US slams rights abuses in Sudan, Congo and Nigeria (AFP)

AFP - The United States on Thursday highlighted flagrant human rights abuses in 2009 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria and Sudan, three conflict-ridden African countries.

Putin in India for visit dominated by arms deals (AFP)

AFP - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in India Friday where he is slated to sign a series of multibillion-dollar arms deals with Moscow's old Cold War ally.

Early Iraq results: PM battling secular challenger (AP)

AP - First results from Iraq's parliamentary election showed the prime minister and his secular rival locked in an extremely tight contest Thursday amid fraud allegations by rival parties and a chaotic, unpredictable vote count.

Stricken trainer Roach says Pacquiao should go out on top (AFP)

AFP - Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao have never spoken about Roach's battle with Parkinson's disease but there is a candid conversation the trainer and boxer expect to have one day.

In Mexico, gay couples celebrate historic weddings (AP)

AP - Two glowing brides in matching white gowns and four other same-sex couples made history in Mexico City on Thursday as they wed under Latin America's first law that explicitly approves gay marriage.

Mummy of Egypt's monotheist pharaoh to return home (AP)

AP - The DNA tests that revealed how the famed boy-king Tutankhamun most likely died solved another of ancient Egypt's enduring mysteries — the fate of controversial Pharaoh Akhenaten's mummy. The discovery could help fill out the picture of a fascinating era more than 3,300 years ago when Akhenaten embarked on history's first attempt at monotheism.

Vatican criticizes condom machines in Rome school (AP)

AP - The decision by a Rome high school to install condom vending machines has set off a storm in Italy, with the Catholic Church charging the move will encourage young people to have sex and Rome's mayor saying it sends the wrong message.

More quakes hit Chile as new president takes over (AP)

AP - The earth shook and shook Thursday as dignitaries walked in for the swearing-in of Sebastian Pinera as Chile's president. It shook some more as they waited for him to join them.

More quakes hit Chile as new president takes over (AP)

AP - The earth shook and shook Thursday as dignitaries walked in for the swearing-in of Sebastian Pinera as Chile's president. It shook some more as they waited for him to join them.

Vatican criticizes condom machines in Rome school (AP)

AP - The decision by a Rome high school to install condom vending machines has set off a storm in Italy, with the Catholic Church charging the move will encourage young people to have sex and Rome's mayor saying it sends the wrong message.

Greece hit by strikes, clashes over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Clashes between riot police and rock-throwing, masked youths broke out during a demonstration Thursday in central Athens by tens of thousands of striking workers protesting austerity measures that the Greek government has said it has no choice but to implement.

More quakes hit Chile as new president takes over (AP)

AP - A series of strong aftershocks from last month's devastating quake rocked Chile on Thursday as a new president was sworn into office and immediately urged coastal residents to move to higher ground in case of a tsunami.

High school near Vatican installs condom machines (AP)

AP - The decision by a Rome high school to install condom vending machines has set off a storm in Italy, with the Catholic Church charging the move will encourage young people to have sex and Rome's mayor saying it sends the wrong message.