Reuters – The son of late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno told 10,000 mourners on Thursday his father died “with a clear conscience,” and former players shared why they worshipped the man in a final goodbye to the legendary “JoePa.”

AP – A weak year for the economy likely ended on a hopeful note.

Reuters – The European Union’s top economic official said on Thursday that more public money will be needed to make up a shortfall in a second bailout for Greece if private bondholders agree to take a share of losses.

Reuters – A U.S. Marine accused of leading a 2005 massacre of 24 civilians in the Iraqi city of Haditha was spared jail time when he was sentenced on Tuesday for his role in killings that brought international condemnation on U.S. troops.

Reuters – Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected as “unfounded” stereotypes about a domineering, dogmatic Germany whose economic strength hinders growth in the rest of Europe, saying such cliches did not help the cause of European integration.

Reuters – The U.S. Marine sergeant accused of leading a massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha pleaded guilty on Monday to dereliction of duty, ending the final prosecution stemming from a 2005 incident that brought international condemnation of U.S. troops.

AP – Addressing a divided nation amid a determined GOP campaign to take his job, President Barack Obama is preparing to issue a populist cry for economic fairness as he aims to corral the sympathies of middle-class voters 10 months before Election Day.

Here’s a reality check for President Barack Obama’s health overhaul: Three out of four uninsured Americans live in states that have yet to figure out how to deliver on its promise of affordable medical care.