Thousands of people are on the streets of Egyptian capital Cairo for rival demonstrations ahead of a referendum on Saturday. The opposition wants President Mohammed Mursi to (scrap) the referendum on a new constitution, his supporters say it should go ahead. Jon Leyne reports from Cairo.

 

Once again, Egyptians have come out in force to the streets. It's been a show of strength by President Mursi's supporters and his (opponents). Despite heavy security, members of the opposition managed to leave away some of the concrete blocks protecting the presidential palace, allowing the protesters closer to the palace itself. But it's largely been peaceful and noisy. The president's supporters are calling for a yes vote in the referendum on the new constitution, his opponents want the actual vote postponed, something the government has refused to do.

 

Egypt's military chief has called for all sections of society to come together in a national (dialogue) at Cairo's Olympic stadium on Wedneday.

 

The United States has declared a militant Syiran rebel group a terrorist organization. The US says the al-Nusra front is another name for al-Qaeda operating in Iraq. Despite the group's attempts to portray itself as a legitimate part of the Syrian opposition. It's now (illegal) in the US to provide support to the al-Nusra front, significant parts of Syria's largest city of Alleppo are reported to be under the control of the al-Nusra front and other radical Islamist groups.

 

The Venezuelan Information Minister said the medical team treating President Hugo Chavez in Cuba is optimistic about the (success) of his latest cancer operation. In a statement, Ernesto Villegas asked Venezuelans to pray for their leader who has been prepared for the surgery later today. Earlier the president of Ecuador Rafael Correa said the Venezuelan president was already undergoing surgery.

 

The United Nations has condemned the arrest of Mali's prime minister by the armed forces and renewed a threat to impose targeted sanctions. France and the United states have also denounced the forced resignation of the Prime Minister, Cheick Modibo Diarra. Unlike the military, Mr Diarra was in favor of the deploying a West African (intervention) force to try to drive out separatists and the Islamists who seized control of the north. Babara Plett reports from the UN in New York.

 

The Security Council condemned the arrest of the Mali's prime minister and said it was ready to consider targeted sanctions against those who prevent the restoration of constitutional order. The Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said this troubling development underscored the importance of the political track as part of the overall solution to the (turmoil) in Mali. Mr Ban has cautiously recommended that the Security Council approved an African military operation to help Mali's army retake the north of the country from Islamist militants. But he and several council members have stressed the importance of first restoring stability in the south.

 

BBC News

 

British officials have said that efforts to revive stalled international talks about Iran's nuclear program will resume shortly. A spokesman for the British foreign office said the European Union's foreign policy (chief) Catherine Ashton would contact the Iranians within days. The BBC diplomatic correspondent says there is a narrow window of opportunity now that the US elections are over.

 

The head of the government in the Cayman Islands McKeeva Bush has been arrested on suspicion of corruption. A police spokeswoman in the British overseas territory, best known as a tax haven, said Mr Bush would remain in his (post )for the time being. Karen Zarindast reports.

 

The prime minister who's also the minister of finance, tourism and developments is being questioned in police custody. The police say he was (arrested) on suspicion of theft in connection with financial irregularities relating to misuse of a government credit card, he has not been charged. In a statement the British foreign office said it was confident the commissioner of police would ensure that full, fair and robust investigation was carried out and that the commissioner had the British government support in doing so.

 

The death has been announced in Moscow of Galina Vishnevskaya, the opera singer and widow of the celebrated cellist and conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich. She was 86. The soprano won fame in Soviet times when she performed in the Bolshoi Theatre.

 

The first African edition of the famous board game Monopoly has been launched in Nigeria's biggest city Lagos, and the most expensive property the equivalent of London's Mayfair is Banana Island in Lagos. Makoko, a slum built on stilts in the Lagoon is the (cheapest). The chance card includes penalty such as: For attempting to bribe a law enforcement agent, pay a fine, and You've been caught driving against traffic, report for a psychiatric evaluation. Monopoly was created in America in 1903. BBC news.