January 2004
Deadly Avian Influenza Detected One Year Ago - 2004-01-31
The World Health Organization reports that a deadly strain of avian influenza has been present for about a year, first detected in April 2003 in…
Destruction of Palestinian Bomber's House - 2004-01-31
Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian suicide bomber responsible for a deadly attack in Jerusalem. They also engaged in a separate incident involving…
At least twelve killed and 45 injured in Iraq explosion - 2004-01-31
A bomb explosion at a police station in Mosul, Iraq, has resulted in at least twelve deaths and 45 injuries, including civilians and police officers.…
British and French Airlines Cancel Flights to America Due to New Security Concerns - 2004-01-31
British Airways and Air France have canceled flights to the U.S. due to new security threats linked to Al-Qaeda. This decision affects flights from Paris…
Israeli Soldiers Destroy Home of Palestinian Bomber - 2004-01-30
Israeli soldiers destroyed the home of a Palestinian suicide bomber in Bethlehem who had killed 10 and injured over 50 in a recent attack. In…
Local Official Says Explosion at Ammunition Depot in Afghanistan Was Accidental - 2004-01-30
An explosion at an ammunition depot in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of seven American soldiers, with three others injured and one missing. U.S. military…
Pakistan's Interior Minister: Abdul Qadeer Khan is neither a suspect nor in custody
Pakistan's Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat has denied allegations that Abdul Qadeer Khan is involved in transferring nuclear technology to other countries and is currently…
A South Korean Politician Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Bribery
A prominent South Korean politician was sentenced to 5 years in prison for taking a $17 million bribe to help a company establish a casino…
Formation of a New Somali Parliament with 275 Members - 2004-01-29
A new parliament with 275 members is set to be formed in Somalia, following an agreement between warlords and politicians. This development is significant as…
A Suspected Terrorist Arrested Following Armed Clash in Riyadh - 2004-01-29
An armed clash in Riyadh led to the death of five security personnel and the arrest of a suspected terrorist. The incident occurred just before…
7 American Soldiers Killed in Explosion at Weapons Depot in Southern Afghanistan - 2004-01-29
An explosion at a weapons depot in Ghazni province, southern Afghanistan, resulted in the deaths of 7 American soldiers and injuries to 3 others and…
Nine Palestinians Killed in Violent Clashes with Israeli Forces
Nine Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces following a raid in Gaza. The violence coincided with a meeting between U.S. officials and Palestinian…
A Green Leaf Gift from the Dervish: Solidarity Concert of the Iran-Germany Cultural Forum for Orphaned Children of Bam - 2004-01-28
A concert featuring Mozart's pieces will be held on January 31 to raise funds for orphaned children in Bam following an earthquake. The event is…
Meeting of Turkish Prime Minister with President Bush at the White House - 2004-01-28
Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan met with President Bush to discuss Iraqi Kurdish demands for autonomy. Turkey is opposed to this proposal due to fears of…
Release of an Al-Qaeda Member from Malaysian Prison - 2004-01-27
Yazid Sufaat, a former army captain and alleged Al-Qaeda operative, is set to be released from Malaysian prison this week unless the Prime Minister intervenes.…
Colin Powell: Russia Should Clarify Arms Sales to Iraq Before the War
Colin Powell urged Russia to clarify its arms sales to Iraq before the war, expressing willingness to discuss the matter with Russian officials. This statement…
Arrest of a Former Taliban Governor
Pakistani security forces arrested Maulvi Abdul Manan Khwajazi, a former Taliban governor, in Chaman. His arrest is significant as it reflects ongoing efforts to combat…
New U.S. Team to Search for Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq - 2004-01-24
A new U.S. team led by Charles Duelfer has been appointed to search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, replacing David Kay who had…
Bomb Explosion Near US Military Checkpoint in Iraq - 2004-01-24
A bomb exploded near a US military checkpoint in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of three American soldiers and injuries to several others. This incident…
Continuation of Listener Dialogue with Dr. Hossein Lajevardi - 2004-01-24
Dr. Hossein Lajevardi, a prominent Iranian researcher in Paris, engages with listeners of Voice of America to discuss the ongoing crisis in Iran, sharing his…
Fire Causes Deaths and Injuries of Over 100 People at a Wedding in South India
A devastating fire at a wedding hall in Tamil Nadu, India, resulted in at least 45 deaths and over 60 injuries, including the bride. The…
