June 2001 News and Events

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World

Blast Kills 17 in Tel Aviv (June 1): Dozens injured in powerful blast by suicide bomber outside crowded disco. Most deadly attack since Israeli-Palestinian violence began last fall.
Peru Elects New President (June 3): Alejandro Toledo, who ran for the office last year, defeats former president Alan García.
Former Argentine President Arrested (June 7): Carlos Saúl Menem detained by judge investigating conspiracy to smuggle arms to Croatia and Ecuador.
British Labor Party Wins Election (June 8): Prime Minister Tony Blair hands once-dominant Conservatives second major defeat. Win marks Labor's first reelection to full term in office.
Irish Voters Reject European Union Expansion (June 8): Oppose treaty designed to admit 12 new members, mostly former Communist countries.
Iran's President Reelected (June 9): Mohammad Khatami draws sweeping support for his drive toward greater democracy and social freedom.
Bush Visits Europe on First Overseas Trip (June 12): In Madrid, president promotes plan to build missile defense shield, terming 1972 arms treaty obsolete.
Mideast Foes Accept U.S. Cease-Fire Plan (June 13): Israel and Palestinians agree on plan after six days of mediation by CIA director George Tenet.
Putin Warns of Arms Buildup (June 18): Russian president says that if U.S. constructs own missile defense system, Russia would upgrade its strategic nuclear arsenal with multiple warheads.
Syria Evacuates Beirut Area (June 19): In six days withdraws 6,000 troops. Action ends decades of military presence loathed by Lebanese Christians.
Compensation Begins for Nazi-Era Slave Labor (June 19): Thousands receive payment from $4.5 billion German fund after years of legal squabbles and delays.
U.S. Indicts 14 in 1996 Saudi Blast (June 21): Charges 13 Saudis and one Lebanese man with truck bombing that killed 19 American airmen and wounded nearly 400 at Khobar Towers apartments.
Factions Clash in Northern Ireland (June 21): Roman Catholics and Protestants fight in Belfast for second consecutive night. (June 22): Peace talks falter and power-sharing government on brink of collapse.
Macedonians Attack Albanian Rebels (June 22): Launch heavy offensive just north of Skopje. Action breaks fragile cease-fire.
Pope on Five Day Mission to Ukraine (June 23, et seq.): Seeks to end schism with Orthodox Church. At Babi Yar John Paul II recites prayer for dead at memorial to victims of Nazis. (June 27): At Lviv Pontiff praises Greek Catholics persecuted under Soviet regime and beatifies 28 to become saints.
Yugoslav Cabinet Backs Hague Trial for Milosevic (June 23): Commits to send former president to United Nations tribunal to face charges of war crimes.
Former Peru Spy Chief Captured (June 24): Vladimiro Montesinos seized in Venezuela. Longtime CIA agent accused of gun running, money laundering, and collaborating with drug traffickers.
Bush and Sharon Disagree on Mideast (June 26): In White House meeting, leaders of U.S. and Israel divided on steps to end violence.
UN Maps Battle Against AIDS (June 27): General Assembly ends three-day special session by outlining strategy. Views epidemic as political, human rights, and economic threat. Calls on nations and private industry to provide billions to pay for fight against pandemic.
Milosevic Delivered to UN (June 29): Former Yugoslav president imprisoned at Hague to await war-crimes trial on charges involving blame for starting four Balkan wars and isolating and ravaging his country.
UN Head Begins Second Term (June 29): Kofi Annan reelected secretary-general by 189 member countries.

Nation

Democrats Take Control of Senate (June 5): First time in history that balance of power shifts because of a senator's switch in party affiliation.
Bush Signs New Tax Law (June 7): President approves legislation in White House ceremony. Politicians quickly begin to discuss possible revisions.
Senate Votes for Annual School Testing (June 14): Bill, passed overwhelmingly, calls for annual testing and will penalize schools that do not improve.
Navy Resumes Vieques Bombing (June 18): Jet fighters return to disputed Puerto Rico island after arrest of several protesters against military maneuvers.
Affirmative Action Foe Nominated (June 26): Administration picks Gerald A. Reynolds, a lawyer, to head education department's Office of Civil Rights.
Supreme Court Concludes Term (June 28): Adjourns after important 5–4 decisions on immigration, advertising, and rights of property owners.
Senate Passes Patients' Rights Bill (June 29): Approves, 59–36, measure to establish wide range of standards for millions with health insurance. Nine Republicans join 50 Democrats to defy veto threat.
Vice President Gets Pacemaker (June 30): Doctors place pacemaker and defibrillator to remedy Cheney's abnormal heart rate. Patient returns home within hours. It is Cheney's third major heart procedure since his election.

Business/Science/Society

Global Warming Reported on Rise (June 6): Report by National Academy of Sciences reaffirms mainstream view that human activity is largely responsible.
Smoker Wins Record Award (June 6): Los Angeles jury levies more than $3 billion damages against Philip Morris tobacco company in suit brought by man who said he had smoked Marlboro cigarettes 40 years.
Study Finds Heart Rejuvenates Cells (June 8): Experts report that some muscle regrowth in humans can follow a heart attack. Findings rebut old dogma.
Tropical Storm Batters Two States (June 10): Heavy toll of deaths and damage recorded in Texas and Louisiana.
Oklahoma City Bomber Dies (June 11): Timothy J. McVeigh executed in Indiana federal prison for deaths of 168 persons on April 19, 1995. He dies by lethal injection without word of regret.
Bridge Collapse Kills 59 in India (June 22): Passenger train plunges into Kadalundi River in Kerala state after 120-year-old span gives way.
Fed Cuts Interest Rate Sixth Time in Year (June 27): Reserve decrees quarter point reduction.
Microsoft Breakup Overruled (June 28): U.S. Appeals Court voids lower court's order, but finds that corporation had abused monopoly power in software business. District judge, Thomas Penfield Jackson, is rebuked.