VOA News: Africa: Ghana Electoral Body Pleased With Voter Registration Progress

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Ghana Electoral Body Pleased With Voter Registration Progress Apr 23rd 2012, 03:32 A top official of Ghana's Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed satisfaction with the progress of voter registration ahead of the scheduled December general elections. The INEC is compiling a voter list that is scheduled to end May 5th.  The voters' register would be used in the presidential, parliamentary and local elections. David Kanga, deputy commissioner of the electoral commission in charge of Finance and Administration, said the INEC is using the biometric system which, he said, enables the electoral body to maintain quality control of the registration process. "We should be expecting not more than 13 million registrations and, as of now, we've been able to capture…about 5.9 million," said Kanga.  "We are discovering double registrations and I think we are doing very well." Some of the participating political parties have expressed concern about possible multiple registrations which, they said, could tarnish the credibility of the vote.  But, Kanga said the INEC has instituted mechanisms to ensure a reliable voters' list. "At the registration center, it is possible for us now to detect double registration, if it takes place at the same center," said Kanga.  "We have the capacity at the database level…to weed out any more duplicates which means that, if you didn't go back to the station and went somewhere else, you will still be found out.  We are hoping…at the end of the day, we are going to have a credible register devoid of multiple registrations." The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) recently inaugurated an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) to ensure a peaceful poll.  The IPDC aims to work closely with the Interparty Advisory Committee and the electoral commission to address concerns of political parties to ensure transparent elections. "The commission has established this standing relationship with the political parties…where we brief the political parties and this time at all levels [national, regional and district]," said Kanga. "We will listen to their problems with the registration and then try to solve them…so we do not expect that, at the end of it [all], any of them will say there is anything wrong with the exercise that we have undertaken." Kanga urged all Ghanaians to be observant in the ongoing registration process. "We should continue to be vigilant even throughout the electoral process…up to Election Day because I believe the cost of this exercise we are undertaking is so high…we are spending a lot of money on it, [and] if we don't make use of it at the end of the day it will be like we have thrown our money away." Media files: ReutersGhanaJohnAttaMills17May2011-resized.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) john-atta-mills-230.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: New Test for Malaria Could Make Diagnosis Faster, Simpler and Cheaper

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

New Test for Malaria Could Make Diagnosis Faster, Simpler and Cheaper Apr 23rd 2012, 03:32 Getting a diagnosis quickly means getting treatment fast – and that can make a life-or-death difference for some malaria patients. Italian researcher Dan Cojoc said that was the primary motivation behind his recent project to develop a new screening technique for the mosquito-born illness. He said a friend from Ivory Coast provides a good example of why faster tests are needed. "He told me about his kid who was touched by malaria," Cojoc explained. "And when he was at the hospital, the father was dispirited, because the doctors said you will have the [diagnosis] in 12 hours. In 12 hours, the person can die." Cojoc said his international team has developed a new technique that can get a diagnosis in minutes. He said the current standard method to test for malaria requires special training and expensive equipment. "This actual technique can only be applied in hospitals, which are very few in Africa." Cojoc said his team wanted to create "a device which can be used in every corner of a country." Cojoc's technique involves taking a one-second video of a red blood cell, while shining a tinted light through it. The recording is done at a high frame rate, meaning that the second is broken down into many separate slides. The light shows up in the video in what he called a "speckle pattern" – created by vibrations of the cell membrane. Cojoc said when viewed this way, the difference between a healthy cell and one infected with the malaria parasite is immediately obvious. "A healthy cell vibrates in one way, and infected cells in a different way, because when a parasite enters into a cell, the cell [membrane] becomes stiffer." He is working on the final phases of developing a low-cost instrument that would implement this technique. He says he expects the final product will include a special, portable microscope, costing around $400, and disposable microchips to hold the blood sample, costing less than a dollar each. Cojoc, a senior scientist at the Istituto Officina dei Materiali, added his team also hopes to apply his "speckle pattern" technique to other diseases. "We do think that this technique can be applied also to characterize other types of cells," he said, "the healthy cells and the cancer cells, for instance." According to the World Health Organization, a child dies from malaria every minute in Africa. The organization says prompt and effective treatment is a key component in controlling the disease. Media files: ap_africa_malaria_480_file.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) teaser malaria mosquito AFP.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: Gabon Musicians-in-Exile Say They Are More Free to Critique Government from Afar

