December 2002
UN Inspectors Leave North Korea
Two UN inspectors are leaving North Korea after being expelled by the government, raising concerns about the lack of oversight on the country's nuclear activities.…
Refugees Set Fire to Remote Australian Detention Center - 2002-12-31
Refugees at a remote Australian detention center have set fire to the facility, marking the fourth such incident in recent days. This unrest coincides with…
Increased Security Measures for Christmas Celebrations in Asian Countries - 2002-12-30
Asian countries are ramping up security for Christmas celebrations due to threats from Islamic terrorists, particularly following recent attacks in Bali. Authorities in Indonesia, Australia,…
Indian Deputy Prime Minister: Pakistan has become the epicenter of terrorism
Indian Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani has accused Pakistan of becoming the center of terrorism, particularly in relation to militant groups operating in Kashmir. He…
Prominent Opposition Leader in Yemen Assassinated - 2002-12-29
Jarallah Omar, a prominent opposition leader in Yemen, was assassinated shortly after speaking at a political event in Sana'a. The police have arrested a suspect…
Mohammad ElBaradei: Reactivating North Korea's Nuclear Plant Has No Relation to Its Electricity Needs
The IAEA reports that North Korea is reactivating its Yongbyon nuclear plant, which is unrelated to its electricity needs. ElBaradei emphasizes that North Korea has…
In Venezuela, Government and Striking Workers Strengthen Their Positions - 2002-12-27
Nationwide strikes in Venezuela are intensifying as the government rejects demands from striking oil workers for job security and President Hugo Chavez's resignation. The strikes,…
Burma: The Use of Rape Has No Place in Burmese Culture or Its Army
The Burmese military government has denied allegations of using rape as a weapon of war. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that such acts are crimes that…
An Iranian Accused of Espionage in Azerbaijan
An Iranian and an Azerbaijani citizen have been accused of espionage for Iran, with charges including treason and illegal border crossing. The case has been…
Israel's Health Ministry Abandons Public Smallpox Vaccination
The Israeli Health Ministry has opted not to implement a public smallpox vaccination program despite concerns over a potential U.S. military strike on Iraq. Approximately…
The U.S. Continues Its Search for Senior Al-Qaeda Leaders - 2002-12-24
The U.S. is actively searching for 20 to 30 senior Al-Qaeda leaders as officials express concerns about vulnerability to major terrorist attacks. The effectiveness of…
Vaccination of German Citizens Against Smallpox - 2002-12-23
The German Ministry of Health plans to vaccinate citizens against smallpox in response to potential microbial attacks from terrorist organizations. This initiative highlights the government's…
German Helicopter Crash in Kabul Due to Technical Failure
A German helicopter crashed in Kabul, killing seven peacekeepers, likely due to technical failure rather than an attack. This incident marks the worst loss for…
US Electric Power Industry Report on Passenger Jet Collision with Nuclear Reactor - 2002-12-23
A technical report suggests that a passenger jet collision with a nuclear reactor could damage its protective dome but not breach it. The US government…
Increased Military Pressure from American Forces in the Persian Gulf - 2002-12-20
The U.S. plans to double its military presence in the Persian Gulf, increasing pressure on Iraq. This move is part of a strategy leading to…
Russia Expresses Regret Over U.S. Missile Defense System Deployment
Russia has expressed regret over the U.S. decision to deploy a missile defense system, fearing it may detract from the international fight against terrorism and…
Russia's Reaction to the U.S. Decision on Deploying Missile Defense System - 2002-12-18
Russia has expressed regret over the U.S. decision to deploy a missile defense system starting in 2004, warning it could lead to an arms race…
UK Defense Minister Announces Readiness to Deploy Forces to the Persian Gulf Next Month
The UK is preparing to send military forces to the Persian Gulf next month, although no military action has been decided yet. This announcement comes…
Jack Straw Calls Iraq's Claim of No Weapons of Mass Destruction a Gross Lie - 2002-12-18
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has labeled Iraq's assertion of lacking weapons of mass destruction as a blatant lie, following the submission of a 12,000-page…
U.S. Secretary of State: Final Assessment on Iraq's Weapons to be Made Late This Week - 2002-12-17
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that a final assessment on Iraq's weapons will be released soon, highlighting issues with Iraq's documentation claiming no…
An Inside Look: Interview with Hadi Kahhalzadeh, Member of the Central Council of the Office for Strengthening Unity - 2002-12-16
