More Int'l News In Brief

North Korea arms shipment broke UN sanctions

PANAMA CITY (AP) A preliminary report by a team of United Nations experts has determined that a North Korean cargo ship seized in Panama for carrying weapons violated UN sanctions, the Panamanian government disclosed on Wednesday. A Security Ministry statement said the Cuban weapons found under sacks of sugar, included equipment for launching missiles, "without a doubt" violated sanctions meant to halt sophisticated arms sales to North Korea. A U.N. panel of experts monitoring sanctions against North Korea visited Panama in mid-August to investigate the arms seizure. Its report has yet to be made public. After the seizure, Cuba said the cargo included "obsolete defensive weapons", including two MiG-21 jet aircraft and 15 motors, nine missiles in parts, and two anti-aircraft systems that were being shipped to North Korea "to be repaired and returned".

Tropical Storm Juliette takes on Mexico

CABO SAN LUCAS (AP):Tropical Storm Juliette blew down trees and power lines as it blasted across the tourist resorts at the tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, causing at least one death, officials said yesterday. The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased to near 45 mph (75 kph) after hitting 50 mph (85 kph) overnight. It was centred about 15 miles (25 kilometres) northwest of Cabo San Lazaro, but it was projected to weaken and curve away from land, into the Pacific.