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Gabon Musicians-in-Exile Say They Are More Free to Critique Government from Afar Apr 23rd 2012, 00:11 The title of Gabonese hip-hop duo Poetes Fysik's first album can be translated as "A life, a pain, a victory." Lead artist Moussavou Nze, known as Ngongull ze Blackman, says that title and many of the songs on the album reflect the group's dedication to changing the politics of their home country, Gabon. "We follow our fight, because we think that every Gabonese has the power to change the future of our country, not only politicians. And we try to do that by music," Nze said from while speaking from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where he and his music partner, Sima Ndog, have been living in self-imposed exile for four years. Nze said the group left Gabon after realizing their music would continue to be stifled under the current political climate. "There is no freedom of expression in Gabon," he said. He explained that radio and TV stations often refused to play their musical critiques of daily life in the country. "We were talking about political and social life in Gabon and we decided to fight the power with our words, our music," said Nze. The singer said he believes their message has more power now that they live outside the country. "Sometimes when a tune comes from abroad, people are very open to receiving it." According to the Washington-based Freedom House, Gabon is ranked as "Not Free," and the most recent presidential elections in 2009 were "marred by… intimidation of the press." In the more than fifty years since independence from France, Gabon has had two presidents. The first, Omar Bongo, died in office.  His son, Ali Bongo, was elected after his father's death in 2009. Media files: Gabon Curious Map.jpg 04-23-2012-DBA-SHRYOCK-NZE-GABON-FREEDOM.Mp3 (audio/mpeg)

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VOA News: Europe: Hollande Emerges as Frontrunner in French Presidential Election

VOA News: Europe Europe Voice of America

Hollande Emerges as Frontrunner in French Presidential Election Apr 22nd 2012, 21:59 Socialist Francois Hollande has emerged as the frontrunner in France's presidential election after beating incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in Sunday's first round. First official results give Hollande 29 percent of the vote and the conservative Sarkozy 26 percent. Both will meet again in a runoff vote on May 6. Eight other candidates finished far behind. But far-right anti-immigrant candidate Marie le Pen surprised poll-watchers by finishing in a strong third place with double digits. Hollande is declaring himself the best candidate to become France's new president. He said he wants to unite what he calls a country divided by President Sarkozy's failed policies. He also says he wants to boost taxes on millionaires. Sarkozy said he understands French voters are concerned in a time of crisis, including worries about the economy and crime. He challenged Hollande to three debates on social, economic and international issues before the May 6 runoff. Media files: ap_france_Hollande_300_eng_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB)

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VOA News: Asia: China, Russia Launch Joint Naval Exercises

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

China, Russia Launch Joint Naval Exercises Apr 22nd 2012, 21:40 China and Russia launched joint naval exercises Sunday in the Yellow Sea between the east coast of mainland China and the Korean peninsula. Chinese state media report that 16 Chinese surface vessels and two submarines, as well as four Russian warships, are taking part in the six days of drills scheduled from April 22 through 27. The Chinese and Russian vessels gathered at the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao Saturday, the home of China's northern fleet. The exercises will include maritime air defense, anti-submarine tactics, search-and-rescue and the simulated rescue of hijacked ships, and anti-terrorism drills. Formerly Cold War rivals for leadership of the communist world, China and Russia have conducted four bilateral and multilateral military exercises since 2005. The two countries are also participants in six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program that also include the two Koreas, Japan and the U.S. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. Media files: AP_CHINA_RUSSIA_4801.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) China_04_22_12_300x300.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Earth Day in Washington Part of Global Celebration

