A roundup of today's other world news in brief
Seats ballot for Blair evidence at Iraq inquiry
LONDON – Britain’s former prime minister Tony Blair will appear before an official inquiry into the Iraq war during the fortnight starting January 25th, the inquiry team said yesterday.
A ballot is to be held to allocate public seats, while one-third of the 60 or so available spaces will be allocated to families of soldiers who died in the war.
Mr Blair, prime minister for a decade from 1997, ordered 45,000 British troops to take part in the 2003 US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, a move which critics say was illegal. – (Reuters)
Iranians ban ties with foreign media
LONDON – Authorities in Iran intensified their campaign to blame the country’s political turmoil on foreigners yesterday by banning contact with more than 60 international organisations.
The intelligence ministry said the blacklist included thinktanks, universities and broadcasting organisations identified as waging a “soft war” aimed at toppling Iran’s Islamic system.
It forbade Iranians from talking to or receiving aid from the proscribed organisations, including the BBC, which last year launched a Farsi satellite channel, as well as two US government-funded outlets. – (Guardian service)
British pledge on climate change
LONDON – The British government promised last night to redouble its efforts to get a binding agreement on climate change after the “disappointing” outcome of last month’s Copenhagen conference.
Energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband acknowledged “frustration” and “disappointment” over the failure to establish a clear timetable for a legal treaty at the talks. But he said the accord that was reached did mark “significant progress” and insisted the fight against climate change “will be won”. Shadow energy and climate change secretary Greg Clark said by any objective assessment, Copenhagen was a “flop”. – (PA)
Cambridge may issue bonds
CAMBRIDGE – Cambridge University is looking at issuing bonds for the first time in its history. The 800-year-old institution is said to be considering turning to the money markets to raise up to £400 million (€445 million) to finance two new building projects.
Cambridge’s finance director, Andrew Reid, told the London Times: “We usually raise money through benefactors, but this time we need a significant sum so are turning to other methods. If it goes ahead, the move would reportedly follow a trend by America’s top Ivy League universities.” – (PA)