November_15

November 15, 2003

Two car bombs explode outside synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, at about 0700 UTC (1000 local time), killing at least 20 people and injuring another 250. A radical Islamist group, the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front, claims responsibility.
In Louisiana, conservative Democrat Kathleen Blanco defeats Republican Bobby Jindal to become the first woman governor elected from that state. Jindal is the son of immigrants from India.
One hundred thousand people of various organisations demonstrate in Paris on occasion of the last day of the European Social Forum
Occupation of Iraq:

Iraq's Governing Council announces that sovereignty is to be restored to Iraq in June 2004, with full elections to be held in 2005.
Two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters crash near Mosul in northern Iraq. Reports suggest one helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and it then collided with the other helicopter. Latest reports suggest 17 dead and 5 injured.
One U.S. soldier is killed and 2 are injured in a roadside blast in northern Baghdad.

Former United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Robin Cook expresses puzzlement as to why George W. Bush should have been invited for a state visit to the UK. Opinion polls suggest that 60% of the British people think President Bush is a threat to world peace.
Police in Hebei province, People's Republic of China, arrest a suspected serial killer alleged to have killed at least 65 people.
In Saint-Nazaire, France, 15 people, including 2 children, die and 32 are injured or missing when a gangway falls off the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, which has just finished construction.
2003 Rugby Union World Cup: In the semi-finals Australia defeats New Zealand by 22 points to 10 to win a place in next weekend's final.