Global warming irreversible, say Russians
Russian scientists have warned that global warming is irreversible and that schemes to tackle it might reduce its worst effects only slightly. Speakers at a Moscow meeting of the Russian Ecological Union said that urgent cuts in greenhouse gases were essential but that global pollution had already seriously damaged climatic balance, the Russian media reported.
Jordan tightens regulations on private institutions
Jordan is introducing a law to tighten controls on private universities. Legislation approved by the council of ministers separates financial and academic standards and requires private universities to obtain two licences to operate – one from the ministry of trade and one from the higher education council. Nine of Jordan’s 23 higher education institutions are private universities.
Sudanese students shot dead during debate
The Geneva-based World Organisation against Torture said that two Gezira University students have been shot dead and 16 others injured during a political debate that was disrupted by militant Islamic students, policemen and security officers in the Sudanese city on August 16. Human rights observers fear that the perpetrators will go unpunished despite an investigation promised by the university administration and the Sudanese government.