Iran begins cloning U.S. drone ― reverse engineering complete

Iran announced in December 2011 that they had successfully captured the RQ-170 U.S. spy drone that had invaded their airspace. It seems they have been playing with it ever since and have now succeeded in making a clone.

While the U.S. thought it had crashed, the Iranian military had apparently hacked the drone's control system and brought it down safely.

Some time ago, Iran made a copy of the clone as a simple toy and sent it to the U.S. in a joking response to demands to hand over the aircraft.

Media in Tehran now says that they have completed reverse-engineering the drone and have begun building their own.... read full article.

Video: Two explosions hit chemical plant in Japan

2 blasts at a chemical plant in western Japan today have killed 1 worker and injured 22 persons, including workers and residents nearby.

RT reports that workers were trying to shut down the Mitsui Chemicals Iwakuni-Ohtake plant, due to a problem in another section of the plant. The plant produces adhesives for rubber tyres and wood.

The explosions occurred while attempting to shut down the plant, which is based in Waki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, some 700 kilometers (434 miles) southwest of Tokyo... read full article and view video.

Video: Presidential candidate wants France out of Eurozone

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, Gaulist candidate in the French presidential elections, says if elected, he wants France out of the EU bloc.

The French people are off to the polls today for the presidential elections with 5 candidates leading the polls. Current President Nicolas Sarkozy, the Socialist Party's Francois Hollande, the National Front's Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Melenchon of the Left Front and Democratic Movement leader Francois Bayrou are ahead in the race according to opinion polls on Friday.

However, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who has formed the party "Arise the Republic", is still hopeful that he might get through. 

In an interview with RT News Mr Dupont-Aignan explains that France is not free anymore, and that the leaders are dominated by Brussels and the European Union. He says that the situation is undemocratic. He states that he wants to restore democracy in France... read full article and view video.

Sunday travel ― 'Life's a beach' in Fuengirola, Spain

Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol is famous for its 5 km stretch of sandy, well-kept beaches, running from the Sohail Castle all the way through to Torreblanca.

Relatively empty out of season but packed in summer, the beaches curve along the coastline with many restaurants, bars and chiringuitos (beach cafes) to choose from.

A beach promenade (Paseo Maritimo Rey de España) runs the full length, giving opportunities for strolling, jogging, power walking or just for simply walking the dogs in the fresh sea air... read full article.

Chilling new video of US border patrol beating immigrant to death

In May 2010, a U.S. citizen was crossing the bridge from Mexico into the U.S.A. She witnessed the brutal violence of several federal agents against a Mexican immigrant, who later died from his injuries.

Now an amateur video taken by Seattle resident Ashley Young has come to light, which shows 42-year-old Anastacio Hernandez-Rojas lying in the fetal position on the ground while at least 12 federal agents repeatedly shock him with a stun gun.  

The video was obtained by a lawyer who is representing the Hernandez-Rojas family in their wrongful death suit against the U.S. government... read full article and watch video.