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Attorney General-nominee Eric Holder has labeled as torture the practice of waterboarding terrorism suspects. Speaking at his confirmation hearing, Holder also said he had learned from the experience surrounding the controversial Clinton-era pardon of financier Marc Rich.

Israeli fighter jets pounded most every major Hamas security compound across Gaza on Saturday, in reprisal for rocket attacks on southern Israel. Hamas and Gaza medical officials say at least 140 people have been killed and more than 200 wounded. Rockets have been fired on southern Israel, where medical officials say one person was killed.

Some Egyptian ambulances have been allowed into the embattled Gaza Strip, presumably to pick up badly wounded civilians for treatment in Egyptian hospitals. Israeli warplanes and drones remain active along the frontier, drawing fire from Hamas militants.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich named former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as his choice to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. Blagojevich faces criminal charges alleging he previously tried to sell that seat.

Host Liane Hansen talks with NPR's Eric Westervelt, who was at the Israel border with Gaza, about the latest on the Israeli ground attack in Gaza.

This week's economic news and how the U.S. economy reverberates throughout the world.

President-elect Barack Obama is looking for a surgeon general. And CNN says its chief medical correspondent is under consideration for the job. Should the offer come, CNN says Dr. Sanjay Gupta has indicated he's likely to take it. The 39-year-old Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon.

Fifty years ago Thursday, the dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba, clearing the way for Fidel Castro and his guerilla movement to assume power. NPR's Jason Beaubien is in Santiago for the anniversary of the "Triumphant Revolution" and talks with Guy Raz about Cubans' perceptions of their country and their role in the 21st century.

Senate Democratic leaders are changing course and it looks as if the Senate will seat Roland Burris as the junior senator from Illinois once all legal obstacles are overcome. Senate leaders Harry Reid and Dick Durbin both have said they have no problem with Burris.

December marked the twelfth straight month of declining employment. We explore what the numbers mean for the ailing economy.