Dollar steady as investors await fiscal cliff sign

WASHINGTON: The dollar lost a little bit of ground against the euro and was largely flat against the yen in quiet trade on Thursday as investors awaited a clear sign from US "fiscal cliff" talks.

The euro stood at $1.3241 towards 2200 GMT, up from $1.3226 late Wednesday. It also rose against the Japanese yen, reaching 111.72 yen compared to 111.59 yen a day earlier.

The dollar held steady against the yen, after reaching its highest level against the currency since April 2011 on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the greenback edged lower to 84.38 yen towards 2200 GMT from 84.39 yen a day earlier.

Japan's central bank unveiled more huge monetary easing earlier on Thursday in the wake of a weekend election won by the Liberal Democratic Party.

With an end-of-year deadline approaching, the markets are watching whether Washington can avert the so-called fiscal cliff, a mix of tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect in January that could plunge the world's biggest economy back into recession.

Analysts said remarks by top Republican John Boehner had sparked slight optimism, increasing investors' appetite for risk, for the euro among other things.

Talks between President Barack Obama and Boehner on averting the "fiscal cliff" have stalled amid accusations of political grandstanding on both sides.

In other currencies, the dollar slipped to 0.9115 Swiss francs, while the pound rose to $1.6280.

- AFP/fa

Read More..

2012 Car Tech Awards: And the winner is...

CNET Tech Car of the Year for 2012

2012 Tesla Model S

Our choice for CNET Tech
Car of the Year goes to the 2012 Tesla Model S, a car that shows superb technology throughout while also challenging our conceptions of how a car should work. Most people know the Model S for its electric drivetrain, which not only gives it tremendous acceleration, but also the best range among current production electric cars. Compared to an internal combustion engine, the Tesla's electric motor delivers magnitudes of better energy efficiency. The EPA estimates the cost of electricity for a year of driving at $700, about 25 percent of the cost for gasoline in an equivalent luxury sedan.

Beyond its efficiency, the Model S modernizes the whole idea of a car's cabin. Tesla streamlined the entire process of getting into the car and setting off, taking out steps that have become anachronistic. A big touch screen handles all in-cabin functions, eliminating the need for an array of buttons across the dashboard. A 3G data connection feeds the infotainment functions, providing maps, destination search, and music, similar to what we have become used to with our personal electronics.

The Model S went up against the Audi S5, BMW 640i Gran Coupe, Ford Focus Electric, and Toyota Prius C, a formidable field nominated for technical excellence in drivetrain and cabin. The BMW proved popular with our jury, and we liked how the Focus Electric drove, but the Model S trumped the others with its innovative approach and capabilities.

---

The Car Tech 10

There was a lot more going on in the past year besides five really, really good tech cars. So that's why we have The Car Tech 10, a set of inconsistent awards for various achievements in automotive technology.

Most popular

2012 Chevrolet Volt

With a solid five-star User Review score, it's clear that you guys and gals really love the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. That's cool, because we loved it too. The range-extended electric vehicle combines enough electric range for most drivers to get from home to work and back with a gasoline range extender that lets you keep on driving when you need to. It's sort of the best of both worlds: a do-everything, full-size EV that can become a hybrid when you need it to.

However, with 136 comments on our review as I write this, it's also clear that nearly as many of you love to hate it. This is probably because, with a car like the Volt, the adage "your mileage may vary" becomes a massive understatement, with reported cruising ranges and fuel economy averages of drivers varying by many orders of magnitude. Either way, the Volt is an amazingly flexible car that captured your imaginations, earning it our Most Popular award.

Most worthy of its hype

2012 Scion FR-S

As rumors of a new sports car from Toyota began to circulate a few years ago, we were merely intrigued. When it became known this would be a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota, we took notice. A couple of years and a few concept cars later, we finally got to see and drive the car we -- and the rest of the world -- had been so anticipating. Actually, the hype was apparently worth three cars, the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota GT86. We got a little seat time in the BRZ, and a full review of the FR-S. Our desires and expectations for a quick, little affordable sports car were met, then exceeded by the supremely engaged handling.

