November 4, 2003
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November 4, 2003

• The U.S. National Cancer Institute is funding human clinical studies to test experimental reovirus-based cancer treatments, after initial studies show promising results against a number of different types of tumor which contain the Ras oncogene. [1] [2]
• War on Terrorism: In Saudi Arabia, an attempt at a terror attack on Saudi officials and/or pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca is foiled; plotters believed to be linked to Al Qaeda. [3]
• Occupation of Iraq: For the second night running the HQ of the coalition in central Baghdad comes under attack; huge explosions are heard. [4] Spain, one of the staunchest supporters of the USA in the Iraq war, withdraws many of its staff from its embassy in Iraq. [5]
• Whilst the Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is visiting the United States, the country's president Chandrika Kumaratunga suspends parliament and deploys troops, effectively putting the country into a state of martial law.
• The Anglican Church splits over gay bishop. Half the archbishops of the Anglican union denounce the Episcopal Church's consecration of the world's first openly gay, non-celibate bishop and vowed not to recognize the appointment. [6]
• The sun surprises astronomers by launching another solar flare, this time the largest ever recorded.
• Software company Novell has announced that it will purchase Linux distributor SuSE. [7] [8]
• A study in Germany shows that leeches can help with arthritis pain, apparently because their saliva contains anti-inflammatories. [9][10]
• Mark Messier of the New York Rangers scores two goals against the Dallas Stars, giving him 1851 to pass Gordie Howe and to move into second place on the NHL career points list. [11]
• Mexican President Vicente Fox begins a three state trip to the United States with a stop in Arizona, where he addresses immigration issues. A man is reportedly injured at a shooting near the place Fox spoke.[12]
• Canadian author M.G. Vassanji is awarded the Giller Prize for his book The In-Between World of Vikram Lall. [13] [14]
• In Ecuador, Angel Shingre, a campesino leader and human rights campaigner who played a key role in bringing to light environmental problems caused by oil exploration in Ecuador's Amazon region, is assassinated in the city of Coca. [15]