May 2004
The U.S. Released Two Palestinian Diplomats from Abu Ghraib - 2004-05-31
The U.S. has released two Palestinian diplomats from Abu Ghraib prison after a year of detention. The diplomats were arrested in May 2003, and while…
Michael Schumacher Wins European Grand Prix - 2004-05-31
Michael Schumacher won the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, marking his 76th career victory and solidifying his lead in the World Drivers' Championship. His…
Under the Microscope: Comments of the Sixth Parliament Representatives Critiquing the Seventh Parliament - 2004-05-31
Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh discusses the criticisms made by representatives of Iran's Sixth Parliament towards the Seventh Parliament, alongside issues such as the political situation…
Interview with the Head of the National Seismology Center about the Mazandaran Earthquake - 2004-05-31
An earthquake occurred last Friday in northern Iran, affecting Tehran. Dr. Nourbakhsh Mirzaei, head of the National Seismology Center, discussed the earthquake's tracking and its…
Russia May Increase Its Oil Exports
Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin indicated that Russia may boost its oil exports if prices stay high, and will not cut exports even if prices…
EDITORIAL: Returning Sovereignty to Iraqis
The U.S. government is transferring control of additional ministries in Iraq to Iraqi officials as part of a plan to return full sovereignty by June…
President Bush Aims to Address International Doubts Regarding the Transfer of Sovereignty in Iraq - 2004-05-29
President Bush has pledged to transfer full sovereignty to a temporary Iraqi government by the end of June 2004, aiming to alleviate international concerns. This…
End of Hosni Mubarak's Three-Day Visit to Moscow - 2004-05-29
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak finished a three-day visit to Moscow where he discussed Iraq and the Middle East peace process with Russian President Vladimir Putin.…
The Future of Democracy and Human Rights in Iran - 2004-05-28
A special program aired on Voice of America discussing the future of democracy and human rights in Iran, featuring prominent activists and experts. They addressed…
Protocol Signed Between Sudanese Government and Southern Rebels
The Sudanese government and southern rebels signed agreements to facilitate a final peace deal, ending a long civil war. The agreements do not address the…
Nazi Baghlari Report: Controversial Film 'Lizard' - 2004-05-27
The controversial film 'Lizard', banned in Iran, has been sold to an American company for distribution. A dispute between the producer and distributor has reignited…
Report: Prince Reza Pahlavi's Dialogue with Students at the Paris Institute of Political Studies - 2004-05-26
Prince Reza Pahlavi engaged in a discussion with students at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. This event highlights his ongoing efforts to connect with…
Annual Report of Amnesty International on the Middle East - 2004-05-26
Amnesty International's annual report highlights the ongoing violence in the Middle East in 2003, particularly due to the Iraq war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The…
Georgian President Invites Leaders of Two Separatist Regions to Rejoin Georgia
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has invited the leaders of the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to negotiate their future status, but they have…
Signing of Protocol Between Sudanese Government and Southern Rebels Delayed
The signing of crucial peace protocols between the Sudanese government and southern rebels has been postponed due to last-minute disagreements. Key international actors, including the…
Vladimir Putin Committed to Defending Democracy in Russia - 2004-05-26
Vladimir Putin asserts his commitment to democracy and improving living conditions in Russia during a parliamentary speech. He criticizes NGOs for prioritizing fundraising over genuine…
Inauguration Ceremony of New President of Malawi Held
The inauguration of Bingu wa Mutharika as the new President of Malawi took place amid violent protests from opposition members claiming electoral fraud. The unrest…
London Strategic Studies Institute; Al-Qaeda has over 18,000 militants ready to attack
A report from the London Strategic Studies Institute reveals that Al-Qaeda has over 18,000 militants ready to attack, with numbers increasing due to the Iraq…
Agreement Between the Sudanese Government and Southern Rebels - 2004-05-25
The Sudanese government and southern rebels have resolved major issues and are set to sign three protocols in Kenya to end a 22-year civil war.…
A Taliban-supporting Cleric Elected as Opposition Leader in Pakistan - 2004-05-25
A Taliban-supporting cleric has been appointed as the opposition leader in Pakistan, raising concerns among secular groups about the rise of Islamic extremism. This move…
Paris Court Finds French Man Guilty of Ties to Terrorist Group
