Portal:Current events/2004 April 9

April 9, 2004 (Friday)

Henry C. Lee arrives in Taipei to investigate the March 19, 2004 assassination attempt in Taiwan.
Basketball: The Euroleague Final Four tournament will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel despite concerns over Palestinian terrorism. Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel beats Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania to qualify.
Good Friday - Ruben Enaje is crucified for the 18th time in San Pedro Cutud, Philippines.
Iraq Occupation and Insurgency:
- South Korea announces the deployment of 3,700 soldiers in Iraq by August, despite recent attacks. The augmentation will make it the coalition's third largest contingent. (World Tribune)
- Japan refuses to withdraw troops from Iraq in the face of the death threats from insurgents holding three of its citizens. (BBC)
- Coalition forces retake Kut, meeting little opposition.
- US Marines resume their advance into Fallujah, after a pause to allow humanitarian supplies to enter the city. An attempt to use the pause to negotiate terms of surrender fails when the representatives from the city fail to show.
- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urges stepped-up efforts to protect civilians and end the violence in the deteriorating security situation in Iraq. (UN)