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Earth Day in Washington Part of Global Celebration Apr 22nd 2012, 20:16 Earth Day events were held around the globe Sunday, including in Washington. Inclement weather kept away all but the most-dedicated environmentalists. Months of near-drought conditions gave way to steady rain that drenched the nation's capital and the grassy open mall near the Washington Monument, where small groups of people huddled under tents and umbrellas while bands played on a covered stage. Advocacy groups and ecologically friendly product vendors manned booths and beckoned passers-by to stop in. David Dolnick, marketing manager for California-based SolarCity, said "We are trying to offset energy [consumption] and try to get people as off the [electrical] grid as possible.  We cannot get you entirely off the grid, but we would like to take the power of the sun and turn that into energy." Braving the elements was Washington resident Kie Riedel. "A little too much rain, but I guess that is a good thing - April showers bring May flowers," she said. Reidel said Earth Day has a simple purpose. "I think it is just to raise awareness of some of the environmental issues that the world is facing, to make people aware and get them to, maybe, take action," she said. She said she thinks people are aware of environmental challenges like global warming, but added, "I think the types of actions people are taking are more to adapt [to environmental degradation] and not to mitigate." Arizonan Kathy Darrow is visiting Washington and ventured to the National Mall for Earth Day.  She says Americans get conflicting messages when it comes to the economy and the environment. "We [Americans] are the largest consumers, and I think the topic of the day is about our economy and how to boost the economy.  And the answer to that in our culture is to be bigger consumers, and I do not think that is the answer," she said. President Barack Obama has touted green, environmentally-friendly energy production as an industry the United States should foster and promote.  Darrow says that message is falling on too many deaf ears. "I think people are pretty numbed-out [non-responsive] to environmental concerns.  I was thinking a few minutes ago that, if this were a gun show, there would probably be a lot more people here," she said. Earth day began in the United States in the 1970s and has since spread worldwide. Media files: ap_washington_earth_day_480_eng_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) ap_washington_earth_day_230_eng_22apr12.jpg

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VOA News: USA: US Lawmakers Weigh in on Federal Scandals

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

US Lawmakers Weigh in on Federal Scandals Apr 22nd 2012, 18:33 U.S. lawmakers continue to express dismay and outrage over twin scandals in the federal government: one that has consumed the Secret Service, the other involving the agency that provides supplies and equipment for federal operations. No evidence has emerged that a prostitution scandal involving Secret Service agents compromised security for President Barack Obama earlier this month in Cartagena, Colombia. But that is little consolation to independent Senator Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "I do not think we want our Secret Service agents drinking bottles of vodka and carousing with women before they are going on duty to protect the president of the United States." Lieberman spoke on the Fox News Sunday television program. Eleven Secret Service employees are alleged to have taken prostitutes to their hotel in Cartagena, Colombia, before President Obama's arrival at the Summit of the Americas.  Several agents have been fired or voluntarily left federal service amid ongoing investigations. Unacceptable behavior Senator Lieberman says the potential security risks posed by such behavior are unacceptable. "It is more serious than just a frolic. History is full of cases where enemies have compromised people in security or intelligence positions with sex." Lawmakers of both parties have expressed confidence in Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan. But the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, Senator Susan Collins, says many questions still need to be answered. "To me, it defies belief that this was just an aberration. There were too many people involved. It included two supervisors. That is particularly shocking and appalling." President Obama added his voice to the chorus of outrage in the wake of the episode, one of two scandals gripping the federal government. Wasteful spending The other involves the General Services Administration, accused of wasteful spending on lavish conferences and executive travel to exotic locations. Speaking on ABC's This Week program, Senator Collins noted government inspectors had uncovered a pattern of wasteful GSA spending and brought it to the attention of the Obama administration. Probes of both scandals are ongoing. Last week saw congressional hearings on the GSA. Similar hearings on the Secret Service are expected in coming weeks. Media files: ap_lieberman_480_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) ap_lieberman_230_22apr12.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: Threat of Violence Remains as South Sudan Withdraws from Disputed Town

