January 2004
Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Calls on Muslims to Reject Violence and Terrorism
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, called on Muslims participating in the Hajj to denounce violence and terrorism. This statement comes amid…
President Bush's 2005 Budget Proposal - January 31, 2004
President Bush outlines his 2005 budget priorities focusing on defense, homeland security, and education, proposing significant increases in funding. Democrats criticize the proposals, arguing they…
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…
Free Campaigns and Freer Elections in America - 2004-01-28
The article discusses the first stage of the U.S. presidential election process held in Iowa, focusing on the Democratic candidates and the lack of competition…
Under the Microscope: Continued Sit-ins and Divisions in the Second Khordad Front - 2004-01-27
Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh discusses the contradictions in the Iranian government’s statements about elections and the ongoing sit-ins and divisions within the reformist Second Khordad…
Cuban Freedom Advocates Urge Bartholomew to Raise Human Rights Issues with Castro - 2004-01-26
Cuban human rights advocates are urging Greek Orthodox leader Bartholomew to discuss human rights with Fidel Castro during his visit. Oswaldo Payá has called for…
French Foreign Minister's Concern Over Prolonged War in Chechnya - 2004-01-23
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin expressed concerns about the prolonged war in Chechnya, highlighting its regional implications for countries like Turkey and Iran. He…
A Former Education Minister Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Genocide
Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, a former education minister in Rwanda, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 1994 genocide. The UN…
Competition Among Democratic Candidates Tightens
The competition among Democratic candidates for the 2004 presidential nomination is intensifying, particularly in New Hampshire. Polls show John Kerry closely trailing Howard Dean, with…
John Ashcroft to Speak at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland - 2004-01-22
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, focusing on corruption and peace, respectively. Iranian…
Nationwide Strikes in Nigeria Suspended
Nationwide strikes in Nigeria have been suspended after the government agreed to temporarily stop fuel taxes. The largest labor union leader warned that strikes could…
Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland - 2004-01-21
The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos, Switzerland, with over 30 heads of state, including Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, expected to attend. Discussions…
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…
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…
Temporary Suspension of New Fuel Tax in Nigeria - 2004-01-20
The Nigerian government has temporarily suspended a new fuel tax following a court order, just before a planned nationwide strike against rising fuel prices. Labor…
Senator John Kerry Wins Iowa Caucus - 2004-01-20
Senator John Kerry won the Iowa caucus with 38% of the votes, followed by John Edwards at 32%. Kerry's victory speech directly challenged President Bush,…
UN Considers Possibility of Direct Elections in Iraq - 2004-01-20
The UN is assessing the feasibility of direct elections in Iraq before a planned power transfer on June 30, 2004, following requests from U.S. and…
President Bush's Speech at the Joint Session of Congress - January 17, 2004
President Bush is set to deliver a speech highlighting his administration's successes in combating terrorism and improving the economy. Critics argue that his policies have…
Israeli Army Closes Access Routes to Gaza Strip - 2004-01-15
The Israeli army has closed access routes to the Gaza Strip in response to a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis. The closure affects thousands…
Summit of Western Hemisphere Leaders Concludes - 2004-01-13
The summit of Western Hemisphere leaders focused on free trade, immigration, poverty, and corruption. Key discussions included the benefits of free trade as highlighted by…
Threat of Resignation by Iranian Governors - 2004-01-12
Governors in Iran have threatened to resign if the disqualification of 80 reformist lawmakers is not reconsidered. This situation arises from the Guardian Council's decision,…
Guardian Council Rejects Qualifications of Many Reformist Parliamentarians for Next Month's Elections
The Guardian Council has disqualified many reformist parliament members from the upcoming elections, leading to protests in parliament. President Mohammad Khatami has urged calm and…
The Cost of Rebuilding Bam City May Reach One Billion Dollars
The United Nations estimates that rebuilding the city of Bam, devastated by an earthquake, could cost up to one billion dollars. The Iranian government will…
Impact of America's Economic Problems on Other Countries - 2004-01-08
The IMF has issued a warning about the significant risks posed by America's economic problems to the global economy, particularly due to rising public debt…
Baztab Reports Disqualification of Key Figures from the Participation Front
Baztab has reported the disqualification of prominent candidates from the Participation Front ahead of the seventh parliamentary elections, including key figures like Behzad Nabavi and…
Senior American Mediator Goes to Egypt - 2004-01-08
The U.S. is dispatching senior mediator William Burns to Egypt to engage in discussions about reviving the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.…
Signing of Historic Agreement Between India and Pakistan - 2004-01-07
India and Pakistan signed a historic agreement to negotiate over the Kashmir dispute, welcomed by global leaders including Kofi Annan. The agreement aims to address…
Meeting of Indian and Pakistani Leaders on the Sidelines of the South Asian Summit
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met for the first time in over two years during the South Asian Summit…
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…
Tony Blair's Unexpected Visit to Southern Iraq - 2004-01-04
Tony Blair unexpectedly visited British soldiers in southern Iraq, thanking them for their role in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. He emphasized the importance of…
Resumption of Peace Talks Between the Sudanese Government and Rebel Group - 2004-01-02
Peace talks have resumed between the Sudanese government and the main rebel group in Kenya, led by Ali Osman Taha and John Garang. Despite efforts…