August 8, 2003

"See also" August 7, 2003 - August 2003 - August 9, 2003----
* Hezbollah, a militant Lebanese group backed by Syria and Iran, fires artillery toward Israeli border posts, drawing return fire. It was the first such exchange in eight months. [http://www.washtimes.com/world/20030810-115910-5380r.htm AP story]
* A "Ma'ariv" opinion poll shows 37% of his supporters think Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is involved in corruption, with 52% saving he will have to resign if he behaved illegally. The controversy is over a $1.5 million loan given in January 2002 to Sharon's son, Gilad that was the loan originated from Cyril Kern, a friend of Ariel Sharon. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-574-772876,00.html]
* "Occupation of Iraq": At his ranch in Crawford, Texas, President Bush noted the 100th day since overt military action in Iraq ended, saying that the United States has made "good progress" in helping Iraq's democratic processes, overall security, and economy. [http://www.baynews9.com/NewsStory.cfm?storyid=22611] [http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=62529837-672D-4A73-9E33A1B5F2DF037F] [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2003/n08082003_200308083.html]
*US v. EU on GM food: The European Union expresses their disapproval over the American, Canadian and Argentinian effort to launch a World Trade Organization formal challenge against its decision to keep the policy of banning genetically modified crops. [http://www.eubusiness.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=116324] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3135763.stm] [http://www.just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=55012]
*SCO v. IBM Linux lawsuit: IBM furnishes more information on their SCO countersuit and states that they have Novell support. [http://www.vnunet.com/News/1142898] [http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22052.html] [http://www.forbes.com/technology/newswire/2003/08/07/rtr1052693.html]
* War on Terrorism: According to the latest disclosed analysis of the cockpit recordings by the United States investigators, the September 11th terrorist-pilot Ziad Jarrah got instructions to crash the United Airlines flight 93 into the Pennsylvania farmland because of the passenger uprising in the cabin trying to seize the plane's controls. [http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/6485636.htm] [http://wcco.com/topstories/topstories_story_219230706.html] [http://www.rediff.com/us/2003/aug/08attack.htm] [http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-attack08.html]
* Michael Johnston, a prominent "ex-gay" Christian, is said to have engaged in unprotected gay sex, despite his own opposition to homosexuality. [http://www.sovo.com/2003/8-8/news/national/exgay.cfm] , [http://www.dallasvoice.com/articles/dispArticle.cfm?Article_ID=3297] , [http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=16452]
* It is reported that the Canadian Grand Prix is dropped from the 2004 Formula 1 calendar as a result of its anti-tobacco laws. The Montreal race was given a grace of 7 years before the introduction of the new law, announced in 1997. This comes a week after it was announced that the Belgian GP will be re-introduced in the 2004 season. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3133815.stm] However, Formula One director general Bernie Ecclestone says that no such decision has been made. [http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/08/08/tobacco_race030808]
* The draft EU constitution could lead to the establishment of foreign-owned private health care and educational services. [http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20030808IE4]