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.

Damascus, May 23, (RHC), -- At least five people have been killed in the latest bomb attack in the Syrian capital, Damascus on Monday, as violence continues to escalate in the Arab country.

Caracas, May 22 (RHC) -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said he is "better each day" after the last session of radiation therapy he received in Cuba to fight cancer. "I feel good after this past week, recovering day by day, night after night from the effects of radiation treatment," Chavez said through a telephone call to Venezuelan state television.

Chicago, May 22 (RHC)-- NATO leaders have approved a deal for a military transition in Afghanistan that would supposedly hand control to Afghan forces next year.  Under the agreement, NATO would withdraw its combat troops by 2014, but leave thousands behind in a training and advisory role.

Caracas, May 22 (RHC) -- Former Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba said that there is a “destabilizing situation” on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, which she attributes to “a defense strategy” of the country’s former President Alvaro Uribe, who she said feels “visceral hatred” toward Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Cordoba said, “For me, the situation on the border is a defense strategy that Uribe is using to make people believe that he is defending us from a dictator. What has happened in recent days is extremely serious.”