Portal:Current events/2004 December 29

December 29, 2004 (Wednesday)

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announces its support for Mustafa Al-Barghouti in the 2005 Palestinian presidential election. (Al Jazeera) (BBC)
For the fifth straight business day, the U.S. dollar hits a new low against the euro: 1.3646 USD to 1 EUR. (AP)
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
- The death toll from the Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tsunamis on December 26 reaches more than 80,000. (washingtonpost.com)
- The Red Cross issues a statement saying that the number of dead is likely to rise above 100,000. (BBC)
- The United States, Australia, Japan and India have formed an international coalition to lead aid efforts after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. (BBC)
Arab-Israeli Conflict: The Knesset passes a law against terrorism and against support of terrorism. The controversial law prohibits funding terrorists. It also prohibits aiding the families of perceived terrorists and institutes inciting for terrorism. The law will give Israel the right to confiscate property and funds of any perceived terrorist organization, even though if they do not target Israel or Israelis. The law is part of the state's legal war against terrorism and was approved 62–6. (Haaretz)
The Russian parliament passes a law abolishing several state holidays, including November 7, the anniversary of the 1917 October Revolution. (CNN)
In Uganda, tribal leaders are trying to set up a meeting between the government and the Lord's Resistance Army. (BBC)
Colombian police announce that they have apprehended Dagoberto Flores Rios, a member of the Norte del Valle drug cartel. The United States government had offered a $5 million reward for his capture of Niece B.(Jamaica Observer) (BBC)
The Russian Aviation and Space Agency says that as of 2006, it will charge the U.S. for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. (BBC)
The Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement went into effect.