From Washington, this is VOA News.
Egypt concludes its (referendum) on a new draft constitution. And in India, another day of protests. I'm Marti Johnson reporting from Washington.
Egypt's opposition coalition of liberal groups says it will challenge the outcome of a referendum on an Islamist-backed constitution that appears to have won majority approval. And the vote is said to have been marred by low turnout and accusations of (widespread fraud). Speaking today, members of the opposition National Salvation Front said they plan to file complaints about voting irregularities with the official referendum results announced likely on Monday. The two-stage process ended Saturday with voting in 17 of Egypt's 27 provinces. It began with voting in the 10 other provinces last week. The Muslim Brotherhood movement of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi said Sunday that unofficial results show the constitution won 64% of approval over the two rounds of voting. It said yesterday's “Yes” vote was even higher, at 71%. The Islamist group has (accurately) predicted the outcomes of (previous) elections. The Brotherhood also said the referendum's combined voter turnout was 32%, a figure cited by the opposition activists. Turnout again was light in some places and heavy in others, as Edward Yeranian reports for VOA from Cairo.
Despite a (boycott), over 7,000 judges agreed to supervise the vote. At a men's polling station in Giza's Dokki neighborhood, Judge Mohamed Fahmy told VOA that he had agreed to oversee voting. He says that holding the vote is very important for the country and that the situation requires that everyone cooperate. At another polling station in one of Egypt's outlying provinces, a woman complained that a judge had prevented those opposed to the constitution from voting. There were (numerous irregularities) reported in the first round as well, although Egypt's Justice Minister agreed to investigate. Edward Yeranian for VOA News,Cairo.
South Korea has allowed a Christian group to light a (massive) steel Christmas tree tower near the country's border with North Korea. The holiday display is thought to be in response to North Korea's recent launch of a long-range rocket that South Korea and the U.S. say was a test of (banned) missile technology. The lighted structure was decorated by church groups and will be on display until early January.
South Korea is asserting, based on debris from North Korea's rocket launch earlier this month, that the reclusive state has significantly advanced its (ballistic) missile technology. VOA correspondent Steve Herman reports from Seoul.
As the United Nations Security Council prepares to decide on further sanctions against Pyongyang, military officials in Seoul are releasing details about the technology used in North Korea's December 12th launch in defiance of existing U.N. sanctions. The Ministry of National Defense says it has retrieved several pieces of the rocket's first stage in the Yellow Sea. Its officials say initial analysis leaves little doubt North Korea conducted a test of (intercontinental) ballistic missile technology. Steve Herman, VOA News, Seoul.
Police in India's capital again today used tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators demanding speedy action against the six (detainees) accused of gang rape and beating in the case of a 16-year-old female student. Sonia Gandhi, chief of the ruling Congress party, emerged from her home twice today to talk with protesters. Police say they had banned protests in the area of New Delhi, where the protesters have been staging massive demonstrations about the rape. Tajinder Luthtra is the Joint Commissioner of Police in New Delhi's Northern Range.
"We are expecting a bigger crowd and Jantar Mantar cannot accommodate that kind of crowd. Therefore, we have assisted the venue of (demonstration) to Ramlilia Maidan. And we are requesting all of them to move to Ramlilia Maidan."
On Saturday, thousands of protesters marched to New Delhi, shouting “we want justice” as police struggled to control the crowd. Many of the protesters are demanding the death (penalty) for the six men accused.
Pakistani officials say a suicide blast has killed nine people, including a top provincial minister, at a political rally held by a party that opposes the Taliban. The bomber struck Saturday at a meeting of the Awami National Party in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Among those killed was Bashir Ahmed Bilour, number two to the Chief Minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, also a senior police officer. About 20 people were (wounded). The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, has been known to target members of the Awami National Party.
And the head of Venezuela's National Assembly says he will not call for a new election if President Hugo Chavez is unable to be sworn in on January 10th as (mandated) by law.
I'm Marti Johnson, VOA News Washington. More news at voanews.com