World News Australia http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/ Russian warships have arrived in Venezuela for the first time in regional waters since the Cold War, ahead of a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/russian_warships_cruise_into_us_backyard_563556 An award-winning rapper and a Detroit policeman facing cocaine and money laundering charges have won pardons by US President George W Bush. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/bush_avoids_big_name_pardons_for_now_563554 At least eight people have been killed, six are missing and more than 14,000 affected by heavy rains drenching Panama, national disaster relief officials say. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/eight_dead_six_missing_in_panama_floods_563553 A US appeals court has ruled that the Vatican can be sued for the sex abuse committed by American priests. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/vatican_can_be_sued_for_priest_sex_abuse_563548 Global stocks have sputtered as investors took quick profits on some of the massive gains a day earlier. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/world_stocks_mixed_on_profittaking_563542 US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has agreed to stay in the job for at least one year of president-elect Barack Obama's administration. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/gates_to_stay_at_pentagon_for_one_year_563541 A Miami judge has defied a Florida gay adoption ban, ruling in favour of a male couple's right to adopt two children they have raised. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/miami_judge_opens_door_to_gay_adoption_563536 American International Group Inc says it is limiting how much it pays top executives, including a $US1 salary for this year and the next to chief executive Edward Liddy. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/aig_chief_to_get_paid_1_this_year__563532 YouTube, after years of complaints over the size of its video player, expanded the size of its screen, adopting a widescreen format. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/youtube_now_has_widescreen_video_player_563530 Oil prices have slid as traders banked profits following sharp gains won a day earlier and fretted over a weak global economic picture. http://www.admin.sbs.com.au/worldnews/oil_prices_slide_as_global_fears_persist_563529