August 2003
Seventeen People Killed in Bus Accident in Northern India - 2003-08-31
A bus accident in northern India resulted in the deaths of at least seventeen people when the vehicle fell into a river due to sudden…
Palestinian Legislative Council Delays Vote of Confidence for Mahmoud Abbas's Government - 2003-08-31
The Palestinian Legislative Council has postponed the vote of confidence for Mahmoud Abbas's government amid a power struggle with Yasser Arafat. This delay was requested…
26 Taliban Suspects Arrested by Pakistani Border Guards - 2003-08-30
Pakistani border guards have arrested 26 suspects linked to recent Taliban attacks in Afghanistan, along with seizing a significant amount of weaponry. This incident highlights…
Head of Airport Radar Center in the Philippines Killed in Office Explosion
The head of the airport radar center in the Philippines was killed in an explosion believed to be caused by a grenade. Authorities are investigating…
An American Soldier Killed During Operation Against Taliban in Afghanistan - 2003-08-29
An American soldier was killed in an accidental fall during a week-long operation against Taliban fighters in Zabul province, Afghanistan. The operation involves U.S. special…
Shahnameh by Ferdowsi to be Published in English Prose
Masoud Raji is translating Ferdowsi's Shahnameh into English prose to make it more accessible for English speakers and Iranians abroad. This effort aims to help…
Death of an Israeli Man and His Pregnant Wife by Palestinian Gunmen - 2003-08-29
An Israeli man and his pregnant wife were killed by Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank, with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claiming responsibility. This incident…
Canada's Anger Over Tehran's Handling of Zahra Kazemi's Death
Canada is upset with Iran's response to the death of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian journalist. The Canadian Foreign Minister questions the accountability of the accused…
One Killed in Explosion in Gaza Strip - 2003-08-28
An explosion in the Gaza Strip resulted in one death, coinciding with Israeli air activity in the area. This incident follows Palestinian police engagement with…
An American Soldier Passed Away in Kuwait - 2003-08-28
An American soldier died in Kuwait under unclear circumstances while on leave. Military officials are investigating the cause of death, which remains unknown. This incident…
Palestinian Police Fire at Hamas Militants
Palestinian police shot at Hamas militants launching rockets towards Israel, while the Palestinian Authority froze bank accounts of charities linked to extremists. This indicates a…
Talks Between Pakistani and Indian Officials on Air Connectivity End Without Results - 2003-08-28
Talks between Pakistani and Indian officials on resuming air travel ended without agreement. Both sides expressed a willingness to continue discussions, but disagreements over airspace…
Islamic Republic: Two Individuals Charged with Involvement in Zahra Kazemi's Death
Two interrogators have been charged with involvement in the death of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian journalist, who died in custody in 2003. This case highlights…
Protest by Over One Thousand Palestinian Prisoners - 2003-08-26
Over one thousand Palestinian prisoners protested against the potential transfer to a military camp known for poor living conditions. Israeli guards used tear gas and…
Clashes Between US-Led Coalition Forces and Suspected Taliban Gunmen in Southeastern Afghanistan - 2003-08-26
US-led coalition forces engaged in clashes with suspected Taliban gunmen in southeastern Afghanistan, following a major battle that resulted in at least 14 deaths. The…
Visit of the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister to Israel - 2003-08-25
Yuri Fedotov, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, is visiting Israel to discuss ways to halt violence and engage with Israeli and Palestinian officials. This…
Perpetrator of Mosque Attack in Yemen Sentenced to Death
A Yemeni court has sentenced Mohsen Mansir to death for killing 8 people, including 7 students, in a mosque attack last month. Mansir plans to…
North Korean Journalists Clash with Human Rights Activists
North Korean journalists clashed with human rights activists at a sports event in South Korea, leading to threats of withdrawal from the games. The incident…
Palestinian Officials: 4 Palestinian Militants, Including Senior Hamas Member, Killed
Four Palestinian militants, including a senior Hamas member, were killed by an Israeli missile in Gaza City. This attack follows a recent Hamas suicide bombing…
Recruitment of Individuals from the Overthrown Regime of Saddam Hussein - 2003-08-24