Runner-up in this category was the 2012 Ford Focus ST, which brought our simulated Gran Turismo and Forza racing into the real world.

Most improved car

2013 Porsche Boxster

The mid-engined roadster has always been one of Porsche's best-kept secrets, having been overlooked by enthusiasts and usually wasted on drivers more interested in looking good than going fast. For 2013, the Boxster steps up to the plate with a more muscular, expensive-looking aesthetic that borrows heavily from supercars like the Carrera GT and performance that simultaneously adds gobs of refinement without losing any of the sharpness that made the old car great. For the rare feat of fixing nearly everything that was wrong with the previous model without diminishing anything that made it awesome, the 2013 Porsche Boxster earns our award for Most Improved.

Ford earns a runner-up spot with the 2013 Escape, which merits an honorable mention for its improved aesthetic and tech.

Best concept car of 2012

Acura NSX

This car was the hit of the 2012 Detroit auto show and earns best concept for a number of reasons. First, it brings back the legendary NSX name, a model the loss of which was lamented by many a gearhead. Next, it signifies a new -- and much-needed -- era of drivetrain tech for Acura. A new direct injection engine, mid-mounted, drives the rear wheels, while two electric motors drive the front wheels. This arrangement makes for all-wheel-drive with a torque split between the fronts, with potential for wildly good handling. Finally, the styling comes off as incredibly smooth, with a bubble over the passenger cell making it look like a futuristic NSX -- which is exactly what it is.

Kind of an anti-runner-up, the Bentley EXP 9 was an odd attempt at an SUV that showed the British car maker which design direction not to take.

Most OMG!! car

2012 Bentley Mulsanne

We get some very nice cars here at CNET, but only rarely do we see one so deserving of excited acronyms as the Bentley Mulsanne. When the car arrived in our garage, our text messages and tweets were pretty much all 'Mulsanne OMG 752 pound-feet of torque and 2,200 watt Naim audio'. Driving a car as expensive as a midwestern house inspires a certain kind of awe that cuts right through our jaded auto reviewer personas. Knowing that we are sitting on leather taken from Scandinavian bulls (no barb wire means unblemished hide) engenders a certain sort of specialness, kind of like in kindergarten when that certain someone gives you an unexpected Valentine card. OMG indeed.

Most exciting car in the solar system

Mars Curiosity Rover

There were many amazing rides launched this year, but the car that captured the imagination of the world was literally launched into space in late 2011. All eyes were on the Mars Curiosity Rover when it made landfall in August after its 350 million mile journey. The rover is easily one of the coolest cars in this solar system. Powered by a nuclear-electric generator, it rolls on six 20-inch wheels arranged on a crazy Rocker-Bogie suspension configuration. It's hardened to withstand temperatures ranging from negative 197 to 104 degrees F, and carries more than 180 pounds of sensitive scientific equipment.

The $2.5 billion Curiosity beams information of visual, meteorological, radiation, chemical, mineral, and spectrographic nature back to Earth. Thanks to the Rover, we're getting the best look at our interplanetary neighbor that we've ever had, and it might even find extraterrestrial life. Plus, it's got a robotic arm! For being central to one of the most important scientific moments of 2012 and for simply being an epic set of wheels, we salute the Mars Curiosity Rover.

Best-sounding stereo

Beats by Dre in the Dodge Charger
Quite a number of cars with very impressive audio systems have come through our garage during 2012, and we applaud brands such as Naim, Bang & Olufsen, and Mark Levinson for their excellent efforts. However, for this award we favor a system that's attainable by the masses, Chrysler's implementation of the Beats by Dre system in the Dodge Charger. Dr. Dre started his audio brand to combat the low sound quality from the ubiquitous ear buds showing up everywhere. Extending this thinking to the car, Beats by Dre came up with an 11-speaker system using a 12-channel amp to produce exceptionally clean, tight sound. Listening to it at
CES 2012, we appreciated the careful tuning given to this system, such that it could be turned up extremely loud without distortion. Its bass punches you in the chest, and if you close your eyes, it seems like your favorite artist is singing right on top of the dashboard.

