October 16, 2003 (Thursday)
- Occupation of Iraq: The UN Security Council unanimously approves a new US resolution on Iraq. Russia, Germany and France back the resolution but will not provide troops or money.[1] A survey indicates poor morale amongst the US troops serving in Iraq.[2]
- President Bush re-affirms his intention to pressure China and Japan into fair policies re their exchange rates.[3] China's trade surplus is shrinking as imports surge.[4] At the same time India is wrestling with the implications of the sustained appreciation of the rupee against the dollar.[5]
- Tens of thousands of Catholics attend Mass celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II in Rome. The Pope will beatify Mother Teresa on Sunday, October 19, and install 30 new Cardinals on Tuesday, October 21.[6]
- In a surprise move, Monsanto Company announce their intention to quit the European cereal business. Citing lack of success, the company has decided to cut costs.[7]
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict: European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten has questioned Israel's commitment to a two-states resolution to the conflict with the Palestinians.[8]
- China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei returns to earth safely aboard a Shenzhou spacecraft, Shenzhou 5. During the 21-hour trip, he circled the planet 14 times.[9]
- Apple launches its iTunes Music Store, an online download music store, for the Microsoft Windows platform. The iTunes software can be downloaded from apple.com for free.
- ^ "BBC NEWS - Middle East - UN backs Iraq resolution". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 15, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "BBC NEWS - Business - Bush pledges Asia currency action". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "BBC NEWS - Business - China's trade surplus shrinks". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "Govt in a fix over gaining rupee". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ Paul Brown. "Monsanto to quit Europe". the Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "Frustration shows as Patten challenges Israel". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ "BBC NEWS - Asia-Pacific - China hails space hero". Retrieved 22 December 2015.