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Threat of Violence Remains as South Sudan Withdraws from Disputed Town Apr 22nd 2012, 17:31 South Sudan's announcement that is withdrawing its forces from a disputed oil town has done little to relieve tension near the border. Reports of continued Sudanese air raids in southern territory underscore the constant threat of violence. Lucia Juah was home with one of her three children when she heard the bomb strike. "When it happened, it just came abruptly," she says, "my kids were on the playground at the time, luckily they were unharmed. But my neighbor's house was all burned up." Juah lives in a grass hut about 70 meters from the crater left by the bombing last week in Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan's Unity State. A trail of ash and debris spreads in all directions from the site, nearly to Juah's doorway. Officials say five people were killed in the attack. Learning to live with it The bombings have not stopped, even after South Sudan's military, the SPLA, announced Friday it was withdrawing from the disputed town of Helig, north of Bentiu, the site of the worst fighting between the Sudans since the south declared independence last year. Unity State Information Minister Gideon Gatpan says residents in Bentiu have learned to live with it. "Most of the locals, they are conversant with the fashion of the hostilities that are always driven by the Khartoum regime. So it's not new, Antonov is not new, gunship is not new, jet fighter is not new, so communities are not so much scared to be leaving their own households, to move outside." Calls for settlement The African Union and the United Nations had called for SPLA troops to withdraw from the town, and urged both sides to return to negotiations over the final status issues remaining between the newly separated countries. U.S. President Barack Obama also called for both sides to end hostilities in a video message released Saturday. State Minister Gatpan says the diplomatic community should do more to help resolve the boundary dispute at the heart of the conflict. "The Republic of South Sudan and the people of Unity State in particular are demanding that the international community have a better understanding of the current cause of the conflict and again to actually prioritize the border demarcation and to ensure there's the deployment of neutral troops as we wait for the border demarcation to proceed." Conflicting accounts Though the south claims it ordered the withdrawal due to international pressure, the casualties at the SPLA military hospital tell a different story. More than 100 soldiers lay around in the shade, some badly burned by bombs dropped by aircraft, others suffering fractures and sprains. They say fighting had been intense the last few days before the pullout. Martin Amousa, a 26-year old private, was blinded by smoke following a missile attack on his position near the frontline, about 30 kilometers north of Heglig. He can barely see more than five meters, but says he is determined to get back into the fight. "Because we don't want the colonization of the Arabs," he says, "This is my homeland; nobody can chase me away from here." Avoiding full-scale war The two sides have avoided full-scale war for now, but the threat of a return to violence is apparent. South Sudan withdrew from fighting in Heglig once before during the past two weeks, only to return a few days later to retake control. On the road to the capital Juba, truckloads of SPLA soldiers streamed north toward Bentiu as recently as Saturday night, giving the impression that South Sudan may be reinforcing its positions. Media files: ap_sudan_south_480_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) ap_sudan_south_230_22apr12.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: LRA Remains a Serious Threat in Central African Republic - Human Rights Watch

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

LRA Remains a Serious Threat in Central African Republic - Human Rights Watch Apr 22nd 2012, 16:01 An international human rights group has accused the Uganda Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group of increased attacks in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Human Rights Watch says the attacks have increased since the beginning of 2012 and are putting civilians in affected areas in need of urgent protection. In a recently released report Human Rights Watch says the increase in attacks shows that the rebel group is not a spent force and remains a serious threat to civilians. "Joseph Kony, and the LRA," said Anneke Van Woudenberg, a senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, "has been a threat for over 25 years now to civilians who live in the areas where they operate." She said attacks by the LRA rebels on civilians in CAR have increased since the beginning of this year which is where the rebels are largely based at the moment.   "Between January and March 2012 we documented over 53 new attacks," she said, which was a dramatic increase compared to the previous year when attacks by LRA had been reduced dramatically. Van Woudenberg said HRW had been in south western CAR and talked to victims and witnesses who were able to identify their attackers as LRA. It is true, she said, there are other armed groups that are beginning to operate in this part of the CAR, "but the attacks we have documented were not by these other armed groups; they were clearly LRA attacks and bore all the hallmarks of an LRA attack." She said the LRA leader – with a small group of his followers, including some of the abductees- is believed to have crossed the border from CAR to Southern Darfur, but two of the other LRA top leaders, also sought by the international criminal court, (Dominic Ongwen and Okot Odhiambo) are still in the CAR. Van Woudenberg noted that although LRA is certainly smaller than it has been in the past – about 150 -300 combatants plus hundreds of abductees – the group still has the strength to abduct and to kill and remains a serious threat to the people who have the misfortune to live in this area [CAR]. One of the things missing here, she added, "are concrete proposals of how people are going to be protected." She was optimistic that the 100 United States military advisors that the U.S. sent to the region last year and the African Union decision to put up a regional task force of 5000 troops might help in the apprehension of the leaders of the rebel group. "The Uganda army has tried for over 20 years and has not been able to apprehend the senior leaders of LRA," she said. Van Woudenberg called for strengthened effort to both apprehend Joseph Kony and other rebel leaders, to rescue those in the ranks of LRA, and ensure civilians are protected, and to help with rebuilding the areas so devastated by LRA attacks. Media files: Kony_Joseph_300x300_ap.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) RTR1JA2B_230_Reuters_Kony_08MAR12.jpg mpuga-anneke-22april2012.mp3 (audio/mpeg)