Best app integration

Ford Sync AppLink
As one of the only automakers supporting app integration for
Android, iOS, and BlackBerry, Ford's Sync AppLink is clearly ahead of the curve. Ford's system supports over a dozen apps. For music streaming, there's Pandora, MOG, TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, and Slacker. NPR, Stitcher, and MLB at Bat bring news, podcasts, and sports to the mix. Scout and Sync Destinations help navigate from point A to B. Apps supported vary by your phone's platform -- for example, Allergy Alert and Roximity are iOS-only affairs -- but Ford adds more apps every few months. Now, we just want to see this system implemented more universally across Ford's lineup.

Best aftermarket device

Parrot Minikit Neo and Neo App Suite
We've always been fans of Parrot's Bluetooth speakerphones. However, the Minikit Neo builds on Parrot's fantastic audio quality and voice command system with a svelte new form factor and NFC-based pairing technology. The Neo is also compatible with an app for Android and iOS that further boosts its functionality, letting your phone automatically mark your parking spot when you leave the car, remind you to feed the parking meter with its timer, or use your phone's voice command (such as Siri or Google's voice dialer) if you prefer.

Runner-up goes to Pioneer's AppRadio 2, which builds on its previous generation's promising iOS app integration with compatibility for a number of Android apps.

Most promising future tech

Near Field Communications (NFC)
Perhaps NFC isn't the newest tech on the block, but we feel like automakers have only just scratched the surface of the applications for this technology. Right now, about the best that you can do with the tech is pay for gas or pair your smartphone with a Bluetooth speakerphone (like the aforementioned Parrot Minikit Neo). Soon, you'll be able to automatically pair with your car by tossing your phone into the cupholder. But why stop there?

In the future, you will be able to unlock your doors by tapping the handle with your NFC-enabled phone, and maybe even start the engine. Drivers who want to lend their car to friends and family members will be able to grant them the same access by tapping phones or e-mailing an NFC key. In areas where car-sharing services are popular, being able to unlock, start, and pay for a rental with NFC will vastly simplify the car-sharing process.

Read More..

More funerals for victims of Newtown shooting

(CBS News) NEWTOWN, Conn. - In Newtown, Connecticut, more children and a teacher -- victims of the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School -- were laid to rest Wednesday.

Daniel Barden, 7, a victim in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14, 2012.

/

Rex Features via AP Images

Firefighters from across the northeast came to honor seven-year-old Daniel Barden. He wanted to be a firefighter someday.

"The firefighters were here in tribute to this young child and all the souls that were lost in this community" said Eddy Bowls of New York.

Newtown massacre: Teacher Vicki Soto's heroics remembered
Complete coverage: Elementary School Rampage

Sandy Hook's fire department also stood at attention for Caroline Previdi's funeral procession. She loved to draw and dance.

Victoria Soto, a first grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, who was killed while protecting her students from a mass shooter on Dec. 14, 2012.

/

Sandy Hook

And at teacher Vicki Soto's funeral, the crowd was so large that people stood outside. Inside, singer Paul Simon performed "The Sound of Silence."

"It was just heartbreaking when you see the small casket," said family friend Joseph Secola. "You think the girl is six years old. But she obviously was a lovely girl who gave joy to a lot of people, and that is what they have to hold on to."

Charlotte Bacon, the seventh student to be laid to rest since the shooting, was remembered for her love of animals and the color pink.

There is still no clear evidence as to what triggered Adam Lanza's rampage. The medical examiner is bringing in a geneticist to see if Lanza might have had a medical condition that could have played a role in the shooting.

Read More..

Scammers Could Profit Off Sandy Hook Tragedy

Scammers may be looking to cash in on the public's generosity following the Sandy Hook massacre, the Better Business Bureau warned.

