World Scene

JORDAN

King seeks nuclear power

JERUSALEM — Jordan’s King Abdullah II has told an Israeli newspaper his country wants its own atomic program, a development he said came in response to desires expressed by other countries in the region to become nuclear powers.

In an interview with the Israeli daily Ha’aretz published yesterday, Abdullah said his desert kingdom, which borders Israel and has a peace agreement with it, wanted nuclear power “for peaceful purposes” and was already discussing its plans with Western countries.

In Washington, the State Department indicated it had no objection to a peaceful Jordanian nuclear program. Israel declined to comment.

CHINA

Beijing opposes space arms race

BEIJING — Beijing insisted yesterday it was opposed to an arms race in space after Japan and Britain joined a chorus of concern over a satellite-killing missile test by China — the first known experiment of its type in more than 20 years.

The United States says China used a ground-based ballistic missile to shoot apart an aging weather satellite on Jan. 11, scattering dangerous debris that could damage other satellites and raising risks of escalating military rivalry in space.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman refused to confirm or deny the incident, but said Beijing wanted no arms race in space.

BRITAIN

Indian star’s rival voted off TV show

LONDON — British reality television star Jade Goody, accused of racism and bullying after heated arguments with a fellow contestant from India, was voted off the “Celebrity Big Brother” show yesterday.

The 25-year-old was widely expected to be evicted by public vote, after her verbal assaults on Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty caused an outcry in Britain and India and prompted around 40,000 viewers to complain about the show.

Channel 4, which airs the show, canceled a planned press conference with the evictee and banned crowds that normally greet the contestants leaving the house.

The row has prompted intense debate about whether Miss Shetty’s treatment constituted racism, and to what extent the unseemly scenes that have reduced the 31-year-old to tears are a reflection of British society.

TURKEY

Outspoken journalist fatally shot at work

ISTANBUL — A journalist who faced constant threats and legal proceedings as one of the most prominent voices of Turkey’s shrinking Armenian community was fatally shot yesterday at the entrance to his newspaper’s offices, police said.

Hrant Dink, a 53-year-old Turkish citizen of Armenian descent, had gone on trial numerous times for speaking out about the mass killings of Armenians by Turks at the beginning of the 20th century. He also had received threats from nationalists, who viewed him as a traitor.

From wire dispatches and staff reports.