Newsline, 20 August 2009: Millions of Afghans have begun voting with some 300,000 Afghan and international troops deployed to protect polling stations; Iran's president unveils his new cabinet with three women ministers, and we join some pampered pigs in The Netherland's most attractive mudbath.

Afghans vote amidst tight security
Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops are on high alert today as voters go to the polls in presidential elections. Taliban militants have threatedned to disrupt voting and sporadic outbursts of violence have been reported.our correspondent i n Kabul says the capital is quiet with security personell outnumbering civilaians. Listen to an interview with Hans Jaap Melissen in Kabul.

 

New Iranian cabinet unveiled
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presents a cabinet which includes women for the first time since the 1979 revolution. Parliament will vote on the proposed 21-member list at the end of the month and Mr Ahmadinejad's choices are expected to face considerable opposition from both conservatives and moderates.
Listen to an interview with Thomas Erdbrink in Tehran.

Happy as a pig in mud
A Dutch animal rights organisation has chosen the "Best mudbath of the year" on a pig farm in the east of the Netherlands. The lucky porkers have one of the most spacious and luxurious quagmires in the country. They even have their own beach. Listen to a report by Johan van Slooten.