Turkey and the U.S. Agree on Plan for Return of Turkish Kurds from Northern Iraq to Turkey - 2004-01-23
Turkey and the U.S. have reached an agreement that permits approximately 13,000 Turkish Kurds living as refugees in northern Iraq to return to Turkey. This…
Japan Suspends Chicken and Chick Imports from Thailand
Japan has suspended imports of chicken and chicks from Thailand due to concerns over avian influenza, with the EU considering similar measures. This decision follows…
Insurgents Kill at Least 8 in Iraq - 2004-01-22
Insurgents in Iraq conducted multiple attacks resulting in the deaths of at least 8 individuals, including American soldiers and Iraqi police. This violence highlights the…
Student Publication 'Kavir' Suspended
The student publication 'Kavir' at Shahrekord University has been suspended for six months due to a complaint from the Basij student organization. The suspension raises…
End of the Fourth World Social Forum in India - 2004-01-21
The Fourth World Social Forum took place in Mumbai, India, concluding with a large march and deemed a success by organizers. It gathered over 100,000…
Israeli Soldiers Kill a Palestinian in Gaza Strip - 2004-01-21
Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian woman and injured at least three others in the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza. The Israeli military claims the soldiers…
US Forces Reject Afghan Officials' Claim of 11 Civilian Deaths
US forces in Afghanistan denied Afghan officials' claims that 11 civilians were killed in an airstrike, stating there is no evidence to support this. Local…
Israeli Army Bulldozers Destroy 30 Homes and a Mosque
Israeli bulldozers demolished 30 Palestinian homes and a mosque in Rafah, claiming they were used for attacks. This incident reflects ongoing tensions, with clashes occurring…
Approximately 11 Civilians Killed in Airstrike in Afghanistan
An airstrike in Afghanistan reportedly killed around 11 civilians, including women and children, according to Afghan officials. The attack, attributed to U.S.-led coalition forces, has…
Mohammad Khatami's Political Party Threatens to Boycott Parliamentary Elections
Mohammad Khatami's political party threatens to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections unless the ban on reformist candidates is lifted. The Guardian Council has disqualified a…
Interview with Ghasem Shole Saadi Regarding Iran's Parliamentary Crisis - 2004-01-19
Ghasem Shole Saadi discusses the recent decision by the Combatant Clergy Association to potentially boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iran. This situation highlights ongoing…
Rocket Attack on Airbase in Eastern Afghanistan - 2004-01-17
A rocket attack occurred near Khost Airbase in eastern Afghanistan, with no casualties reported. This incident follows a previous attack where rockets landed inside the…
Taliban Ambush on Military Convoy - 2004-01-17
Around 40 Taliban fighters ambushed a government military convoy in Kandahar, leading to the deaths of three militants and two Afghan soldiers, with several others…
Listener Dialogue with Dr. Hossein Lajevardi: Politics, Personal Life, and More - 2004-01-17
Listeners engaged in a dialogue with Dr. Hossein Lajevardi, focusing on his views regarding politics and personal life. This interaction highlights the intersection of personal…
Pyongyang Rejects U.S. Claims of Nuclear Weapons Production - 2004-01-16
A U.S. envoy reported that North Korea denies allegations of producing nuclear weapons during a recent visit. Charles Pritchard highlighted a lack of verification for…
Under the Microscope: The Strategy of Iranian Reformists - 2004-01-15
Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh discusses the strategies of Iranian reformists who have been disqualified by the Guardian Council and comments on Iraq's electoral positions. This…
Two Airplane Crew Members Are Not Infected with SARS - 2004-01-15
Two crew members from an airplane were hospitalized with symptoms resembling SARS but have been confirmed not to have the virus. The World Health Organization…
Bomb Explosion at Christian Study Center in Karachi, Pakistan - 2004-01-15
A bomb exploded at a Christian study center in Karachi, injuring at least 11 people, including police officers. The attack appears to be linked to…
Thousands Protest in Iraq for Direct Elections - 2004-01-15
Thousands of protesters in Basra, Iraq, rallied for direct elections led by Shia leader Ayatollah Ali Sistani, opposing a U.S.-backed transitional government plan. U.S. officials…
Earthquake Measuring 5 on the Richter Scale Strikes Fars Province - 2004-01-15
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake hit Fars Province, damaging 8 villages but causing no deaths. The event highlights the region's vulnerability to seismic activity.
