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US Embassy: US citizen kidnapped in Nigeria freed (AP)

AP - A U.S. citizen kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta has been freed after a week in captivity, the U.S. Embassy said.

Syria violence kills over 40 (Reuters)

Reuters - Security forces killed over 40 people in Syria on Friday, activists and residents said, as people in Homs mourned 14 members of a family they said were slain by militiamen in one of the worst sectarian attacks in a 10-month revolt.

Poll ruling sparks street clashes in Senegal (Reuters)

Reuters - Protesters hurled rocks at police who retaliated with tear gas in Senegal's capital Dakar on Friday after a top legal body said President Abdoulaye Wade had the right to run for a third term in elections next month.

Some G20 countries soften stance on Europe: sources (Reuters)

Reuters - Some of the world's biggest economies want to move quickly on a cash injection for the International Monetary Fund to help rescue the euro zone, but hardliners may still scupper an early deal to boost the fund's war chest, G20 sources said on Friday.

Egypt plans to send delegation to U.S. as NGO furor mounts (Reuters)

Reuters - A Egyptian military team plans to visit the United States next week as Cairo's crackdown on pro-democracy organizations has called into question the future of U.S. aid to Egypt, American officials said on Friday.

Greece, creditors laboriously piece together debt deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Greece and its private creditors head back to the negotiating table on Saturday to put together the final pieces of a long-awaited debt swap agreement needed to avert an unruly default.

AP Exclusive: Vatican rewrites money launder law (AP)

AP - The Vatican has rewritten its 2010 anti-money laundering law after European inspectors found that it didn't fully meet their tough standards to combat the financing of terrorism.

Former close ally of Bolivian president sentenced (AP)

AP - A former close ally of Bolivian President Evo Morales was convicted of corruption for taking bribes while running the state-run YPFB oil company and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Populist, combative Obama gets love from Democratic lawmakers (Reuters)

Reuters - Congressional Democrats have complained in the past that they have not felt the love from President Barack Obama and accuse the White House of not consulting them on key policies. But when Obama addressed them on Friday it was a love-fest.

Nevada GOP to release results via Twitter, Google (AP)

AP - Results of the Nevada Republican presidential caucus will be released through Twitter and Google, the first time the social network will play a central role in announcing the outcome of a political presidential contest.

Strong quake jolts eastern Japan, no tsunami warning (Reuters)

Reuters - A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 jolted eastern Japan on Saturday morning, but there were no immediate reports of injury or damage and no tsunami warning was issued.

Magnitude 5.5 quake shakes Japan (AP)

AP - A magnitude-5.5 earthquake rattled Yamanashi prefecture in central Japan on Saturday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami warning was issued.

Subpoenas issued to financial firms in expanded probe (Reuters)

Reuters - The Justice Department issued civil subpoenas to 11 financial institutions as part of a new effort to investigate misconduct in the packaging and sale of home loans to investors, Attorney General Eric Holder said on Friday.

Long road ahead for Conn. home invasion survivor (AP)

AP - How does a man move on with his life after losing his wife and daughters to two ruthless home invaders who tormented, then killed them?

Actress' claim to be gay by choice riles activists (AP)

AP - Cynthia Nixon learned the hard way this week that when it comes to gay civil rights, the personal is always political. Very political.

Libyan commander says will retake Bani Walid (Reuters)

Reuters - A militia commander whose troops were driven out of the Libyan tribal stronghold of Bani Walid this week said on Friday that his forces were massing to recapture the town but were holding back at the government's request.

Need for courtroom artists fade as cameras move in (AP)

AP - One marker in hand and one in his mouth, Lou Chukman glances up and down from a sketchpad to a reputed Chicago mobster across the courtroom — drawing feverishly to capture the drama of the judge's verdict before the moment passes.

North America boosts Ford in 4Q (AP)

AP - Ford has shown it can make money even with U.S. car sales at depressed levels. Now it needs to show it can manage a myriad of challenges outside its home region.

GOP insiders rise up to cut Gingrich down to size (AP)

AP - Republican insiders are rising up to cut Newt Gingrich down to size, testament to the GOP establishment's fear that the mercurial candidate could lead the party to disaster this fall.

Can a home computer teach you to fly a real plane? (AP)

AP - Can flight simulator training on a home computer teach you enough to fly a real plane?

