Military sets date for first execution since 1961
A former Army cook convicted of multiple rapes and murders is set to die next month in what would be the U.S. military's first execution in nearly 50 years.

Bush signs bill providing extra jobless benefits
The White House said Friday President Bush has signed into law a bill that Congress approved to keep benefits flowing to jobless Americans through the holiday season.

Shipper: Militaries must confront pirates
The world's militaries must work together to battle pirates off the Somali coast or ships will have to be diverted, one of the world's largest oil tanker companies said Friday.

Blast kills 8 mourners at Pakistani funeral

A blast killed at least six mourners Friday at the funeral of a Shiite cleric in northwest Pakistan who was gunned down hours earlier, police said.

Mukasey doing better after collapse

The Attorney General was feeling better Friday after collapsing during a speech, a spokeswoman said, reporting hospital medical tests showed no signs of a stroke or cardiac-related problem.

Sexism award goes to 'ugly ducklings' mayor
An Australian outback mayor's plea for lovelorn female "ugly ducklings" to move to a remote mining town to reverse a shortage of eligible women has won him the country's yearly award for outrageous sexism.

GM plans more cuts, eyes up to 10 factories
General Motors Corp. will extend its holiday shutdown or make other production cuts at up to 10 factories as it deals with a continued U.S. auto sales slump and fights to stay solvent.

Obama team springs leaks

Barack Obama was famously able to impose discipline and control over his presidential campaign, but it didn't take long for him to discover that running a transition is something quite different.

Neb. lawmakers OK 'safe haven' age limit
Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Friday to adding a 30-day age limit to the state's "safe haven" law.