Ron Paul backers seek influence at GOP convention

Ron Paul has given up on becoming president, but loyal supporters are promising to promote the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman's principles at the Republican national convention this summer, a potential complication for Mitt Romney's goal of a peaceful coronation.

Romney says he'll do 'opposite' on Israel

Standing in front of his campaign tour bus, Mitt Romney on Saturday told religious conservatives he would do "the opposite" of what President Obama has done on Israel.

Mexican president expects big IMF firewall boost

G20 summit host President Felipe Calderon of Mexico said Saturday that he expects the world's largest economies to deliver more than the $430 billion pledged to stop the spread of the European financial crisis.

Bryce Harper endures most trying day in the majors in loss to Yankees

After Bryce Harper's most frustrating day as a major leaguer, he dressed quickly at his locker. He tossed on a knit hat, slung the tuxedo he'd need for the organization's charity gala later Saturday evening over his shoulder and walked out of the Washington Nationals' clubhouse.

'What ifs' are tantalizing 40 years after Watergate

Forty years of investigation, reporting, trials, debate and historical research have yielded no simple answer to how a clumsy raid of an office in the Watergate building that Nixon's spokesman termed a "third-rate burglary" became a titanic constitutional struggle and led to his resignation.

Wildfire destroys most homes in Colorado history

Additional crews have arrived at a wildfire in northern Colorado that has scorched about 85 square miles and destroyed at least 181 homes, destroying most homes in the state's history.

4 presumed dead in Alaska after avalanche

One member of a Japanese climbing team survived and four others are presumed dead after an avalanche swept them off a hill during their descent from Mount McKinley.

UN observers in Syria suspend operations

U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria on Saturday due to a recent spike in violence, the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan was unraveling despite months of diplomatic efforts to prevent the country from plunging into civil war.

Unmanned Air Force space plane lands in Calif.

An unmanned Air Force space plane steered itself to a landing early Saturday at a California military base, capping a 15-month clandestine mission.

Americans hanging on after recession claims their wealth

Looking back, the financial lives many Americans enjoyed until just a few years ago can seem like a mirage.

Saudi Crown Prince Nayef dies

For the second time in less than a year, Saudi Arabia was thrown into the process of naming a new heir to the country's 88-year-old king following the death Saturday of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz.

Suu Kyi accepts Nobel Prize 21 years later

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi says the Nobel Peace Prize she won while under house arrest 21 years ago helped to shatter her sense of isolation and ensured that the world would demand democracy in her military-controlled homeland.

China sends its first female astronaut into space

China launched its most ambitious space mission yet on Saturday, carrying its first female astronaut and two male colleagues in an attempt to dock with an orbiting module and work on board for more than a week.

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.

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.