A round-up of today's other world news stories in brief
'No evidence' of Iran nuclear weapons plan
TEHRAN – The UN’s chief weapons inspector, Mohamed ElBaradei, said yesterday he had seen “no credible evidence” that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, rejecting British intelligence allegations that a weapons programme has been going on for at least four years.
The claims and counterclaims came on the eve of a potentially decisive meeting in Geneva between diplomats from six world powers and an Iranian delegation about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran insists its programme is for peaceful purposes, and that there is nothing illegal about a uranium enrichment plant under construction near the city of Qom, the existence of which was revealed last week. – (Guardian service)
US supreme court to rule on gun law
WASHINGTON – The US supreme court said yesterday it would decide whether the constitutional right of individuals to own guns takes precedence over state and local laws, reviving the legal battle over gun rights.
The nation’s high court agreed to decide the reach of its landmark ruling last year that the second amendment of the US constitution guaranteed an individual the right to own guns and use them for lawful purposes such as self-defence in the home. – (Reuters)
UN Afghan envoy removed from job
UNITED NATIONS – The UN said yesterday it had ended the assignment of the top US diplomat at the UN mission in Afghanistan after he quarrelled with his European boss over the Afghan presidential election.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon had decided to “recall” Peter Galbraith, deputy to UN special envoy Kai Eide, and to end his appointment. Mr Galbraith angered his Norwegian boss with an aggressive and outspoken line on charges of fraud in the August 20th Afghan election. – (Reuters)
UN kills seven in DRC rebel attack
KINSHASA – UN helicopters killed seven in a rocket attack on rebels trying to seize an army camp in Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province, a UN military spokesman said yesterday.
Most of the government soldiers based in Lwibo, Masisi territory, had left the camp to get their pay when Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda rebels and Mai Mai militia fighters attacked the base on Tuesday.
“The [Congolese army] asked us for aerial assistance. Our attack helicopters fired five rockets, killing seven elements,” said a spokesman for Congo’s UN peacekeeping mission, Monuc. – (Reuters)
Canada to avoid early election
OTTAWA – Canada seemed set to avoid an early election for a second time this month yesterday when the small New Democratic Party (NDP) said it would keep the Conservative minority government in power.
The left-leaning NDP said it would ensure the government did not fall in a confidence vote today so legislation to give C$1 billion (€639 million) in benefits to the jobless could pass. – (Reuters)