WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The latest news from United Press International, around the world, around the clock.
North Korea to exit nuclear pact
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- North Korea said Friday it would withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the South Korean news agency Yonhap said, citing a report from the Korea Central News Agency, the North's official agency. South Korean officials said the statement might represent another effort to achieve a deal with the United States. The British Broadcasting Corp. monitored the KCNA report and provided a transcript. According to the BBC, the statement said the North Korean government "declared its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its total freedom from the binding force of the safeguards accord with the International Atomic Energy Agency."
EU raps North Korea nuclear pact pull out
BRUSSELS, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The European Union Friday said North Korea's decision to withdraw from an international non-proliferation treaty was of "grave concern" to the bloc. The Presidency of the European Union urged Pyongyang to dismantle immediately its nuclear weapons program and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country.
U.S.: Report proves Iraqi non-compliance
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The United States said Thursday the U.N. weapons inspection report on Iraq and the country's suspected weapons of mass destruction proves Baghdad's non-compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441, despite the inspectors' failure to find illicit weapons stockpiles or precursor materials. The judgment came amid reports of growing dissension over possible war with Iraq in the Labor government of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Washington's staunchest ally in the face off with Saddam Hussein. The assessment was delivered by both John Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Israel's Sharon spreads blame for woes
TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is accusing the media as well as the opposition Labor Party of spreading "contemptible libel" with intent to "topple the regime ... and seize power with a lie." Sharon launched the offensive Thursday after weeks in which the media has been inundated with allegations of vote buying in his Likud Party primaries, and alleged wrongdoings by his two sons. This week the Justice Ministry asked the South African government to help obtain evidence in connection with a criminal investigation involving his actions.
Israel returns slain, captured Syrians
TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Israel Thursday returned the body of a Syrian man its soldiers killed the day before in a clash in the southern Golan Heights, and later returned his comrade taken prisoner. The Israelis said the two were soldiers but according to Syrian accounts at least one of them was a police officer. The transfers were carried out through a U.N. force deployed in the demilitarized zone between Syrian and Israeli forces on the Golan.
Illinois governor to act on clemency
CHICAGO, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Outgoing Illinois Gov. George Ryan Friday is expected to pardon four death row inmates as part of a wider clemency to be announced Saturday. Ryan suspended executions in the state nearly three years ago after 13 condemned prisoners were exonerated. In a speech at DePaul University Law School, Ryan is expected to pardon four men who allegedly were tortured into confessing by a rogue police lieutenant. At Northwestern University Saturday, the governor, who leaves office Monday, is expected to commute the sentences of the rest of the 159 prisoners on death row.
U.N.: Strong economic growth is impeded
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Despite the recent shakeout, the U.N.'s report on the world economic situation and prospects in 2003 said Thursday political and macroeconomic risks would impede growth but the world economy will grow slowly by perhaps 2.75 percent in the second half of the year. Shaky investor confidence, overhauled asset prices, macroeconomic imbalance and slower than expected economic recovery in the United States and Western Europe was expected to weigh down the global economy, the report said.
Stocks ease in Tokyo
TOKYO, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended slightly lower for the fourth consecutive session Friday, pressured by news that North Korea had decided to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The blue-chip Nikkei Stock Average, which eased 19.87 points Thursday, lost another 27.48 points, or 0.3 percent, to 8,470.45, after trading as low as 8,378.18 and as high as 8,569.85. The broader Topix Index, which eased 0.22 points during the previous session, slipped 1.63 points, or 0.2 percent, to 837.70.
Els, Furyk share Mercedes lead
KAPALUA, Hawaii, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Ernie Els and Jim Furyk combined to record three eagles and 14 birdies Thursday to share the first-round lead at the Mercedes Championship. Thursday's round marked the start of the 2003 PGA Tour season. Els and Furyk both shot 64 over the par-73 Plantation Course at the Kapalua Bay Resort to claim a one-shot lead over Jerry Kelly, Gene Sauers and Chris Riley. The 36-man field in the season-opening event is made up of winners from the 2002 season. Missing, however, are the top two ranked players in the world -- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Woods is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and Mickelson chose to skip the event.