U.S. officials in Iraq are recruiting individuals from Saddam Hussein's regime to identify groups attacking coalition forces. This follows a deadly attack on the UN…
Palestinian Militants Launch Rockets from Gaza into Israel - 2003-08-24
Palestinian militants launched rockets from Gaza into Israel, hitting near Ashkelon but causing no reported damage or injuries. This incident follows the closure of tunnels…
Interview with Sudabeh Chamran Ara, Crime Victims Expert in Virginia - 2003-08-23
Sudabeh Chamran Ara discusses the challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S., particularly focusing on the psychological aspects of immigration. As a crime victims expert…
Four Suspected Taliban Members and Two Soldiers Killed in Battle with Afghan Government Forces
In a recent battle in Urozgan province, four suspected Taliban militants and two Afghan soldiers were killed. The clash involved over 300 Taliban fighters and…
Increased Oil Leak from Stranded Oil Tanker in Karachi Port
An oil tanker that ran aground near Karachi has leaked more oil into the sea, with port officials unable to extract any oil due to…
North Korea Says It Will Not Abandon Its Nuclear Program
North Korea has declared it will maintain its nuclear program until the U.S. alters its hostile stance. This statement comes ahead of six-party talks in…
Representative of Victims' Families Travels to Tripoli to Negotiate with Libyan Officials
A representative of the families of victims from a 1989 plane explosion is in Tripoli to negotiate compensation with Libyan officials. This comes after France's…
Signing of Nuclear Cooperation Protocol Between Iran and Russia - 2003-08-22
The Russian government has allowed the signing of a nuclear cooperation protocol with Iran, which includes the return of spent nuclear fuel to Russia. This…
Jacques Chirac's Promise to the French People Regarding Healthcare System Reforms - 2003-08-22
In response to a severe heatwave that caused tens of thousands of deaths in France, President Jacques Chirac pledged to reform the country's healthcare system.…
Death of a U.S. Special Operations Member in Afghanistan - 2003-08-21
A member of the U.S. Special Operations forces has died from wounds sustained in enemy fire in southeastern Afghanistan. The incident occurred near Orgun in…
Three Injured in American Helicopter Shooting at Truck in Paktia Province
An American helicopter shot at a truck in Paktia province, injuring three individuals. The reason for the helicopter's attack remains unclear, and an investigation is…
Palestinian Prisoners' Riot in Northern Israel - 2003-08-20
A riot broke out among Palestinian prisoners in northern Israel after they learned of a potential transfer to a notoriously harsh military camp. Israeli guards…
Explosion on a Bus in Jerusalem - 2003-08-19
An explosion occurred on a bus in Jerusalem, resulting in multiple injuries according to rescue officials. The details surrounding the incident are still unclear. This…
Results of Saboteurs' Activities - Water Cut in Parts of Baghdad - 2003-08-18
Saboteurs attacked key infrastructure in Baghdad, leading to water cuts and casualties. U.S. officials report that an oil pipeline was targeted, and a mortar attack…
French Health Minister: Recent Heatwave Responsible for Approximately Five Thousand Deaths
The French Health Minister has indicated that a recent heatwave may have led to around five thousand deaths, with official figures pending. The government faces…
Iraq's Oil Export Pipeline Set on Fire
Saboteurs attacked Iraq's oil export pipeline and a water supply line, leading to water shortages in Baghdad. Six people died in a mortar attack on…
Liberia to be Governed by Transitional Government for Two Years Until General Elections Starting October
West African officials report that warring factions in Liberia are likely to sign a power-sharing agreement, following the main rebel group's concession on the vice…
Extreme Heat Causes 1,600 to 3,000 Deaths in France
Extreme heat in France has led to significant fatalities, with estimates ranging from 1,600 to 3,000 deaths. The French Minister of Health claims the situation…
Resumption of Palestinian Airline Flights to Gaza Strip
The Palestinian airline is set to resume flights to Gaza after a year-long suspension due to Israeli restrictions. This development comes as Palestinian officials plan…
The U.S. States That the Threat and Danger of Terrorism in Southeast Asia Remains - 2003-08-17
The U.S. has reiterated that the threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia persists despite the arrest of Hambali, a key figure in terrorist operations. Richard…
Libya Welcomes Closer Relations with the U.S.
