IAPA: Latam leaders threatening critical media

Press freedoms in countries throughout the Western Hemisphere are facing serious threats from authoritarian governments, especially in Venezuela and communist-led Cuba, a group representing news media from across the Americas warned Sunday.

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Al-Maliki call for a recount in Iraq is rejected

Iraq's electoral commission on Sunday rejected demands from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani for a manual recount of ballots, saying there was no justification for further delaying results of the March 7 parliamentary polls.

Botox in Baghdad? Iraqis go for a little nip, tuck

Dr. Abbas al-Sahan's patient wasn't a war victim. She didn't have a scar that needed cosmetic surgery. All she wanted was a cute nose. And she got it.

164 people face charges over massacres in Nigeria

A Nigerian police spokesman says 164 people will be charged with a variety of offenses, including terrorism, for their suspected roles in the slaughter of more than 200 people in central Nigeria this month.

Frustrations await Bush, Clinton visit to Haiti

One restored a Haitian president to power; the other flew him back out again. Former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are visiting Haiti on Monday, reminding the country of its tumultuous recent past just as frustration over an uneven earthquake relief effort is bringing politics back to the surface.

UN: 2 killed in quake collapse in northern Haiti

A U.N. spokesman says a small earthquake in northern Haiti has collapsed an apartment building and killed two people.

Suspect nabbed in Cyprus Archbishops' tomb attack

Cyprus police on Sunday arrested a Romanian man suspected of vandalizing the tombs of three Cyprus archbishops who led the island's Greek Orthodox church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a police spokesman said.

Russia says ship resumes sailing off Japan

The Russian Navy says one of its surveillance ships has resumed sailing through the Sea of Japan after reports that it was drifting and taking on water.

India tests new version of cruise missile

India successfully tested on Sunday a new, more maneuverable version of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that was jointly developed with Russia, an official said.

Pope does not mention rebuke to Irish bishops

Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged Catholics to refrain from judging sinners a day after he rebuked Irish bishops for their handling of a half-century of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.

Pope hopes letter to Irish helps healing

Munich diocese faces "tsunami" of abuse claims

Papal letter fails to calm anger over Irish abuses

Excerpts of pope's letter to Irish on sex abuse

Papal letter fails to calm anger over Irish abuses

Recount calls add to Iraq's political tension

Iraq's president on Sunday demanded a recount in this month's historic parliamentary elections, intensifying the political conflict over the not-yet-completed tally and increasing the chances that the vote will be a long, chaotic test of the nascent democracy.

FIFA lifts Iraq's ban from international soccer

7th anniversary of Iraq War passes, little noticed

US soldier dies in combat in Baghdad

Iraq: Key figures since the war began

Officials: US missiles kill 4 in NW Pakistan

Suspected U.S. drones fired missiles Sunday at a house and car in a militant-dominated tribal region near the Afghan border, killing at least four people, officials said.

British boy kidnapped in Pakistan returns to UK

Pakistan to ask for more understanding at US talks

Pakistani court charges 5 Americans with terrorism

Pakistan's poverty pushes its children to work

French regional elections seen as test for Sarkozy

WHO VOTES: Any of France's 45 million registered voters.

French left beats Sarkozy's party in regional vote

Donors conference raises $850 million for Darfur

An international donors conference on Sunday raised $850 million for projects intended to ensure the safe return of nearly 3 million people displaced during the war in Darfur.

Namibia celebrates 20th independence anniversary

Namibia marked the 20th anniversary of independence from apartheid-era South Africa on Sunday and swore in President Hifikepunye Pohamba for a second five-year term.

Explosive material found in Indian passenger plane

A newspaper-wrapped package containing explosive material was found Sunday in the cargo hold of a passenger aircraft after it landed in the southern Indian state of Kerala, police said.

Suspect nabbed in Cyprus Archbishops' tomb attack

Cyprus police on Sunday arrested a man suspected of vandalizing the tombs of three Cyprus archbishops who led the island's Greek Orthodox church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a police spokesman said.

Demise of coral, salamander show impact of Web

The Internet has emerged as one of the greatest threats to rare species, fueling the illegal wildlife trade and making it easier to buy everything from live baby lions to wine made from tiger bones, conservationists and law enforcement officers said Sunday.

US-Russian deal on nukes nearly completed

Nearly a year after President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered negotiators to work on a new treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenals, the two countries say they are finally close to completing a deal.

Militant group in Kabul with draft peace deal

Thirteen Afghan civilians died in violence Sunday as the nation's hard-line vice president expressed hopes for reconciliation and representatives of a militant group with ties to the Taliban brought their own draft of a peace deal to the capital.

Official defends alleged off-the-books spy program

Taliban lose control of Marjah but remain strong

Thai PM offers talks with protesters after rally

Thailand's prime minister said Sunday he will send representatives to hold talks with protesters who have been calling for him to step down, but his antagonists want to meet with him personally.