A Paris court convicted David Courtailler of having ties to a terrorist group and sentenced him to two years in prison. He was involved in…
At least one person killed in explosion in Karachi port - 2004-05-25
An explosion at Karachi port resulted in at least one death and four injuries, with police investigating the nature of the incident. The explosion occurred…
Discovery of a Network for Transferring Palestinians from the West Bank to Israel - 2004-05-25
Israeli police have discovered a network that illegally transfers Palestinians from the West Bank to Israel using ambulances. At least one ambulance driver has been…
Candidate of Malawi's ruling party wins presidential election - 2004-05-24
Bingu wa Mutharika of the ruling party has been declared the winner of Malawi's presidential election amidst protests from opposition supporters who claim vote manipulation.…
The View from Washington: DeSutter on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Paula DeSutter, a U.S. official, expresses deep concern over Iran's nuclear weapons program, emphasizing its violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The IAEA has confirmed Iran's…
A Look at the Future of Democracy and Human Rights in Iran - 2004-05-22
A special program aired on Voice of America discussing the future of democracy and human rights in Iran, featuring prominent activists and scholars. The discussion…
Two-Day Summit of Leaders from 22 Arab League Member States in Tunisia - 2004-05-21
Leaders from 22 Arab League countries are meeting in Tunisia to discuss key regional issues including political reforms and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The summit was…
Signing of Protocol Between Russia and the European Union - 2004-05-21
Russia and the EU signed a protocol supporting Russia's bid to join the WTO. President Putin announced an acceleration in efforts to ratify the Kyoto…
Report Shahid: Arrest of Hossein Ghorbani in Southern France - 2004-05-21
Hossein Ghorbani was arrested in Marseille, Southern France, where authorities found weapons and ammunition in his home. This incident raises concerns about potential links to…
Report by Nazanin Ansari: Interview with Mr. Pashayi from the Constitutional Party of Iran - 2004-05-21
Nazanin Ansari conducted an interview with Fuad Pashayi, a member of the Constitutional Party of Iran, discussing political issues relevant to Iran. This interview highlights…
World Bank Approves $40 Million for Printing New Iraqi Textbooks - 2004-05-20
The World Bank has approved $40 million to print new textbooks for Iraqi students, which will be used in the next academic year. This funding…
Arrest of a Lebanese Man Accused of Assisting an Islamic Militant Group - 2004-05-20
A Lebanese man, Fouzi Mustafa Aasi, was arrested in the U.S. after returning from Lebanon, where he had fled to escape charges of aiding an…
North Korea Condemns the United States Again - 2004-05-19
North Korea has condemned the U.S. for military exercises with South Korea, claiming it escalates tensions and prepares for an attack. This statement follows the…
First Military Court for One of Seven Soldiers Accused of Mistreating Iraqi Prisoners - 2004-05-19
The first military court session for an American soldier accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners is underway in Baghdad, with Jeremy Sivits expected to plead guilty.…
Life and Progress in America: National Diversity Day / Religious and Racial Diversity in America - 2004-05-19
May 19th is recognized as National Diversity Day in the U.S., with events organized by Voice of America and other governmental institutions. The day highlights…
Amnesty International: Israel Must Immediately Halt the Destruction of Palestinian Homes
Amnesty International has urged Israel to stop demolishing Palestinian homes, arguing that such actions are disproportionate and constitute collective punishment. The organization also calls on…
Arrest of a Senior Official from an Islamic Extremist Group by Chadian Rebels - 2004-05-18
Chadian rebels have arrested Amari Sifi, a senior official of an Islamic extremist group linked to the kidnapping of European tourists. This arrest follows an…
China: The First Meeting of the Six-Party Working Group Achieved Its Expected Goals
China announced that the first meeting of the six-party working group on North Korea's nuclear program was successful. South Korea hopes for another round of…
South Korea's Efforts to Alleviate Fears Over U.S. Plan to Transfer 3,600 Troops from the Korean Peninsula
South Korea is working to calm concerns over the U.S. plan to withdraw 3,600 troops from the Korean Peninsula to Iraq. Both U.S. and South…
Constitution Review Assembly Representatives in Burma Meet for the Third Time Today - 2004-05-18
Representatives of the Constitution Review Assembly in Burma are meeting for the third time to draft a new constitution, despite a boycott from opposition figures.…
President Bush Invites Leaders of Six African Countries to G8 Summit - 2004-05-18
