International Events in January 2001
Jan. 1:
The Commonwealth of Australia turns 100.
In a landmark judgment, the Bangladesh High Court declares fatwa illegal.
Jan. 2:
China, Taiwan begin a 1,000 mile journey thus setting the stage for direct communications, transport links.
Jan. 3:
The U.S. First Lady, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, takes the oath of office as a Senator.
Jan. 4:
Philippine police nab 17 men, mostly Muslims, for the December 30, 2000 blasts in Manila in which 18 died and around 100 received wounds.
Jan. 5:
The Russian Prime Minister, Mr. Mikhail Kasyanov signs a decree to de-orbit the 130-tonne space station, Mir in February-March.
The NATO chief, Mr. George Robertson orders a probe into radiation-linked death of soldiers following use of depleted uranium weapons by planes in attack on Bosnian sites.
Jan. 6:
The Thailand Prime Ministerial aspirant, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai wins an unprecedented landslide in Parliament election.
Jan. 7:
Mr. George W. Bush is officially declared winner of the presidential election after the Congress certifies the electoral college votes.
Genes can be patented, rules the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Mr. John Agyekam Kufour is named Ghana President after Mr. Jerry Rawlings hands over power to the Opposition after 19 years.
Jan. 8:
Security forces in Ivory Coast crush coup by mutinous soldiers.
India, Vietnam sign MoUs on nuclear research, cultural exchange and tourism cooperation. India deserves membership of all South East Asian fora, says the Vietnamese Premier, Mr. Phan Van Khai after talks with the visiting PM, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee.
Jan. 9:
Two prominent German Cabinet Ministers, Ms. Andrea Fischer and Mr.Karl-heinz Funke, quit following allegations that they mishandled the beef crisis.
Jan. 12:
Several European Governments begin mass screening of troops for radiation, even as the U.N. and the IAEA call for a thorough probe.
Scientists announce creation of ANDi (``inserted DNA'' spelt backwards), the world's first genetically-modified monkey, a baby rhesus. The actual birth occurred on October 2, 2000.
Jan. 13:
A 7.6 magnitude quake leaves 400 dead in El Salvador. In Santa Jeela, a mountain side buries a whole neighbourhood, Las Colinas.
Jan. 14:
The Bangladesh Supreme Court stays the HC verdict on fatwa.
Jan. 15:
Cambodia's Senate approves a U.N. Sponsored draft law on creating a tribunal to try Khmer Rouge leaders.
Jan. 16:
Quake toll mounts to 600, aftershocks continue to rock El Salvador.
The Democratic Republic of Congo President, Mr. Laurent Kabila dies after being shot by a security guard in the Presidential Palace, in the capital Kinshasa.
An oil tanker Jessica runs aground in the Galapagos Islands, 965 km off the west coast of Ecuador.
Jan. 17:
Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of the Philippines President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, resign over Senate vote to block access to a crucial bank account.
Ninety people, including 52 LTTE rebels die, as Colombo launches fresh military offensive in northern Jaffna peninsula.
Jan. 18:
Major General Joseph Kabila, eldest son of Laurent Kabila is ``given'' the leadership of the Democratic Republic of Congo Government and the military high command.
Jan. 19:
The international sanctions against the Taliban comes into effect.
Jan. 20:
Mr. George W. Bush is sworn in the 43rd U.S. President, Mr. Richard Cheney assumes office as the Vice-President.
The disgraced Philippines President, Mr. Joseph Estrada leaves office and the Vice-President, Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is sworn in in his place.
Jan. 21:
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators begin a 10-day ``peace marathon'' at the Red Sea resort of Taba in Egypt.
The Ivory Coast Government resigns and the President, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, reappoints outgoing Prime Minister, Mr. Affi n' Guessan.
Jan. 22:
The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, orders cuts in number of troops in Chechnya and shifts command to FSB chief, Mr. Nikolai Patrushev.
British Parliament nod for ``therapeutic cloning'' of human embryos.
Jan. 23:
Ecuador's President, Mr. Gustavo Noboa, declares emergency to contain the 80,000-litre oil spill threatening wildlife in Galapagos Islands.
Jan. 24:
The high-profile British Cabinet Minister, Mr. Peter Mandelson, Secretary, Northern Ireland quits.