Likud Rejects Sharon's Gaza Plan In the non-binding referendum on what Sharon has called his 'disengagement plan' Likud voters resoundingly defeated the PM's plan by margins of between 12 to 24 percent according to exit polls. Final results expected May 3.
American diplomats denounce Bush Former U.S. diplomats wrote a letter to President Bush denouncing his mid-east policies, specifically his unqualified support of Sharon, saying it is harming American credibility abroad. "We've probably done irretrievable damage in the eyes of the Arab world..." Over 50 diplomats have signed and the group is soliciting more signatures.
Hundreds of Muslims massacred in Nigeria Christian militiamen in Yelwa razed the town leaving mutilated and charred bodies up and down the main street. Thousands of Muslims civilians fled the town vowing revenge. The conflict is apparently over fertile farmland.
Israeli-Lebanese confrontation Israeli jets violated Lebanese airspace, in response Hezbollah says it fired 4 surface-to-air missles. Soon after more Israeli jets returned to attack 2 suspected Hezbollah sites in south Lebanon.
Bush wants more Money Seemingly taking advantage of the torture picture controversy, the Whitehouse has asked the Congress to give them an extra $25 Billion for the year 2004 to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Israel releases a senior Hamas leader Despite months of assassinations, for an unknown reason Israel has released Mohammed Taha, a co-founder of Hamas, after 14 months in detention without trial.
A call for Rumsfeld's resignation John Kerry and several Congressmen have publicly called for Rumsfeld's resignation or for him to be fired. Some have even called for his impeachment. President Bush maintains his support for Rumsfeld.
Bin Laden puts a price on Bremer's head As a response to the price put on his head, an audio recording attributed to Osama bin Laden offered 10000 grams of gold (worth roughly US$130,000) to "whoever kills Bremer or his deputy, or the commander of the US forces or his deputy in Iraq... Whoever kills Kofi Annan, the head of the Iraq mission or his envoys, like Lakhdar Brahimi, will receive the same prize of 10,000 grammes of gold."
American detained in connection to Madrid Bombing The FBI detained an Oregon man, identified by his wife as Brandon Mayfield, after his fingerprints were identified on evidence connected to the March 11 train bombings in Madrid.
More Israeli-Lebanese clashes Hezbollah claims it ambushed Israeli troops when they crossed into Lebanese territory. Israel says 1 soldier was killed and several wounded. Hezbollah also apparently launched 50 mortars at Israeli positions in the Shebaa farms, Israel fired artillery and used fighter jets to attack 2 Hezbollah bases.
Red Cross say they complained repeatedly to U.S. about abuses The Red Cross claims it had been warning of prisoner abuse since the very beginning of the U.S.-led invasion. Bremer's spokesperson claims he was first aware in January 2004.
Rumsfeld testifies infront of Senate and House committees Under fire all day in 2 separate hearings, he apologized but refused to resign and warned worse photos and a video could be next. He acknowledged that his resignation could possibly help to restore US credibility. "These events occurred on my watch as Secretary of Defence. I am accountable for them. I take full responsibility" - Donald Rumseld.
Bush retracts promise to Palestinians President Bush said that establishing a Palestinian state by 2005 "isn't as realistic as it was two years ago" when he and other leaders pledged to make it happen.
