World news round-up
Suicide bombers strike again
A pick-up truck packed with half a ton of explosives was deliberately detonated outside Baghdad at the weekend, killing at least twenty people and injuring sixty more. Meanwhile, "It was my wish to turn my body into deadly shrapnel against the Zionists" - the words of a 23-year old Palestinian mother who killed herself and four security guards at a security check-point in Gaza last week.
Day of Reckoning
Tony Blair is to face the toughest challenge of his career this week, as the second reading of the government's White Paper on Higher Education, in which many Labour MPs are still threatening to vote against the controversial plans, will be followed by the much-awaited Hutton report into the death of Dr David Kelly the next day.
Michael Jackson
The legendary rock star has proved his superstar credentials once again, leaving the US court at which he faced multiple charges of child abuse to the sound of cheering fans. The fallen celebrity pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, but if found otherwise could face twenty-two years in jail.
Hoon under attack
The bereaved widow of Sergeant Steve Roberts has given the beleaguered Minister of Defence 'one last chance' to explain who was responsible for the death of her husband in Iraq last March. The British soldier was shot after he had handed back his flak jacket to infantry men deemed to be at a higher risk.
Pakistan
Seven suspected al-Queda suspects were held in Pakistan this week, whilst General Musharraf, who gained power over the country in a military coup in 1999 but has since been granted mandate to rule, has issued a call for jihad (religious war) against extremist groups.
Embryo cloning
The controversial implantation of a cloned human embryo into a woman's womb met with a barrage of opposition, and has reawakened concerns about the potentially dangerous misuse of genetic engineering. However, Dr Panos Davos, the US Scientist responsible, insists that as yet it is very early days: "I do not have a pregnancy to announce."
SARS in China
Several new cases of the respiratory disease SARS in recent weeks have prompted scientists in China to launch human trials of a vaccine to kill the lethal virus. The potent infection has killed 774 people around the world since it emerged in Southern China in 2002, and even if the new trials prove successful it will be a considerable time before any form of vaccine becomes widely available.
Elections
The long haul of the US presidential election race has begun, as Iowan Democrats voted Senator John Kerry as their choice for the Democratic candidate to stand against George Bush. Meanwhile, the UN is considering the feasibility of holding elections in Iraq this coming May, a year earlier than previously planned, after popular Iraqi demonstrations against the interim appointed government.
Zimbabwe
Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition party in Zimbabwe, is under trial for an alleged assassination attempt on President Mugabe during the disputed 2002 national election. Mr Tsvangirai told the court room that he believes he is being framed by the security services, but if found guilty is likely to receive the death penalty.
And finally...
Police in northern India are being paid an extra 30 rupees per month to grow a moustache. It is hoped that the new 'uniform' will enable officers to command increased authority, after fresh research showed that policemen with moustaches were taken more seriously.
22nd Jan 2004