June 18, 2004

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia had warned the United States several times that Saddam Hussein was planning terrorist attacks against the US. (BBC) (Pravda.RU) (Khaleej Times)
European Union Intergovernmental Conference:
- The latest meeting of the European Council in Brussels ends in the agreement of a constitution for the European Union. (BBC)
- Leaders of the European Union grant candidate country status to Croatia. Talks on accession are due to begin early next year. (BBC) (Irish Times Online)
- No consensus is reached on a candidate for head of the European Commission. (BBC)
The television station Al-Arabiya reports that kidnapped hostage Paul Johnson has been beheaded by Al-Qaida militants. (CNN)
Ichthyologists claim to have discovered a new species of Chimaera fish off the coast of Brazil. (CNN)