High
Iran poll turnout claimed
Voter turnout in Iran's controversial election
may have been higher than expected, according to early estimates.
First results from outlying areas showed wins for
conservative candidates but moderate reformists are standing in some
of the larger constituencies so it may be some time before a clear
picture of the voting emerges.
The final results are not expected until next
week.
A top election official, Ahmad Azimzadeh, says
more than 30 percent of voters went to the polls in the Tehran area
on Friday.
A pre-election government survey suggests the
turnout would be as low as 10 percent in the large cities, though it
predicted 30 percent participation nationwide.
Reformists claim a victory for hardliners is
inevitable after about 2,500 pro-reform candidates were disqualified
by the conservative Council of Guardians, an unelected 12-member
body which vets elections.
Clashes
spread to Haiti capital
At least 20 people were injured during a march in
Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on Saturday when militants loyal to
the president attacked protesters.
About 500 students demonstrating against
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide were set upon by gangs armed with
guns and machetes.
In the capital Port-au-Prince, groups with guns
and machetes attacked the students who were carrying banners
condemning Mr Aristide, whom opponents say cheated in past elections
and may do so again.
Two journalists were among those injured in
Friday's clashes in Port-au-Prince.
It was the latest outbreak of violence that has
flared in recent months but which has its roots in disputed
elections held in 2000.
The United Nations has warned of a looming
humanitarian crisis, particularly in the north of Haiti where armed
anti-government guerrillas are in control of large areas.
Food and medical supplies have not been able to
reach the rebel-held areas, including the city of Gonaives and more
than 50 people have been killed in the unrest sparked by opponents
of Mr Aristide.
Japan
put on terror attack alert
Japan has tightened security at airports, nuclear
power plants and government offices amid fears of a possible
terrorist attack.
The move follows the deployment of about 100
Japanese troops on a humanitarian mission in southern Iraq.
Japan plans to send a total of 1,000 air, sea and
ground forces to support the US in Iraq - Japan's largest military
deployment since World War II.
The move is highly controversial in Japan, which
has a pacifist constitution.
A police official in Tokyo terms it the highest
level of security since the US-led invasion of Iraq last March.
Another police official, speaking on condition of
anonymity, says security is being tightened at 650 vital facilities
around the country, including the Prime Minister's residence and the
US embassy.
UN
praises East Timor progress
The United Nations Security Council has been
discussing the future of its involvement in East Timor.
Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for the
mandate of the UN mission to be extended for another year in the
young state. He has also suggested keeping a reduced peacekeeping
mission in the country of just over 300 military personnel along
with military liaison officers and advisers.
A formal vote is not expected for at least
another month.
The UN took over the running of the former
Indonesian province in 1999 and a UN mission has remained there to
help after it gained independence.
There was widespread praise at the United Nations
for the progress made by East Timor's government since independence
less than two years ago.
VOVNews/BBC/Reuters |