President Bush has invited leaders from Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda to the upcoming G8 summit in Georgia. The discussions will focus…
Formation of Myanmar Constitutional Convention Despite Boycott by Two Major Opposition Parties - 2004-05-17
Myanmar's military is proceeding with a Constitutional Convention despite the boycott by key opposition parties, including the National League for Democracy led by Aung San…
Condoleezza Rice: The U.S. and Russia Agree on Next Steps in Iraq - 2004-05-17
Condoleezza Rice announced a U.S.-Russia agreement on the next steps for Iraq, particularly regarding the transfer of sovereignty scheduled for June 30. This cooperation aims…
Israel has begun military operations in the southern Gaza Strip - 2004-05-17
Israel has initiated military operations in southern Gaza to expand its buffer zone and separate Rafah from other Palestinian areas, causing local residents to flee.…
South Africa to Host the 2010 World Cup
FIFA has selected South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup, making it the first African country to do so. The decision was announced by…
Roh Moo-hyun, President of South Korea, Apologizes to His Nation
Roh Moo-hyun, the President of South Korea, has apologized to his nation after the Supreme Court upheld his position following impeachment proceedings. He pledged to…
Supporters of South Korean President Celebrate His Retention
Supporters of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun celebrated his return to office after the Constitutional Court rejected his impeachment. This event follows a tumultuous political…
Explosion of a Homemade Bomb Outside a Bank Branch in Athens - 2004-05-13
A homemade bomb exploded outside a bank in Athens, causing minor damage but no casualties. A Greek extremist group claimed responsibility for this and previous…
Interview with Dr. Hoshang Amir Ahmadi by Ebrahim Biparva - 2004-05-13
Ebrahim Biparva interviews Dr. Hoshang Amir Ahmadi about Iran's foreign policy in the region. Dr. Amir Ahmadi is a prominent academic and leader in Iranian…
Russia Withdraws Its Soldiers from the Tajikistan-Afghanistan Border
Russia is withdrawing its troops from the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border at the request of Tajik officials. This move raises concerns about border security against drug trafficking.…
Iran's U23 National Team Stopped by South Korea with a Single Goal
Iran's U23 football team lost to South Korea 1-0 in the final match of the Olympic qualifying tournament, resulting in South Korea's qualification for the…
North Korea Unwilling to Withdraw Its Demands - 2004-05-12
The first meeting of the six-party talks regarding North Korea's nuclear crisis did not resolve key disagreements. North Korea remains firm on its demands for…
Report by Shahid: Meeting at the Institute of International Relations in France - 2004-05-12
A meeting took place at the Institute of International Relations in France featuring discussions by various academic, political, and media figures regarding Iran. The event…
Dragon Food
The film 'Dragon Food' directed by Jan Schutte explores the struggles of foreign refugees in West Germany during the 1980s, focusing on the friendship between…
Cuban Dissidents Oppose New U.S. Policies on Rapid Transition to Democracy Following Fidel Castro's Death - 2004-05-11
Cuban dissidents, including Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo and Elizardo Sanchez, have criticized the U.S. government's new policies aimed at facilitating a quick transition to democracy in…
Vladimir Putin's Visit to War-Torn Chechnya - 2004-05-11
Vladimir Putin visited Chechnya shortly after the assassination of President Akhmad Kadyrov, where he honored Kadyrov's family. He also ordered the deployment of over 1,100…
Los Angeles Report: Funeral Ceremony of Susan, Famous Iranian Singer - 2004-05-11
The funeral of Susan, a renowned Iranian singer, took place in Southern California with an unprecedented number of attendees. This event highlights the strong cultural…
European Swimming Championships in Madrid - 2004-05-10
At the European Swimming Championships in Madrid, Russia won gold in duet synchronized swimming, with Spain and France taking silver and bronze. The Russian duo,…
Former Haitian President Requests Asylum in South Africa
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the former President of Haiti, has requested asylum in South Africa while currently residing in Jamaica. His request will be reviewed by the…
Investigation by Iranian Lawmakers Regarding the Closure of the New Tehran Airport - 2004-05-10
Iranian lawmakers are initiating an investigation into the abrupt closure of the new Tehran airport on its opening day, which was enforced by the Revolutionary…
Interview of Ebrahim Bi Parva with Dr. Mehrdad Mashayekhi - 2004-05-10
A conference titled 'Transition to Democracy' commenced at the University of Tehran, featuring researchers and analysts from diverse political backgrounds. Dr. Mehrdad Mashayekhi emphasized the…
Palestinian Leader: An Independent Palestinian State Can Be Established by Next Year - 2004-05-09