The article features an interview with Hadi Kahhalzadeh discussing the Iranian student movement and student demands. Kahhalzadeh is a notable figure in the student political…
Third Week of General Strike in Venezuela - 2002-12-16
Venezuela is experiencing a general strike against President Hugo Chavez, now in its third week, with opposition leaders expanding protests. Chavez has vowed to suppress…
Iraq Cancels Contract with Three Russian Oil Companies - 2002-12-16
Iraq has canceled its oil contracts with three Russian companies, including Lukoil, due to their non-compliance with contractual obligations. The Iraqi ambassador claims the decision…
Hundreds of Afghan Refugees Returned to Afghanistan - 2002-12-15
Over a hundred Afghan refugees were returned to Afghanistan after failing to secure asylum in Australia, following a year on Nauru Island. This group was…
Reports Indicate Bush Administration Granted CIA Permission to Kill Terrorist Leaders - 2002-12-15
The Bush administration has authorized the CIA to kill terrorist leaders without needing prior presidential approval. This includes a list of nearly twenty-four individuals, prominently…
Republican Senator Faces Downfall Over Racist Remarks - 2002-12-15
Republican Senator Trent Lott is facing calls to resign due to his support for segregation and white supremacy. Senator Don Nickles has expressed support for…
Iraqi Opposition Aims to Establish a Democratic Government After Saddam Hussein - 2002-12-15
Iraqi opposition leaders in London plan to create a democratic government after Saddam Hussein's removal, aiming for a representative and accountable administration. However, they face…
Iraqi Ambassador in Russia: Baghdad's Decision to Cancel Oil Contract with Russia is Not Retaliatory
Iraq has canceled its oil contract with Lukoil, a major Russian oil company, citing non-fulfillment of obligations. The Iraqi ambassador insists this move is not…
Land of Silence and Darkness
The article discusses the documentary 'Land of Silence and Darkness' directed by Werner Herzog, focusing on the life of Fini Strubinger, a blind and deaf…
Science and Society: Who Were the Last Conquerors of the Moon?
The article discusses the first astronauts who landed on the Moon 30 years ago and their lasting impact. It highlights the significance of their achievement…
North Korea's Criticism of the United States - 2002-12-12
North Korea announced plans to restart a nuclear power plant, citing electricity needs, while criticizing the U.S. for halting fuel shipments essential to a 1994…
The Bush Administration Submitted a Strategic Document to the U.S. Congress - 2002-12-12
The Bush administration presented a strategic document to Congress emphasizing the U.S. right to use overwhelming military force against any attacks involving weapons of mass…
The U.S. Agreed for Iraq to Purchase Chemical Warfare Antidotes - 2002-12-12
The U.S. has allowed Iraq to purchase chemical warfare antidotes despite concerns about their potential use in chemical warfare. This decision comes amid reports of…
Regarding the Opening of the Kabul Exhibition on March 1, 2003
150 Iranian industrialists and traders are set to participate in the Kabul 2003 trade fair in Afghanistan, opening on March 1, 2003. This event highlights…
Venezuela's Nationwide Strike Enters Its Eighth Day
A nationwide strike in Venezuela against President Hugo Chavez has entered its eighth day, with protesters demanding new elections and accusing him of economic mismanagement.…
American Astronaut and Two Russian Astronauts Return to Earth - 2002-12-07
An American astronaut and two Russian astronauts returned to Earth aboard the Endeavour spacecraft after a six-month mission at the International Space Station. The landing…
Iraq Claims No Weapons of Mass Destruction in 12,000-Page Report - 2002-12-07
Iraq has presented a comprehensive report to the UN asserting it possesses no weapons of mass destruction, urging the U.S. to acknowledge it. This comes…
Interview with Davood Nazari - 2002-12-06
Davood Nazari, a student leader, discusses the student movement's demands in an interview. This highlights the ongoing activism among Iranian students and their aspirations for…
The Longest-Serving Senator in U.S. History Turns 100 Today
Strom Thurmond, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, celebrated his 100th birthday today with a ceremony at the Capitol. He has had a long and…
Presidents of Russia and China Sign Joint Declaration
The Presidents of Russia and China signed a joint declaration to enhance strategic cooperation and seek a diplomatic resolution for Iraq. They also advocated for…
Under the Microscope: The Impeachment Proposal of Mostafa Moein - 2002-12-03
Mostafa Moein, the Minister of Science, is facing an impeachment proposal linked to student protests. Additionally, there are trials concerning public opinion on Iran-US relations…