Bush signs jobless benefits extension

WASHINGTON — With no end in sight to economic bad news, President George W. Bush on Friday ensured that millions of laid-off workers will keep getting their unemployment checks as the year-end holidays approach.

Bush signs bill providing extra jobless benefits

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Bush signed into law a bill that Congress approved to keep unemployment checks flowing to jobless Americans through the holiday season.

Stocks point higher after steep sell-off

NEW YORK — Wall Street looked poised to get a break from the steep sell-off of the past two days following a report that Citigroup Inc. might put itself up for sale.

Madonna, Ritchie granted preliminary divorce

LONDON — Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary decree of divorce Friday.

Obama plans to nominate Clinton for top diplomat

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama plans to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving, a new milestone for the former first lady and a convergence of two political forces who fought hard for the presidency.

FTSE-100 up 27.94 at 3,902.93

LONDON — Share prices on the London Stock Exchange were higher at midday Friday.

Bank of New York Mellon to cut 1,800 jobs

NEW YORK — The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. said Thursday it will cut its worldwide work force by 4 percent, or about 1,800 jobs, blaming the weak global economy.

Witness recalls last messages in MySpace hoax case

LOS ANGELES — A Missouri woman knew her 13-year-old neighbor was depressed and suicidal when she sent cruel Internet messages to the teenager, her former assistant testified. The girl killed herself after being told the world would be better off without her.

China vows not to compromise with Tibetan exiles

BEIJING — China launched a new verbal attack on the Dalai Lama's drive for Tibetan autonomy on Friday, vowing not to compromise with leaders of the Tibetan exile community meeting to debate the future of their movement.

Philippine landslide kills 6, at least 1 missing

MANILA, Philippines — A mother and her three children were among the six people killed after a mudslide triggered by days of heavy rain buried houses in a southern Philippine gold mining town, officials said Friday.