November 2003
Report Shahid: Arts Association in Exile - 2003-11-30
The Arts Association in Exile has started a weekly radio program focused on theater and cinema in France. The interview with Javad Dadestan highlights the…
Taiwanese Officials Arrest a Missile Weapons Researcher
Taiwan has arrested a missile weapons researcher for allegedly selling military technology to China. Huo-Ang-Cheng-An, 55, was working at a military institute and is accused…
Nigerian Militants Release Australian Hostage
Nigerian militants released an Australian hostage after several days of captivity, reportedly to demonstrate seriousness about a ransom demand. Other hostages include a British national,…
Earthquake Preparedness Drills in Iranian Cities - 2003-11-30
Iranian officials are conducting earthquake preparedness drills in various cities as part of their response strategy. Ebrahim Pishavar reports from Dubai on these efforts. This…
UK Warns Citizens Against Travel to Saudi Arabia - 2003-11-29
The UK government has issued a warning to its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia due to an elevated terrorist threat. This follows…
Nigeria's Efforts to Free 5 Foreign Oil Workers - 2003-11-29
Nigerian authorities are attempting to free 5 foreign oil workers kidnapped by militants in the Delta region. The hostages include citizens from multiple countries and…
Arrest of Four Suspects by Italian and German Police
Italian and German police arrested four suspects linked to al-Qaeda for allegedly recruiting militants for suicide attacks in Iraq. The arrests occurred in Hamburg and…
President Bush's Secret Trip to Iraq - 2003-11-28
President Bush made a secret trip to Iraq, which was heavily guarded from public knowledge. The trip involved significant precautions to ensure secrecy, including dimming…
Latest Update on the Case of Afsaneh Norouzi - 2003-11-27
Afsaneh Norouzi's defense attorney suggests that the victim's family may consent to a resolution in her case, which has not yet been retried. Norouzi is…
Three More Charged in Connection with Bombing in Turkey - 2003-11-27
Three additional suspects have been charged in relation to a deadly suicide bombing in Istanbul that resulted in 58 fatalities. Nine other suspects were also…
Interrogation of 18 More Individuals Suspected of Involvement in Recent Bombings in Istanbul - 2003-11-26
Turkish security officials have arrested 4 more suspects linked to recent suicide bombings in Istanbul, following the interrogation of 18 others. The investigations are ongoing,…
Saudi Officials Kill Two Suspects After Preventing Car Bomb Explosion
Saudi officials thwarted a car bomb attack in Riyadh and killed two suspects. The militants aimed to strike during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. This incident…
UEFA's Decision to Move Three Matches from Turkey to a Neutral Country - 2003-11-26
UEFA has decided to relocate three European football matches from Turkey to a neutral country due to security concerns following recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul.…
Romania Offers Eleven Iraqi Athletes Training Opportunities in the Country
Romania has invited eleven Iraqi athletes to train in their country ahead of the 2004 Athens Olympics, with support from Romanian sports officials and the…
Emergency Shutdown of a Nuclear Power Plant in South Korea - 2003-11-25
An emergency shutdown of a nuclear power plant in South Korea was initiated due to a technical malfunction, with no leaks reported. This incident involves…
The Body of the British Consul in Istanbul Will Be Returned to His Country on Thursday
The body of Roger Short, the British consul in Istanbul, will be returned to the UK following his death in a suicide attack that also…
Preliminary Results of Parliamentary Elections on Sunday in Croatia - 2003-11-24
The preliminary results of Croatia's parliamentary elections show the nationalist Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) regaining power with at least 61 seats. Ivo Sanader, the party…
Results of the Croatian Parliamentary Elections to be Announced Today - 2003-11-23
The results of Croatia's parliamentary elections are set to be revealed today, with a significant voter turnout reported. The Social Democrats are competing against the…
