July 18, 2004

The trial for the murder of Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi in Iran ended abruptly on the second day of the proceedings. The lawyers of the Kazemi family insisted that the time has not been enough for proofs to be given, witnesses to be brought to court, and the murderer to be identified.
Thousands of Palestinians take to the streets to protest appointments by Yasser Arafat. Palestinian gunmen attack and burn down a security force post in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis manned by forces loyal to Moussa Arafat, the cousin of Yasser Arafat. The security forces flee. (Haaretz) (Reuters)
U.S. President George W. Bush states that the establishment of a Palestinian state by the end of 2005 is unlikely due to instability and violence in the Palestinian Authority. (Maariv) (Jerusalem Post)
Argentina holds a national day of mourning to mark the tenth anniversary of the AMIA Jewish community centre bombing. (BBC) (MercoPress)
Bolivia holds a referendum on gas exports. (BBC)