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VOA News: Asia: Afghanistan, US Agree on Strategic Agreement

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

Afghanistan, US Agree on Strategic Agreement Apr 22nd 2012, 16:02 Afghanistan and the United States have finalized a strategic partnership agreement outlining their relationship following the 2014 withdrawal of Western combat troops in the country. A statement from Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office says the deal was initialed Sunday by Afghan National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta and the U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker.  It said the agreement is ready to be signed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Mr. Karzai Spanta said the document provides a strong foundation for the security of Afghanistan, the region and the world.   Crocker said it cements a long-term stragetic partnership between "two equal and sovereign states." No specific details were released.   Negotiations on the agreement saw progress recently after the U.S. agreed to Afghanistan's demand for full control over the US-run Bagram prison and an end to controversial special forces night raids against Taliban insurgents. President Karzai had also said he wanted a written commitment of $2 billion a year from the United States after the withdrawal. U.S. officials said they could pay up to about $4 billion a year to fund Afghan forces. But they also said the strategic pact is not meant to be a detailed aid package, but rather a broad framework committing both sides to continue to work together for years to come. Media files: Afghanistan_Curious_Map_9jun10_300.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) Kabul_Afghanistan Curious Map1.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Afghanistan, US Agree on Strategic Agreement

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Afghanistan, US Agree on Strategic Agreement Apr 22nd 2012, 16:02 Afghanistan and the United States have finalized a strategic partnership agreement outlining their relationship following the 2014 withdrawal of Western combat troops in the country. A statement from Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office says the deal was initialed Sunday by Afghan National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta and the U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker.  It said the agreement is ready to be signed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Mr. Karzai Spanta said the document provides a strong foundation for the security of Afghanistan, the region and the world.   Crocker said it cements a long-term stragetic partnership between "two equal and sovereign states." No specific details were released.   Negotiations on the agreement saw progress recently after the U.S. agreed to Afghanistan's demand for full control over the US-run Bagram prison and an end to controversial special forces night raids against Taliban insurgents. President Karzai had also said he wanted a written commitment of $2 billion a year from the United States after the withdrawal. U.S. officials said they could pay up to about $4 billion a year to fund Afghan forces. But they also said the strategic pact is not meant to be a detailed aid package, but rather a broad framework committing both sides to continue to work together for years to come. Media files: Afghanistan_Curious_Map_9jun10_300.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) Kabul_Afghanistan Curious Map1.jpg

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VOA News: Asia: Burmese Democracy Party to Skip Swearing In