Life and Progress in America: 2003 George C. Marshall Foundation Award - 2003-11-23
The George C. Marshall Foundation has awarded diplomats and politicians for their significant contributions to global society. This annual recognition highlights the importance of diplomatic…
One Killed and Four Injured in Protests by Former Afghan Defense Ministry Employees
Protests by former employees of Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense resulted in one death and four injuries as they demanded overdue salaries and job assistance. The…
People of Croatia Cast Their Votes in Parliamentary Elections Today - 2003-11-23
Croatia is holding parliamentary elections today, with the nationalist Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the ruling Social Democratic Party in a close race. Public dissatisfaction…
Two Israelis and Two Palestinians Killed - 2003-11-22
On November 22, 2003, two Israelis and two Palestinians were killed amid ongoing violence in the region. Israeli guards were shot while monitoring a security…
An 11-Year-Old Boy Killed by Israeli Soldiers in the West Bank - 2003-11-22
Israeli soldiers killed an 11-year-old boy and a suspected militant in separate incidents in the West Bank and Gaza. The boy was reportedly shot while…
State of Emergency Declared in Georgia - 2003-11-22
On November 22, 2003, opposition forces attacked the parliament in Tbilisi, leading President Shevardnadze to declare a state of emergency. The opposition labeled the parliament…
11 Migrant Workers Killed by Rebels in Northeast India - 2003-11-22
In Northeast India, suspected rebels killed 11 migrant workers from Bihar in two separate attacks in Assam. The violence follows recent communal unrest that left…
Reuters: An incendiary bomb was thrown at the British Embassy in Tehran
An incendiary bomb was thrown at the British Embassy in Tehran, causing no injuries and minimal damage. This incident occurred amidst a wave of suicide…
American Soldiers Kill Hungarian Citizen in Iraq - 2003-11-21
American soldiers shot and killed a 27-year-old Hungarian man who was approaching a checkpoint near Baghdad. He was working as a translator and driver for…
Senior Security Official of Georgia Claims Recent Parliamentary Elections Were Fraudulent
A senior security official in Georgia has claimed that the recent parliamentary elections were fraudulent, raising concerns about potential violence between opposing factions. The U.S.…
Turkish Officials: Several Arrested on Suspicion of Involvement in Recent Bombings
Several individuals have been arrested in Turkey on suspicion of involvement in deadly bombings in Istanbul that killed 27 people. The U.S. and Britain have…
Ten Million Dollar Reward for Information on Saddam's Senior Deputy - 2003-11-19
The U.S. is offering a $10 million reward for information on Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a key figure linked to attacks on American troops. This move…
Israel's Action of Building a Barrier Harms Middle East Peace Negotiations - 2003-11-19
President Bush criticized Israel's construction of a barrier around the West Bank, stating it could jeopardize peace negotiations in the Middle East. He urged Israel…
U.S. Officials Investigate Chechen Rebels' Attack on Moscow Theater - 2003-11-19
U.S. officials are investigating the potential involvement of al-Qaeda in a Chechen rebel attack on a Moscow theater that resulted in the death of an…
Israeli Soldiers Storm Bethlehem - 2003-11-19
Israeli soldiers launched an operation in Bethlehem to find an armed man responsible for the deaths of two Israeli soldiers. The situation escalated with an…
The U.S. Limits Fabric Imports from China - 2003-11-19
The U.S. plans to impose new quotas on clothing imports from China to protect its domestic textile industry. This decision comes amid ongoing negotiations with…
Two Iranian Traffickers Sentenced to Death in the UAE
Two Iranian traffickers were sentenced to death in the UAE as part of a trial involving six individuals. This case highlights the ongoing issues of…
OSCE to Present Final Report on Azerbaijani Presidential Elections This Week - 2003-11-18
The OSCE will release its final report on the Azerbaijani presidential elections, revealing that international standards were not met during the voting. Ilham Aliyev is…
