Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about on Friday:

1. MONEY POURING INTO RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE - $2 BILLION WORTH

The eye-popping figure puts this election on track to be the costliest ever.

2. THE WORLD WAITS TO SEE IF CEASE-FIRE HOLDS

U.N. chief urges all influential countries to pressure both sides to stop the violence in Syria's civil war.

3. WHY THE U.S. DIDN'T INTERVENE DURING THE LIBYA CONSULATE ATTACK

Panetta says military leaders lacked adequate intelligence to risk American forces in a chaotic situation.

4. HARD-LINERS TAKING HOLD IN ISRAEL

Netanyahu strikes a deal with his right-wing foreign minister to create a hawkish superparty.

5. HOW TO BUY - OR AVOID BUYING - WINDOWS 8

The AP's Anick Jesdanun provides a guide for consumers to Microsoft's new software - a radical departure from previous versions.

6. AIR TRAVELERS' PRIVACY GETS AN UPGRADE

At some airports, the government is replacing full-body X-ray scanners with less-invasive machines.

7. NY PRISONERS SUE - FOR RIGHT TO USE DENTAL FLOSS

Jailers routinely prohibit the stringy decay fighter, which has been used for such things as cutting the bars of a cell.

8. APPLE EARNINGS MISS WALL STREET'S TARGET

Company blames lower iPad sales - including in China and in economically troubled Europe.

9. WHAT KATY PERRY'S DOING TO ROCK THE VOTE

At a rally, she wore a tight white dress imprinted like a ballot, with a box on her hip checked for Obama and Biden.

10. IN BASEBALL, IT'S ALL ABOUT WHEN YOU GET HOT

Detroit and San Francisco may not be the best teams in the majors. But they peaked at the right time - heading toward the postseason.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)