US under pressure to scrap cluster bombs

More than a hundred countries, including Britain, agreed last night to scrap their stocks of cluster bombs as part of a new international treaty. The signatories of the proposed convention will now try to put pressure on the nations who have refused to play a part in the negotiations to change their policy. Gordon Brown, who ordered the British negotiators to support a total ban, said: “We will now work to encourage the widest possible international support for the new convention.”

The United States holds huge stocks of cluster bombs and did not take part in the negotiations. It will be earmarked by Britain and the other signatories to reduce its dependence on the weapon systems, which are regarded as posing an unacceptable threat to civilians.

Exeter blast arrest

Police investigating an explosion at a restaurant in Exeter arrested a third man last night. Police are already questioning two people, including the man suspected of setting off the blast at the Giraffe restaurant: Nicky Reilly, 22, a convert to Islam. The other man being questioned was arrested in Plymouth on Friday.

Martin keeps pension

Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has successfully fought to retain a “grace and favour” pension worth about £38,000 a year. Gordon Brown and the Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw, the other office holders entitled to the special allowance, have given up their right to it.

Appeal over hostages

Britain has made a fresh appeal for the release of five British men who were taken hostage exactly a year ago from the Iraqi Finance Ministry compound in Baghdad. A huge search by US, British and Iraqi forces has continued since the kidnapping. There is speculation that the five might have been taken to Iran.

Holiday strike threat

Managers at some of Britain's biggest railway stations are to be balloted for strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Transport Salaried Staffs Association said that if the 400 employees at 17 stations support industrial action it could cause widespread disruption during the summer holiday season.

Physicist honoured

A British physicist is among the recipients of a new set of $1 million science prizes established to rival the Nobel prizes. Donald Lynden-Bell, of Cambridge University, shares the Kavli Prize for Astrophysics for his work with quasars: extremely bright halos that surround super-massive black holes.

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