President Mohammed Morsi of Egypt says the country has entered a new dawn and is moving
towards more stable and secure face. Appearing on state television following the approval
in the referendum of Egypt's new controversial constitution, President Morsi said that he
aimed to move the economy forward, recognizing opposition to the constitution, the Egyptian
president said this reflected a healthy and democratic society. From Cairo Bethany Bell.
President Morsi said this was a historic day. Egypt, he said, had a free constitution but hadn't
been imposed by an occupier, a king or a president. He said the country could now move forward to
a new stage of stability. Mr Morsi expected many people have said no to the constitution, but he
said that was a healthy sign, and he urged all parties to join him in a national dialogue.
The authorities in the United Arab Emirates say they have arrested members of what they described
as a terror cell. The state news agency said the arrests were made in coordination with the Saudi
Arabia authorities. The statement added that the cell had obtained equipment and was planning
attacks in both gulf states.
The former South African President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital nearly three
weeks after he was admitted for treatment for a lung infection. The South African president, he
said Mr Mandela who with 94 will now receive treatment at his home in Johannesburg.
France has deployed troops to protect its embassy in the Central African Republic after violent
protests accusing the former colonial power of failing to stop a rebel advance. Rebel seeking
to topple President Francois Bozize, have captured a string of towns in the north of the Central
African Republican in the north recent weeks, and some reports say they are closing in on the
capital. From neighboring Senegal, Thomas Fessy has this report.
About 30 French soldiers have been deployed around the French embassy in the capital
Bangui after it was directly targeted by protesters on Wednesday morning. Scores of
youths threw stones at the building and tore down the French flag. The protesters demanded
France intervene to stop the coalition of armed groups advancing on the capital. The small
group of people also have demonstrated in front of the US embassy. France has always maintained
the military presence in its former colony, but insists a solution to the crisis must be found
through dialogue between the government and the rebels.
A huge fire in Lagos, Nigeria biggest city has killed at least one person and injured 30 others.
The fire was caused by an explosion at a warehouse where fireworks were being stored.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes with local residents helping firefighters douse the flames
as fireworks continued to go off in the blazing building.
BBC World News
A female student who was raped in a brutal attack on a bus in the Indian capital is been
transferred to hospital in Singapore to continue her treatment. The attack in Dehli a week
and a half ago sparked angry public protests. The victim was last described as being a critical
condition. Six men have been arrested and two policemen suspended from duty.
A winter storm system has wreaked havoc in southern and central areas of the United States spawning
more than 30 tornados as well as the blizzards and snow storms. Thousands of people have lost their
electricity supply and hundreds of flights have been cancelled. Six people are reported to
have been killed in traffic accidents and by falling trees. From Washington this report
from Zoe Conway.
The storm system is huge. Blizzard and wintery weather warnings now stretch from the Deep South
through Ohio and Middle West and all the way up to main in New England. Meanwhile severe
thunderstorms are expected in Virginia, the Carolinas and Florida. Hundreds of thousands
of people's electricity have been knocked out, and roads become treacherous. In the deep south,
the weather has been extreme. Thirty-four tornados are reported to have struck four of its states.
All the capital of Arkansas, Little Rock had its first snow on Christmas day for 86 years.
The governing body of European Football says it has decided to appeal against the controversial
ruling by its own disciplinary body imposing sanctions on Serbia because of a racist abuse and
a brawl during a match earlier this year. The punishment led to accusations that UEFA did not take
the racism at football matches seriously. UEFA said it had the right to review the decision to
fine Serbia over the incident that occurred after its Under-21 football match against England
in October.
BBC World News