June 25, 2004

After Siemens AG threatens to move thousands of jobs from North Rhine-Westphalia to Hungary, IG Metall (a trade union) agrees to a 40-hour work week for the same pay they currently receive for working 35. The agreement reduces by €5 the cost of each Siemens mobile phone manufactured under the new agreement. IG Metall workers had enjoyed the 35-hour work week since 1984. (Deutsche Welle) (IHT)
Republican Jack Ryan withdraws from the contest for U.S. Senate seat from Illinois under pressure from the party amid allegations that he took his ex-wife, actress Jeri Ryan, to some sex clubs. (Reuters)
British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith says that he is "unable to accept" that the U.S. military tribunals will yield a fair trial for prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (Scotsman) (BBC)
In an open letter, Ralph Nader warns Canadians against voting for the Conservative Party in the federal election on June 28, 2004. (CBC)
A treasured guitar owned by Eric Clapton fetches a record USD $959,500 at a charity auction. (BBC)
The government of Norway, the third-largest petroleum-exporting nation, ends a week-long oil workers' strike by imposing wage and pension terms on the contending sides. (The Street.com)