Official results from the Egyptian constitution (referendum) are expected soon. An American adviser is shot and killed in Afghanistan. I’m David Deforest reporting from Washington.
The official results of Egypt’s two-stage referendum on a new Islamist-backed constitution could be announced as early as today. Election officials have been tallying votes from Saturday’s second round of voting. Opposition National Salvation Front says it is asking officials to investigate (irregularities). For more on this story, visit our website voanews.com.
Afghan and NATO officials say a female Afghan police officer has killed an American civilian advisor in the capital. Officials say the policewoman killed the U.S. adviser today inside Kabul’s police headquarters. Media reports say the suspect is a policewoman named Nargis who works for the (Interior) Ministry. Here is ISAF spokesman Brigadier General John Medower.
"The perpetrator is in custody of the Afghan authorities. She was dressed as a member of the Afghan uniform police, although her (affiliation) with the police is not known at this point of time."
Officials say the shooting is another insider attack. Meanwhile, NATO says a (coalition) service member was killed in an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan. To the north, officials say an Afghan police officer shot five of his colleagues at a checkpoint in Jawzjan province.
Indian officials closed roads and metro stations today in central New Delhi, in an effort to put an end to demonstrations against the gang rape and beating last week of a 23-year-old female student. Police (barricaded) the roads leading to India Gate, a hub of the protests.
Russia and India have signed defense agreements worth billions of dollars. Indian agreed to buy 71 military (helicopters) and kits to build 42 fighter jets. The deals were struck during a visit to New Delhi today by Russian President Vladimir Putin. We get more from Anjana Pasricha.
As Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Russia a key partner to (modernize) India’s armed forces, New Delhi agreed to buy 71 military helicopters worth $1.3 billion, and kits to assemble 42 Sukhoi fighter jets worth $1.6 billion. The deals were signed during the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on Monday. Prime Minister Singh on Monday called President Putin a valued friend.
"This relationship has a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of India."
The Russian leader said he wants to double (bilateral) trade with India to $20 billion from $10 billion at present. Anjana Pasricha, New Delhi.
International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus today to discuss a possible way to end the 21-month-long civil war. The U.N.-Arab League envoy arrived in the Syrian capital from (neighboring) Lebanon. Opposition activists say more than 60 people were killed Sunday in a government airstrike on a bakery. That attack occurred in the rebel-controlled town of Halfaya in Hama province. Activists also reported government (airstrikes) in Aleppo province and on the outskirts of Damascus.
The head of the National Rifle Association says his group (opposes) any new law restricting the rights to own guns. Wayne LaPierre told NBC television’s Meet The Press Sunday that a gun is a tool and that the problem with gun violence in the United States is the criminal.
Islamist militants are tearing down more ancient mausoleums in the northern Malian city of Timbuktu. Witnesses and tourism officials say rebels from the Ansar Dine group began destroying the mausoleums Sunday with pickaxes. The sites are revered by many (Muslims) but Ansar Dine considers them sacrilegious.
The Philippines now has a law that bans abductions carried out by government forces, a practice known as enforced disappearances. Under the new law, anyone convicted of enforced disappearances can be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Venezuela Vice President Nicolas Maduro has reassured the nation that ailing President Hugo Chavez is recovering from cancer surgery. While touring a (pediatric) hospital in the capital, Caracas, Sunday, he told reporters Mr. Chavez’s health is improving.
Chinese officials say 11 children were killed when a van carrying them plunged into a pond in eastern China.
Asia Pacific stock markets closed (mixed) today.
I’m David Deforest, more news at voanews.com.