Canada registered an additional 129,000 unemployed in the sole month of January, the grimmest monthly tally in decades. The unexpected hike pushes the overall unemployment rate to 7.2%.
US President Barack Obama's Democratic Senate allies remain hopeful they can achieve a compromise with Republicans and complete legislation on Friday to pass a $937 billion economic stimulus package.
A Pentagon judge has withdrawn charges against Guantanamo detainee Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, accused of participating in the deadly October 2000 attack on the USS Cole. He remains in custody and can be charged again.
Leon Panetta, President Barack Obama's choice to head the CIA, has made clear he would break with Bush administration policy against terror suspects, saying detainees would not be subjected to torture.
Tapes released of the moments before US Airways Flight 1549 splashed down in New York's Hudson River reveal that the pilot remained calm before his unexpected Jan. 15 landing. All 150 passengers and five crew managed to evacuate safely.
FARC rebels freed Sigifredo Lopez on Thursday after holding the Colombian lawmaker hostage for over seven years. The release was the last of three such handovers by the leftist guerrilla this week.
The US Senate has voted to retain a softened "Buy American" clause in the $900 billion stimulus plan which has angered allies and risks setting off a trade war. US President Barack Obama has criticised the restriction.
Newly-appointed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged to reduce the use of private security contractors in overseas operations. She said a review is being carried out following a series of scandals involving private companies.
President Barack Obama has signed a bill extending medical care to an extra four million children. The legislation represents an early victory for Democrats in Congress, and is similar to a bill twice vetoed by former president George W. Bush.
In a bid to control Wall Street excesses, US President Barack Obama has unveiled a $500,000 cap on salaries of executives of firms getting a US taxpayer bailout.
