London Olympics 2012: Katie Ledecky, 15, wins 800 free

Katie Ledecky got good luck wishes from Missy Franklin and a high-five from Michael Phelps on her way to the pool deck for her first Olympic swimming final at 15.

Dream-Act students will pay $465 fee for legal status document

The Homeland Security Department said Friday that illegal immigrants will have to pay $465 to apply for legal status in the U.S. under President Obama's administration Dream Act, with the fees going to make sure no taxpayer funds are used.

Obama says too many people still out of work

President Obama is highlighting the positive numbers in Friday's employment report, taking credit for 29 straight months of slow-but-steady job increases even as he concedes that too many Americans are still out of work.

Slaying the monstrous tax code is no easy task

From President Obama to House Speaker John A. Boehner, there's broad consensus that Congress needs to unclutter the federal tax code and remove the special breaks that litter its 70,000 pages -- but Thursday's dry run in a Senate committee showed just how tough it will be to slash.

Police look into graffiti at Chick-fil-A in Calif.

Gay rights activists plan kiss demonstrations at Chick-fil-A stores Friday, just days after the company set a sales record when customers flocked to the restaurants to show support for the fast-food chain owner's opposition to gay marriage.

U.N. General Assembly denounces Syrian crackdown

The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly denounced Syria's crackdown Friday in a symbolic effort meant to push the deadlocked Security Council and the world at large into action on stopping the country's civil war.

London Olympics 2012: Missy Franklin sets world record to win 200 back

American teenager Missy Franklin set a world record in the 200 backstroke Friday for her third gold and fourth medal overall at the London Olympics.

Parents found guilty of murdering daughter in U.K.

The girl was murdered by her Pakistani parents for her Western ways. And it was her little sister who bravely told jurors how her mother and father suffocated the 17-year-old with a plastic bag — gripping testimony that led to her parents' murder conviction on Friday.

AIDS used as reason to legalize prostitutes

Pro-prostitution groups are latching onto the global AIDS epidemic to push for worldwide legalization of the world's oldest profession.

Romney to Reid on tax accusations: 'Put up or shut up'

Mitt Romney on Thursday directly addressed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's insinuation that the former Massachusetts governor didn't pay any taxes for 10 years, telling the Nevada Democrat to put his money where his mouth is.

Belarus expels Sweden's ambassador

Sweden's ambassador to Belarus has been expelled "for being too supportive of human rights" and meeting with the opposition in the authoritarian state, the Swedish foreign minister said Friday.

Mortars kill at least 20 in Damascus refugee camp

Mortars rained down on a crowded marketplace in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital, killing at least 20 people as regime forces and rebels fought nearby, activists said.

Argentine president toys with challengers in own party

Less than a year into her second term, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is scrambling to rein in key party allies who already are jockeying to succeed her amid an increasingly dire fiscal situation.

Romney focuses on middle class

Mitt Romney touted his five-point economic plan here Thursday, saying it would create 12 million jobs, while President Obama in Florida called it a scheme to give millions in tax cuts to the richest Americans.

Congress extends sanctions on Myanmar

The Senate on Thursday approved legislation to extend some sanctions on Myanmar by another year.

Commentary

MCDONNELL: Fix health care once by fixing it right

Virginia has been a laboratory of democracy since the beginnings of our country, and as we debate the future of health care in our great nation, the Old Dominion should again step forward to lead in the discussion.

TAUBE: Obama and Romney should debate Lincoln-Douglas-style

The presidential and vice-presidential debates will be held in October. While political observers and enthusiasts look forward to this, many Americans view the debates as the bane of their existence.

KNIGHT: Liberals' war on Boy Scouts, Chick-fil-A

Twelve years ago, Bryant Gumbel called me an (expletive) idiot on CBS' "The Early Show" for defending the Boy Scouts after the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed their right to uphold moral standards for leaders and members.

MILLER: Barack's birthday bash

President Obama hasn't been shy about the presents he wants for his 51st birthday. From cash to ballot boxes, Mr. Obama had done everything short of registering those votes for himself.