WORLD BRIEFS

EGYPT: Voting near on charter referendum

Two days before a constitutional referendum it considered boycotting, the secular opposition finally launched its "no" campaign Thursday with newspaper and TV ads detailing the argument against the charter drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Morsi. The Morsi camp has a simpler message: A "Yes" to the constitution is a yes to Islam. The deadly violence and harsh divisions of recent weeks, combined with the inability of most people to comprehend the densely written 63-page document, have turned the vote into a stark choice on whether the largest Arab nation takes a serious step toward theocratic rule. The Muslim Brotherhood's posters urge Egyptians to vote "yes to protecting Sharia [laws]."

ISRAEL: Embattled minister refuses to quit

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was charged Thursday with breach of trust for actions that allegedly compromised a criminal investigation into his business dealings, throwing the country's election campaign into disarray. Lieberman was cleared of more serious allegations against him, but the indictment sparked immediate calls for the controversial politician to step down. He declined to do so, saying he would consult with his lawyers on what to do next. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also rallied behind his close ally. Lieberman, a native of Moldova, is head of Yisrael Beitenu, an ultranationalist party especially popular with fellow immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Yisrael Beitenu and Netanyahu's Likud Party recently joined forces and are running together on a joint list in the Jan. 22 parliamentary elections.

VENEZUELA: Chávez' complications after surgery

President Hugo Chávez is recovering favorably despite suffering complications during cancer surgery in Cuba, Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday. Maduro announced at a political rally that his condition "has evolved from stable to favorable. Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said Chávez was recovering from bleeding from Tuesday's surgery.

BRITAIN: Nurse hanged herself after hoax

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha was found hanging by a scarf from a wardrobe in her nurses' quarters three days after she had been duped by a hoax call from Australian DJs about the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, an inquest was told.