Asunción, June 22 (RHC)  Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo was removed from office by the country´s parliament in a flash move described as disruption of democracy in the country. Lugo said democracy has been seriously wounded with his removal.

Havana, June 22 (ACN-RHC) -- The Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) requested the immediate expulsion from all ALBA nations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) -- considering its actions as contrary to the sovereignty and political stability of these countries.

Rio de Janeiro, June 22 (RHC) -- The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has called for a more equitable and sustainable development in the region, focused on reducing social inequality and environmental protection.

Buenos Aires, June 22 (PL-RHC) -- Leader of Argentina’s General Confederation of Workers (CGT), Hugo Moyano, announced Friday the suspension of a national strike of fuel truckers that began yesterday, which had been described by the government as irrational and unjustified.

Cairo, June 22 (RHC)-- Protests are continuing in Egypt following the announcement that presidential elections will have to be held again in more than 100 districts.

Damascus, June 22 (RHC)-- Armed groups occupying some areas of the city of Homs, located in central Syria, shot at members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent delegations on Friday, while efforts were being made to evacuate civilians trapped by the violence.

Kabul, June 22 (RHC)-- At least 26 people were killed during a 13-hour long siege of a lakeside hotel near the Afghan capital of Kabul.  Taliban militants armed with guns and rockets attacked the Spozhmai Hotel overnight, seizing dozens of hostages and reportedly killing at least 16 people.

Caracas, June 22 (Prensa Latina) -- Venezuelan Petroleum and Mining Minister Rafael Ramirez said the country will increase oil production in the Orinoco Oil Strip to four million barrels a day by 2019.

London, June 22 (RHC)-- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains holed up inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London after seeking refuge in a last-ditch bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning on allegations of sexual assault.

New York, June 22 (RHC)-- The credit agency Moody’s has downgraded the credit ratings of 15 of the world’s biggest banks, saying all are at risk of major losses.

Washington, June 22 (RHC)-- Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign is holding a gathering this weekend for its top financial backers.  Around 300 donors who have given at least $50,000 will convene in Park City, Utah, for two days of meetings with Romney and his top aides.

Washington, June 22 (RHC)-- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled a law aimed at reducing sentencing disparities between users of crack cocaine and powdered cocaine should apply to those whose cases were pending when the law took effect.

Quito, June 22, (RHC), -- Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has said that his government is carefully considering the plea for political asylum made by Julian Assange, founder of the whistleblower website Wikileaks.

Kabul, June 22, (RHC), -- 23 people were killed in a Taliban militants' attack on a hotel in the Afghan capital of Kabul, the Afghan Interior Ministry said in a Friday statement.

Baghdad, June 22, (RHC), -- A spate of violent attacks across Iraq on Friday has left at least nine people dead and more than 50 others injured, according to security officials.