Report by Nazi Baghlari: UN Security Council Meeting with Iraqi Officials - 2004-01-15
The UN Security Council is set to meet with Iraqi officials to discuss the UN's future role in Iraq. This meeting is significant as it…
Saddam Hussein's Instructions to His Followers Before Losing Power - 2004-01-14
U.S. officials revealed that Saddam Hussein instructed his followers not to join foreign fighters against American troops, believing they were more interested in jihad than…
Arrest of a Sudanese Man at Heathrow Airport for Possession of Ammunition - 2004-01-14
A Sudanese man was arrested at Heathrow Airport for carrying ammunition while traveling to Dubai from Washington. This incident highlights heightened security measures at airports…
In separate clashes today, one Israeli and one Palestinian were killed - 2004-01-13
On January 13, 2004, a Palestinian and an Israeli were killed in separate incidents in the occupied territories. The clashes highlight ongoing tensions in the…
Concerns of Police and Fire Officials in Portugal Over Security Issues in European Championship Football Matches - 2004-01-13
Portuguese police and fire officials are worried about inadequate security preparations for the upcoming European Championship, citing a lack of training and personnel. Concerns have…
An Israeli and a Palestinian Killed in the West Bank
On January 13, 2004, an Israeli and a Palestinian were killed in separate incidents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The events highlight ongoing…
Visit of Two Members of an Unofficial U.S. Delegation to a Nuclear Power Plant in North Korea - 2004-01-12
Two members of an unofficial U.S. delegation visited a nuclear power plant in North Korea and informed South Korean officials about their trip. They did…
Syria Rejects Israel's Invitation to Bashar al-Assad
Syria has turned down an invitation from Israel for President Bashar al-Assad to discuss peace in Jerusalem. This comes after Assad expressed readiness to resume…
North Korean Officials Reveal Their 'Plutonium Reprocessing' Capability to an Unofficial American Delegation - 2004-01-11
North Korean officials disclosed their plutonium reprocessing capabilities to an unofficial American delegation during a visit to the Yongbyon nuclear complex. They indicated that they…
Flood in Southern Iran - January 10, 2004
A flood in southern Iran has resulted in at least one death, with a 16-year-old boy's body recovered from the waters. Local officials are seeking…
Under the Microscope: Widespread Rejection of Reformist Candidates' Qualifications for Parliament
The program discusses the rejection of reformist candidates for the Iranian parliament, alongside commentary on U.S.-Iran relations and aid to earthquake victims. Dr. Nourizadeh highlights…
Spanish Officials Announce March 14 as Date for Parliamentary Elections
Spanish officials have set March 14 for parliamentary elections as Prime Minister José María Aznar retires. Mariano Rajoy, Aznar's former deputy, will represent the People's…
Arrest of Eight Foreigners in Switzerland in Connection with Suicide Attacks in Riyadh
Swiss authorities arrested eight foreigners linked to suicide attacks in Riyadh targeting Western interests. The arrests occurred during police operations across five regions in Switzerland.…
Cyprus Greek Officials Doubt Turkey's Commitment
Greek Cypriot officials are skeptical about Turkey's commitment to UN efforts for resolving Cyprus's division. Turkey's recent statements suggest support for a bi-zonal solution, which…
Announcement of Final Voting Results in Georgia Delayed Until Friday
The final results of the Georgian elections may be delayed until Friday, with Mikheil Saakashvili poised for a significant victory. President Bush has congratulated Saakashvili…
More than 24 small earthquakes shake southwestern Iran
Over 24 small earthquakes have struck southwestern Iran, particularly in Khuzestan province, causing public fear of a major quake like the one that destroyed Bam.…
A Taliban Commander Apologizes for Bomb Explosion in Kandahar
A Taliban commander has expressed regret over a bomb blast in Kandahar that killed 13 civilians, primarily students. The attack was reportedly aimed at American…
A State Company Will Be Established to Manage Iraq's Oil Facilities - 2004-01-07
U.S. officials in Iraq plan to establish a state-owned company to manage the country's oil facilities, aiming to attract foreign investment and boost production while…
Tickets for Bam Citadel to Be Sold
To support the reconstruction of the Bam Citadel, symbolic tickets for visits will be sold in museums across Iran. Ahmad Mohit Tabatabai announced this initiative…
Location of the Black Box of the Crashed Egyptian Airplane Found - 2004-01-06
The black box of an Egyptian airplane that crashed in the Red Sea has been located by a French naval team. Experts aim to determine…
