June 4, 2005

[edit] June 4, 2005 (Saturday)

In the context of the Parti Québécois National Congress, Bernard Landry announces his surprise resignation as leader of the Parti Québécois, the major party in Quebec that advocates national independence for Quebec. (CTV)
Guantánamo Bay Qur'an desecration allegations:
- Following allegations that the Muslim holy book, the Quran, was urinated on in front of inmates at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Bush administration drastically changes its position on the credibility of these reports, and now admits that desecration did in fact occur. (Wikinews)
A French court finds the newspaper Le Monde guilty of defamation against the Jews and Israel, in an article published in 2002 which used "Jews" and "Israel" interchangeably. (Haaretz)
Hundreds of people attend the funeral in Beirut of anti-Syrian columnist Samir Kassir, killed by a bomb on Thursday. Opposition leaders Gibran Tueni and Saad al-Hariri, son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, are in attendance. Reuters
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announces the postponement of legislative elections originally scheduled for July 17. He cited a report from the Palestinian election authority that it needs more time to implement changes in laws concerning seating of legislators. Hamas leaders object to the postponement. (New York Times), (Haaretz)
Roberto Maroni, Italian Minister of Welfare, calls for Italy to stop using the Euro and revert to the Lira. Sunday Mail