Washington, January 17 (RHC)-- The U.S. Senate has failed to renew the jobless benefits that expired last month. Some 1.4 million Americans have lost their aid for long-term unemployment after Republicans refused to extend without an equal amount in spending cuts. ... More


Washington, January 17 (RHC)-- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Syria's divided foreign-backed opposition to join the upcoming peace conference in Geneva. Kerry said in remarks published on Thursday that the purpose of the Geneva II conference is to find a way to install a transitional government. ... More


Baghdad, January 17 (RHC)-- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has appealed for international support amid spiraling violence and a fight with militants. ... More


Washington, January 17 (RHC)-- The U.S. Air Force unit responsible for overseeing the country’s nuclear missiles is facing a major cheating scandal amongst its ranks. At least 34 officers have lost their security clearances over allegations they helped each other cheat on a monthly proficiency exam last year. ... More


Caracas, Jan. 16 (RHC) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the decision to merge the Finance and Banking System ministries on Wednesday. He named Rodolfo Torres as head of the new Finance Ministry.... More


La Paz, Jan. 16 (RHC-NNN) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales met with top central and local officials Wednesday to begin coordinating plans to host the G77+China summit in the eastern city of Santa Cruz on June 14th and 15t... More


Cairo, January 16 (RHC)-- Egyptian officials say voters have overwhelmingly approved a constitution drafted by the military-installed government and boycotted by the opposition. The Interior Ministry said on Wednesday preliminary results showed that 95 percent of participants approved the draft. ... More


Car Bomb Kills Four in Lebanon

Beirut, January 16 (RHC)-- At least four people have been killed and over 30 others injured in a car bomb explosion in Lebanon’s northeastern town of Hermel. The bombing was carried out at the town’s main square in front of a state building on Thursday. According to medical sources, the number of casualties is likely to rise.... More


Baghdad, January 16 (RHC)-- Shocking photos have been published showing U.S. Marines burning bodies of dead Iraqis in Fallujah in 2004. According to the website TMZ.com, researchers obtained a total of 41 pictures from Fallujah. "Two pictures show a Marine appearing to pour gasoline or some other flammable on the remains of what officials believe are two insurgents. Two other photos show the bodies on fire. You then see charred remains.”... More


Gaza City, January 16 (RHC)-- Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip, injuring at least five people. According to Palestinian medical sources, four children and a woman were wounded during the airstrikes on Thursday.... More


Washington, January 16 (RHC)-- U.S. lawmakers are seeking to block President Barack Obama’s plan to shift control of the country’s drone campaign from the CIA to the Pentagon. Congress has moved to insert a secret provision in the $1.1 trillion government spending bill introduced this week that would preserve the spy agency’s role in lethal operations overseas. ... More


Kabul, January 16 (RHC)-- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has strongly condemned a U.S. airstrike, which has killed at least eight civilians in the northeastern region of Afghanistan. Karzai said on Wednesday that seven children and a woman were among the victims of the aerial attack in Parwan Province.... More


Washington, January 16 (RHC)-- In the U.S., members of the White House panel reviewing government surveillance have publicly rejected some of the National Security Agency’s key claims in justifying warrantless, mass spying. ... More


San Juan, January 16 (RHC)-- Teachers in Puerto Rico are on their second day of a two-day strike across the U.S.-territorial island in protest against cuts to their pensions. The two-day walkout was launched on the first day of classes after winter break on Tuesday against government cuts that educators said will force many workers into poverty.... More


Mexican Clashes Leave 12 Dead

Mexico City, January 15 (RHC)-– At least 12 people, including 9 civilians and 3 soldiers, have been killed in recent clashes between vigilante groups and government forces in Mexico’s western Michoacan state.... More


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