December 12, 2003

December 12, 2003

• A plot by militants linked to Al Qaeda to blow up the United Kingdom embassy in Yemen is foiled. [1]
• Germany announces plans to commemorate gay victims of the Nazi Holocaust, with a monument to be erected in central Berlin. [2]
• Queen Elizabeth II has a benign non-cancerous growth removed from her face. Buckingham Palace confirms the removed growths will be subject to further tests but denies there are any cancer fears surrounding the 77 year old sovereign. She also underwent a knee operation. [3]
• Canada's BC Ferry system returns to normal operations after the company and its union agree to commit to binding arbitration. [4]
• A European Union defence policy is agreed upon by Britain, France and Germany at the beginning of an EU summit in Brussels where the member countries will discuss a forthcoming constitution for the EU. Defence policy: [5]; EU constitution: [6].
• Paul Martin, Jr. is appointed Canada's 21st Prime Minister, and takes his oath of office along with his cabinet. Notable Ministers include Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan in Domestic Security, Ralph Goodale in Finance, Pierre Pettigrew in Health and Intergovernmental Affairs, Lucienne Robillard in Industry, Irwin Cotler in Justice, Bill Graham in Foreign Affairs and David Pratt in Defence. [7]
• In Haiti the biggest anti-government demonstrations in a decade take place, calling for the removal of President Aristide; after nightfall, squadrons of armed Aristide supporters take to the streets in response. [8] [9]
• Mick Jagger is knighted. [10]
• According to a poll published in the Israeli daily Maariv, half of Israelis distrust their Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. [11]
• In the central province Bie, Angola, a land mine explodes and kills 6 Angolan staff of the international humanitarian organization, CARE. [12]
• The documentary Anatomy of t.A.T.u., aired on STS, reveals that the two women of the Russian band t.A.T.u. are not lesbians, among other revelations.

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