"It is a challenge to be on guard because public sympathy and emotions are running high," said Bennett Weiner, chief operating officer of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a group that helps charitable donors make informed decisions.

Weiner said it's difficult for scams to be detected in the first week following every national tragedy, however he suspects unscrupulous people are already out there, eager to cash in on the massacre.

How to Help Newtown Families

False websites or phone calls soliciting help for the victims' families are two of the easiest and most common scams Weiner said he sees.

"They're hard to identify because people don't know they've been taken and they're not going to know until down the road," he said.

Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Newtown Children Return to School After Sandy Hook Massacre Watch Video

Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting: Victims Laid to Rest Watch Video

Connecticut School Shooting: Children Among Multiple Fatalities Watch Video

After the Sandy Hook massacre, countless Facebook pages for the victims, listings on crowdfunding sites and community drives have been established to solicit donations.

Timeline: Tragedy At Sandy Hook

While many of them may be legitimate, Weiner warns people to do their research.

"You really have to be watching out for newly created things. There may be some well-intended effort, but you have no way to look at their track record," he said. "I can tell you from experience there are some cautions associated with it."

Any fundraising effort that makes vague statements, such as "we're going to help the victims and families," is another red flag to watch out for, Weiner said.

Whether it's fundraising for the Aurora theater victims or a local terminally ill child, Weiner said the BBB sees these kinds of scams "time and time again" and actively investigates them.

"It is a challenge to be on guard after a tragedy," he said. "But you shouldn't give to any organization without checking them out first."

Click Here for the Blotter Homepage.

Read More..

U.S. State Dept officials resign under pressure over Benghazi killings

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three senior U.S. State Department officials were asked to resign after an official inquiry harshly criticized their offices for failing to provide adequate security at the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, before it came under attack in September, a U.S. official said on Wednesday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Eric Boswell, the assistant secretary for diplomatic security; one of his deputies, Charlene Lamb; and an unnamed official in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs were asked to step down because of the inquiry panel's report, which did not fault Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in connection with the attack.

State Department officials declined to comment on the matter, saying it was a personnel issue. The Associated Press first reported that the three officials had resigned.

An unclassified version of the report released Tuesday by the State Department concluded that the mission was completely unprepared to deal with a September 11 attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

"We did conclude that certain State Department bureau-level senior officials in critical positions of authority and responsibility in Washington demonstrated a lack of leadership and management ability appropriate for senior ranks," retired Admiral Michael Mullen, one of the leaders of the inquiry, told reporters on Wednesday.

The inquiry's chair, retired Ambassador Thomas Pickering, said the panel had determined that responsibility for security shortcomings in Benghazi belonged at levels lower than Clinton's office.

"We fixed (responsibility) at the assistant secretary level, which is, in our view, the appropriate place to look for where the decision-making in fact takes place, where - if you like - the rubber hits the road," Pickering said after closed-door meetings with congressional committees.

The report by the Accountability Review Board probing the attack and comments by its two lead authors suggested that Clinton, who accepted responsibility for the incident, would not be held personally culpable.

"The secretary of state has been very clear about taking responsibility here, (yet) it was from my perspective not reasonable in terms of her having a specific level of knowledge," said Mullen, the former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pickering and Mullen spoke to the media after briefing members of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee behind closed doors on classified elements of their report.

Clinton had been expected to appear at an open hearing on Benghazi on Thursday, but is recuperating after suffering a concussion, dehydration and a stomach bug last week and will instead be represented by her top two deputies.

"GROSSLY INADEQUATE"

The unclassified version of the report cited "leadership and management" deficiencies, poor coordination among officials and "real confusion" in Washington and in the field over who had the authority to make decisions on policy and security concerns.

The scathing report could tarnish Clinton's four-year tenure as secretary of state, which has seen her consistently rated as the most popular member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet.

