• 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.

  • 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.

  • Sweden labels mass killing of Armenians genocide (AP)

AP - Sweden's parliament narrowly approved a resolution Thursday recognizing the 1915 mass killing of Armenians in Turkey as genocide, prompting the Turkish government to recall its ambassador in protest.

  • Venezuela seizes top food producer's property (AP)

AP - A mayor loyal to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered the expropriation of property owned by the country's largest food producer.

  • Meeting on deforestation boosts morale, budget (AP)

AP - A conference bringing together more than 60 nations Thursday added $1 billion to the fight against deforestation and boosted the morale of those hoping to save the world's forests — a key defense against global warming.

  • German Clergy Abuse Scandal Reaches the Pope's Family (Time.com)

Time.com - The Vatican faces a growing scandal as allegations have emerged that priestssexually and physically abused students in a choir run by the pope'sbrother, Georg Ratzinger

  • Care does not include sex - Dutch nurses' union (Reuters)

Reuters - A union representing Dutch nurses will launch a national campaign on Friday against demands for sexual services by patients who claim it should be part of their standard care.

  • 2 Israeli soldiers indicted for Gaza war conduct (AP)

AP - The Israeli military said Thursday it indicted two soldiers who forced a Palestinian boy to open bags suspected of being booby-trapped with explosives during last year's military offensive in Gaza.

  • In Mexico, gay couples celebrate historic weddings (AP)

AP - Two glowing brides in white gowns made history Thursday as they wed under Latin America's first law that explicitly approves gay marriage.

  • 43 Somalis die in capital after 2 days of warfare (AP)

AP - Heavy fighting between Somali insurgents and pro-government troops has killed at least 43 people over two days, as African Union peacekeepers used tanks to help the beleaguered government beat back an insurgent attack, officials said Thursday.

  • High-speed rail plans announced

Plans for a new high-speed rail network, featuring 250mph trains, have been announced by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

  • Three MPs arrive in court over expenses

Jim Devine, Elliot Morley and David Chaytor are all expected to deny false accounting.

  • Man dies after 'abuse from youths'

Sixty four-year-old David Askew, who had learning difficulties, collapsed and died outside his home in Greater Manchester after years of abuse from youths.

  • UK develops 'intelligent CCTV'

CCTV cameras that can pick out abandoned luggage, suspicious behaviour and lock onto potential suspects are being developed by UK researchers.

  • Basra Wall honoured in Staffordshire

A special service has taken place to rededicate a memorial that was built in Iraq during the war and has now been moved to Britain.

  • Confusion surrounds case of British boy kidnapped in Pakistan

A slew of conflicting reports on Thursday morning shed little light on the situation of Sahil Saeed, the British boy reportedly kidnapped in Pakistan.

  • Kidnapped British boy 'found' in Pakistan

Reports of Sahil Saeed, the five-year-old boy kidnapped in Pakistan, being found are being verified.

  • A fifth Labour MP to face expenses police probe

Metropolitan Police launch criminal inquiry into Harry Cohen after he claimed £70,000 for a "second home" while renting out his main property.

  • Iran and US trade insults over Taliban-led violence

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, traded insults with Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, during overlapping visits to Afghanistan yesterday as each blamed the other for increasing Taliban-led violence in the country.

  • 'British Fritzl': apology to daughters raped over 25 years

Authorities have apologised to two women who were raped by their father over 25 years and bore nine of his children.