Libya is seeking closer ties with the U.S. after accepting responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing. The Libyan Foreign Minister believes that issues between the two…
Palestinian Militant Groups Describe the Plan as a Ridiculous Show
Israeli and Palestinian officials were set to discuss the handover of four West Bank cities to Palestinian control, but Israel insists this is contingent on…
Power Restored in Most Areas of the U.S. and Canada
Power has been restored in most regions of the U.S. and Canada, but some areas remain without electricity. Local officials are urging residents to conserve…
Interview of Behrouz Nikzat with Dr. Hossein Lajevardi about International Youth Day - 2003-08-16
Behrouz Nikzat interviews Dr. Hossein Lajevardi about International Youth Day, emphasizing the importance of youth in society. This discussion is crucial as it sheds light…
Leave and Release of Mohsen Sazgara Delayed
Mohsen Sazgara's release and scheduled leave have been postponed due to the absence of the judge. His defense lawyer indicated that the bail was set…
In a raid by Nepalese government soldiers on a rebel camp, three Maoist guerrillas were killed - 2003-08-16
Nepalese soldiers killed three Maoist guerrillas during a raid on a rebel camp after the guerrillas attacked a security patrol. No military casualties were reported,…
Power in Northeastern USA and Canada Slowly Restarts
A massive blackout affecting 50 million people in Northeastern USA and Canada is slowly being resolved, but many areas remain without power. Detroit and Michigan…
Power gradually returns to the Northeastern United States and Canada - 2003-08-15
A massive power outage affecting about 50 million people occurred in the Midwest, with power gradually returning to the Northeastern US and Canada. President Bush…
Israel Releases 73 Palestinian Prisoners
Israel released 73 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, but Palestinians deem it insignificant due to the minor offenses of those released. This release was…
UNHCR Protests Against Russia Over Pressure on Chechen Refugees - 2003-08-15
The UNHCR has expressed strong objections to Russia's treatment of Chechen refugees in Ingushetia, where they are being pressured to return to Chechnya or relocate.…
White House: An active and major member of Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia has been arrested - 2003-08-15
The White House confirmed the arrest of Hambali, a key Al-Qaeda member in Southeast Asia, linked to several terrorist attacks, including the Bali nightclub bombing…
Explosion at an Oil Refinery in Southern Spain - 2003-08-14
An explosion at an oil refinery in southern Spain resulted in three fatalities and seven injuries. The incident, caused by a gas leak, occurred about…
Arrest of Ten Military Personnel Linked to Al-Qaeda - 2003-08-13
Saudi security forces conducted an operation against Al-Qaeda, resulting in the deaths of several suspects and the arrest of ten military personnel linked to the…
Dozens Killed in Rival Faction Battles in Afghanistan - 2003-08-13
Dozens of people have been killed in Afghanistan due to renewed fighting between government forces and insurgents, as well as clashes between rival factions. Key…
Iraq Begins Exporting Oil from Southern Fields via Turkey - 2003-08-13
Iraq has started exporting oil from its southern fields to Turkey for the first time since the war, leading to a drop in global oil…
At least 16 killed in bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan
A bomb explosion in a minibus in southern Afghanistan resulted in at least 16 fatalities, including children, and injured 18 others. Afghan security forces also…
Cancellation of Amnesty Laws for Members of Argentina's Military Dictatorship
The Argentine Congress has repealed amnesty laws that protected members of the former military dictatorship. Human rights groups highlight the atrocities committed during the dictatorship,…
Explosion at a Coal Mine in China - 2003-08-12
A coal mine explosion in Datong, Shanxi province, China, has resulted in 37 fatalities and 5 missing miners. Only one miner has survived, and two…
The Third Round of Peace Talks Between the Nepalese Government and Maoist Rebels Will Begin on Sunday - 2003-08-12
The third round of peace talks between the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels is set to begin on Sunday. The talks were delayed due to…
Possibility of Trial for Some Al-Qaeda Members in Iran - 2003-08-11
Iran is considering trying some suspected Al-Qaeda members if they cannot be sent back to their countries. Hamid Reza Asefi confirmed that some suspects have…
