Romney to N.H.: You 'don't have to settle' for Obama

Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney kicked off his first traditional campaign trip of the general election Friday by returning to the sprawling New Hampshire farm from where he launched his second presidential bid just over a year ago.

Obama grants legal status to young illegal immigrants

The Obama administration said Friday it will stop deporting most illegal immigrant students and young adults in a campaign-year move that escalates the immigration debate to the fore.

Buzz about Harper, Nationals getting louder by the game

It's a presidential election year, so naturally a lot of the talk in D.C. and other spots across the country is about — Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals.

MOVIE REVIEW: 'Rock of Ages'

"Rock of Ages" takes all the weary conventions of the Broadway stage-door musical and transports them to the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.

Tiger Woods heads into weekend at U.S. Open in 3-way tie for lead

There were no fist pumps for Tiger Woods, just a deep breath and a slow exhale. Jim Furyk walked most of the 7,170 yards at Olympic Club with his head down. David Toms couldn't think of a single shot he hit without his full attention Friday.

Tethered Wallenda walks wire across Niagara Falls

Daredevil Nik Wallenda has finished his attempt to become the first person to walk on a tightrope 1,800 feet across the mist-fogged brink of roaring Niagara Falls.

Syria observer chief says violence derails mission

The head of the U.N. observers in Syria said Friday a spike in bloodshed is derailing the mission to monitor and defuse more than a year of violence, raising questions about how effective the unarmed force can be in a conflict that every day looks more like a civil war.

Former Goldman Sachs director convicted in NYC

A former Goldman Sachs director was found guilty Friday of feeding confidential information to a corrupt hedge fund manager, becoming the most prominent defendant convicted so far in a wide-ranging probe conducted by investigators armed with wiretaps.

3 Chinese officials suspended over forced abortion

China suspended three officials and apologized to a woman who was forced to undergo an abortion seven months into her pregnancy in a case that sparked an uproar after graphic photos of the mother and her dead baby were circulated online.

Report: Don't worry much about quakes and fracking

The controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas does not pose a high risk for triggering earthquakes large enough to feel, but other types of energy-related drilling can make the ground noticeably shake, a major government science report concludes.

Calif. lawmakers set budget vote as deadline looms

California lawmakers have scheduled a Friday budget vote on their plan to balance a $15.7 billion deficit as they run up against a constitutional deadline or risk losing their pay.

Police: Body is likely doctor linked to N.Y. slaying

A body found in thick brush Friday morning is believed to be that of a special forces soldier-turned-trauma surgeon who was the subject of a nationwide manhunt after the killing of his ex-girlfriend at a hospital, police said.

Niagara Falls crowd builds for Wallenda wire walk

The Wallenda family likes challenges. Nik Wallenda will have plenty of them Friday night when he attempts what nobody has done before: A high wire walk directly over the precipice at Niagara Falls and 190 feet above the churning torrent below.

Stocks rise as markets look to central bank help

Expectations that the central banks of countries around the world stand ready to head off a deeper European debt crisis helped push U.S. stocks higher on Friday.

SEC questioned Facebook about Zynga, mobile

As Facebook's much-anticipated public stock offering approached, federal regulators wanted to know more about the revenue it gets from mobile devices, its $1 billion deal to buy Instagram and the control CEO Mark Zuckerberg has over the company.

Debt fight poses new risk to U.S. credit rating

Wall Street rating agencies are starting to sound warnings again about the possibility of further downgrades of the once-perfect U.S. credit rating as a critical year-end deadline for addressing the nation's mounting debt nears.

Commentary

DECKER: 5 Questions with Mike Whalen

Michael Whalen is president, CEO and founder of Heart of America Group. Starting with one restaurant in 1978, his company has grown to 27 hotels and restaurants in 10 metropolitan areas.

ROTHBARD AND DRIESSEN: U.N.'s threat to biodiversity

Thousands of politicians, bureaucrats and environmental activists have gathered in Rio de Janeiro for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, which runs through Friday.

HOROWITZ AND LAKSIN: Defeated in recall, Democrats cry foul

Licking their wounds after their attempted recall of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was soundly rebuffed by the Badger State's voters, Democrats and their public-sector union allies have embraced the underdog mantle.

DECKER: Obama's mythical 99%

A brand new Cadillac Escalade hybrid rolled down the posh streets of Old Town Alexandria, Va., on Friday morning. On the tailgate of this $78,000 luxury SUV was an Obama campaign bumper sticker carrying a simple message: "99%." These limousine liberals just don't get it.

EDITORIAL: Your dad, your hero

This weekend, America observes Father's Day, and dads across the country will be honored with cookouts, cards and ties they may or may not wind up wearing. Most men don't want it to be a big fuss, but those humble daddies who want the honor the least are probably those who deserve it the most.