Africa
Egypt referendum proceeds in foreign embassies
Egypt’s referendum on a controversial draft constitution has begun in embassies abroad, days before the vote is due to take place at home. However, with many judges refusing to oversee the process, it is unclear whether the vote will take place on one day or continue the next week. The opposition has called for the entire referendum to be scrapped amid concerns that it entrenches Islamic law. The armed forces chief has announced plans for unity talks on Wednesday in an attempt to end the political crisis. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Cairo yesterday in rallies both for and against the proposed constitution, which is backed by President Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood party. The streets are reportedly calmer today, though army tanks remain outside the presidential palace.
Django Sissoko named Mali prime minister
Malian interim President Diouncounda Traore has appointed a new Prime Minister, less than 24 hours after his predecessor was forced to resign by the military. Django Sissoko, an official in the presidency, has been named to succeed Cheick Modibo Diarra, who has been under arrest since his resignation. The appointment was announced on state television. The role of the military in the forced resignation of Mr Diarra has been condemned by the UN and many countries. Capt Amadou Sanogo, who led March’s military coup in the country, said Mr Diarra had not been forced to quit and the military had only facilitated his resignation.
Asia
North Korea defies international warnings to successfully launch rocket
North Korea has successfully launched a long-range rocket in defiance of warnings from the international community. The rocket, launched at 0949 local time (0049 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas. North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object has been put into space. South Korea, the US and Japan have condemned the launch as a disguised test of long-range missile technology. North Korean ballistic missile tests were banned by a UN resolution passed in June 2009 after the country’s second nuclear test. Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Reports suggest this could take place later today.
Middle East
‘Alawite civilians killed’ in Syria village
A large number of civilians – up to 300, according to unconfirmed reports by opposition activists – from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect are reported to have been killed or hurt in Aqrab, a village in Hama province. Opposition activists said pro-government militiamen besieged by rebels had blown up a building in the village where they had been holding the civilians hostage, and that it had then been bombed by warplanes. There has been no word so far from the Syrian government or state media.
Europe
Greek buyback puts debt at 34% its value
Greece has managed to buy back some of its debt, but has not succeeded in reducing its total debt by as much as its bankers had hoped. Holders of Greek debt agreed to sell €31.9bn of bonds back to the country at 33.8% of their face value, according to Greece’s debt management agency. After €11bn is spent on the purchase, the country will be writing off about €20bn of debt. The buyback was a condition of Greece getting more of its bailout funds.
North America
US recognises Syria opposition coalition
President Barack Obama has said the US now formally recognises Syria’s main opposition coalition as “the legitimate representative” of the Syrian people. President Obama told ABC News that the National Coalition was now inclusive, reflective and representative enough for Washington to take this “big step”. The UK, France, Turkey and various Gulf states have already given their recognition to the group, which was formed last month. Few other countries have recognised it as legitimate. Russia said the US had decided to place all its bets on the coalition achieving an “armed victory”.
Latin America
Uruguay gay marriage bill passes lower house
Uruguay has moved closer to legalising gay marriage after the lower house of Congress approved a law making all marriages equal. The measure, which was passed by a wide margin, now goes to the Senate where it is expected to be approved due to the majority held by President Jose Mujica’s governing coalition. It would make Uruguay the second Latin American country after Argentina to allow gay marriages. “This is not a homosexual or gay marriage law,” said Julio Bango, one of the bill’s authors. “It is a measure to equalise the institution independent of the sex of the couple.”
UN launches appeal to fight Haiti cholera epidemic as death toll nears 8,000
The United Nations is launching a $2bn appeal to fight a cholera epidemic in Haiti that has killed almost 8,000 people. It is currently the worst outbreak in the world, and there is growing evidence that the disease was introduced to the country two years ago by UN peacekeepers. UN officials have refused to answer questions about the outbreak, but one of the UN’s own experts said it was “most likely” the epidemic started at a UN base. The base, which housed peacekeepers from Nepal where cholera is endemic, had leaking sewage pipes, which contaminated a river system. Lawyers for thousands of Haitian victims have demanded billions in compensation and have threatened to take the case to court. The UN wants funds for emergency cholera treatment and for clean water supply systems and sewage plants.
Eurasia
Putin warns of foreign meddling in Russian politics
In an annual state-of-the-nation address in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested some opposition politicians are in the pay of foreign interests. The strongly patriotic address also spoke of the need to preserve Russian national identity, highlighted the absence of a monument commemorating the Russian casualties of World War I and urged more births, saying a family with three children should be the norm. It is his first such speech since being re-elected in March for a third term in office, following a winter of political protests over ballot-rigging and state corruption. Opposition leaders are currently in dispute with Moscow city authorities over plans for a protest march on Saturday.
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