Hull House closes doors after more than 120 years (AP)

AP - Hull House, the Chicago social services organization founded more than 120 years ago by the Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, closed Friday after running out of money.

In Facebook IPO, bankers seek prestige over fees (Reuters)

Reuters - Facebook's initial public offering is likely to set a new standard for how low investment banks are willing to go on advisory fees to win big business.

Palin: Newt's secret weapon (Politico)

Politico - Newt Gingrich has a new unofficial campaign surrogate and her name is Sarah Palin.

Justice unit to probe mortgage-backed securities (AP)

AP - Federal and state law enforcement officials announced Friday they have launched a fraud-fighting unit, starting with 55 prosecutors and investigators, to root out wrongdoing in the market for residential mortgage-backed securities.

Justice unit to probe mortgage-backed securities (AP)

AP - Federal and state law enforcement officials announced Friday they have launched a fraud-fighting unit, starting with 55 prosecutors and investigators, to root out wrongdoing in the market for residential mortgage-backed securities.

NC gov's exit shakes up vote on gay marriage ban (AP)

AP - Something unexpected happened on the way to North Carolina's vote on a gay marriage ban this May: Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue decided not to run for re-election, meaning more voters who oppose the ban could turn out at the polls.

Gingrich ad labels Romney 'dishonest man' (AP)

AP - TITLE: "What Kind of Man?"

'Barefoot Bandit' sentenced to 6 1/2 years (AP)

AP - A federal judge on Friday sentenced "Barefoot Bandit" Colton Harris-Moore to 6 1/2 years in prison for his infamous two-year, international crime spree of break-ins, and boat and plane thefts that ended in 2010.

Obama administration bolsters homeowner lifeline (Reuters)

Reuters - The Obama administration on Friday expanded its main foreclosure prevention program and pushed to open it up to loans backed by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a move that could meet resistance from their regulator.

Obama administration bolsters homeowner lifeline (Reuters)

Reuters - The Obama administration on Friday expanded its main foreclosure prevention program and pushed to open it up to loans backed by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a move that could meet resistance from their regulator.

Romney's forceful body language scores in debate (AP)

AP - The hands came out of the pockets. The gaze was intense. Mitt Romney leaned confidently into the lectern.

NC man charged in beheading plot to face trial (AP)

AP - A federal magistrate judge says a North Carolina man must stand trial in a plot to hire a hit man to behead three witnesses in his brother's terrorism case.

Obama 'putting colleges on notice' on high tuition (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama fired a warning at the nation's colleges and universities on Friday, threatening to strip their federal aid if they "jack up tuition" every year and to give the money instead to schools showing restraint and value.

Obama 'putting colleges on notice' on high tuition (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama fired a warning at the nation's colleges and universities on Friday, threatening to strip their federal aid if they "jack up tuition" every year and to give the money instead to schools showing restraint and value.

Ford Motor Co.'s 2011 profits at a glance (AP)

AP - Ford Motor Co.'s 2011 profits at a glance

Crime sweep nets five accused New York mob members (Reuters)

Reuters - Five accused mobsters from two of New York City's organized crime families were arrested on Friday on multiple charges including racketeering and extortion, federal law enforcement officials said.

Several hurt in collapse at Cincinnati casino site (AP)

AP - A floor collapsed into a V shape Friday at the construction site of a new casino, sending workers sliding down to the ground and injuring at least a dozen of them.

Document: Dougherty sibling planned Colo. escape (AP)

AP - One of three siblings who was part of a multistate crime spree and nationwide manhunt planned to escape from a Colorado jail with his sister, telling the FBI in a letter that he had enjoyed his stay, authorities said in a document released Friday.

Army chief lays out Army cuts in Europe (AP)

AP - The Pentagon's decision announced Friday to take two heavy armor brigades out of Europe in 2013 and 2014 will not necessarily force NATO allies to shoulder more of the load if ground forces are needed for a large-scale conflict in the region, Gen. Raymond Odierno, the Army chief of staff, said Friday.

Paul braves snowy Maine in hunt for GOP delegates (AP)

AP - Ron Paul braved Maine's snow and ice Friday in a quest to pick up delegates, vowing he and his loyal band of supporters would be a factor in the Republican nominating contest for weeks to come.