Constitution

GRANTS PASS, Ore. - From Oregon to Mississippi, President Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural law enforcers and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions - and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. "A lot of sheriffs are now standing up and saying, 'Follow the Constitution,' " said Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson, whose territory covers the timbered mountains of southwestern Oregon.

CAIRO - The final, official numbers are in, and Egypt's disputed, Islamist-backed constitution has won approval with 63.8 percent of voters saying yes, but there was little hope Tuesday that results would stabilize the country after two years of turmoil. Islamist President Mohammed Morsi may now face a more immediate crisis with the economy falling deeper into distress. In a clear sign of anxiety over the economy, some Egyptians were hoarding dollars for fear the currency is about to take a significant turn for the worse.

CAIRO - The official approval of Egypt's disputed, Islamist-backed constitution Tuesday held out little hope of stabilizing the country after two years of turmoil, and Islamist President Mohammed Morsi may now face a more immediate crisis with the economy falling deeper into distress. In a clear sign of anxiety over the economy, the turbulence of the past month and expected austerity measures ahead have some Egyptians hoarding dollars for fear the currency is about to take a significant turn for the weaker.

CAIRO - With the passage of a divisive constitution, Egypt's Islamist leadership has secured its tightest grip on power since Hosni Mubarak's ouster two years ago and laid the foundation for a more religious state. The opposition's response - a vow to keep fighting the charter and the program of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi - means the turmoil of the past two years will not end as many, especially the tens of millions of poor craving stability, had fervently hoped. Critics say the new constitution does not sufficiently protect the rights of women and minority groups and empowers Muslim clerics by giving them a say over legislation.

CAIRO - Egypt's opposition said Sunday it will keep fighting the Islamist-backed constitution after the Muslim Brotherhood, the main group backing the charter, asserted that it passed with a 64 percent "yes" vote in a referendum. The opposition alleged vote fraud and demanded an investigation - a sign that the referendum will not end the turmoil that has roiled this country for nearly two years since the uprising that ousted authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak. Many Egyptians, especially the tens of millions who live in extreme poverty, had hoped the new constitution might usher in a period of more stability.

CAIRO - Egyptian rights groups called Sunday for a repeat of the first round of the constitutional referendum, alleging the vote was marred by widespread violations. Islamists who back the disputed charter claimed they were in the lead with a majority of "yes" votes, though official results have not been announced. Representatives of seven rights groups charged that there was insufficient supervision by judges in Saturday's vote in 10 of Egypt's 27 provinces and that independent monitors were prevented from witnessing vote counts.

CAIRO - Waving swords and clubs, Islamist supporters of Egypt's draft constitution clashed with opponents in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria on Friday as tempers flared on the eve of the referendum on the disputed charter - the country's worst political crisis since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. Both sides stepped up their campaigns after weeks of violence and harsh divisions that have turned Saturday's vote into a fight over Egypt's post-revolutionary identity. Highlighting the tension that may lie ahead, nearly 120,000 army soldiers will deploy to protect polling stations.

Junior guard Rip Engel knocked down three three-pointers on Tuesday night en route to a game-high 19 points as Council Rock North turned away visiting Constitution, 60-56, in a nonleague basketball game. Kyle McCloskey, a senior forward, added 13 rebounds and 11 points. In other nonleague action: Rene Rodriguez converted a three-point play in triple overtime as Quakertown pulled away from Christopher Dock, 45-39. Sophomore guard Jared Armstrong led Dock with 11 points. Notre Dame-bound Stephen Vasturia poured in a game-high 25 points as St. Joseph's Prep eased past visiting Shipley, 58-42.

CAIRO - The Egyptian military on Monday assumed joint responsibility with the police for security and protecting state institutions until the results of a Dec. 15 constitutional referendum are announced. The army took up the task in line with a decree issued Sunday by President Mohammed Morsi. The Islamist leader on Monday also suspended a series of tax hikes announced the previous day on alcohol, cigarettes, and other items. The presidential edict orders the military and police to jointly maintain security in the run-up to Saturday's vote on the disputed charter, which was hurriedly approved last month by a panel dominated by the president's Islamist allies despite a boycott of the committee's liberal, secular, and Christian members.

CAIRO - Egypt postponed early voting on a contentious draft constitution, and aides to President Mohammed Morsi floated the possibility of canceling the whole referendum in the first signs Friday that the Islamic leader was finally yielding to days of protests and deadly street clashes. Tens of thousands marched on the presidential palace after pushing past barbed wire fences installed by the army and calling for Morsi to step down. Thousands also camped out in Tahrir Square, birthplace of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011.