TOP NEWS STORIES (jan 9, 2012)

1. The leaders of France and Germany said boosting economic growth across Europe is a priority in their efforts to stem the debt crisis that is showing signs of spreading across the 17 countries that use the euro

2. Novartis Consumer Health Inc.,  one of the world’s largest drug companies, announced today that it is voluntarily recalling several over-the-counter products after complaints about broken pills found in some products.

3. Politicians normally shy away from saying they want to cut food stamps, but this year's Republican presidential candidates are using domestic food aid as an example of a welfare state gone awry.