World condemns Gaza massacre
2002 - From the United Nations halls to the White House and Arab capitals, diplomats and officials condemned Israel’s air strike on a densely-populated Gaza neighbourhood that killed a top Hamas commander and 14 others, including nine children. The attack, which also injured more than 140 people, took place shortly around midnight, leaving the apartment building in a pile of smouldering rubble. Bedding, kitchen utensils, clothes and children’s toys were strewn about in the debris. Hundreds of residents in the area dug the rubble during the night, searching for survivors. The US rejected Israeli claims that it did not know there were civilians in the three-storey apartment building where Hamas leader Salah Shehade lived.
July 22
1793 - Alexander Mackenzie becomes the first European to cross the Rocky Mountains and reach the Pacific Ocean.
1894 - The first automobile road race takes place in France over a distance of 78 miles from Paris to Rouen.
1933 - American aviator Wiley Post completes the first solo flight around the world in seven days and 18-and-a-half hours.
1950 - King Leopold III returns to Belgium after six years in exile, but abdicates in August.
1962 - Algeria declares independence following protracted war of secession with France.
1971 - Last US infantry units pull out of South Vietnam’s northern border area.
1977 - China’s Deng Xiaoping is restored to power.
1981 - Turkish extremist Mehmet Ali Agca is sentenced to life in prison for shooting Pope John Paul II.
1984 - Austria’s two-time world champion Niki Lauda wins the British Formula One Grand Prix.
1987 - The first meeting of Sharjah Executive Council is held.
1998 - Iran tests a medium-range missile capable of reaching Israel and Saudi Arabia.
2000 - Major power failure hits thousands of homes and businesses in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Al Dhaid.
2002 - Troubled WorldCom files for the biggest US bankruptcy.
2003 - Saddam Hussain’s sons Uday and Qusay are killed in Mosul.
2004 - A packed express train travelling from Istanbul to the Turkish capital Ankara derails, killing 36 people.
2008 - The UAE and Oman sign a final border demarcation treaty.
2011 - A Norwegian gunman in police uniform guns down 92 people at a youth camp in Utoeya island, Norway.
2012 - Pranab Mukherjee is elected Indian President.
2013 - UAE orders two military surveillance satellites from France, a deal worth more than Dh3.378 billion.
2014 - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo wins the country’s presidential election with 53 per cent of the vote.
2015 - Yemen’s Aden airport reopens with Saudi military plane.
