World struggles to take on plague of Somali piracy (AP)

AP - The U.N., African Union and Arab nations struggled to respond Thursday to a surge of pirate attacks, authorizing more sanctions and calling for international peacekeepers to stop Somali sea bandits who appear undeterred by nonviolent tactics.

In Congo's remote hills, a struggle to survive (AP)

AP - His home was looted by wild government soldiers still pillaging this empty hilltop town. His fields are at the mercy of armed militias. And somewhere in the countryside, a rebel army is digging in.

Shouting and pounding, Iraqis fight over US pact (AP)

AP - Iraq's parliament persevered Thursday in its debate on a proposed security agreement with the United States despite raucous attempts by opposition lawmakers to disrupt proceedings ahead of next week's vote on the deal.

Pakistan protests to US over deep missile strike (AP)

AP - Pakistan protested to the U.S. ambassador Thursday over a deep cross-border missile strike, and a militant group threatened to target foreigners unless the attacks stop.

Putin grabs spotlight, vows Russia will thrive (AP)

AP - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin used a meeting of his powerful political party to take center stage Thursday, casting himself as an indispensable leader even as the global financial meltdown threatens the achievements of his boom-time presidency.

Anti-gay violence is a problem in Amsterdam (AP)
AP - Amsterdam faces an ingrained problem of violence against gay men, despite its reputation as a haven of tolerance, according to a study released Thursday.

Palestinian leader appeals to Israelis in peace ad (AP)

AP - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took his case for a peace deal directly to ordinary Israelis Thursday, assuring them in Hebrew-language newspaper ads that a withdrawal from the West Bank, Gaza and parts of Jerusalem would bring them full recognition by the Arab world.

Student dies of heart attack in Haiti school panic (AP)
AP - Emergency officials say a 19-year-old Haitian schoolgirl died of a heart attack after students panicked that their school was collapsing.

South Africa blocks Zimbabwe aid (AFP)

AFP - South Africa said Thursday it will hold back nearly 30 million dollars of aid to Zimbabwe until a new government is formed there, as it prepares to host new power-sharing talks next week.

China's Hu calls for deeper partnership with Latin America (AFP)

AFP - Chinese President Hu Jintao called Thursday for a new era of cooperation with Latin America, saying the world's biggest developing country and the large developing region were a natural fit.