Auto tech takes a big bite from Apple

While the splashiest media campaign at the International Consumer Electronics Show was launched by Ford Motor Co., — the real pacesetter appears to be a company that isn't there at all: Apple Inc.

Stocks end sharply lower on bleak jobs data
Stocks slumped Friday after the U.S. unemployment rate shot above 7 percent, signaling that Americans will be sticking to their tightened budgets for a while.

Saturday night special: Biggest full moon of '09

If skies are clear Saturday, go out at sunset and look for the giant moon rising in the east. It will be the biggest and brightest one of 2009, sure to wow even seasoned observers.

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.

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.

Industry rips Citigroup mortgage deal
A top bank industry group said it opposes an agreement between Citigroup and Democratic senators that would change bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure.

American set on fire by Afghan dies
An anthropologist embedded with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan to help soldiers understand local customs has died more than two months after she was doused with fuel and set on fire.

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.

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.