Iraq Situation "Is Not Nearly What It Should Be"

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has told BBC Newsnight daily life in Iraq today is not what he hoped it would be when he opted to invade 10 years ago.

He said there had been "significant improvements" but that "it is not nearly what it should be," pointing in particular to on-going terror attacks.

However, he insisted that the situation under Saddam Hussein was far worse.

And he said although the world was not safer than 10 years ago, it was safer than it would be if he had remained.

Be sure to watch Newsnight tonight at 10 30 on BBC 1; Iraq 10 Years On

The Italian Fiasco

Beppo Grillo, Campaigning on the final day of elections

Centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani says Italy is in a "dramatic situation" after election results that leave the country in political stalemate.

But Mr Bersani, whose coalition won most seats in parliament, did not identify a preferred partner in government.

He said all political parties should take responsibility for the country.

Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi said earlier fresh elections should be avoided, and called for a period of reflection, which correspondents suggest could mean he is considering a very awkward alliance with his opponents on the centre-left.

Another option could be a coalition with italian comedian Beppo Grillo, advocate for leaving the Euro, gaining 25 per cent of the vote would surely not be appropriate in government?

What is certain that his successful election campaign proves that there is no confidence in Italian politics.

Berlusconi's Back

Unbelievably, in a dramatic turn of events, from facing charges of rape allegations, Berlusconi can restore his position as Italian prime minister if the voting goes his way.

Italian voters, yesterday, faced two daunting prospects. On the right; the prospect of continued austerity with the current government and on the left; Berlusconi.

It seems ridiculous that there is no other man or woman worthy of candidacy in the whole of Italy. 

What is sure is that Europe's third largest economy will need to elect a leader that can change the current situation in Italy of constant recession. 

The results of the elections will become apparent this weekend when the votes are counted.

America: North Korea is a "serious threat"

North Korean military ambitions are a "serious threat" to the US, outgoing Pentagon chief Leon Panetta has said.

In a speech made after Pyongyang carried out its third nuclear test, Mr Panetta likened the North to Iran, describing them as "rogue states".

In New York, the UN Security Council "strongly condemned" the nuclear test.

Barrack & Benjamin

Barrack Obama has announced a trip to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli network Channel 10 has announced the president's arrival is scheduled for 20th March and was arranged by phone to congratulate Netanyahu on recently being re-elected.

Obama, half Kenyan on his fathers side, was criticised in Israel for not visiting when in Egypt.

What is unusual: a US president visiting after an election campaign rather than just prior (satisfying the considerable Jewish US voters) however Obama did play that card in 2008 presidential elections and remains closely tied with Israel.

Chinese missiles pointing at Japanese ships

Japan has reported to the UN that they've detected Chinese Missiles pointing at Japanese naval ships in the eastern Chinese Sea.

The chain of 8 islands known as Senkaku in Japan, and Diaoyu in China, has been historically disputed by Japan and China (and Taiwan), and are thought to be high in fishing deposits and potentially plentiful in oil reserves.

The islands are officially Japanese, although recently the Chines Ambassador to Japan stated to the UN that the chain were 'inherently Chinese.'

This dispute has been on-going for years but was ignited when Tokyo purchased 3 privately owned islands in 2012 from a Japanese citizen.

There'll be no capitalist/communist referendum, as David Cameron has proposed for the dispute over the Falklands, as there's no inhabitants of Japanese owned chain Senkaku.