Burgers, Boeings and bonhomie as Obama meets Medvedev (AFP)

AFP - US President Barack Obama called his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev a "solid and reliable partner" as the leaders forged a warmer relationship over burgers and a stroll.

Accused Jamaican drug lord arrives in US to face charges (AFP)

AFP - Accused Kingston drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke arrived in New York to face drug and gun-trafficking charges following his extradition from Jamaica, US authorities said.

The Democrats Were Against Petraeus Before They Were For Him


They love him in Afghanistan but opposed him in Iraq.

Louis Armstrong, Not Michael Jackson, Broke the Pop Color Barrier


Decades before Thriller, Louis Armstrong was co-starring and crooning with Bing Crosby and, in 1949, made the cover of Time.

McChrystal Firing Is a Sign of Afghanistan Problems


You don't fire winning generals.

When Presidents Fire Generals: Lincoln and McClellan


Obama and McChrystal could have learned something from the men’s “failed” relationship.

Poll: Hillary Clinton Better Qualified Than Obama to Be President


Secretary Clinton’s new popularity is creating a storm of gossip and discussion.

Obama says shake-up won't disrupt Afghan war plan (Reuters)

Reuters - President Barack Obama said on Thursday his ouster of the top commander in Afghanistan would not disrupt strategy in a war that his defense chief acknowledged was progressing more slowly than expected.

Supreme Court imperils Skilling, Black convictions (Reuters)
Reuters - The Supreme Court on Thursday threw into doubt the fraud convictions of former Enron Corp Chief Executive Jeffrey Skilling and ex-media baron Conrad Black, a setback for the U.S. Justice Department in two of the biggest corporate fraud prosecutions of the last decade.

Congress OKs sanctions on Iran's energy, banks (Reuters)
Reuters - Congress on Thursday approved tough new unilateral sanctions aimed at squeezing Iran's energy and banking sectors, which could also hurt companies from other countries doing business with Tehran.

Floods slam Midwest, officials assess damage (Reuters)
Reuters - The worst of the flooding across the Midwest appeared to be subsiding on Thursday, but state officials from the Dakotas to Indiana remained on high alert and began assessing the damage already caused.

North Korea issues no-sail warning; missile eyed (Reuters)
Reuters - North Korea has issued a no-sail warning off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula in what South Korean officials said on Friday was likely part of routine military drills, amid heightened antagonism between the rivals.

Canada police halt suspicious car near G20 summit site (Reuters)

Reuters - Canadian police said on Thursday they had pulled over a car containing "dangerous materials" near the site where an international summit will be held in Toronto this weekend.

Police: Calif couple tried to sell baby at Walmart (AP)

AP - A California couple faces child endangerment charges after police say they tried to sell their 6-month-old baby for $25 outside a Walmart store.

Palin fund illegal; donors will get money back (AP)

AP - Thousands of donors who contributed to a $390,000 legal defense fund for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will get their money back after an investigator said Thursday the fund was illegal because it was misleadingly described on a website.

Lake Michigan shipwreck found after 112 years (AP)

AP - A great wooden steamship that sank more than a century ago in a violent Lake Michigan storm has been found off the Milwaukee-area shoreline, and divers say the intact vessel appears to have been perfectly preserved by the cold fresh waters.

Fans plan remembrances for Jackson 1 year later (AP)

AP - A year ago, DJ John Quick was scheduled to spin at a party when he got the news — Michael Jackson was dead.

Wizards select Kentucky's Wall with No. 1 pick (AP)

AP - John Wall is heading to Washington, and a record number of Kentucky teammates are following him to the NBA.

Derivatives standoff stalls Wall St bill (Reuters)
Reuters - Lawmakers were locked in an impasse over derivatives on Thursday as they struggled to finish their historic rewrite of U.S. financial regulations.

BP shares down, spill-related legal battles rage (Reuters)

Reuters - The Gulf of Mexico oil spill entered its 67th day on Friday with BP's New York share price at year lows and bad weather looming that could hamper clean-up and containment efforts.