Clinton, who intends to step down in January, said in a letter accompanying the review that she would adopt all of its recommendations, which include stepping up security staffing and requesting more money to fortify U.S. facilities.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2013, which is expected to go to Congress for final approval this week, includes a measure directing the Pentagon to increase the Marine Corps presence at diplomatic facilities by up to 1,000 Marines.

Some Capitol Hill Republicans who had criticized the Obama administration's handling of the Benghazi attacks said they were impressed by the report.

"It was very thorough," said Senator Johnny Isakson. Senator John Barrasso said: "It was very, very critical of major failures at the State Department at very high levels." Both spoke after the closed-door briefing.

Others, however, kept up their criticism of the administration and called for Clinton to testify as soon as she is able.

"The report makes clear the massive failure of the State Department at all levels, including senior leadership, to take action to protect our government employees abroad," Representative Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement.

Senator Bob Corker, who will be the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when the new Congress is seated early next year, said Clinton should testify about Benghazi before her replacement is confirmed by the Senate.

"I do think it's imperative for all concerned that she testify in an open session prior to any changing of the regime," Corker said.

Republicans have focused much of their firepower on U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, who appeared on television talk shows after the attack and suggested it was the result of a spontaneous protest rather than a premeditated attack.

The report concluded that there was no such protest.

Rice, widely seen as President Barack Obama's top pick to succeed Clinton, withdrew her name from consideration last week.

(Additional reporting by Tabassum Zakaria and Susan Cornwell; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Philip Barbara)

Read More..

US dollar strengthens against yen in nervous trade

NEW YORK: The US dollar strengthened against the yen and slipped slightly against the euro on Wednesday in nervous trade as talks over how to avert the US 'fiscal cliff' dragged on.

The dollar rose against the yen, reaching 84.39 yen towards 2300 GMT, down slightly from 84.62 earlier in the day - its highest level in 20 months. Late Tuesday, it finished at 84.19.

The euro stood at $1.3226 towards 2300 GMT, compared to $1.3225 late Tuesday. Earlier, it had reached its highest level in eight and a half months at $1.3308.

Boris Schlossberg of BK Asset Management said investors were disappointed by the lack of movement in protracted talks between US President Barack Obama and Republicans on a long-term deficit deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" crisis of sweeping tax hikes and spending cuts.

The euro was up against the Japanese currency at 111.59 yen, after reaching its highest level in 16 months - 112.50 yen - in earlier trade. Late Tuesday, it stood at 111.35 yen.

Japan's incoming prime minister Shinzo Abe, whose Liberal Democratic Party swept to an electoral victory in elections on Sunday, has vowed to step up pressure on the central bank for more aggressive action to boost the economy.

The hawkish LDP head wants the bank to set a two percent inflation target as part of a goal to drag Japan out of the deflationary spiral that has haunted it for years.

In other currencies, the dollar rose to 0.9133 Swiss francs, while the pound slipped to $1.6245.

- AFP/de

Read More..

Observe the science of a snowflake

Educate yourself about the tough time this fella went through on the way to see you.

(Credit:
Basilicofresco)

You might agree that the complex design in a snowflake appears almost comparable to a work of art. Do you know how that tiny frozen masterpiece comes to life, though? If you're like me, you may never have witnessed a complete representation of that journey from cloud to ground before.

The trip isn't as simple as you think.

According to an animated video by the American Chemical Society, clouds carry around one of the usual suspects of a snowflake -- a small piece of dust. When water vapor attaches to a dust grain, it creates an icy droplet ready to fall to the ground. While floating in mid-air, the droplet crystallizes, and a prism with six faces forms.

As the ice grows toward the edges of each side of the prism, six branches sprout out from the center and create the familiar shape of a snowflake -- since freezing water molecules chemically bond in a hexagonal fashion. From there, the snowflake develops its unique series of branches due to shifts in temperature before hitting the ground. Isn't science wonderful?

Watch the two-minute video to see the science of a snowflake in more detail; I'll be sure to play it at my next holiday gathering to geek things up a little bit. On second thought, such behavior might ensure I don't get invited back next year.