Knowledge and Society: West Nile Virus and Its Deadly Disease - 2003-08-11
The West Nile virus, a mysterious and deadly disease that entered the U.S. four years ago, is spreading rapidly in several states, raising concerns among…
Two Hundred and Fifty Iraqi Refugees Returned to Their Homeland
Around 250 Iraqi refugees have returned to Iraq after 13 years in a Saudi camp. They left Saudi Arabia for Basra via Kuwait, with plans…
George Tenet Defends US Intelligence Report Warning of Iraq's Nuclear Ambitions - 2003-08-10
George Tenet, CIA Director, defends an intelligence report on Iraq's nuclear ambitions, asserting its validity despite criticism. The report suggested that Iraq could develop nuclear…
Death Toll from Marriott Hotel Bombing in Jakarta Reaches Eleven
A suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta resulted in eleven deaths, including a taxi driver. Indonesian officials attribute the attack to the extremist…
Six-Party Talks on North Korea's Nuclear Program to Begin Later This Month - 2003-08-10
Preparations for six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program are ramping up, with discussions set to begin later this month. Key participants include China, both…
Need for Peacekeepers in Liberia to Control Port Facilities for Delivering Food to People - 2003-08-09
U.S. and West African officials are pressuring Liberian rebels to open ports for food deliveries amid a humanitarian crisis. Nigerian-led peacekeepers have entered rebel-held areas…
Interview with Dr. Seyed Mohammad Seifzadeh on Journalist Day
On August 17, Iranian journalists commemorated Journalist Day by participating in a gathering to honor the memory of Mahmoud Sarmadi, who was murdered by the…
Reduction in the Number of Pages of Reformist Newspapers in Iran Following Journalists' Protest
Reformist newspapers in Iran reduced their page counts significantly in response to a protest by journalists against media restrictions. Around 500 journalists participated in the…
Possibility of Using Two Mysterious Trailers in Iraq for Hydrogen Production
Experts suggest that two mysterious trailers found in Iraq might have been used for hydrogen production, contrary to earlier claims of chemical weapon production. The…
Purchase of 34,000 Kalashnikov Rifles for the New Iraqi Police and Army - 2003-08-09
The U.S. government has finalized a deal to purchase 34,000 Kalashnikov rifles for the new Iraqi police and army. This move comes as U.S. officials…
Pentagon Officials Meet with Iranian Arms Dealer - 2003-08-09
U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld confirmed a meeting between Pentagon officials and Iranian arms dealer Manouchehr Ghorbani Far, discussing Iran's situation but yielding no…
Cancellation of Mahmoud Abbas's Trip to Kuwait - 2003-08-09
Mahmoud Abbas's planned visit to Kuwait was canceled due to demands from Kuwaiti officials for an apology from Palestinians regarding their support for Saddam Hussein's…
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Considers New York Times Report Insignificant
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has dismissed a New York Times report about potential terrorist threats to passenger planes as insignificant. The report highlighted…
Six Russian Soldiers Killed in Ambush Near Chechnya - 2003-08-08
Six Russian soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected militants in Ingushetia, while a military helicopter crashed in Chechnya, resulting in one death. The…
Indonesian President Calls for an International Coalition to Fight Terrorism
Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri has called for an international coalition against terrorism following a deadly hotel bombing in Jakarta that killed 10 and injured 150.…
Hezbollah Attacks Israeli Border Posts - 2003-08-08
Hezbollah launched an attack on Israeli border posts using rockets and machine guns, prompting Israeli artillery retaliation. This escalation follows the recent death of a…
Los Angeles Report: Interview with Mr. Ghafour Mirzaei, Writer and Researcher on Iranian History - 2003-08-07
The article features an interview with Ghafour Mirzaei, a prominent Iranian historian and member of a democracy advocacy group. The discussion highlights his insights on…
Hospitalization of Heydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, in a Clinic in the USA - 2003-08-07
Heydar Aliyev, the 80-year-old President of Azerbaijan, has been hospitalized in the USA and is reported to be in stable condition. His health has reportedly…
Muslim Militants Throw Grenade at Military Transport Vehicle in Kashmir, India