Yasser Arafat asserts that an independent Palestinian state could be established by next year, despite President Bush's skepticism. The comments come in light of ongoing…
President Bush: The likelihood of establishing a Palestinian government next year is less
President Bush expressed skepticism about the establishment of a Palestinian government in the coming year, citing the Palestinian Authority's challenges with terrorism and leadership changes.…
Chechen President and Six Others Killed in Bomb Explosion in Grozny - 2004-05-09
Ahmad Kadyrov, the pro-Russian President of Chechnya, was killed in a bomb explosion in Grozny along with six others. The attack is attributed to Muslim…
Spanish Police Arrest Moroccan Man in Connection with Passenger Train Bombings
Spanish police arrested a Moroccan man linked to the March 11 train bombings in Madrid. This arrest is part of a broader investigation into the…
In an earthquake in southern Iran, 4 schools were destroyed
A significant earthquake in southern Iran resulted in the destruction of 4 schools and damage to several buildings, with no reported casualties. The earthquake's epicenter…
FBI Arrests American Lawyer as Witness in Madrid Bombings - 2004-05-07
The FBI has arrested Brandon Mayfield, an American lawyer, as a witness in the Madrid bombings that killed 191 people. Spanish authorities suspect Moroccan Islamic…
Shiite Leaders Reject Sadr
Iraq's influential Shiite leaders have rejected Muqtada al-Sadr's militia and called for its withdrawal from holy cities. They aim to restore power to Iraqi police…
Vladimir Putin Sworn in for a Second Term as President of Russia - 2004-05-07
Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a second presidential term, vowing to enhance citizens' lives and create a strong nation by 2008. He won over…
The Return of Iraqi Refugees Residing in Iran Has Resumed - 2004-05-07
The UN has resumed the return of Iraqi refugees from Iran, with 114 individuals returning recently, including many children. This process is significant as some…
Further Delay in the Deployment of South Korean Soldiers to Iraq - 2004-05-06
South Korea is delaying the deployment of over 3,000 soldiers to Iraq due to lack of response from local leaders and rising public opposition linked…
Yasser Arafat's Fear of Israeli Attack on Palestinian Authority Headquarters - 2004-05-06
Yasser Arafat is strengthening his headquarters in the West Bank due to fears of an imminent Israeli attack. This concern follows Israeli Prime Minister Ariel…
Preventing Potential Terrorist Attacks on Urban Rail Systems in the U.S. - 2004-05-05
The U.S. government is implementing a 30-day pilot program to enhance security in passenger rail systems following recent terrorist threats. Asa Hutchinson and Tom Ridge…
Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Hideout in Southern Lebanon - 2004-05-05
Israeli airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah hideout in southern Lebanon following Hezbollah's artillery attack on a Jewish neighborhood. Concurrently, Israeli forces conducted operations in Gaza, resulting…
South Korea's Proposal to Prevent Maritime Clashes with North Korea - 2004-05-05
South Korea has proposed political negotiations to prevent maritime clashes with North Korea, particularly during the fishing season. The proposal was made during cabinet discussions…
High-Level South Korean Delegation Visits Pyongyang - 2004-05-04
A South Korean delegation is in Pyongyang to urge North Korea to soften its nuclear stance ahead of upcoming six-party talks. The visit is led…
Pakistani Authorities Arrest 13 Men in Connection with Bomb Blast
Pakistani authorities have arrested 13 men linked to a bomb blast that killed 3 Chinese engineers and injured 9 others. The incident occurred in Gwadar,…
Nazanin Ansari Report: Reporters Without Borders and Press Censorship in Iran - 2004-05-04
Reporters Without Borders released an annual report criticizing Iranian journalist Mortazavi, comparing him to a predatory wolf targeting the reformist press. This highlights ongoing issues…
Israeli Television: Likud Firmly Rejects Government Plan
The Likud party has decisively rejected the Israeli government's unilateral withdrawal plan from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, with a significant majority voting…
Report on World Press Freedom Day - 2004-05-03
As World Press Freedom Day approaches, a Voice of America reporter interviews Reza Moieni from Reporters Without Borders about press freedom issues in Iran. This…
Turkish Prime Minister Requests Support from the U.S. and Russia - 2004-05-01
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sought support from the U.S. and Russia after Turkish Cypriots failed to achieve reunification in a recent referendum.…
Iran's Olympic Football Team Misses Qualification for Athens
Iran's Olympic football team has been eliminated from qualifying for the Athens Olympics after South Korea defeated China 2-0. This result confirmed South Korea's place…