President Obama held his second news conference in five days in hopes of pressuring lawmakers to OK a large-scale deficit-cutting deal. But Republican members of Congress aren't budging on the issue of taxes.

There were massive opposition protests in towns and cities across Syria Friday, despite an ongoing government crackdown that left at least 19 protesters dead. Hundreds of thousands marched in cities like Deraa, Hama and Homs — all three have been major hubs of the protest movement. But there were also protests and violence in Damascus Friday. The Syrian capital has been comparatively quiet until now.

Robert Siegel and Michele Norris read letters from listeners.

Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has had a front row seat at the discussions and wrangling over whether to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. Michele Norris speaks with Jeff Schapiro, political reporter and columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, for a look at the Virginia lawmaker who is making his presence felt in the Republican Party and on the Hill.

Robert Siegel talks with Patrick Meyer, president and CEO of Pella Windows and Doors. He's one of hundreds of business heads who signed a letter to President Obama and members of Congress, urging them to raise the debt ceiling.

Spend a moment watching the news these days and it's obvious; we love our damsel in distress tales. But even I didn't predict 15 million people would show for ABC News latest blockbuster story of a cute, young blonde woman subjected to a horrible crime: top anchor Diane Sawyer's exclusive interview with Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped at age 11 and held for 18 years.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians mounted the largest protests Friday since the uprising began more than four months ago, pouring into areas where the government crackdown has been most intense in a sign that security forces cannot break the revolt.

Syrian authorities fired on the crowds, killing at least 17 people and wounding more than 100, activists said.

We'll get back to the serious stuff in a bit. But first: After months of speculation, France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has confirmed that she is with child.

US Magazine reports:

A player from Northern Ireland charged up the leaderboard at the British Open. But it's not the one you might expect.

Darren Clarke shot his second straight 2-under 68 Friday, good enough for a share of the lead heading into the weekend. Along the way, he showed his younger countrymen a thing or two at Royal St. George's.

Once the face of Northern Ireland golf, the 42-year-old Clarke became an afterthought when first Graeme McDowell, then Rory McIlroy claimed major championships. Now, maybe it's time for the old guy to get his title, too.

A Corbin man and an Illinois woman died Friday morning after a van traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 crashed head-on into a passenger car, authorities said. Joseph Vardeman, 38, of Corbin was driving the van, said Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison. Amy Adkins, 26, of East Peoria, Ill. was a passenger who died in a Chevrolet. Investigators have not identified the person who was driving the Chevy. They were taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington.