Beijing, March 12 (RHC)-- China has welcomed a Russian and Arab League joint plan for ending the deadly violence in Syria as "positive," and renewed its call for a "political settlement" to the conflict.

Tehran, March 12 (RHC)-- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday voiced Iran's all-out support for the Syrian government and nation.  Talking to IRNA, Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran believes that those countries which back instability and insecurity in Syria are responsible for exacerbating the critical situation in that country.

Damascus, March 12 (RHC)-- Media reports from Syria say that armed terrorist gangs have launched new attacks in the city of Homs, killing at least 57 people.  The SANA news agency and Syrian State TV reported that terrorists kidnapped a number of residents of Homs and then executed them.

Gaza City, March 12 (RHC)-- Israeli air strikes on Gaza have entered their fourth day, killing at least 21 Palestinians and injured 73 others.  Three Palestinians were reportedly killed overnight, including a 15-year-old boy.

Kabul, March 12 (RHC)-- Reports from Afghanistan say that several U.S. soldiers took part in a massacre of at least 17 civilians, including nine children.  Earlier reports said that one soldier was the shooter, but area residents and eyewitnesses say that as many as three U.S. troops were involved.

Cairo, March 12 (RHC)-- Egypt’s parliament has moved toward a vote to order an end to more than $1 billion in U.S. aid, a reflection of tensions with Washington over the case of Americans charged with illegal activity by their pro-democracy groups.

Tokyo, March 12 (RHC)-- Memorials were held around Japan and across the world Sunday to mark last year’s earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,0000 people and triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Kabul, March 12 (RHC)-- U.S. officials have confirmed they are investigating the Afghan Air Force for potential drug and weapons  trafficking.

Atlanta, March 12 (RHC)-- A new report has found the number of hate groups in the United States is continuing to rise.  The Southern Poverty Law Center found the number of groups organized against a particular racial, religious or other characteristic increased to 1,018 last year — up from 602 in the year 2000.

Damascus, March 12, (RHC), -- The Syrian government have blamed terrorist groups for the latest massacre in the central city of Homs, describing the killings as part of plans to increase international pressure on the Assad administration.

Paris, March 12, (PRESSTV), -- President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to pull France out of Europe's 25-nation visa free Schengen zone unless the EU hardens its immigration policy.

Gaza City, March 12 (RHC), -- Three Palestinian militants were killed Monday after a fresh round of Israeli retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Mogadishu, March 12, (RHC), -- At least 18 people have been killed in violent clashes between al-Shabab militants and Somali government forces in Mogadishu.

Kabul, March 12, (RHC), -- NATO has vowed to launch an investigation into a shooting incident by a U.S. soldier that killed 16 civilians dead, including women and children, in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Sunday.