CIA chief Petraeus in shock resignation over affair

CIA Director David H. Petraeus has resigned due to having had an extramarital affair, ending the government career of one of the nation's highest-profile leaders in the decade-long war on terror and adding a question mark to the list of vacancies in President Obama's post-election Cabinet reshuffle.

Obama: Extend middle-class tax cuts now

In his first public appearance since his re-election Tuesday night, President Obama called on Congress Friday to extend tax cuts for the middle class immediately as part of a deal on deficit reduction and spending cuts, a move Republican lawmakers have opposed.

11,000 Syrians flee in single day in refugee surge

At least 11,000 Syrians poured into neighboring countries in a single day, U.N. officials said Friday, in a dramatic surge in the exodus of refugees fueled by heavy battles between regime forces and rebels for control of a border town.

In Spain, they're never too old for a revolution

They occupy banks, stage sit-ins at government buildings and roar their rage at their own government and at German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They also use canes and crutches to get to these so-called "actions" — because their average age is 70.

Pentagon releases timeline of Benghazi attack

The Pentagon on Friday released a timeline of its response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, pushing back arguments that the Defense Department did not move fast enough to thwart the assault.

Boehner faces backlash on immigration overture

House Speaker John A. Boehner's overture to Democrats and President Obama on immigration reform is already drawing fire from within the GOP, where lawmakers say he's writing checks that his fellow House Republicans won't cash for him.

Fearing 'cliff,' investors finish brutal week

Wall Street is peering over the "fiscal cliff" and feeling vertigo.

Changing times: Politicians' tears more common now

It seems out of place: The president of the United States breaking down in tears as he thanked campaign workers for their tireless work for his re-election. But Barack Obama isn't the only world leader unashamed to be seen crying in public — or simply unable to avoid it.

Kyrgyzstan risks regional water fight, as Russia waits in the wings

A new fight over water is looming between Kyrgyzstan and its energy-rich Central Asian neighbors — and analysts say the likely winner could be Russia.

Gas rationing begins in N.Y. as power outages abate

A new gasoline rationing plan that lets motorists fill up every other day went into effect in New York on Friday morning, as utility crews made some progress erasing outages that put thousands of homes and businesses in the dark in a region still reeling from Superstorm Sandy.

Senators mull tougher Iran sanctions

Lawmakers are working on a set of new and unprecedented sanctions against Iran that could prevent the Islamic republic from doing business with most of the world until it agrees to international constraints on its nuclear program, officials say.

Navy SEALs punished for secrets breach

Seven members of the secretive Navy SEAL Team 6, including one involved in the mission to get Osama bin Laden, have been punished for disclosing classified information, senior Navy officials said Thursday.

Egyptian Islamists rally for Shariah law

More than 10,000 ultraconservative Muslims demonstrated Friday in downtown Cairo to demand that Egypt's new constitution be based on the rulings of Islamic law, or Shariah, in the latest tussle over the role of religion in the country's future.

JetBlue pilot who disrupted flight to be freed

A Texas judge ordered Friday that a JetBlue Airways pilot who disrupted a cross-country flight by leaving the cockpit and yelling about religion and terrorists should be freed rather than committed to a mental health facility.

Toy trucks by the thousand honor mauled Pa. boy

Toy construction trucks are pouring into the funeral home handling arrangements for a 2-year-old boy who was fatally mauled when he fell into a wild dog exhibit at the Pittsburgh zoo.

After 3 bumpy years, Europe turns corner on crisis

The worst of Europe's financial crisis appears to be over.

Commentary

INHOFE: America still honors her heroes

Honor Flights bring veterans from around the country to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials of the wars in which they fought. The current focus is on World War II veterans and any veteran who has a terminal illness.

DIAZ: A silver lining for social conservatives

From the social conservative point of view, the election results were bad. Really bad. That does not mean bad for social conservatives, though. It means bad for the country.

KNIGHT: Why the single-issue campaign failed

"It's the economy, stupid."

EDITORIAL: TSA grabs union contract

When Congress decided to take over airport security, it was never about safety. That became clear on Friday when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners formally agreed to a contract that will add 45,000 dues-paying members to the ranks of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

EDITORIAL: Florida's tainted vote

Florida just can't seem to count votes properly. After the embarrassing "hanging chad" debacle of the 2000 presidential election, similar games are now being played in the contest between Republican Rep. Allen West and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy over the 18th Congressional District seat.