LITTLE ROCK — QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s not meteors falling. It’s the test of a new weapon by the Americans.”

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a nationalist leader in Russia, as a meteor blazed across the western Siberian sky and exploded Article, 1A

U.N. to 2 who led Yemen: Back off

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council warned Yemen’s former president and vice president on Friday that they could face possible sanctions, along with others reported to be interfering in the country’s democratic transition.

A presidential statement approved by all 15 council members said the Security Council is ready to consider nonmilitary sanctions if such actions continue.

It expressed concern at reports of meddling in the transition by members of the former regime and the former opposition, and other opponents of the current government.

Yemen has been struggling with a transition to democracy since Arab Spring protests a year ago forced Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down after 33 years as president. A transitional government is trying to promote national reconciliation, draft a new constitution and hold elections.

Mugabe: March charter vote set

HARARE, Zimbabwe -President Robert Mugabe issued an official proclamation on Friday setting March 16 as the date for the nation to vote on a new constitution ahead of national elections later this year.

A government notice formally published on Friday leaves a calendar month for distribution of the 160-page draft document and campaigning. Independent advocacy groups say that is not long enough for a free poll to reflect the wishes of electors.

Friday’s notice said polling stations will be opened for 12 hours countrywide at 7 a.m. on March 16.

The draft constitution was completed on Feb. 6 after three years of disputes, bickering and constant delays and funding shortages.

Cairo rallies back, hit at Islamist rule

CAIRO - Several thousand hard-line Islamists rallied in Cairo on Friday against a recent wave of violent anti-government protests, while liberal activists staged a smaller demonstration across town to call for accountability and justice from the country’s leaders.

The parallel rallies mirror the deep divisions that have plagued Egypt in the two years since longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.

The current cycle of unrest began three weeks ago. The opposition accuses Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, who was elected in June, and his Muslim Brotherhood party of trying to monopolize power and of using violence against dissenters.

Iraq Sunnis rally, call for fairness

BAGHDAD - Tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims rallied on Friday in several Iraqi cities to protest what they describe as unfair treatment by the country’s Shiite led government, extending concerns over rising sectarian tension in the country.

Sunnis have staged mass protests since late December. They are demanding that Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki step down, and are calling for the release of thousands of Sunnis they say were rounded up arbitrarily under the guise of counterterrorism regulations. They also want authorities to rescind policies they say discriminate against Sunnis.

Front Section, Pages 5 on 02/16/2013