
Egyptian  Islamists rally for Shariah law
Over 10,000 ultraconservative  Muslims demonstrated Friday in downtown Cairo to demand that Egypt's new  constitution be based on the rulings of Islamic law, or Shariah, in the latest  tussle over the role of religion in the country's future. The writing of the  constitution has been fraught with controversy since last year's political  uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak and ushered in the rise of  formerly repressed Islamists to power.
Utah  company blames Pres. Obama for 102 workers laid off
A Utah coal  company owned by a vocal critic of President Barack Obama has laid off 102  miners. The layoffs at the West Ridge Mine are effective immediately, according  to UtahAmerican Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corp. They were  announced in a short statement made public Thursday, two days after Obama won  re-election.
Analysts  keep close eye on China's mystery space plane
As the next  secretive flight of the U.S. Air Force's robotic X-37B mini-shuttle draws  closer, analysts are keeping a close eye on China’s own potential space plane,  the Shenlong. Last year several Chinese media outlets reported a test flight of  the Shenlong space plane that apparently included its airdrop from an H-6  bomber. But the nature of the Shenlong project's testing, as well as what the  robot vehicle truly represents, remains sketchy.
Syria: Deraa  bombings 'kill soldiers'
At least 20 soldiers have been killed  in twin explosions in the southern Syrian city of Deraa, activists report. The  UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said two cars packed with  explosives were detonated at a military camp, killing and wounding "dozens".  Syrian state media said the two car bombs resulted in "victims and material  damage", but did not give details.
EU budget talks for 2013  collapse
Talks to agree the EU's 2013 budget have collapsed,  after negotiators from the EU and member states were unable to agree on extra  funding for 2012. The EU Commission and European Parliament had asked for a  budget rise of 6.8% in 2013. But most governments wanted to limit the rise to  just 2.8%.
Obama demands tax  rises for rich over fiscal cliff
Newly re-elected President  Barack Obama has said the wealthy must pay more taxes under any political  settlement to avert a looming budget crisis. He said Congress must act against  the so-called fiscal cliff, a package of tax rises and spending cuts due early  next year. But in a duelling news conference, Republican House Speaker John  Boehner said tax rises would not be acceptable.
Saudis set to  buy 25 US army planes in $6.7b. deal
Saudi Arabia plans to buy  20 C-130J military transport planes, five KC-130J refueling aircraft (Hercules)  and related equipment from Lockheed Martin Corp. valued at about $6.7 billion,  the Pentagon said Friday in a statement. "The proposed sale of these aircraft  and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the  Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated.
PA:  Decision to go to UN final, there's no going back
The  Palestinian Authority on Saturday denied Israeli media reports that PA President  Mahmoud Abbas was considering delaying the Palestinians’ bid to upgrade their UN  status to that of non-member state until January. PA officials have said Abbas  was considering asking for a UN vote on November 15 or 29.
Iraq cancels $4.2bn  Russian arms deal over 'corruption'
Iraq has cancelled a $4.2bn  (£2.6bn) deal to buy arms from Russia because of concerns about "corruption", an  Iraqi government advisor has said. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has  launched an investigation into the deal, his spokesman told the BBC.
Disabled  woman raped on Los Angeles city bus
Los Angeles County sheriff's  officials say they're looking for a man accused of raping a mentally disabled  woman on a city bus. Sgt. Dan Scott says the suspect boarded the bus with the  woman in Culver City, followed her to the back of the bus and forced himself on  her late Wednesday afternoon.
Iran  acknowledges firing at US drone
Iran's defense minister,  responding to Pentagon claims that Iran shot at a US military drone this month,  acknowledged late Friday afternoon that the incident had taken place.
Syrian  opposition elects new leader
The Syrian National Council, the  main opposition outside of Syria, has elected a leading Christian as its head.  George Sabra, a veteran activist who was arrested several times under the Assad  regime, will lead the SNC for a 6 month term.
Statue  of Liberty lit for 1st time since Sandy
The Statue of Liberty  was illuminated Friday evening for the first time since it was closed due to  damage on Liberty Island caused by Superstorm Sandy. The statue, one of the  city's top tourist attractions, has been closed because of damage to the island  resulting from the storm that hit New York Oct. 29, with no estimate on when it  will reopen to visitors.
Admitting  to Affair, Petraeus Resigns as CIA Chief
The resignation of CIA  Director David Petraeus has brought a sudden and unexpected end to the public  career of a four-star general who led U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and  was thought to be a potential candidate for president.
China  economic growth to exceed 7.5 percent in 2012: NDRC
China's  economy has halted its slowing trend, the head of the country's powerful  economic planning agency said on Saturday, adding that he was confident GDP  growth would exceed 7.5 percent in 2012. Zhang Ping, head of the National  Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), was speaking to reporters on the  sidelines of the 18th Communist Party Congress which is meeting to chose a new  leadership.