Supervising News Editor Lateef Mungin -- 404-827-1401

UPCOMING

Egypt-Election updating

The second and final vote, as Egyptians decide whether to approve a new constitution backed by President Morsy and Muslim Brotherhood deputies. Egypt's voting by regions, today's polls are outside Cairo. Last week's first round showing 56% approval so far.

US-Midwest-Blizzard monitoring

The winter storm system that walloped the Midwest moved east Friday night, bringing with it not just snow but powerful winds -- all of which made travel perilous, and last-minute Christmas shopping more complicated, across several states.

US-Mexico-Jailed-Marine updating

A former U.S. Marine who languished for more than four months in a Mexican prison on a questioned gun charge was on his way to spending Christmas with his family Friday after U.S. politicians intervened for his release.

Syria-Civil-War monitoring

In an escalation of its civil war, Syria is firing more Scud missiles in a desperate attempt to quash rebel gains, the NATO chief said Friday. The government has launched more missiles in recent days, according to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the secretary-general of the alliance.

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INTERNATIONAL

UK-Thatcher

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher "has undergone surgery to remove a growth in her bladder" and is currently recovering in the hospital, her spokeswoman, Gillian Penrose, said Friday.

Italy-Monti-Resignation

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti handed in his resignation Friday to President Giorgio Napolitano, the Italian government press office said.

South-Sudan-UN-Helicopter

South Sudanese armed forces admitted shooting down a United Nations helicopter in eastern South Sudan on Friday. The Sudan People's Liberation Army said it was an accident, according to spokesman Philip Aguer.

Iraq-Finance-Minister-Arrests

Nine bodyguards for Iraq's finance minister have been arrested, Abdul Sattar al-Berqdar, a spokesman for the Supreme Judicial Council, told Iraqi state TV on Friday.

Syria-Civil-War

In an escalation of its civil war, Syria is firing more Scud missiles in a desperate attempt to quash rebel gains, the NATO chief said Friday.

Egypt-Clashes

Riot police fired tear gas at protesters in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on Friday, according to state-run Nile TV. Shortly after morning prayers, clashes broke out between supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Morsy.

Yemen-Kidnapped-Tourists