“Yes, foreign policy matters, social issues matter, but more than anything else, this election presents a choice between two fundamentally different visions of how to create strong, sustained growth.” 

 

NPR's Ari Shapiro was with Mitt Romney as he stumped for votes in Cincinnati.

 

At a steel company, Mitt Romney attacked President Obama right out of the gate. He said the president is delivering a speech on the economy because he has not delivered a recovery for the economy.

 

“He's going to be a person of eloquence as he describes his plans for making the economy better. But don't forget, he's been president for three and a half years. And talk is cheap. Action speaks very loud.”

 

Romney said if you want to see the results of the president's economic policies, look around Ohio in the country. Ohio actually has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the country, which could be a challenge to Romney in this important swing state. He’ll be back in Ohio just a few day from now as part of his five-day, six-state small town bus tour that launches in New Hampshire Friday morning. Ari Shapiro, NPR News, Cincinnati.

 

Former Texas billionaire Allen Stanford has been sentenced to 110 years in federal prison after being convicted of running a seven-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme. From Dallas, NPR's Wade Goodwyn offers more details. 

 

Allen Stanford had an amazing lifestyle while it lasted, owning beautiful homes, yachts, a fleet of private jets, sponsoring cricket tournaments. Sir Allen was even knighted by Queen Elizabeth. The Island of Antigua was his newfound home and personal playground funded by a seven-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme that collapsed when the world economy went under. Thursday, Stanford was unremorseful and in a statement to the court blamed the US government for seizing his assets and killing his empire. “I'm not here to ask for sympathy or forgiveness or throw myself at your mercy.” Stanford told the judge, “He got none.” The 62-year-old will spend the rest of his life in federal prison. Wade Goodwyn, NPR News, Dallas.

 

Tiger Woods is three shots off the lead in the first round of the US Open, his partners Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson struggling to move up. Woods trails Michael Thompson, who shot a 4-under 66 for the day. Defending champion Rory Mcllroy, top-ranked Luke Donald and LeeWestwood had an afternoon start. 

 

Before the close, Dow was up 155.

 

This is NPR.

 

The Vatican is formally proposing a reconcile with an ultra-conservative breakaway group. As NPR's Barbara Bradley Hagerty tells us, the Society of Saint Pius X rejects the reforms of Vatican II. 

 

The society split from Rome in 1969, unhappy with reforms, including introducing English Mass and improving the church's relationship with Jews. One of its bishops Richard Williamson caused a stir three years ago when he denied the full extent of the holocaust. The society has its own seminaries, bishops and priests. Now Rome wants to bring them under its wing. It's offered to make the society a personal prelature, which is a diocese without borders, like the conservative Opus Dei. In return, the society would have to accept core doctrinal teachings, presumably in line with Vatican II. The head of the society says it will consider the proposal. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, NPR News.

 

Egypt's highest court dissolves the Islamist-dominated parliament and it’s allowing a last prime minister to serve under Hosni Mubarak before his ouster to stay in the presidential race in that country. Ahmed Shafiq welcomed the ruling, saying an era of political score settling was over. 

 

Back in the US, the prosecution was expected to conclude its case today in Jerry Sandusky's child sex abuse trial. Most of his alleged victims have testified. Sandusky's defense sought to debunk the accusers' claims. The former Penn State assistant football coach faces [that is] 52 counts of sexually abusing ten boys over a span of 15 years. 

 

Before the close, US stocks gaining ground with the Dow up 155, 1.2% higher, at12,652. 

 

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.