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Nearly two-thirds of voters in an Egyptian referendum have supported a proposed new constitution, the election commission has announced.

In all, 63.8% of voters cast Yes ballots in two stages, on 15 and 22 December. The commission announced the result live on state-run Nile News TV.

Parliamentary elections must now take place within two months.

Critics say the document, which has triggered mass protests, betrays the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

He was ousted from power in February 2011 after nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule.

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Syria rebels storm strategic border town.

Gulf Arabs decry Iran "interference", Syria killings.

Syria rebels kill military intelligence chief.

Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians.

Iran media report new cyberattack by Stuxnet worm. Iranian industrial sites hit by computer virus.

Israel to build 942 more homes in east Jerusalem.

Turkey lifts objection to Israel-NATO cooperation.

Group says Gaza Palestinians violated laws of war.

Gunmen in Yemen kill 2 army officers in capital; clashes elsewhere kill 3 troops, 11 tribesmen.

Iran set to unveil new domestic satellite.

Israel endorses first university in West Bank.

Baghdad Christians attend mass at attacked church.


Sony says China business has recovered, foresees growth.

China cracks down on child-trafficking gangs.

Kazakh military plane crashes, all 27 on board killed.

India clamps down on gang rape protests, PM appeals for calm.

Pakistan resume India cricket tour in Bangalore.

Top Philippine communist rebel arrested: army.

Taiwan and China move closer to peace accord?

Two die as passenger jet lands in Myanmar rice field.

What wealthy Chinese want for Christmas: a bike.


Darfur battle leaves rebels in rare 'control' over town.

12 killed in attacks on two churches in Nigeria.

Egypt approves new constitution drafted by Mursi allies. Egyptians fret over economy after rancorous vote on constitution.

CAR rebels seize central town, defying foreign troops.

Central Africa rebels and govt. edge closer to talks.

Ship crew held for 1,000 days rescued off coast of Yemen.

U.N. says South Sudan threatens its peacekeeping mission.

Mali: Poorer by the day.

Nelson Mandela looking much better, says Jacob Zuma after Christmas visit.


Pope's Christmas message focuses on Mideast, China.

Archbishop of Canterbury says Anglican church wounded, not dead.

Portugal to hold fire-sale of state assets.

Cold war: Bitter winter weather kills hundreds in eastern Europe, Russia.

Russian ruling party official shot dead in Caucasus.

Greece not doing enough against rich tax dodgers, say EU/IMF.

Car-bomb threat sparks megabrothel evacuation in Spain.

Catholic Church urges Irish to oppose abortion law.

Queen delivers 1st Christmas message in 3D. Queen's Christmas message hails Olympic stars.


Winter storms, tornado threats for Christmas in US.

Deportations of illegal immigrants in 2012 reach new US record.

Down to the fiscal cliff wire, with no solution in sight.

Poverty and fear of gangs drive young immigrants to U.S..

Officials push to postpone swearing-in of Chávez. Venezuelans debate missed Chavez inauguration.

2013 will be the year of final victory: Colombia defense minister.

George H.W. Bush, 88, spends Christmas in the hospital as he continues to struggle with cough and weakness.


US drone strikes kill Jordanian, Yemeni AQAP operatives.

U.S. Army to train Africa forces in anti-terror.

When U.S. drones kill civilians, Yemen’s government tries to conceal it.


U.S. businesses warn of 'coast wide port shutdown' as union strike looms, appeal for Obama intervention.

Mundie, one of Gates' successors, to retire from Microsoft.

Instagram hit with class action lawsuit.

Is this the new BlackBerry? Newly leaked images show what may be the next generation of the device - with the same keyboard design.

Charter drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Morsi wins 63.8 percent of votes in two-round referendum.

Egypt's new constitution, drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Morsi, has been approved by 63.8 percent of voters in a two-round referendum, the country's top election committee has announced.

The result on Tuesday, which followed votes held on December 15 and on December 22, matched an earlier unofficial tally given by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.

"We have seriously investigated all the complaints," Samir Abu al-Matti, of the Supreme Election Committee, told a news conference. The final official turnout was 32.9 percent of the country's 52 million eligible voters.

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Egypt's new constitution approved in referendum -- The Guardian
Egypt approves new constitution drafted by Mursi allies -- Reuters
Egyptian voters back new constitution in referendum -- BBC
Egypt adopts constitution with 64% of votes -- AFP
Egypt's constitution passes -- CNN
New Constitution Approved by 60% of Egyptians - Results -- RIA Novosti
Even in a power base of Egypt's Islamists, rumblings of discontent are heard -- FOX News/AP

My Comment: Only a third of the country's eligible voters voted .... not a singing endorsement in my book. But .... regardless of the low turnout .... this new constitution is now the law of the land in Egypt.

As disastrous civil war continues to ravage Syria, Christian communities across the country gathered to attend Christmas masses and pray for peace in the strife-torn land after almost two years of violence.

