A round-up of other world news in brief
Madagascar police tear-gas protesters
ANTANANARIVO – Police in Madagascar tear-gassed supporters of former president Marc Ravalomanana at the end of a rally yesterday against the Indian Ocean island’s army-backed new government.
Witnesses at the demonstration in a park in the capital Antananarivo – the fifth in five days – said police threw several canisters towards an estimated 6,000-strong crowd just as the rally was breaking up. – (Reuters)
Spector jury considers verdict
LOS ANGELES – The murder case against music producer Phil Spector is in the hands of a jury again.
They retired yesterday at the end of his second trial on a second-degree murder charge for the shooting of actor Lana Clarkson six years ago.
They will resume their deliberations today. – (AP)
Nuclear watchdog fails to elect chief
VIENNA – UN nuclear watchdog governors failed to agree on a successor to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Mohamed ElBaradei yesterday after five rounds of voting, opening the field to new candidates who might bridge rich/poor divisions.
The IAEA was keen to avoid a long delay installing a new chief as it confronts mounting challenges.
These include Iran’s disputed pursuit of nuclear technology that could yield atomic bombs and a shortage of financial means to uphold the IAEA’s anti-proliferation mandate. – (Reuters)
Call for Iceland referendum on EU
REYKJAVIK – Iceland should hold a referendum on starting European Union entry talks and organise a second ballot on the terms the EU offers if voters back membership talks, the island’s biggest party said yesterday.
The Independents, traditionally backed by both anti-EU fishing groups and the pro-EU business community, has long been opposed to EU membership.
However, in the wake of the financial crisis they have shown a readiness to at least consider talks on membership. – (Reuters)