New Border Security Plan for the United States to Be Implemented
U.S. officials are rolling out a new border security plan that mandates fingerprinting and photography for most foreign entrants. This plan aims to enhance security…
Relocation of the Capital to a Safer Area in Iran - 2004-01-05
The devastating Bam earthquake has reignited the debate over moving Iran's capital from Tehran to a safer location. Officials are considering Isfahan as a potential…
New Audio Tape Attributed to Osama bin Laden - 2004-01-05
A new audio tape purportedly from Osama bin Laden has been released, calling for jihad against the U.S. and its allies while framing the Iraq…
Deployment of a French Robotic Submarine to the Red Sea - 2004-01-05
A French robotic submarine is being sent to the Red Sea to search for a crashed aircraft off the coast of Egypt, where all 147…
Photography and Fingerprinting of Most Foreign Travelers at U.S. Borders - 2004-01-05
The U.S. has initiated a new border security program requiring photography and fingerprinting of most foreign travelers, excluding citizens from 28 countries. This measure aims…
Taliban Claim Responsibility for Kidnapping Afghan Aid Worker
The Taliban have taken responsibility for the kidnapping of an Afghan aid worker on the Kabul-Kandahar highway. The aid worker was abducted while traveling in…
Experts Searching for Flight Recorders of Egyptian Airplane - 2004-01-04
Experts are searching for flight recorders and wreckage of an Egyptian charter airplane that crashed into the Red Sea shortly after takeoff. French and Egyptian…
Bomb Explosion in Stadium in Southern Philippines Results in At Least Ten Deaths
A bomb exploded in a crowded stadium in Parang, southern Philippines, during a basketball game, killing at least ten and injuring over forty. The police…
Presidential Elections in Georgia Concluded - 2004-01-04
The presidential elections in Georgia have concluded with a strong turnout, likely favoring opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili, who previously led a peaceful revolution against the…
It Seems Bam Was an Abandoned City, But How Many Kilometers Is It from Kerman to Bam?
A report highlights the lack of immediate rescue efforts in Bam after a disaster, questioning the responsiveness of officials given the proximity to Kerman. The…
Afghans, American Officials, and UN Representatives Hold Closed-Door Talks
Afghan leaders, after a deadlock in constitutional negotiations, held closed-door talks with American and UN officials to resolve their differences. Interim President Hamid Karzai advocates…
Cancellation of Two More British Airways Flights for Security Reasons - 2004-01-03
British Airways canceled two flights from London to Washington and Riyadh due to security threats, including potential terrorist attacks. This decision follows similar cancellations of…
Tension at Azad University of Mashhad - 2004-01-03
Tensions erupted at Azad University of Mashhad after the Islamic Students Association held a conference, leading to confrontations with Basij members who accused the speakers…
Cancellation of Another British Airways Flight to the U.S.
British Airways canceled a flight to Washington due to security concerns, following warnings of potential terrorist threats. Passengers faced interrogation upon arrival, and a Mexican…
An American Soldier Dies in Helicopter Crash West of Baghdad - 2004-01-02
An American soldier was killed and another injured in a helicopter crash near Fallujah, with investigations underway. This incident follows a previous helicopter downing that…
Ten Killed in Bomb Blast in War-Torn Aceh
A bomb explosion in Aceh, Indonesia, killed ten people and injured 45 during a New Year's Eve music event. The Indonesian army blamed the Free…
British Passenger Plane Seized at Dulles Airport near Washington - 2004-01-01
A British Airways passenger plane was seized by U.S. security officials upon landing at Dulles Airport. The incident involved interrogation of passengers and luggage inspection,…
8 People Killed in Car Bomb Explosion in Baghdad
A car bomb exploded in a busy restaurant in Baghdad, killing 8 and injuring at least 30, including foreign journalists. The attack occurred despite increased…
Memorial Service and Commemoration for Approximately 30,000 Victims of the Bam Earthquake
A memorial service was held in Bam for the victims of the devastating earthquake that killed approximately 30,000 people. Key figures, including Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani…
Meeting Invited by the World Food Programme of the United Nations - January 1, 2004
A meeting organized by the World Food Programme of the UN took place in Washington, D.C., involving various Iranian organizations. This gathering highlights the collaboration…