Obama: No torture on my watch
At a press conference to announce his CIA and national intelligence nominees, President-elect Barack Obama said Friday his administration would not compromise its ideals to fight terrorism.
Kenya: 10 million at risk after harvests fail
Ten million people risk going hungry in Kenya after harvests failed because of drought, the government said Friday.
Tourists rescued after Costa Rica quake
Helicopters plucked tourists from a destroyed, mountaintop resort as the death toll from Costa Rica's magnitude-6.1 earthquake was at least 9 victims, the Red Cross said Friday.
Greece riots rise again as youths, cops clash
Masked youths clashed with police in central Athens Friday in the first major test of the Greek government's vow to crack down on violent protesters after a month of nationwide riots.
Patrick Swayze checks into hospital
Patrick Swayze has pneumonia and has checked himself into a hospital for observation, it was revealed Friday at a press event for the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles.
Jobless rate jumps to 7.2 percent
The Labor Department reported Friday that the jobless rate rose to 7.2 percent in December and payrolls dropped by 524,000 jobs.
Bacon, butter fuel South Pole trek
A trio of adventurers said Friday they have set a new record for fastest trek across Antarctica to the South Pole, after suffering through whiteout conditions and temperatures as low as minus 40.
Somali pirates free Saudi supertanker
Somali pirates freed a Saudi supertanker seized in the world's biggest ship hijacking for a $3 million ransom on Friday, an associate of the gang said.
Six-year-old's saggy pants lead to gun find
A 6-year-old boy brought a loaded handgun to his Southern California elementary school. It was discovered when he was sent to the campus office because of his sagging pants.
Jobs outlook adds urgency to stimulus
Friday's employment report confirms an already bleak job market outlook. Analysts say that even if all goes well hiring probably won't pick up again until early 2010.