Last Hour’s First Minutes

May 2001

• Pope in Greece to mend split with Orthodox Church.
• EU signs record aid deal for Palestinian Authority.
• Germany launches $3.6 billion space program.
• New Zealand scraps national air force.
• Pope sends envoy to Jerusalem to seek resumption of peace efforts.
• Arafat calls for international observers in Israel.
• Pope visits Syria.

June

• Euroforce adopts Germanic anthem as marching tune.
• Race riots in Britain.
• China clinches deep-sea port deal in Pakistan.
• Ireland votes no to euro.
• Leaked document confirms drastic cuts in British Navy.
• DaimlerChrysler becomes Europe’s largest firm.
• EU funding of left-wing Israeli politics exposed.
• Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia call for greater EU role in Mideast peace process.
• U.S. recession confirmed.

July

• China takes stake in world’s biggest port, Rotterdam, with EU approval.
• Italy seals $550 million deal in Iranian oil field.
• Italy calls for EU to have greater role in Middle East.
• EU blocks General Electric takeover of Honeywell to restrict U.S. competition.
• Russia calls for NATO to be replaced by European security and defense arm.
• China and Russia sign Good Neighbor Treaty.
• U.S. abandons policy of preparedness to fight two major wars simultaneously.
• Egypt, Iran agree to support Syria in any war against Israel.
• EU takes over satellite center to separate intelligence from NATO dependence.

August

• German foreign minister takes seven-stop diplomatic mission to Mideast.
• Confirmed 45% rise in neo-Nazi hate crimes in 2000 over 1999.

September

• EU, Iran confirm intentions to negotiate trade pact.
• Revival of fascination with Mussolini sweeps Italy.
• U.S. attacked by terrorists; insurance company losses to eclipse all records.
• EU rushes to strengthen anti-terror laws.
• Spain demands Britain hand over Gibraltar.
• Iran shuns U.S.-led alliance against terrorism.
• EU to improve security relations with Iran.
• Germany to lead military force to secure Macedonia.
• Congo wars death toll confirmed at 2.5 million.
• Japanese Navy to support U.S. campaign in Mideast.

October

• U.S., Britain, Ireland, Netherlands okay Palestinian state.
• Germany’s Schröder claims frontline position in future political and military activity.
• EU to give Europol added powers in wake of Sept. 11.
• Scientists to clone humans by end of year.
• Croatia, EU sign contract for free-trade concessions.

November

• EU accelerates plans to accept ten more members.
• UN encourages EU economy as U.S. sinks.
• German Navy deploys off coast of Somalia.
• Japan adds troops, planes to its naval support of U.S.
• Schröder calls for EU institutions to be given greater powers.
• German general to head NATO’s military committee.
• Auditors confirm high level of fraud in EU agencies.
• Austria declares it has outgrown post-WWII neutrality.
• EU tightens free-speech laws.
• Britain offered EU Commission presidency in exchange for joining euro zone.
• Iran and Pakistan move toward strategic alliance.
• EU rapid reaction force launched a year early.
• Queen breaks 500-year tradition to invite Catholic cardinal as her guest.

December

• Recession in Germany.
• China opens Bahaman port.
• Japan revises military law to join UN missions.
• Pope summons Catholic leaders to discuss Christians’ future in Holy Land.
• EU reaffirms illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
• EU pushes laws giving extra powers to police, prosecutors and judiciary.
• EU moves to consolidate constitution and pushes for directly elected president.