Cairo, May 23 (RHC)-- Egyptians are casting their ballots today in the first presidential elections since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.  Nearly 50 million eligible voters lined up at polling stations across the North African nation on Wednesday, amid tight security.

Paris, May 23 (RHC)-- Candidates from the French Socialist Party of President Francois Hollande are leading in the voting intentions for the first round of French legislative elections in June, according to a survey released today in Paris.

Damascus, May 23 (RHC)-- Syrian authorities have reported deaths and injuries after two explosive devices blew up near a bus carrying police and military officers on Wednesday.  The SANA news agency did not specify how many people were killed or wounded.

Tehran, May 23 (RHC)-- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says that Islam forbids atomic weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, reiterating that his country is not trying to acquire such weaponry.  He said that the production and use of nuclear arms is contrary to religious teachings "and have no place in the Islamic Republic of Iran's defence doctrine."

Tokyo, May 23 (RHC)-- The ratings agency Fitch on Tuesday lowered its assessment of Japan’s sovereign credit to "A+" -- an investment grade just above those of Spain and Italy -- and criticized Tokyo for not doing more to pare down its burgeoning debt.

Caracas, May 23 (RHC) -- Local TV channels showed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday as he hosted a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Nestor Kirchner Hall, in the Miraflores Government Palace.

Islamabad, May 23 (RHC)-- At least four people have been killed in a U.S. drone strike in northwestern Pakistan.  U.S. officials say the attack targeted militants.  It is unclear if any civilians were killed.

Quito, May 23 (PL-RHC) -- Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa described the United States denial of visa to a minister from his government to attend a UN forum as abusive, and made a call to reflect about the location of the international body’s headquarters.

La Paz, May 23 (RHC) -- The Government and the Confederation of Bolivian Workers agreed to develop a bill to make employers comply with the standards for workers' benefits, announced minister of Labor, Daniel Santalla.

La Paz, May 23 (RHC) -- The president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, will deliver over 13,000 land titles to farmers of the Department of Chuquisaca, on the occasion  of the celebrations for the anniversary of the independence of this region, on May 25th.

Caracas, May 23 (RHC) -- Venezuela celebrates the 13th anniversary of the radio and television program Alo Presidente, considered the first of its kind in Latin America, for the head of state to act as a moderator to communicate live with citizens.

United Nations, May 23 (PL-RHC) -- Brazil called to turn the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (RIo+20) into a “fiesta of multilateralism as a legitimate way to discuss and solve global issues” at the United Nations.

Montreal, May 23 (RHC)-- Tens of thousands filled the streets of Montreal on Tuesday in the largest protest to date in Quebec’s student strike.  The protests have swelled in recent days after the Quebec provincial government approved an emergency law requiring demonstrators to inform police of any protest route involving 50 or more people.

Cairo, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Egyptians went to polls on Wednesday morning to elect a new president after the fall of ex-President Hosni Mubarak last year.

Sanaa, May 23, (RHC), -- A Jewish community leader in Yemen was stabbed to death at a Sanaa market on Tuesday by a Muslim assailant who accused him of witchcraft.