Caracas, March 5 (RHC) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has said that a surgical procedure last week successfully removed a second tumor found in his pelvic region, where another tumor was removed in June last year.

Moscow, March 5 (RHC)-- The president of Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC), Vladimir Churov, announced the preliminary results of the country's presidential election after 99 percent of the ballots were counted early on Monday.

Brasilia, March 5 (RHC) -- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff highlighted women’s indispensable and increasing role in society, as heads of families, workers and those responsible for the training and education of millions of children and young people.

Beijing, March 5 (RHC)-- China has congratulated Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on his victory in the presidential elections on Sunday, reaffirming Beijing's determination to further promote the strategic partnership between both countries.

Quito, March 5 (PL-RHC) -- Ecuadorian Policy Coordinator Minister Betty Tola reaffirmed that a march scheduled for next Thursday, March 8th, to celebrate International Women’s Day will be peaceful and asked opposition sectors to avoid the use of violence during the events.

Tehran, March 5 (RHC)-- In the parliamentary elections held in Iran, more than 64 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, with 75 percent of the candidates from the Principalist camp winning the seats in Iran’s legislature, according to unconfirmed results.  Over 48 million Iranian citizens were eligible to vote in the elections, 3.9 million of them for the first time.

Bogotá, March 5 (RHC) -- The III Summit of the member countries of the Pacific Alliance got underway Monday in Colombia, with the participation of the presidents of Peru, Mexico, Chile and Colombia and their respective ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Guatemala City, March 5 (RHC) -- Central American presidents will meet on Tuesday in Honduras to discuss strategies against drug trafficking, as announced by Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti.

Mexico City, March 5 (PL-RHC) -- In a wave of violence, at least 297 homicides linked to organized crime were reported in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, an average of five murders a day.

Homs, March 5 (RHC)-- Syrian authorities began on Sunday to remove debris left by armed terrorist groups in al-Amr Inshaat and Baba neighborhoods in the city of Homs.  Repair and maintenance crews started work on local roads and infrastructure services in Homs, while local officials cleared streets and accessed areas that had been cut-off for several weeks.

Aden, March 5 (RHC)-- Al-Qaida militants launched a surprise attack against army bases in southern Yemen, killing at least 100 soldiers, seizing weapons and parading a number of troops they had taken captive through the center of a town under their control.

Baghdad, March 5 (RHC)-- Dozens of Iraqi resistance fighters, some wearing army uniforms, killed at least 27 police officers in a wave of attacks on checkpoints and officers' homes across Haditha in western Iraq on Monday.

London, March 5 (RHC)-- The British economy still faces "serious challenges," with high levels of debt and unemployment.  According to the British Chamber of Commerce, economic growth in the UK this year will only be 0.6 percent.

Houston, March 5 (RHC)-- BP says it has reached a $7.8 billion deal with the largest group of plaintiffs suing the company over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill.  The agreement will benefit some 100,000 fishermen, local residents and clean-up workers whose livelihoods or health suffered.

ATHENS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A Greek small tanker ship sank on Monday near Piraeus port and Coast Guard rescuers retrieved the dead body of its captain a few hours later, local authorities said.