Read More..

Texas school district encourages armed teachers for protection

HARROLD, Texas -- There's at least one school that welcome firearms to class.

It believes nothing makes a school safer than teachers who are armed,

The Harrold Independent School District is one building with 103 students. It's 20 minutes away from the nearest sheriff's station. Superintendent David Thweatt created what he calls a "guardian plan" after the attack at Virginia Tech.

"These people that go in and do these horrible acts, they're evil. But they're not that crazy -- they always know where they are going to get resistance," Thweatt said.

NRA promises "meaningful contributions" to avert another Newtown
The Newtown shootings, as they happened
Complete Coverage: Elementary School Rampage

Teachers and administrators here carry concealed handguns. They won't say how many faculty members are armed. They get extra training, but the district would not give us details.

Some people are horrified when he starts talking about putting guns in schools with children, but Thweatt said it's important to be safe.

"Sure, but it's a pretty horrific thing that happened the other day." Thweatt said. "And quite a few people are not horrified. Quite a few people we have in our district, since we have a high-transfer district, people bring their students to us for that protection."

Texas law allows concealed weapons in schools with a district's permission. Harrold was the first district to do it. A similar proposal was vetoed by Michigan's governor Tuesday.

Thweatt says allowing the firearms into the school will dissuade anyone who wants to hurt the kids.

"That's the bottom line," he said.

Since the shootings in Connecticut, Superintendent Thweatt has gotten calls from districts around the state and as far away as Missouri from school administrators asking whether they might be able to implement similar plans.

Read More..

Can Cops Read Shooter's Sabotaged Computer?

Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza may have tried to sabotage his own computer before going on a murderous rampage that claimed the lives of 20 children, but experienced investigators said today that law enforcement forensic experts could still recover critical evidence from the damaged drives.

Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance revealed Monday that a computer crimes unit was working in conjunction with a forensics laboratory to "dissect" any evidence relevant to the case, but he declined to comment further on what type of evidence was involved and in what condition it was in. Later that day, law enforcement officials told ABC News that police recovered a badly damaged computer from Lanza's home that appeared to have been attacked by a hammer or screwdriver.

Sources said if they can still read the computer's hard drive, they hope to find critical clues that may help explain Lanza's motives in the killing.

Former FBI forensic experts told ABC News that in cases similar to this one, damage to the computer does not necessarily mean the computer files cannot be accessed.

"If he took a hammer to the outside, smashed the screen, dented the box, it's more than likely the hard drive is still intact," said Al Johnson, a retired FBI special agent who now works privately examining digital evidence and computer data. "And even if the hard drive itself is damaged, there are still steps that can be taken to recover everything."

Gun Control Debate Resurfaces After Sandy Hook Shooting Watch Video

Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting: Victims Laid to Rest Watch Video

Sandy Hook Elementary Shooter: What Caused Shooting? Watch Video

Brett Harrison, a former FBI computer forensics expert who now works with a D.C. consulting firm, said that authorities have a great deal of technology at their disposal to retrieve that data. How much is recovered, he said, will depend entirely on how much damage was done to the well-insulated "platters" -- discs lodged deep inside the machine -- where Lanza's every digital footstep was recorded.

It is likely, he said, that Lanza's computer has been moved to a "clean room" where, if the discs are intact, they could be removed and then carefully re-inserted in a fresh hard drive. If the calibrations are done correctly, investigators would still be able to unlock the clues on the discs.

If the discs aren't in perfect condition, Harrison said, "There is equipment they can use to read the data off a record even if a portion of it is damaged."

Johnson said it is tedious work done in a clean environment because the tolerances of the discs is so precise – even a particle of dust could destroy crucial evidence.

"We're talking about a tolerance of less than a human hair," said Johnson, who now does computer forensics for a South Carolina-based investigative firm.

