United Nations, May 18 (RHC)—United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Friday that the recent terrorist attacks in Syria were carefully planned and perpetrated by “some well organized group that has clear intentions.”

Washington, May 18 (RHC)—US Republican senators blocked a draft legislation stipulating economic sanctions on Iran as they urged the White House to resort to a military attack if Tehran refuses to stop its nuclear program.

Damascus, May 18 (RHC)-- Syrian Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Mohammad al-Shaar says that Damascus has achieved a number of important victories in the pursuit of armed terrorist groups.

Brussels, May 18 (RHC)-- The European Commission and the European Central Bank are working on scenarios in case Greece has to leave the Euro zone, according to EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht.  It is the first time that an EU official has acknowledged the existence of contingency plans being drawn up in case Greece has to drop out of the currency bloc.

Mexico City, May 18 (RHC) -- Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the candidate of Mexico’s left-leaning coalition, enjoys great popularity among voters at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, according to a mock election held among students and employees of that institution.

Frankfurt, May 18 (RHC)-- German police say they detained 150 demonstrators in Frankfurt on Thursday for defying a ban on their protest against austerity policies implemented to tackle the Euro zone debt crisis.

Caracas, May 18 (PL-RHC) -- A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela said the 3rd South American Energy Council met Friday in Caracas to advance regional security in the area.

La Paz, May 18 (RHC) – The Deputy of Bolivia’s ruling Movement Toward Socialism, Jorge Medina, said a day of demonstrations against racism and all forms of discrimination was called for May 24th in La Paz and other cities in the Andean nations.

Kabul, May 18 (RHC)-- Two NATO soldiers were killed and six others wounded in a rocket attack on their base in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, according to Afghan officials and NATO occupation forces.

La Paz, Mayo 18 (RHC) -- The representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Bolivia, Wolfgang Friedl, said the Andean nation has made obvious progress in policies on health, nutrition and education that benefit children.

Mexico City, May 18 (PL-RHC) -- Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai, has confirmed Mexico as a leader in world tourism. The official made this remark during the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of Tourism of the G-20, held on May 15 and 16 in Mérida, in Mexico’s Yucatan state.

Ramallah, May 18 (RHC)-- Leaders of the Palestinian organizations Hamas and Fatah will meet next week in Egypt to resume reconciliation talks and begin the formation of a unity government.  The deputy head of political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, Moussa Abu Marzouq, said the meeting in Cairo will focus on upcoming elections.

Luanda, May 18 (PL-RHC) -- Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez placed a wreath in the monument to Agostinho Neto (1922-1979) at the Independence Park, as homage to the founder of Angola.

Washington, May 18 (RHC)-- The G-8 Summit began today at Camp David, Maryland -- just an hour outside of Washington, DC -- with representatives of the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Canada and Russia.

Brasilia, May 18 (Xinhua-RHC) -- An oil spill was spotted off Brazil’s coast on Thursday but the size of the leak remains unknown, according to local news sources.