World briefs 8/2/05

Iran delays reopening nuclear processing plant

ISFAHAN, Iran -- Iran threatened to reopen its nuclear processing plant here Monday but later agreed to a two-day delay after receiving a request from the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency. A spokesman for Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said that International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohammed ElBaradei asked Tehran for a "maximum of two days" to send its inspectors to Iran's nuclear facility where they can oversee the dismantling of U.N. seals. But the IAEA denied setting a two-day deadline, saying more time is needed to oversee the plant's uranium processing. Earlier, Mohammad had said Iranian technicians would break the seals and restart nuclear processing on Monday.

DNA evidence frees man after 18 years in prison

PITTSBURGH -- A man who spent 19 years behind bars for a rape he didn't commit was released from prison Monday after new tests of DNA evidence cleared him. Doswell walked out of the county jail a free man -- expressing thanks, not bitterness. "I'm thankful to be home," he said. "I'm thankful justice has been served. The court system is not perfect, but it works." Dos-well, 46, was convicted in the 1986 rape of a 48-year-old woman at a hospital in Pittsburgh. When he was convicted, he was 25 and the father of two young children.

Sudan leader's helicopter death spurs riots

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Grief-stricken supporters of a former Sudanese rebel leader tore through the capital in riots that left 36 people dead Monday, smashing cars and shops and angrily blaming the government for their hero's death in a helicopter crash. Despite doubts among the rioters, the southern rebel movement dismissed talk of a plot against Vice President John Garang and sought to keep alive the fragile north-south peace deal he championed for Sudan. The 60-year-old Garang died Saturday along with 13 other people when their helicopter crashed into a mountain.

-- From wire reports