yemen: "Two U.S. drone strikes killed a total of nine suspected al-Qaida militants Thursday, a Yemeni military official said, the sixth and seventh such attacks in less than two weeks as the Arab nation is on high alert against terrorism."
* NSA: "The National Security Agency is searching the contents of vast amounts of Americans' e-mail and text communications into and out of the country, hunting for people who mention information about foreigners under surveillance, according to intelligence officials."
* Gun violence: "A former male cheerleader for the Dallas Mavericks is in custody after four people were killed and four more injured after two seemingly connected shootings, one of which may have involved explosives, in Dallas and the neighboring city of DeSoto late on Wednesday evening, police said."
* 14: "A city employee became the fourteenth woman to come forward Thursday alleging harassment by San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D)."
* Is the Affordable Care Act forcing more Americans into part-time work? No, it is not.
* Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was quoted by The Guardian yesterday praising Edward Snowden, prompting the congressman to issue a statement today: "News reports about my interview with The Guardian are misleading, and they do not reflect my complete opinion. Let me be clear. I do not agree with what Mr. Snowden did. He has damaged American international relations and compromised our national security. He leaked classified information and may have jeopardized human lives. That must be condemned. I never praised Mr. Snowden or said his actions rise to those of Mohandas Gandhi or other civil rights leaders. In fact, The Guardian itself agreed to retract the word 'praise' from its headline."
* The White House announced the 2013 Medal of Freedom recipients, which is the nation's highest civilian honor. Among the recipients, Bill Clinton, Dick Lugar, Oprah, and Gloria Steinhem.
* Oh good, Peggy Noonan has decided to start writing anti-Clinton fanfic. What a shame.
* And the right is apparently worked up about a new conspiracy theory outlined in Diane West's American Betrayal. Jon Chait responds.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.