Damascus, July 12 (RHC)-- Syrian troops fired mortars into an area about five kilometers southeast of Damascus, moving in hundreds of troops behind tanks to raid opposition positions and flush out rebels.

Caracas, July 12 (RHC) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez heads a caravan and rally in the state of Anzoátegui on Thursday, in the context of his re-election campaign in the October 7^thgeneral vote.

Mexico City, July 12 (RHC) -- Mexico’s left coalition Progressive Movement presented Thursday an appeal challenging the results of the July 1^stpresidential elections, after denouncing alleged irregularities including vote buying that helped candidate Enrique Peña Nieto to claim victory in the vote.

Quito, July 12 (RHC) -- Haitian President Michel Martelly completed a two-day visit to Ecuador on Thursday, where he received expressions of solidarity from the government of Rafael Correa, reflected in new agreements signed between the two countries.

Asuncion, July 12 (RHC) -- The Supreme Court of Paraguay has accepted an appeal on the unconstitutional ouster of President Fernando Lugo, which requests the annulment of the impeachment proceedings held by Congress.

Madrid, July 12 (RHC)-- Thousands of people marched in Spain’s capital of Madrid on Wednesday after the government unveiled a new round of spending cuts and tax hikes to obtain a rescue of the country’s banks.

Buenos Aires, July 12 (Xinhua-RHC) -- Argentina has called on all the political and civil parties in Syria to stop violence as required in Kofi Annan’s six-point peace plan.

Panama City, July 12 (RHC) -- The leader of the National Association of Health Professionals and Technicians of Panama, Alvaro Lozano, warned that if the government does not respond to demands made by the sector’s unions, they will go out on strike.

Kabul, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai repeated his offer for talks with Taliban on Thursday and once again called upon the armed outfit to give up fighting, join the peace process and helps rebuild their country.

Damascus, July 12, (RHC), -- Several strong explosions were heard in areas of Dareya locality, about five kilometres southeast of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Thursday, Prensa Latina reported.

Islamabad, July 12, (RHC), -- Eight Pakistani police officers have been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the city of Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab, authorities informed.