The World - Jan. 7, 2010

THURSDAY

The U.S. Labor Department reports the number of U.S. workers filing new applications for jobless benefits fell last week to the lowest level since the week of July 19, 2008. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped to 432,000 from 454,000 the previous week.

A federal judge threw out all charges against five Blackwater Worldwide security guards accused of killing 14 Iraqi civilians in 2007. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina said prosecutors had misused statements the men made to State Department investigators under a threat of job loss.

Thieves grabbed about 30 paintings...