On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
In 2004, the world population was approximately 6,503,377,772 people[†]
2004Kalevi Sorsa, Finnish politician 34th Prime Minister of Finland (born 1930)[†]
Taisto Kalevi Sorsa was a Finnish politician who served as Prime Minister of Finland three times: 1972–1975, 1977–1979 and 1982–1987. At the time of his death he still held the record for most days of incumbency as Finnish prime minister. He was also a long-time leader of the Social Democratic Party of Finland.
Financiere Richemont, maker of luxury goods, says fourth-quarter sales fell 4 percent because of strength of euro against dollar and yen (S)
Floyd Norris column criticizes LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Sodexho Alliance for resorting to French courts and regulators to muffle and mute stock analysts who criticize companies rather than praise them; cites LVMH successful suit against Morgan Stanley and Sodexho's demand for investigation of Smith Barney by French regulators; chart (M)
Developer Bruce Ratner is negotiating to buy New Jersey Nets and install team in glamorous new stadium designed by world-renowned architect in Brooklyn; move by Nets would crystallize rejuvenation of borough and repudiate 50-year cycle of decline that saw departure of Brooklyn Dodgers, closing of Navy Yard, loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs and riots during blackout of 1977; borough's resurgence will probably continue whether or not Ratner and his investors succeed in his effort to buy Nets; he is vying with New Jersey group headed by developer Charles Kushner and Sen Jon Corzine that intends to keep team at its current home in New Jersey; Ratner would face daunting challenges in trying to move team to Brooklyn; photo; map (M)
Osbaldo Torres is one of 52 Mexican citizens in eight states whose convictions and death sentences are being challenged by Mexico in International Court of Justice in The Hague; Mexico says United States violated treaty guaranteeing that fareigners arrested in US have access to representatives of their government; court ordered US last Feb not to kill Torres and two compatriots, at least until it issues its final ruling; in Torres's case, Oklahoma attorney general asked appeals court to stay execution 'out of courtesy' to internatinal court; legal experts call this unprecedented act of deference by American official; Mexico seeks to void all 52 convictions and death sentences, contending that defendants should be retried, with statements obtained before their meeting with Mexican diplomats excluded; US, in filings in The Hague, calls Mexico's demands 'unjustified, unwise and ultimately unacceptable instrusion into United States criminal justice system'; acquiescence of Oklahoma attorney general may reflect tactical prudence, as international court is not likely to welcome being defied while larger case is pending; photo (M)
New York Knicks introduce new coach Lenny Wilkens, who says he will try to introduce changes gradually and pursue playoffs appearance; photos (M)
New England Patriots and coach Bill Belichick prepare for American Football Conference championship game against Indianapolis Colts; photos (M)
Bush administration, hoping to rescue its troubled plan to restore sovereignty to Iraq, is joining Iraqi leaders to press United Nations to play role in choosing interim government in Baghdad; American administrator L Paul Bremer III and Iraqi delegation led by Adnan Pachachi, chairman of Iraqi Governing Council, will make urgent appeal for greater UN involvement; tens of thousands of demonstrators in Basra put pressure on US to support calls by leading Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani for direct elections; new move at UN involves yet another change in strategy for administration under pressure from shifting events in Iraq; administration has had ambivalent attitude toward UN from very start of planning war to oust Saddam Hussein; it is also considering reversing itself and allowing businesses in countries that opposed war, including France, Germany and Russia, to bid on contracts to rebuild Iraq; photos (M)
Article on increasing popularity of vacations at boot camp-like spas that feature mountain hiking and hours of meditation, fasting or spartan diets and physical activities; list; photos (M)
City Council Speaker Gifford Miller reports raising nearly $1 million in campaign contributions in last six months, lifting his total campaign chest to $2.5 million and giving clear indication that he is seriously considering entering mayoral race in 2005; Comptroller William C Thompson reports raising more than $500,000 in last six months; Fernando Ferrer will report raising $745,000; to file; Assemblymen Michael N Gianaris, Richard L Brodsky and Jeffrey Klein signal intention to run for attorney general if Eliot Spitzer moves on (M)
Deficit Up at Pension Agency The federal agency that insures pension plans said that its deficit had grown to $11.2 billion from $3.6 billion in a year and that it would overhaul its investments. PAGE C1 Protests Over Bush Visit Hundreds of demonstrators turned out to protest loudly when President Bush stopped in Atlanta to lay a wreath at the grave of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. PAGE A12
Thailand government will buy foreclosed assets from banks to bolster their bottom lines as it compels them to consolidate; photo (S)
Alessandra Stanley reviews Showtime's new series The L Word starring Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman; photos (M)