January 30, 2005

January 30 2005

* Conflict in Iraq:
** Polls close in Iraq marking the first multi-party election in 50 years. Electoral officials estimate about a 50–70% turnout. A series of election day attacks across the country killed at least 44 people, mainly in Baghdad. The 275-member National Assembly will create a new constitution, choose a new president and two new vice presidents. Most candidate names on the various party lists remained anonymous. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4220551.stm (BBC)] [http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7476343 Reuters] [http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_1654779,00.html News24]
** Between nine and fifteen British soldiers die as a C-130 Hercules transport plane crashes about 40km north west of Baghdad. The cause of the crash is under investigation. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4220649.stm (BBC)] , [http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.britishplane/ (CNN)]
* A firefight leaves 3 suspected militants and one Kuwaiti police officer dead after security forces raid an alleged hideout in Kuwait City. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4219741.stm (BBC)]
* In eastern Sudan, demonstrators on their way to a meeting with tribal leaders clash with police leaving up to 17 protestors dead. A Sudanese general states that the protestors were looting and inciting violence against his men. Members of eastern tribes, mainly Beja, presented a list of demands which included better representation to the provincial governor three days ago. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4218591.stm (BBC)]
* Former UK Labour Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, states he has been HIV positive for 17 years. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4219501.stm (BBC)]
* In Spain, a bomb explodes at a hotel in the southwest town Denia injuring one. Police officials say the detonation occurred after a telephone warning from the Basque ETA group. Spanish parliament is scheduled to debate and vote on a Basque plan for independence from Spain in two days. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4220605.stm (BBC)]
* Talks between the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement leaders in Helsinki end a day early, possibly signaling a breakdown in negotiations. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/30/news/aceh.html (IHT)]
* The deadline passes for the finalization of constituencies for Afghanistan's May 21 parliamentary elections, UN officials say. Though the constituencies were supposed to be set up 120 days before the election, officials have not yet announced an election delay. Violence continues, particularly in the south of the country where the Taliban still remains active. [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-1-2005_pg4_16 (Pakistan Daily Times)] [http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=662727 (Reuters)]