"I pray that peace and safety returns to the hearts of all Syrians," Heba Shawi, a Catholic attending mass at Notre Dame church in the Damascus district of Qusur told AFP. "I hope the smiles come back to children's faces."

Bishop Joseph al-Absi, who led the mass at the Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral in Damsacus, prayed for peace in Syria, asking God to protect the country and it leadership, according to SANA news agency.

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Celebrating Christmas in Syria -- Euronews
Syrian Christians 'pray for peace' -- AFP
Syria crisis: Low-key Christmas for Christians -- BBC
No peace nor good will at Christmas in Syria, says UN envoy after talks with Assad -- Al Bawaba
Syria's Christians under threat -- AP
New patriarch urges peace – Syria Islamists warn Christians -- Kuwait Times
Syria: Christians rustle up some Christmas cheer -- Euronews
Christians in Syria mark bitter Christmas -- Hurriyet News
Difficult Christmas for Syria's Christians -- Christian Today
No Christmas in Rebel-Held Northern Syria -- Antiwar.com
In Christmas address, pope decries slaughter in Syria -- USA Today
Pope decries slaughter of 'deeply wounded' Syrians -- CBC/AP

Peralta case an example of modern methods interfering with witness accounts, vets say.

When it comes to the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for battlefield bravery, the standard has long been the same: Two eyewitnesses.

San Diego Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta had seven.

His nomination, though, was rejected earlier this month by the Pentagon for the second time in four years, raising questions about whether modern sensibilities — CSI meets G.I. Joe — will forever alter how combat heroes are evaluated and rewarded.

On one hand are the witnesses, who reported seeing Peralta, already on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head, pull a live grenade to his body and shield his squad mates from the blast during combat with insurgents in Fallujah.

On the other hand are forensic experts who doubt whether he could have consciously smothered the grenade and say the evidence shows it exploded next to his body, not under.

The two sides can’t both be right.

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My Comment: So .... a pathologist is the one who now decides who gets the Medal of Honor .... not the witnesses who saw the action that would merit this recognition.

(Reuters) - With only a week left before a deadline for the United States to go over a "fiscal cliff," lawmakers played a waiting game on Monday in the hope that someone will produce a plan to avoid harsh budget cuts and higher taxes for most Americans from New Year's Day.

Though Republicans and Democrats have spent the better part of a year describing a plunge off the cliff as a looming catastrophe, the nation's capital showed no outward signs of worry, let alone impending calamity.

The White House has set up shop in Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is vacationing.

The Capitol was deserted and the Treasury Department - which would have to do a lot of last-minute number-crunching with or without a deal - was closed.

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My Comment: If there is a time for Presidential leadership and the ability to make different parties agree to a deal .... this is it. But Ed Rogers (Washington Post) is probably right .... it is not going to happen with this President.

What do I expect .... a short term solution that will buy some time .... followed by the same policies and actions that got us into this mess in the first place. But in the event that the U.S. does go off the cliff .... expect short term financial chaos, massive cuts in the Pentagon, higher taxes, and a President who will then rush in and propose a plan that everyone will quickly agree to .... but .... it will again be the same policies and actions that got us into this mess in the first place.

Charles Durning, who overcame poverty, battlefield trauma and nagging self-doubt to become an acclaimed character actor, whether on stage as Big Daddy in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” or in film as the lonely widower smitten with a cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie,” died Monday in New York. He was 89. He died of natural causes, The Associated Press reported, citing Judith Moss, his agent and friend.

Charles Durning may not have been a household name, but with his pugnacious features and imposing bulk he was a familiar presence in American movies, television and theater, even if often overshadowed by the headliners.

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My Comment: His life experience from childhood to World War II to Hollywood is truly remarkable. We remember him from his many appearances on film and TV, but it is his war experiences that should awe us. Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, and to his many fans.

U.S. troops in Afghanistan, away from their families and thousands of miles from home, were celebrating Christmas in their own way Tuesday with carols, candles and the company of each other.

Soldiers from the U.S., France and Germany packed a dining hall at the Kabul International Airport for a traditional Christmas meal. As the turkey was carved, they shared thoughts of their families.

"I wish I could be home with my family and friends, but, I mean, I am surrounded by nothing but awesome people, so it is good," U.S. soldier Vanessa Gann said.

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American troops take a break from the frontline to share in the holiday spirit over Christmas Eve dinner in Afghanistan -- Daily Mail
Troops downrange 'go with the flow' but think of home on Christmas -- Stars and Stripes
Troops in Afghanistan Find Cheer With a Yule Logon -- New York Times
A Christmas treat for our troops: 9,000 servicemen and women celebrate the day with turkey and a 5k fun run -- Daily Mail
In Afghanistan, a hard holiday season for U.S. troops -- Delaware Online
British troops in Afghanistan celebrate with turkey lunch -- BBC
Turkey and trimmings flown in for UK troops in Afghanistan -- BBC
Christmas wishes from Alabama's soldiers in Afghanistan -- al.com
With their loved ones in Afghanistan, families soldier on for Christmas -- Nola.com