Police have not said exactly what they expect to find on the computer's hard drive, but the former FBI experts said typically there could be record of visits to violent web sites, or to online stores that sell ammunition, or to email that might reveal if Lanza shared any hints of his plans with others.

"I'm not big on speculation," Harrison said, "but you're talking about potentially finding all the normal things that people do with their computer – Facebook pages, internet activity, email, you name it."

For now, the FBI is keeping mum on what kind of computer forensic help it could be offering in the case.

"At this time, in deference to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the CSP, the FBI is not releasing information regarding operational or forensic assistance provided in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting," an FBI spokesperson said.

Click Here for the Blotter Homepage.

Read More..

Egypt opposition protests against constitution

CAIRO (Reuters) - Opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi staged protests in Cairo on Tuesday against an Islamist-backed draft constitution that has divided Egypt but looks set to be approved in the second half of a referendum this weekend.

Several hundred protesters outside the presidential palace chanted "Revolution, revolution, for the sake of the constitution" and called on Mursi to "Leave, leave, you coward!". While the protest was noisy, numbers were down on previous demonstrations.

Mursi obtained a 57 percent "yes" vote for the constitution in the first part of the referendum last weekend, state media said, less than he had hoped for.

The opposition, which says the basic law is too Islamist, will be encouraged by the result but is unlikely to win the second part this Saturday, which is to be held in districts seen as even more sympathetic towards Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood.

The National Salvation Front opposition coalition said there were widespread voting violations last Saturday and called for protests to "bring down the invalid draft constitution".

The Ministry of Justice said it was appointing judges to investigate complaints of voting irregularities.

Opposition marchers converged on Tahrir Square, cradle of the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak almost two years ago, and Mursi's presidential palace, still ringed with tanks after earlier protests.

A protester at the presidential palace, Mohamed Adel, 30, said: "I have been camping here for weeks and will continue to do so until the constitution that divided the nation, and for which people died, gets scrapped."

Shortly after midnight, a few hundred protesters who had planned to spend the night in tents set up around the presidential palace were attacked with stones.

"Unknown people threw stones at us from behind the walls the army had built at all entrances to the palace, and some of the protesters were injured in the leg and head," protester Karim el-Shaer told Reuters.

The build-up to the first day of voting saw clashes between supporters and opponents of Mursi in which eight people died. Recent demonstrations in Cairo have been more peaceful, although rival factions clashed on Friday in Alexandria, Egypt's second city.

RESIGNATION

A judges' club urged its members on Tuesday not to supervise Saturday's vote. But the call is not binding and balloting is expected to go ahead.

If the constitution is passed, national elections can take place early next year, something many hope will help end the turmoil that has gripped Egypt since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak almost two years ago.

But the closeness of the first day of voting and the low turnout suggest more difficulties ahead for Mursi as he seeks to rally support for difficult economic reforms.

"This percentage ... will strengthen the hand of the (opposition) National Salvation Front, and the leaders of this Front have declared they are going to continue this fight to discredit the constitution," said Mustapha Kamal Al-Sayyid, a professor of political science at Cairo University.

Mursi is likely to become more unpopular with the introduction of planned austerity measures, Sayyid told Reuters.

To tackle the budget deficit, the government needs to raise taxes and cut fuel subsidies. Uncertainty surrounding economic reform plans has already prompted the postponement of a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. The Egyptian pound has fallen to eight-year lows against the dollar.

Mursi and his backers say the constitution is needed to move Egypt's democratic transition forward. Opponents say it is too Islamist and ignores the rights of women and of minorities, including 10 percent of Egyptians who are Christian.

Demonstrations erupted when Mursi awarded himself extra powers on November 22 and then fast-tracked the constitution through an assembly dominated by his Islamist allies and boycotted by many liberals.

The referendum has had to be held over two days because many of the judges needed to oversee polling staged a boycott in protest. In order to pass, the constitution must be approved by more than 50 percent of those voting.

(Additional reporting by Tamim Elyan and Edmund Blair; Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Read More..