Portal:Current events/2004 June 30

June 30, 2004 (Wednesday)

In an unprecedented move, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York write to Tony Blair on behalf of all 114 Anglican bishops, expressing deep concern about UK government policy and criticising coalition troops' conduct in Iraq. They cite the abuse of Iraqi detainees, which they say has been "deeply damaging" – and state that the government's apparent double standards "diminish the credibility of western governments". (BBC) (The Scotsman)
The United States Federal Reserve raises the federal funds interest rate for the first time in four years, by a quarter point. (ABC News)
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is sworn into a new six-year term as president of the Philippines following a disputed victory in the May 2004 presidential election. (VOA)
Iraq Occupation and resistance: The United States formally hands over legal custody of Saddam Hussein to the new Iraqi government. The trial of Saddam Hussein is expected to take place in January. (BBC)
The Spanish minister of justice, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, announces a number of social bills to be introduced, including one that will legalize same-sex marriage in Spain, one that will introduce rights for common-law couples, and one that will allow transgendered people to legally change their name and sex designation without the requirement of surgery. (abc.es)^{[permanent dead link‍]}
The Israeli Supreme Court issues a landmark ruling that a 30-kilometer planned stretch of the separation barrier in eastern Jerusalem violates the legal rights of the local Palestinian population to an extent not justified by security concerns, and therefore must be changed. (Haaretz)