Investigation into a Senior U.S. Army Officer in Iraq - 2003-11-18
The U.S. military is investigating Second Lieutenant Alan West for allegedly abusing an Iraqi detainee during an interrogation. This marks the first instance of a…
Suspected Islamic Militants Attack Police Post in Kashmir, India - 2003-11-18
Suspected Islamic militants attacked a police post in Kashmir, leading to a lockdown of the area as authorities search for the attackers. The extremist group…
Investigations into Al-Qaeda's Connection with Istanbul Bombings - 2003-11-18
Turkish authorities are investigating the Al-Qaeda connection to bombings at two synagogues in Istanbul that killed 24 people. The attacks were claimed by the Abu…
Thousands March in Athens to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Student Uprising
Thousands of protesters in Athens commemorated the 30th anniversary of the student uprising against the military regime, marching from the Polytechnic University to the U.S.…
Six Afghan Citizens Killed in US Airstrike Near Pakistan Border
Six Afghan citizens were killed in a US airstrike in Paktia province near the Pakistan border. Afghan officials are uncertain about the circumstances of the…
Audio Recording of Saddam Hussein Broadcast by Al-Arabiya - 2003-11-17
An audio tape purportedly from Saddam Hussein warns of increased casualties for the military coalition in Iraq. This broadcast follows the death of seventeen American…
No Evidence Found of Saddam Hussein's Intent to Transfer Weapons to Terrorists - 2003-11-17
An American military expert reported that no evidence was found linking Saddam Hussein to the transfer of weapons to terrorists. This comes amid ongoing concerns…
UN Refugee Agency Suspends Aid Operations in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
The UN Refugee Agency has halted operations in Ghazni, Afghanistan, after a French aid worker was killed. This suspension reflects ongoing security concerns in the…
Severe Security Measures in London for President Bush's Visit - 2003-11-17
President Bush is set to visit Britain amidst significant security measures due to anticipated large-scale protests. The British government estimates the security costs for the…
Search and Investigation into Saturday's Bombings in Turkey Continues - 2003-11-17
On November 17, 2003, Turkish authorities continue to investigate bombings at two synagogues in Istanbul that resulted in 24 deaths. The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigade,…
Grenade Attack in a Crowded Area of Bogotá, the Capital of Colombia - 2003-11-16
A grenade attack in a busy area of Bogotá has left one dead and over seventy injured, with police arresting one suspect and searching for…
Pentagon Plans to Launch 24-Hour Satellite TV Channel from Baghdad - 2003-11-16
The Pentagon is set to launch a 24-hour satellite TV channel from Baghdad to enhance news coverage of Iraq for American media. This initiative aims…
Some CIA Officials: Guerrilla Warfare Against U.S. Forces in Iraq Was Planned Before the War - 2003-11-16
U.S. intelligence officials are increasingly asserting that the guerrilla warfare against U.S. forces in Iraq was pre-planned before the war. This claim is supported by…
Genetic Technology Can Be Used to Create New Microbial Weapons - 2003-11-16
Scientists have alerted the CIA about the potential misuse of biotechnology for creating new microbial weapons. This concern arises from advancements in genetic engineering that…
Two Explosions Shake an Upscale Neighborhood in the Capital of Colombia
Two explosions occurred in an upscale neighborhood of Bogotá, injuring many, and are believed to be the work of the FARC group, known for previous…
President Bush says the U.S. is trying to expedite the transfer of power to the people of Iraq - 2003-11-15
President Bush announced efforts to speed up the transfer of power to Iraqis while affirming that U.S. troops will stay until stability is achieved. This…
48 Miners Killed in Coal Mine Explosion in Eastern China
A coal mine explosion in Fengcheng, Jiangxi province, resulted in the deaths of 48 miners. The cause of the explosion is currently unknown, highlighting the…
German Supreme Court Allows Yemeni Suspect to be Extradited to the U.S.
