May 2002
Further Delay of Endeavour Spacecraft Launch - 2002-05-31
The launch of the Endeavour spacecraft has been postponed for a second day due to adverse weather conditions, specifically a forecasted storm. NASA is working…
Oil and Gas Pipeline from Central Asia - 2002-05-30
Leaders from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan have agreed to begin preliminary studies for a $2 billion oil and gas pipeline project. The pipeline will connect…
Philippine Muslim Rebels Promise to Free Captured Nurse - 2002-05-30
A Muslim rebel leader in the Philippines has promised to release a Filipino nurse held hostage for nearly a year. This announcement follows a U.S.…
Football Tournament Held in Afghanistan - 2002-05-30
An international football tournament, the Peace Cup, was launched in Kabul, organized by Japanese university students. Very few Afghans can watch the World Cup due…
Mohammad Khordadian, Iranian Dancer Residing in the U.S., Arrested in Iran
Mohammad Khordadian, an Iranian dancer based in the U.S., was arrested in Iran for allegedly promoting moral corruption while visiting family. His detention highlights ongoing…
Japan's Special Envoy to the Indian Subcontinent - 2002-05-28
Japan has dispatched a special envoy to South Asia to help ease tensions between India and Pakistan, following recent missile tests by Pakistan. This move…
Japan and Sweden Friendly Match - 2002-05-25
Japan and Sweden played a friendly football match that ended in a 1-1 draw. The match featured goals from Marcus Allbäck for Sweden and an…
Increased Pressure on Independent Media in Kazakhstan - 2002-05-24
The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over increasing violence against independent media in Kazakhstan, specifically citing attacks on the Respublika newspaper and its staff.…
North Korean Refugees in South Korea - 2002-05-23
Five North Korean refugees have arrived in South Korea after being forcibly removed from the Japanese consulate in China, leading to a diplomatic dispute between…
Proposal for Whale Protection in the Southern Hemisphere Rejected
The International Whaling Commission rejected proposals for new whale protection areas in the Southern Hemisphere, despite calls from anti-whaling nations. Japan's request for limited commercial…
North Korean Refugees Leave Chinese Territory
Five North Korean refugees have left China after being arrested at a Japanese consulate, highlighting a diplomatic standoff between Beijing and Tokyo. Japan accused China…
China Interrogates Korean-American Missionary
The Chinese government is interrogating Joseph Choi, a Korean-American missionary, for allegedly helping North Korean refugees escape. This incident follows the controversial extraction of five…
International Whaling Commission Opens - 2002-05-21
The International Whaling Commission convened at Japan's request to discuss the resumption of commercial whaling. Japan's Minister of Agriculture expressed hope for a shift in…
The Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission Commences - 2002-05-20
The International Whaling Commission's annual meeting has begun, with Japan advocating for the resumption of commercial whaling. Japan's Minister of Agriculture hopes for a shift…
Germany Report: Chemical Weapons in Iraq - 2002-05-19
The article discusses a report from Germany regarding chemical weapons in Iraq, featuring an interview with the head of UN weapons inspectors. This is significant…
Fire on Passenger Ship in the North Sea Contained
A fire on the passenger ship 'Princess Scandinavia' in the North Sea has been contained with nearly nine hundred passengers on board. The Royal Air…
White House Rejects Economic Sanctions Lift Against Cuba - 2002-05-16
The White House has rejected former President Jimmy Carter's request to lift economic sanctions against Cuba, asserting that they are crucial to U.S. foreign policy.…
Interview with Dr. Manouchehr Razmara, Minister of Health under Shapur Bakhtiar - 2002-05-14
Political groups are convening in Paris to organize a referendum to challenge the Velayat-e Faqih system in Iran. The report highlights the efforts of these…
Unauthorized Entry of Chinese Police into Japanese Consulate
Chinese police unlawfully entered the Japanese consulate in Shenyang and removed five North Korean refugees without consent from Japanese officials. Japan's Foreign Minister condemned this…
North Korean Refugees Arrive in Seoul, South Korea Today - 2002-05-14
Three North Korean refugees who sought asylum at a U.S. consulate in China have successfully arrived in South Korea. Meanwhile, two other refugees are at…
Japan's Official Protest to China - 2002-05-13
Japan has officially protested to China over the unauthorized entry of Chinese police into its consulate and the removal of five North Korean asylum seekers.…
Clashes between Hindus and Muslims Result in Over 15 Deaths
Clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Ahmedabad have resulted in over 15 deaths, with violence escalating after a Muslim teacher was killed. The situation is…
Political Asylum Seekers Detained in China - 2002-05-09
Seven individuals suspected to be North Korean asylum seekers were detained in Shenyang, China, while attempting to seek refuge at foreign consulates. The incident has…
Mohsen Mir-Damadi Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison
Mohsen Mir-Damadi, a reformist newspaper editor and member of parliament, was sentenced to 6 months in prison for spreading false information and propaganda against the…
Clashes Between Hindus and Muslims in India Result in 14 Casualties - 2002-05-08
Clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities in Ahmedabad, India, have resulted in at least 14 deaths. The violence has escalated, prompting calls for increased security…
Several Unknown Individuals Attempted to Enter Japanese and U.S. Consulates in China - 2002-05-08
Several individuals attempted to seek asylum at the Japanese and U.S. consulates in Shenyang, China, with two reaching the U.S. consulate and five North Koreans…
The Freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi: A New Dawn for Burma - 2002-05-07
Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest, marking a significant moment for Burma's political landscape. Global leaders, including President Bush and Kofi…
Islamic Court Seizes Two Prominent Reformist Newspapers
An Islamic court in Iran has seized two reformist newspapers while sentencing journalist Siamak Pourzand to 8 years in prison. This marks a return to…
Lifting of Ban on Two Newspapers in Iran - 2002-05-05
The Iranian judiciary has lifted the ban on two reformist newspapers, coinciding with the sentencing of journalist Siamak Pourzand to 8 years in prison for…
Abu Sayyaf Group Threatens to Kill American Couple - 2002-05-01
The Abu Sayyaf group has threatened to kill an American couple if the Philippine government does not negotiate for their release. The couple has been…