Suspected Muslim militants attacked a military transport vehicle in Srinagar, Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to five others. The incident…
A Pakistani Man Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy Against Islam
Bashir Ahmad, a Pakistani man, has been sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam after making statements deemed insulting during his sermons. This case highlights…
Attack by Unknown Individuals on Police Station in Turkey - 2003-08-06
An attack on a police station in southeastern Turkey resulted in the deaths of two police officers and injuries to another. The assailants used grenades…
End of the First AIDS Conference in South Africa - 2003-08-06
The first AIDS conference in South Africa ended with calls for the government to provide AIDS medications in public health facilities. The Archbishop of Cape…
The Leader of the Islamic Republic's Request to the Judiciary
The Leader of the Islamic Republic has called for leniency towards students arrested in pro-democracy protests. Approximately 4,000 individuals were detained, with the government asserting…
Nigerian Peacekeepers Arrive in Liberia - 2003-08-05
Nigerian peacekeepers have arrived in Liberia to help stabilize the country amid ongoing violence. U.S. officials are pushing for President Charles Taylor to resign and…
Washington Considers Punishing Israel
Washington is contemplating punitive measures against Israel for its construction of a security barrier, including cutting off loan payments. This decision reflects tensions in U.S.-Israel…
The U.S. Seeks to Interrogate Omar al-Bayoumi
The U.S. is seeking to interrogate Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi man linked to 9/11 hijackers, with cooperation from Saudi officials. Al-Bayoumi has expressed willingness to…
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary: America Remains a Target of Terrorism - 2003-08-04
Tom Ridge, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, warns that America remains a target for terrorism, referencing a new Al-Qaeda tape. John Ashcroft confirms over 100…
Public Mourning Declared in Southern Russia - 2003-08-04
A day of mourning has been declared in southern Russia following a suicide bombing by Chechen militants that killed fifty and injured over seventy. The…
Soldiers and Civilians in Southern Russia Declare Day of Mourning
Today, soldiers and civilians in southern Russia are mourning the victims of a suicide bombing that targeted a military hospital, resulting in significant casualties. President…
The Episcopal Church in America Votes Today on the Election of Its First Openly Gay Bishop - 2003-08-03
The Episcopal Church in America is voting on the election of Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop. This decision follows significant debate at…
Forty-Five Killed in Explosion in Northern Pakistan - 2003-08-03
An explosion in a northern Pakistani village has killed forty-five people and injured one hundred and fifty others. The incident occurred when residents attempted to…
Car Bomb Explosion in Beirut - 2003-08-02
A car bomb exploded in southern Beirut, killing a man identified as a Hezbollah member and injuring a passerby. Iranian officials refuted claims that the…
Connections Between Saudi Intelligence Officials and Some Hijackers in the September 11 Attacks
A U.S. congressional report reveals connections between suspected Saudi intelligence officials and some hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks. While two Saudi citizens received…
Israeli Soldiers Fire Rubber Bullets at Protesters Against Security Barrier in West Bank - 2003-08-01
Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets at protesters near a new security barrier in the West Bank, injuring several individuals. This incident coincides with a hunger…
One killed and 12 injured in a rocket attack in Balochistan, Pakistan
A rocket attack in Balochistan, Pakistan, resulted in one death and 12 injuries, targeting a state oil company. The attack highlights ongoing tensions between local…
U.S. Temporary Administration in Iraq Invites International Financial Institutions
The U.S. Temporary Administration in Iraq is seeking proposals from international financial institutions to reform two major banks previously managed by the Ba'ath Party. This…
Landslides and Floods Across South Asia Claim Dozens of Lives - 2003-08-01
Dozens have died due to landslides and floods across South Asia, with significant casualties reported in Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The severe weather has led…