Saturday, December 22, 2012

World News Briefs -- December 22, 2012



Egypt Votes On Divisive Draft Constitution -- Al Jazeera

Final round of voting is underway on the new Islamist-backed charter that critics claim is polarising the nation.

Polling stations opened in Egypt in the second and final round of a referendum on a new constitution that was drafted by an assembly dominated by Islamists and that the opposition says is polarising the nation.

After a first round vote last week, polls opened on Saturday in areas analysts expected would give another "yes" vote.

The vote is taking place in 17 of Egypt's 27 provinces with about 25 million eligible voters.

The vote comes a day after clashes between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian civil war at stalemate, Assad won't go: Russia.

Syria’s chemical weapons ‘safe for now’ - Moscow. Syria 'safeguarding chemical weapons'.

Breadlines and fuel shortages as winter grips Aleppo.

Turkey names sites for NATO Patriot missiles near Syria.

Iraq without key mediator as new crisis looms.

Tougher EU sanctions against Iran come into force.

Iran says seizes explosives on Pakistan border.

ASIA

N.Korea to launch more rockets - Kim Jong-un.

Taliban bomb kills nine including minister at Pakistan rally.

Afghan leader: Foreigners to blame for corruption.

Myanmar military chief says country needs nuclear program for medical, energy purposes.

Protesters clash with police over Delhi rape.

Taiwan condemned over executions.

Behind the story: TIME’s Emily Rauhala discusses South Korea’s first female President.

AFRICA

Live Updates: Hours left in final phase of Egypt's constitution vote.

Egypt extends voting on Islamist-drafted charter.

Egypt's vice president quits amid crisis.

Suicide bombers hit cellphone firms in north Nigeria.

S.Sudan must punish those who downed U.N. helicopter - Russia. Russia demands action over downed helicopter. S.Sudan Army says mistook UN chopper for rebel aircraft.

Rival Mali rebels agree to suspend fighting.

Cameroon army to take on machine-gun-toting elephant poachers.

Nelson Mandela responds to treatment, says President Zuma.

EUROPE

Merkel rival attacks Germany's soaring arms exports.

Adoption ban puts orphans at center of U.S.-Russia dispute.

Deadly cold snap sweeps across eastern Europe.

Amnesty: Greece verging on a humanitarian crisis.

EU to give Spain, France more time to cut deficits: report.

Pope pardons ex-butler who stole leaked documents.

GĂ©rard Depardieu's tax move to Belgium divides France.

World's richest lottery, 'El Gordo,' to pay out $3.3 billion in prizes in Spain.

AMERICAS

No deal on fiscal cliff as Obama goes on holiday.

Colombian negotiators say peace talks advancing as government, FARC rebels break for holidays.

More than 20,000 missing in Mexico in past 6 years.

Cuba lashes out against U.S. fines on foreign banks.

2 dead as supermarket looting spreads in Argentina.

David Cameron urges Falkland islanders to 'seize' referendum opportunity.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

FBI question Benghazi consulate attack suspect.

Tunisian government arrests al Qaeda cell tied to Ansar al Sharia.

Three men charged with supporting terror group Al-Shabaab.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Instagram outrage reveals a powerful but unaware Web community.

US judge OKs settlement in BP class action suit.

News Corporation says publishing arm lost $2.1bn.

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