The German Supreme Court has permitted the extradition of Sheikh Mohammed Ali Hassan al-Mu'id, a Yemeni man linked to al-Qaeda, to the U.S. for his…
U.S. Soldiers Arrest Two Iraqis During Attack on Tikrit - 2003-11-13
U.S. soldiers arrested two Iraqis suspected of involvement in a helicopter attack that killed six American soldiers. The arrests occurred during military operations in Tikrit,…
Iranian Journalists' Efforts to Join the International Federation of Journalists
Iranian journalists, led by Hosseini Bastani, are pushing for permanent membership in the International Federation of Journalists to gain voting rights and access to training…
U.S. Army Closes Major Bridge in Baghdad Due to Recent Attacks - 2003-11-13
The U.S. Army has closed a recently opened bridge in Baghdad due to ongoing attacks, highlighting security concerns in the area. This bridge was previously…
A Japanese Woman Recognized as the Oldest Person Has Died at Age 114
Miyu Kawate, the oldest recognized person in the world, died at 114 due to pneumonia. She was born in 1889 and became the oldest after…
Arafat Swears in New Palestinian Cabinet - 2003-11-13
Yasser Arafat swore in a new Palestinian cabinet led by Ahmed Qurei, which received legislative approval. This change follows a power struggle and aims to…
India Establishes First Foreign Military Base in Tajikistan
India has set up its first foreign military base in Tajikistan to safeguard its strategic interests in Central Asia, particularly concerning energy security and proximity…
Los Angeles Report: Special Session on Kurdistan Organized by the Middle East Studies Association - 2003-11-13
A special session focused on Kurdistan was held in Los Angeles by the Middle East Studies Association, featuring an interview by Mohammad Qods Razavi with…
Pakistani Officials Seize Several Tons of Heroin and Morphine Near Afghanistan Border
Pakistani anti-narcotics officials have seized significant quantities of heroin and morphine near the Afghanistan border in recent operations. This highlights ongoing drug trafficking issues in…
Head of Iran Banking Institute: The Development of a 20-Year Outlook is Political Maneuvering
The head of the Banking Institute in Iran, Mohammad Tabeeyan, criticized the government's plan to create a 20-year outlook, deeming it politically motivated and unrealistic…
Vote of Confidence for the New Government of Ahmad Qurai, Prime Minister of Palestine - 2003-11-12
Palestinian legislators voted to grant confidence to Ahmad Qurai's new cabinet, aiming to revive peace talks with Israel after a period of conflict with Yasser…
Nasrin Mahdavi's Report: Hassan Rouhani's Efforts to Resolve Iran-Russia Disputes - 2003-11-11
Hassan Rouhani is actively working to ease tensions between Iran and Russia by assuring Russian officials about Iran's nuclear ambitions. This is significant as it…
Under the Microscope: Explosion in Riyadh, Halt of Uranium Enrichment Program - 2003-11-10
An explosion occurred in a residential complex in Riyadh, while Iran officially announced the halt of its uranium enrichment program. Additionally, the UN Special Rapporteur…
Draw by the International Basketball Federation and Olympic Officials for Participating Countries - 2003-11-10
The draw for the men's basketball tournament at the 2004 Olympics has placed the U.S. team in Group B, avoiding tough competitors like Argentina and…
A Senior Chinese Diplomat Expresses Hope for Resolving North Korea's Nuclear Crisis
A senior Chinese diplomat is hopeful that efforts to resolve North Korea's nuclear crisis will succeed by next year, following a meeting with South Korean…
A Kurdish Border Guard Killed in an Attack in Northern Iraq - 2003-11-10
A Kurdish Iraqi border guard was killed in an attack by armed men in northern Iraq, with at least 10 others injured. The incident is…
Severe Security Measures in Mecca and Around Diplomatic Targets in Riyadh - 2003-11-10
Saudi Arabia has heightened security in Mecca and Riyadh following a deadly suicide bombing attributed to al-Qaeda, which killed at least 17 people. The U.S.…
Paul Bremer: Hundreds of Foreign Fighters Have Entered Iraq - 2003-11-10
Paul Bremer announced that hundreds of foreign fighters have entered Iraq, posing a threat to coalition forces. Recent violence includes the killing of an American…
Science and Society: Device for Identifying Suspected Terrorists
CIA scientists are developing a handheld device to identify suspected terrorists from a distance. This innovation could enhance surveillance and security measures. It is significant…
