UNITED NATIONS (AP) - A United Nations committee has approved a resolution urging Iran to stop harassing political opponents in the wake of disputed presidential elections.

Citing Iran's use of torture, stoning and executions following the June 12 presidential election, the General Assembly's human rights committee approved the resolution Friday by a vote of 74-48 with 59 abstentions.

Iran's U.N. Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee called the resolution "politically motivated" and dismissed claims about the election as "entirely misleading and incorrect."

(NECN/ABC) - She has already been in jail for two years. Now, Amanda Knox is preparing to find out if she will spend the rest of her life there -- a fate her mother says she will not accept.

Knox, along with her former boyfriend Raphaelle Sollecito, is charged with the murder and sexual assault of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in November 2007.

Kercher died from multiple stab wounds...the prosecution says the killer or

killers used a kitchen knife later found at Sollecito's house after a sex

game gone wrong. Her parents and lawyers disagree.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates says warnings that politics could push back Iraqi elections scheduled for January aren't affecting his plans for a troop withdrawal now.

Gates told a Pentagon news conference plans are going ahead for a large U.S. pullout next spring.

Iraqi lawmakers will vote Saturday on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, causing a crisis that could delay a national vote scheduled for January.

The United States has more than 100,000 troops in Iraq, many of

BRUSSELS (AP) - Diplomats say EU leaders have opted for little-known compromise candidate Belgian Premier Herman Van Rompuy to become the bloc's first full-time president.

Envoys added that the 27 leaders have also agreed to appoint Britain's EU commissioner Catherine Ashton as the bloc's new foreign policy chief, replacing Spaniard Javier Solana. Ashton has been the EU's trade commissioner since last year.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not yet been formally announced at summit talks Thursday.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi lawmakers will vote Saturday on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, causing a crisis that could delay a national vote scheduled for January and affect the timetable for an American troop withdrawal.

Iraq's fractious parliament was looking at two options - sending the same law back to the three-member presidency council, where it is likely to be vetoed again - or amending the law to address the concerns of Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi.

BRUSSELS (AP) - The United States and five other world powers will meet Friday in Brussels to discuss what measures can be taken to punish Tehran for its refusal to halt its nuclear enrichment program.

Diplomats in Vienna, meanwhile, said International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors paid a second visit to Iran's recently revealed Fordo uranium enrichment facility on Thursday.

Iran acknowledged Fordo's existence in September in a confidential letter to the U.N. watchdog, then faced sharp criticism from the U.S., Britain and France for hiding the facility

(NECN/ABC) - In Afghanistan today, Hamid Karzai was sworn in to a second term as president, despite widespread charges that he stole the office in rigged voting. President Barack Obama sent Secretary of State Clinto to warn Karzai that he must clean up the massive corruption in his government, if he expects the United States to stand by him.

Taking the oath of office today after an election riddled with fraud, President Karzai defended his government calling corruption a "dangerous enemy that we will tackle seriously."

(NECN: Osan Air Force Base) - President Barack Obama held a boisterous rally at Osan Air Base outside Seoul on Thursday with some of the 28,500 U.S. troops who are stationed in South Korea.

The president told U.S. troops stationed in South Korea that their service has ensured peace in Asia and around the world.

(NECN/ABC: Seoul, South Korea) - President Obama exclaimed that the colorful welcome to South Korea was the most spectacular of his entire week in Asia.

His tone turned serious, though, announcing that a senior ambassador will arrive December 8th for direct talks in North Korea, which had better stop stalling.

(NECN/ABC) - It was an historic day in Afghanistan, as Hamid Karzi was inaugurated for his second five-year term as president.

But the Afghan leader also got a stern warning from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The inauguration ceremony brings to an end the tumultuous election process, which has been mired in fraud and controversy.

Now, all eyes are on Karzai to see if he will live up to his promises of stamping down on corruption.