From the International Desk
Published 5/22/2003 1:03 PM
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Poll: Iran, Syria, Saudis support terror

WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- A growing number of Americans believe that Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia are supporting terrorism, a new poll indicates. The study was conducted by the Alliance for Research on National Security Issues, a project developed by Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies; and Frank Gaffney, who heads the Center for Security Policy, and overseen by San Francisco pollster Gary Tobin. Respondents were asked: "Does (the country) support al-Qaida or other international terrorist groups?"

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Inter-Korea talks stall over threat

SEOUL, South Korea, May 22 (UPI) -- Inter-Korean talks on economic cooperation came to a standstill Thursday over a North Korean threat to bring an "unspeakable disaster" to South Korea. Delegates from the two sides traded barbs over the North's nuclear issue on the final day of their three-day talks in Pyongyang, officials said. South Korean negotiators were scheduled to return home Thursday. But they delayed their departure in a last-ditch effort to resuscitate dialogue, for fear that a possible rupture of the talks could deliver a serious blow to the fragile inter-Korean reconciliation process.

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U.N. council OKs Iraq resolution

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council Thursday approved the coalition-sponsored, sanction-lifting Iraq resolution 14-0, with Syria boycotting the voting session. U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte called the measure, which allows the sale of oil, a "momentous occasion."

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Al-Qaida terror trial opens in Belgium

BRUSSELS, May 22 (UPI) -- The trial of 23 suspected al-Qaida sympathizers opened Thursday amid tight security following the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Morocco and Saudi Arabia. The accused are charged with plotting to target U.S. interests in Europe last year and of colluding in the killing of rebel Afghan leader Ahmad Shah Massoud shortly before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. The terror trial is the first in Belgium since the September 11, 2001 attacks and follows high-profile court actions against suspected al-Qaida supporters in Germany and the Netherlands last year.

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No terror link seen to Yale blast

NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 22 (UPI) -- Officials said Thursday there appeared to be no terrorist links to a small explosion in an empty classroom at Yale University Law School. The blast late Wednesday caused no injuries and only minor damage, but jangled nerves in a nation on heightened alert for possible terrorist attacks. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force immediately responded to the scene along with agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Connecticut State Police bomb squad.

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There are summer jobs, believe it or not

CHICAGO May 22 (UPI) -- In this year of the sad grad with few entry-level jobs around even for college graduates, a workplace expert advises teens to remain flexible in looking for summer jobs. John Challenger, chief executive officer of the outplacement firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., says high school students who were able to find high-paying tech jobs in the past may have to punch a time clock this year.

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Stocks rally on tax cut prospects

NEW YORK, May 22 (UPI) -- Investors sent stocks higher Thursday in fairly busy trading, taking heart in President Bush's tax cut package, which has a cut in the tax rate on dividends as its centerpiece. In early afternoon trading, the blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average was ahead 81.38 points at 8,582.05 while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was up 18.05 points at 1,507.92.

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Sorenstam enjoys dream start

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 22 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam got off to a dream start Thursday in the first appearance by a female on the PGA Tour in 58 years. The Swedish superstar played the first six holes of the Colonial Country Club course in 1-under par and found herself not only holding her own but in a tie for 10th place, two shots out of the lead. Having accepted a controversial invitation to play on the men's tour, Sorenstam became the subject of unexpected and almost overwhelming attention when she arrived in town this week. But she managed to keep her composure early in the week and then pulled off a surprise by easily managing the early holes.

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