AP - The number of people receiving jobless benefits exceeded 6 million for the first time, the government reported Thursday, and housing construction unexpectedly plunged to its second-lowest level on record — fresh evidence that the recession is far from over.

AP - An exultant Maersk Alabama crew has returned to rejoicing families in America and the ship's captain awaits his own hero's reception in the states after a five-day ordeal as a captive of Somali pirates.

AP - Somalia's prime minister says his government has identified many pirate leaders and would be willing to share that information with other countries, including the United States, to get the resources needed to go after them.