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

Burmese Democracy Party to Skip Swearing In Apr 22nd 2012, 15:08 Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, set to be seated Monday for the first time in parliament, says it will not attend the swearing in because of a dispute over language in the oath of office. The Nobel laureate was one of 43 office seekers from her National League for Democracy party elected to parliament in landslide polls April 1.   Officials confirmed Sunday the NLD contingent will not be present until oath language requiring them to protect a constitution written by the country's former military junta is changed.  The opposition party wants the word "safeguard" changed to "respect," but the ruling party of President Thein Sein has so far refused to do so. Aung San Suu Kyi, speaking Sunday, stopped short of calling her party's action a boycott. "We are not boycotting, but we are just waiting for the right time to go. Discussion is still going on." Before the April 1 by-elections, Aung San Suu Kyi said one of her priorities as a legislator would be to amend the 2008 constitution, under which a full quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for unelected members of the military. The latest dispute cast a shadow over rapidly-thawing ties between Burma, isolated under a half-century of military rule, and the international community, which has pledged to ease long-standing economic sanctions in return for democratic reforms promised by the new, nominally civilian government. Buoyed by recent overtures from the government, Aung San Suu Kyi has supported European and U.S. moves to begin lifting some sanctions. She has also announced plans for her first trip abroad in 24 years, after spending much of the past two decades under house arrest ordered by the former military government. Some information for this report was provided by AFP. Media files: reu_burma_480_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reu_burma_230_22apr12.jpg

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VOA News: USA: US Lawmaker Dismisses Iran's Claims of Building Drone Copy

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

US Lawmaker Dismisses Iran's Claims of Building Drone Copy Apr 22nd 2012, 15:05 The chairman of the U.S. Senate's Homeland Security Committee is dismissing Iran's claim that it has reverse-engineered a U.S. spy drone it captured last year. Lawmaker Joe Lieberman said Sunday on U.S. television that he considered the claims little more than "Iranian bluster." Earlier Sunday, a senior Iranian commander declared Tehran had reverse-engineered the drone and begun building a copy. Iranian news agencies quoted General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, chief of the aerospace division of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as saying experts also are recovering data from the RQ-170 Sentinel drone captured in December in eastern Iran. U.S. officials have acknowledged losing the surveillance drone. They have said Iran will find it hard to exploit any data and technology aboard it because of measures taken to limit the intelligence value of drones operating over hostile territory. Hajizadeh said the drone contained many "secret codes," but he implied that these had been cracked, saying the spy plane now had "no hidden points." He said exact information about the drone's history had been recovered indicating that it had flown "above [al-Qaida leader Osama] bin Laden's Pakistani hideout two weeks before he was assassinated." The Washington Post reported two weeks ago that a CIA stealth surveillance drone flew deep over Iranian territory more than three years ago, capturing images of a secret uranium enrichment facility near Qum before returning home. The newspaper, quoting former senior U.S. intelligence officials, said there was no sign the aircraft was ever detected. It said such CIA spy planes scoured dozens of suspicious sites related to Iran's disputed nuclear program before the RQ-170 aircraft crashed in December. Western countries say Iran's nuclear program aims to produce atomic weapons. Iran says the work is solely for peaceful purposes. Some information for this report was provided by AP. Join the conversation on our social journalism site - Middle East Voices. Follow our Middle East reports on Twitter and discuss them on our Facebook page. Media files: reu_iran_drone_480_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reu_iran_drone_230_22apr12.jpg

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VOA News: Middle East: Bahrain Tense Ahead of Grand Prix

VOA News: Middle East Middle East Voice of America

Bahrain Tense Ahead of Grand Prix Apr 22nd 2012, 12:11 Formula One Grand Prix drivers are set to race in Bahrain despite violent demonstrations denouncing the event as a lavish spectacle by a ruling family that crushed Arab Spring protests last year. Black smoke from burning tires drifted over an area near the capital, Manama, that saw mass demonstrations in the days before Sunday's race. Security remains tight around Shi'ite villages in anticipation of protests called by the opposition February 14 Movement, which has pledged "three days of rage" to coincide with the Grand Prix. King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said he would attend the race and has pledged his commitment to reform efforts in the kingdom. But protests calling for an elected government and equal rights have intensified since Bahrain's Sunni ruling family insisted on going ahead with the race. Demonstrators took their grievances to the streets again Saturday after opposition groups said a man was killed the day before during clashes with security forces. Opposition leaders said 36-year-old Salah Abbas Habib Musa was targeted by security forces because he was a prominent activist in the February 14 movement, which has been the driving force of Bahrain's Shi'ite-led revolt. Demonstrators hurling fire bombs have clashed nightly with police during the past week, and security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and birdshot. Last year's Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed and later canceled because of demonstrations. Crown prince Salman bin Hamad bin al-Khalifa rejected calls to cancel this year's race, saying that would only empower "extremists." Bahrain's monarchy is the main backer of the Formula One, and the crown prince owns rights to the event. The royal family wants to use the Grand Prix to mend the country's international image despite increasingly violent confrontations between security forces and protesters. Shi'ites account for about 70 percent of Bahrain's population of just over half a million people, but claim they face widespread discrimination and lack opportunities granted to the Sunni minority. The country's leaders have offered some reforms, but the opposition says they fall short of demands for a greater voice in the country's affairs and an elected government. The strategic kingdom is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Reuters Media files: AP_bahrain_formulaone_grandprix_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB)