Los Angeles Report: Middle East Studies Association Conference - 2003-11-08
The 37th Middle East Studies Association Conference took place in Anchorage, Alaska, discussing various topics related to Iran. Key discussions included the teaching of Persian…
U.S. Justification for Closing Diplomatic Centers in Saudi Arabia
The U.S. has temporarily closed its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia due to credible threats of terrorist attacks. This decision reflects heightened security concerns in…
Temporary Closure of U.S. Diplomatic Centers in Saudi Arabia - 2003-11-07
The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is temporarily closing its diplomatic missions due to credible terrorist threats. American citizens in the region are advised to…
Islamic Republic of Iran Describes Misbahi's Testimony in Argentine Court as False
The Iranian government has rejected the testimony of Abdolqasem Misbahi, a former intelligence officer, who accused it of orchestrating a deadly bombing in Argentina in…
Weekly Discussion: Behrouz Abbasi's Interview with Mashallah Shamsolvaezin - 2003-11-06
Behrouz Abbasi interviews Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, a prominent figure in Iranian journalism. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Iran. This is significant as…
New Treatment for Heart Diseases - 2003-11-05
New research suggests that injectable HDL treatments can delay heart diseases in patients with arterial blockages. A small trial showed significant improvements in just six…
An Explosion in Southern Chechnya Kills Two Russian Soldiers
An explosion in southern Chechnya resulted in the death of two Russian soldiers and injuries to three others, likely caused by a landmine. The incident…
Official Visit of Vladimir Putin to Italy Begins
Vladimir Putin has started an official visit to Italy, seeking closer ties with the EU. Discussions with Italian President Carlo Ciampi highlighted progress on global…
Under the Microscope: The Visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to Tehran - 2003-11-05
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights is visiting Tehran to assess the human rights situation in Iran. This visit comes amidst regional tensions, particularly…
Lifting Travel Restrictions for Palestinians
Israeli officials have started lifting travel restrictions for Palestinians in the West Bank, but residents report minimal changes. The move is seen as an effort…
Microsoft Offers Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Cash Rewards
Microsoft is offering substantial cash rewards for information on individuals responsible for two major computer viruses. The initiative aims to combat widespread disruption caused by…
President Bush's Visit to Areas Affected by Recent California Wildfires - 2003-11-04
President Bush visited Southern California to assess the damage from recent wildfires, meeting with officials and affected residents. The fires have resulted in 22 deaths…
Bomb Explosion at Turkish Embassy in The Hague - 2003-11-04
A bomb exploded at the Turkish Embassy in The Hague, causing no injuries. The assailant, who entered as a visa applicant, fled after the explosion…
Report by Shahid: Iranian Officials' Statements Regarding Recent Events in Iraq - 2003-11-04
Iranian officials have made statements regarding the recent events in Iraq, reflecting Iran's interest and involvement in the situation. This report by Mohammad Reza Shahid…
Witness Report: Retrial of a Terrorist - 2003-11-04
A retrial of a terrorist has commenced in Paris. The report comes from a special correspondent of Voice of America’s Persian section. This event is…
Washington Post: Saddam Hussein Did Not Issue a Counterattack Order When the War Began
Saddam Hussein did not order a counterattack at the onset of the war, believing he could avoid invasion. Tariq Aziz claimed that French and Russian…
Twenty-four killed in a passenger bus accident in western India
A tragic bus accident in western India resulted in twenty-four fatalities and over twenty injuries. The accident took place on a mountainous road near a…
Science and Society: Experiments on Three Types of Plants Proven Effective in Fighting Cancer - 2003-11-02
At a medical conference in Arizona, scientists revealed that experiments on three types of plants have shown effectiveness in combating cancer. Mansour Farasioon from Voice…