Africa
Egypt set to declare result of constitution referendum
Egypt is due to announce the official results of a referendum on a controversial draft constitution. Early unofficial results suggest more than 60% of voters said “yes” to the document, which is endorsed by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. The opposition, which says the constitution favours Islamists, is demanding an inquiry into alleged voting fraud. If the constitution passes, elections must take place within three months, with legislative powers passing to the Islamist-controlled upper chamber of the parliament in the meantime. Under the constitution, Islamic Sharia law would remain the main source of legislation, while Christianity and Judaism will be considered for laws affected Christians and Jews. Religious freedom is to be limited to these three religions. Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s leading authority, is to be consulted on “matters related to Sharia”. The president is limited to two four-year terms of office. The country’s deep polarisation is likely to continue if the constitution passes.
Timbuktu mausoleums ‘destroyed’
Islamist militants in Mali have begun destroying remaining mausoleums in the historic city of Timbuktu, an Islamist leader and a tourism official have said. “Not a single mausoleum will remain in Timbuktu”, said Abou Dardar, a leader of the Islamist group Ansar Dine, in an interview with AFP news agency. Islamists in control of northern Mali began to destroy shrines earlier this year because they consider them idolatrous. Timbuktu was a centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to 17th centuries; it is a UN World Heritage site with centuries-old shrines to Islamic saints that are revered by Sufi Muslims. The Salafist Muslims of Ansar Dine condemn the veneration of saints.
Rebels in Central African Republic capture Bambari
Rebels in the Central African Republic (CAR) have seized the key city of Bambari as part of their offensive against President Francois Bozize. The city, the country’s third-largest, fell into rebel hands after two hours of fighting with government forces, according to witnesses. Bambari is one of several towns recently taken by the rebels, and the nearest one to the capital of Bangui. The rebels accuse President Bozize of failing to honour a 2007 peace deal.
Somali troops ‘free’ 22 hostages held by pirates
Twenty-two hostages seized by pirates nearly three years ago have been freed, the authorities in Solamia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland say. They said their maritime force began the operation to free the hostages and their ship nearly two weeks ago. According to their statement, the hostages show signs of having suffered physical torture and illness. Successful pirate attacks off the Somali coast have decreased in the last two years due to increased use of private security guards on ships and better coordination between naval patrols in the area.
Asia
North Korean rocket ‘has 10,000km range’
South Korean officials say North Korea’s recent rocket tests indicate a range of more than 10,000km (6,200 miles). The estimate, which would potentially put the Western United States in range of North Korea, was based on an analysis of rocket debris. However, there was no confirmation that the North had the re-entry technology needed to deliver a missile. Experts also believe North Korea is years away from the ability to mount a nuclear bomb on a missile. North Korea launched the Unha-3 rocket on 12 December, in defiance of sanctions and international warnings.
Indian PM appeals for calm after rape protests in Delhi
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm in the capital, Delhi, following violent protests over the gang rape of a woman. More than 100 people were hurt in clashes at the weekend, with police saying at least 60 officers were injured. The rape, which happened on a bus in Delhi and left the woman in a critical condition, has caused outrage in India. Mr Singh said his government would “make all possible efforts to ensure security and safety to women”, and has tried to halt the rising anger by announcing a series of measures intended to make Delhi safer for women. Six people, including the bus driver, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Many of the protesters are demanding the death penalty for those found to be responsible.
Middle East
Government airstrike on Syrian bakery ‘kills dozens’
As many as 90 people have been killed and many wounded in a government airstrike on a bakery in Syria’s central Hama province, according to opposition activists. The bakery was in the town of Halfaya, which has been recently captured by rebels. If activists’ reports of 90 deaths are confirmed, this would be one of the deadliest airstrikes of Syria’s civil war. Syrian state television blamed an “armed terrorist group” for the attack, claiming the group had then filmed the incident to blame it on government troops. Syrian rebels have now been fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime for 21 months, with opposition groups saying more than 44,000 people have been killed.
Latin America
Seven police officers dead in western Mexico clashes
Gunmen have ambushed and shot dead seven policemen in two separate clashes in western Mexico, officials have said. The attackers opened fire as police responded to reports of a traffic accident in a rural area of Michoacan state, killing four officers. Three other policemen and a civilian were killed in another attack in the neighbouring state of Jalisco. It is unclear who was behind the killings, but the region is plagued by the drug-related violence that is a problem across much of Mexico. Some 60,000 people have died across the country since 2006, when Felipe Calderon’s government deployed the military against the drug gangs. Earlier this month, President Enrique Pena Nieto announced the creation of a new national force as part of continuing efforts to tackle crime and violence. President Pena Nieto said the new militarised force would initially be 10,000 strong.
Eurasia
Putin seeks to strengthen military ties with India
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India on a trip aimed at strengthening military and trade ties. President Putin and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are expected to sign a number of major arms deals. Moscow has been Delhi’s key weapons supplier for many years, but has lost several major deals to Western companies recently. Trade between Russia and India is currently worth about $10bn a year, but growth has slowed of late. President Putin has said he wants to increase bilateral trade to $20bn by 2015.
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