September 15, 2004

rejects a request for the Republic Of China (Taiwan) to be represented in the United Nations . This reiterates the Assembly's position that Resolution 2758 , which recognized the People's Republic Of China rather than the Republic Of China as the sole legitimate representative of "China", prevents Taiwan from being separately represented. The ROC's supporters argue that the resolution did not give the People's Republic the exclusive right to represent the people of Taiwan.

Canada 's Federal Government and its provincial and territorial leaders reach an accord to increase funding for the country's national Health Care System . In exchange for an increase in federal funding of CAD 18 billion over the next six years, provincial and territorial leaders agree to reforms intended to reduce Patient waiting times. (Toronto Star)

In a report released today, the U.S. State Department for the first time places the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia on its list of "countries of particular concern" (CPCs) that engage in "particularly severe violations" of Religious Freedom . A designation as a CPC requires the State Department to take whatever steps are necessary — up to the level of Sanctions — to increase religious tolerance in the designated country. (CNN.com) (State Department report)

Six Palestinian gunmen and four others are killed by Israeli troops. (Reuters) (BBC)

In Afghanistan , three Americans are sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment for illegally detaining and torturing Afghans, and for running an illegal private jail in Kabul . The defiant Americans — Jonathan Idema , Brent Bennett , and Edward Caraballo — say they intend to Appeal the decision. (CNN)

A Countryside Alliance rally outside Britain 's Parliament buildings, in opposition to a Bill that would ban Fox-hunting , descends into violence as protesters and Police clash. Some protesters successfully breach security and enter the floor of the House Of Commons . The bill later passes 339–155. (BBC: 1 , 2 )

Five crew members of an Irish Yacht , who had been adrift in a Liferaft for seven days after abandoning their ship, are rescued by Helicopter off the Cornwall coast of Britain . The crew members ran out of water on Monday and were running low on food when rescued. (BBC) (RTÉ)

Both the European Union and the Government of the United States express concern about Russian President Vladimir Putin 's announcement that, as a means of responding to Terrorism , he would significantly alter Russia's political system. The Russian government rejects the United States' concerns as inappropriate interference in Russia 's internal affairs. (Reuters: 1 , 2 )

In September 15), prompting the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to halt outgoing flights for three hours at Los Angeles International and several other Airport s. (CNN)

--- As of 13:00 local time (1800 UTC September 15), the center of Hurricane Ivan is located about 275 km (170 miles) south of the coast of Alabama and is moving northward at about 23 km/h (14 mph). The hurricane is now projected to make landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States very early on Thursday. Forecasters now predict that there is little risk that the hurricane will pass over New Orleans . A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle . (NOAA/NHC) (Washington Post)

--- As Hurricane Ivan approaches the Gulf Coast of the United States , an estimated 1.9 million people, including 1.2 million residents of metropolitan New Orleans , are advised to evacuate. The situation is particularly dangerous for New Orleans, since a direct or close hit by the hurricane could breach the Levee s around the city, causing its streets to fill with a mixture of floodwater, raw Sewage , Gasoline , and chemicals. (CNN)

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