Gaza crowds surge at Israel border fence; 1 dead

Israeli troops fired on Gazans surging toward Israel's border fence Friday, killing one person but leaving intact the fragile two-day-old cease-fire between Hamas and the Jewish state.

Gerrymandering partisan lock: Shape of things to come

Poisonous lizards are coming to Washington, and they're hailing disproportionately from Maryland, North Carolina and Texas.

MOVIE REVIEW: 'Hitchcock'

This isn't the sort of movie Hitchcock would have made, but the spare screenplay and excellent performances do honor to its subject.

Early start to Black Friday doesn't appeal to all

From coast to coast, Black Friday started earlier than ever at many stores, with some complaining that it has morphed into more of a "Gray Thursday."

Clashes erupt across Egypt over Morsi's new powers

Thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president clashed with his supporters in cities across the country Friday, burning several offices of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the most violent and widespread protests since Mohammed Morsi came to power, sparked by his move to grant himself sweeping powers.

EU summit ends without budget deal

A summit of the European Union's 27 national leaders, charged with agreeing on a long-term budget for the bloc, broke up Friday afternoon without being able to reach a deal.

Black voters look to leverage their loyalty

When black voters gave President Barack Obama 93 percent support on Election Day in defiance of predictions that they might sit it out this year, black leaders breathed a collective sigh of relief.

House to consider limited GOP immigration bill

House Republicans still smarting from their poor showing among Hispanics in the presidential election are planning a vote next week on immigration legislation that would both expand visas for foreign science and technology students and make it easier for those with green cards to bring their immediate families to the U.S.

Afghan suicide attack kills 3, wounds more than 90

A Taliban suicide bomber detonated a truck full of explosives Friday in eastern Afghanistan, killing three Afghan civilians and wounding more than 90 people, including several Afghan and NATO troops, officials said.

Congo fires army chief after rebel seizure of Goma

Congo's president has suspended the army's chief of staff, following the publication of a United Nations report which reveals that Gen. Gabriel Amisi oversaw a criminal network selling arms to rebels in the country's troubled east.

Uzbekistan's gas shortage sparks calls for reform

A repeat of last year's gasoline shortage in Uzbekistan is prompting calls for investment in and modernization of the Central Asian nation's oil industry.

Powerball jackpot builds to $325M for Saturday

Black Friday shoppers in many cities briefly detoured into lottery retailers, drawn off task by the prospects of winning a $325 million Powerball jackpot — the fourth-largest in the game's history.

Iran criticizes Turkish request for Patriots

Iran lashed out Friday at Turkey for requesting NATO to supply it with Patriot surface-to-air missiles to deploy along the border with Syria, denouncing the step by Ankara as counterproductive.

Calif.-Vegas party train could hit tracks in 2013

As if a weekend in Las Vegas isn't wild enough for Southern Californians, a Nevada entrepreneur is about to add five more hours of party to either end.

Bomb in Palestinian camp in Damascus kills 4

A bomb blast in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus killed four people and seriously wounded a member of a faction that has backed Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country's bitter civil war, activists said Friday.

Commentary

LEE: After fiscal cliff comes fiscal avalanche

While Washington is preoccupied with the so-called fiscal cliff, little attention has been given to the fiscal avalanche that will occur if we continue down an unsustainable, long-term path, causing markets to turn sour on U.S. debt and leading to a spike in interest rates.

KAHLILI: Iran thrilled over Obama re-election

In his first news conference after re-election, President Obama said there was still time for a diplomatic solution on Iran's nuclear program and that Iran could enjoy "peaceful nuclear power" if it meets international obligations.

ORIENT: The right not to work for Obamacare

About a century-and-a-half ago, the right not to work was established in the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. An employer could not force a person to work for him, even if he desperately needed to have his cotton picked and had paid a lot for that person at a slave auction.

EDITORIAL: Obamacare's pizza price

It's well established that Obamacare is sending the cost of health care skyrocketing. What's less known is it will make trips to the grocery store more expensive and drive up the cost of pizza. All this is happening because nanny state zealots slipped a zinger into the measure just before it came up for a vote.

GHEI: Maryland's budget turkey

The only solution liberals have to today's problems is spending money. Whether it's crime, poverty or even unemployment, the answer for them is always to create a brand new program -- never mind measuring whether similar efforts in the past yielded any positive results.