Disputed Senate ballots hold key to Minn. win

The pile of disputed ballots in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race is growing at a pace sure to dwarf the 215-vote margin prior to the recount, making it tough to tell who is gaining an edge as the recount progresses.

Islamists: We'll fight Somali pirates
A radical Islamic group in Somalia said Friday it will fight the pirates holding a Saudi supertanker loaded with $100 million worth of crude oil.

Stocks leap on treasury speculation

Wall Street put a stop to a terrifying decline and stormed higher as President-elect Obama appeared ready to tap the chief of the N.Y. Federal Reserve as the next treasury secretary.

Gas prices dip below $2 a gallon

Only four months after peaking at an unheard of $4.11 a gallon, the national average price for gasoline tumbled below $2 Friday, its lowest point in more than three years.

Child deaths test faith-healing exemptions
Three criminal cases have revived concerns about exemptions that most states grant to parents who rely on faith healing instead of doctors to treat sick children.

Inaugural crowd to face scrutiny
Law enforcement officials bracing for the largest crowds in inaugural history are preparing far-reaching security — thousands of video cameras, sharpshooters, air patrols — to safeguard President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in.

Meteor lights up skies over Canada

A massive ball of fire that lit up the skies over two Western Canadian provinces on Thursday evening was likely among the biggest meteor events to be witnessed in Canada this year, one expert said.

Pentagon bans computer flash drives
The Pentagon has banned, at least temporarily, the use of external computer flash drives because of a virus threat officials detected on Defense Department networks.

Heisman, BCS on line in Tech vs. OU

When Graham Harrell and No. 2 Texas Tech meet Sam Bradford and No. 5 Oklahoma on Saturday night, the Heisman race - as well as the national championship chase - will be center stage.