April 2000 News and Events

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World

Beijing Court Frees Researcher (April 3): In reversal, quashes conviction of Chinese-born Stanford University scientist, Hua Di, who had been jailed for more than two years for “revealing state secrets.”
Serb Arrested for War Crimes (April 3): NATO troops seize Bosnian war leader Momcilo Krajisnik on several charges, including genocide.
Japanese Premier Suffers Stroke (April 3): Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, 62, in intensive care. Senior cabinet minister, Mikio Aoki, appointed acting chief. (April 5): Ruling party names Yoshiro Mori to succeed Keizo Obuchi, who fell into coma after stroke.
Ousted Pakistani Leader Convicted (April 6): Nawaz Sharif, deposed as prime minister in Oct. military coup, found guilty of hijacking and sentenced to life imprisonment. Six codefendants acquitted.
Iran Government Action Protested (April 8): Dozens arrested as rampage follows conservative government efforts to overturn reformers' victories in parliamentary elections.
Dismissal in Embassy Bombing (April 8): C.I.A. fires mid-level officer held responsible for wrongful attack on Chinese building in Belgrade during NATO's war against Yugoslavia. Six other employees punished for the targeting error.
Peru President Suffers Setback (April 9): Alberto K. Fujimori fails to secure first-round victory in contest with Alejandro Toledo, a business school professor. President had been regarded a shoo-in, but Toledo rallied amid accusations that Fujimori tried to steal the vote.
Two Koreas Agree to Summit Meeting (April 10): Heads of North and South Korea to hold unprecedented diplomatic effort to heal one of cold war's last conflicts.
Greek Prime Minister Reelected (April 10): By narrow margin, voters retain Socialist Costas Simitis.
Russia Ratifies Arms Reduction Treaty (April 14): Lower house of parliament approves long-delayed nuclear Start II pact. (April 19): Upper house approves treaty. Passage indicates Putin wants a productive relationship with West.
World Trade Leaders Convene (April 16): Finance ministers and other leaders meet in Washington as thousands protest. (April 17): Conferees agree that World Bank should step up fight against AIDS and assist those adversely affected by globalization.
French List Assets Seized from Jews (April 17): Study reports Nazis and French collaborators stole much more than earlier thought. Also reveals extensive efforts to return property or indemnify Jews.
UN Rights Group Defies U.S. (April 18): Votes in Geneva not to act on U.S. resolution critical of China's human rights record. Embarrassing defeat for Clinton.
Putin Hints at Chechnya Peace Plan (April 21): Russian president-elect admits that Moscow had discussed peace plans with Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov.
China Seizes 100 Members of Spiritual Group (April 25): Falun Gong members were celebrating anniversary of Beijing's crackdown on the movement.
Iran's Reformers under Attack (April 27): Hard-line Islamic clerics bolster crackdown and close several reform newspapers.
Russians Free Former Chechnya Rebels (April 30): Release 31 from detention camp in attempt to win popular support in the war-torn republic.

Nation

Microsoft Loses in Antitrust Suit (April 3): U.S. judge Thomas Penfield Jackson rules software giant displayed anticompetitive behavior and sides with government on most important points. Options range from imposing restrictions on company's conduct to a breakup.
Secretary of Labor Exonerated (April 5): Independent prosecutor reports Alexis M. Herman, the fifth officer in Clinton cabinet investigated by an independent counsel, did not break any laws and should not be indicted for corruption.
Plane Crash Kills 19 Marines (April 8): Controversial Osprey, a hybrid craft, destroyed in Arizona.
Congress Limits Assets Seizures (April 11): Completes legislation that protects a citizen's personal property from government seizure before trials begin.
President Bars Request for Pardon (April 13): Clinton says he will not seek action by his successor even though he thinks impeachment proceedings had inflicted sufficient punishment.
Capitol Agreement on Patients' Rights (April 14): Senate and House reach preliminary agreement on appeals process for patients refused care by health maintenance organizations.
Pentagon Clears Accused General (April 14): No basis found for allegations of personal misconduct by Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy, the Army's highest-ranking woman. She had accused another general of sexual harassment.
Cuban Boy Reunited with Father After Raid (April 22): Armed immigration agents storm Miami home where boy had been living with great-uncle's family. Child reunited with father outside Washington.
Albright Acts after Security Lapse (April 24): Orders shakeup in State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research as F.B.I. investigates disappearance of laptop computer that contained highly sensitive files.
Snowmobiles Banned in National Parks (April 25): In a move to preserve public areas, National Park Service prohibits recreational use in nearly all national parks, monuments, and recreational areas.
U.S. Seeks Breakup of Microsoft (April 26): Joins 17 states in asking for ruling by federal judge. Calls for restraints on software company while split is implemented.
Gay Rights Parade in Washington (April 30): Hundreds of thousands celebrate progress of gay rights movement and press for legislation against hate crimes.

Business/Science/Society

Estrogen Tied to Heart Disorders (April 4): Researchers tell 25,000 women in federal study that instead of protecting the heart, as had been assumed, estrogen may have resulted in a slightly higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Most Nations Fail to Supply Safe Blood (April 6): World Health Organization reports blood supplies in two-thirds of the world may contribute to spread of AIDS virus, some forms of hepatitis, and other diseases.
Holocaust Denier Loses Libel Suit (April 11): British court drops libel suit brought by David Irving against U.S. professor and author Deborah Lipstadt. Judge calls Irving “an active Holocaust denier.”
Red Cross Considers New Symbol (April 14): World organization moves to adopt red diamond emblem in addition to red cross and red crescent, in part to clear way for Israel to join after 50 years excluded.
Stock Market Recovers after Sharp Drop (April 14): Rampant selling closes one of worst weeks in history of U.S. markets. Dow Jones average down 5.55%; Nasdaq index off nearly 10%. (April 17): Stock prices level off, then rocket. Recovery calms fears of market collapse.
Salman Rushdie Returns to India (April 15): Novelist back after being banned for his The Satanic Verses.
Fiber Studies Find No Benefit to Colon (April 19): Two tests involving thousands of persons contradict wide belief that low-fat, high-fiber foods can reduce risk of colon and rectal cancer.
Heart of Dinosaur Reported Found (April 20): Paleontologists say they discovered rare object in chest cavity of fossil skeleton uncovered in South Dakota. Heart, size of a grapefruit, was encased in stone. Organ fossilized into reddish-brown stone 66 million years ago.
Vermont Approves Same-Sex Unions (April 25): House of Representatives, 79–68, passes bill already voted by Senate and accepted by governor.
Gun Makers Sue to Block Controls (April 26): Seven large manufacturers seek to keep New York, Connecticut, and 16 local governments from favoring purchases from companies that agree to stringent rules.
First Success of Gene Therapy Reported (April 27): French doctors use treatment to save several infants who might have died from severe immune disorder. Technique involves adding working genes to cells. Researchers note that patients had a disease especially suited for the treatment.
Mozambique Assesses Flood Losses (April 29): Thousands homeless as floods sweep away schools and clinics, crops, and cattle. Durban government says country needs about $427 million for reconstruction.