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VOA News: Middle East: Iran Says Building Copy of Captured US Drone

VOA News: Middle East Middle East Voice of America

Iran Says Building Copy of Captured US Drone Apr 22nd 2012, 12:29 A senior Iranian commander says Tehran has reverse-engineered a U.S. spy drone captured by Iran's armed forces last year and has begun building a copy. General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, chief of the aerospace division of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, was quoted Sunday by Iranian news agencies as saying experts are also recovering data from the RQ-170 Sentinel drone captured in December in eastern Iran. U.S. officials have acknowledged losing the surveillance drone. They have said Iran will find it hard to exploit any data and technology aboard it because of measures taken to limit the intelligence value of drones operating over hostile territory. Hajizadeh said the drone contained many "secret codes," but he implied that these had been cracked, saying the spy plane now had "no hidden points." He said exact information about the drone's history had been recovered indicating that it had flown "above [al-Qaida leader Osama] bin Laden's Pakistani hideout two weeks before he was assassinated." The Washington Post reported two weeks ago that a CIA stealth surveillance drone flew deep over Iranian territory more than three years ago, capturing images of the secret Qom uranium enrichment facility before returning home. The newspaper, quoting former senior U.S. intelligence officials, said there was no sign the aircraft was ever detected. It said such CIA spy planes scoured dozens of suspicious sites related to Iran's disputed nuclear program before the RQ-170 aircraft crashed in December. The Post said the expanded intelligence collection has reinforced the White House view that it will have early warning of any move by Iran to assemble a nuclear bomb. Western countries say Iran's nuclear program aims to produce atomic weapons. Iran says the work is solely for peaceful purposes. Some information for this report was provided by AP. Join the conversation on our social journalism site - Middle East Voices. Follow our Middle East reports on Twitter and discuss them on our Facebook page. Media files: reu_iran_drone_480_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reu_iran_drone_230_22apr12.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Earth Day Prompts Calls for 'Green' Acts

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Earth Day Prompts Calls for 'Green' Acts Apr 22nd 2012, 12:26 Sunday is Earth Day, observed every year since 1970. Earth Day organizers have called on people worldwide to pledge "one billion acts of green."  Those pledges range from residents turning off lights in their homes, to using mass transit for travel to work, to eating locally grown food.    Earth Day was first celebrated in the U.S. on April 22, 1970.  It was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson from the northern state of Wisconsin, who called for a national environmental "teach-in" day. Organizers now say Earth Day is celebrated in one form or another in nearly every country. Much has changed in the U.S. since the first Earth Day 42 years ago - a time when many factories still were allowed to belch considerable amounts of smoke and pollutants into the air, and cars burned fuel containing lead, a dangerous automobile-exhaust pollutant. Over the following decades the nation's Environmental Protection Agency was established, and federal and local jurisdictions enacted many laws protecting air and water supplies, and endangered species of animals and plants. Environmental regulations nevertheless still cause controversy in much of the U.S.  The two main political parties, Democrats and Republicans, frequently contest each other's claims about the effect of greenhouse-gas emissions on the warming of the planet.  As the nation has struggled to recover from a disastrous economic downturn, some have questioned whether environmental laws contributed to the loss of jobs and whether the resulting rise in energy costs is worthwhile. Media files: reu_earth_day_480_22apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reu_earth_day_230_22apr12.jpg

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