Southern Sudanese officials say at least 30 people have died in clashes along the border with northern Sudan as the second day concluded in the region’s week-long referendum on independence. Election officials say voter turnout was 20 percent on Sunday, the first day of the week-long poll.

The lines of voters outside polling stations across southern Sudan on Monday were mostly shorter than on opening day.

Nevertheless, thousands of people turned out for the referendum that is to decide whether southern Sudan remains with the north or secedes to become Africa’s newest state.

Thousands of Thai anti-government activists have marched in Bangkok in one of their biggest shows of strength since a mass protest that triggered a deadly military crackdown last year.

About 30,000 Red Shirts, as the activists are known, gathered around Bangkok's Democracy Monument Sunday and marched to an upscale shopping area in the city center, blocking traffic on a major street.

Although Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party seems to have accepted, in public at least, that elections are not possible before year end, many new black farmers north of the capital were told Tuesday by senior army personnel there would be "war" if ZANU-PF didn't win the next poll.

An officer in the Zimbabwe National army, accompanied by several colleagues, addressed new farmers at what used to be called the Ayshire Country Club.

The Greek government says it plans to build a fence along part of its border with Turkey to try to stop illegal immigrants from crossing into the country.

Greek authorities say more than 100,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the country last year. Most crossed the Evros River that separates Greece and Turkey, and the European Union from the outside world.

The Greek government says those numbers can no longer be tolerated and has announced plans to construct an eight-mile long fence along the most vulnerable part of the border.

Sunday's referendum in southern Sudan gives voters a choice between staying united with the rest of Sudan or becoming an independent country.

The poll was agreed to in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended Sudan's 21-year north-south civil war.

Voters entering polling booths will see two symbols. One shows two hands clasped together, symbolizing unity. The other shows the single palm of a hand, symbolizing separation.

Most analysts predict southerners will choose independence. The new country would be Africa's first since Eritrea won independence in 1993.

FPI YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FILM SCREENING:

Mugabe and the White African

Special Guest Peter Godwin

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

6:00 – 6:30 PM
Networking Reception

6:30 – 7:00 PM
Introduction by Peter Godwin

7:00 – 8:30 PM
Film Screening

8:30 – 9:00 PM
Audience Discussion

The Heritage Foundation
Allison Auditorium
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African leaders are in Abidjan for more talks with Ivory Coast's rival presidents. The country's political crisis has sent thousands of refugees into Liberia.

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have recognized former prime minister Alassane Ouattara as the newly-elected president of Ivory Coast.

So the focus of the groups' joint mission to Abidjan is the man who stands in Mr. Ouattara's way - incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.

COVER FEATURE
CAPTURE/KILL MISSION
America’s special operations forces are fighting and dying in Afghanistan. One of their deadly missions is recounted in this extract from Oliver North’s book, American Heroes in Special Operations.
By Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, USMC (Ret.)

MEXICO TAKES ON THE CARTELS

MIDLAND, Texas. A decade ago, I was hunting not far from here with my now-departed friend Joe Foss, the World War II Marine fighter ace and Medal of Honor recipient. I made an impatient long-range shot at a fast-moving deer, and missed the target.