After several days of uncertainty and many conflicting reports, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has died, according to a spokesman for the French hospital in which he was being treated. Arafat, who has been in a coma for a week, was initially diagnosed with a blood disorder and rushed to France for treatment. He will be buried in his compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Rawhi Fattuh, parliamentary speaker for the Palestinian Authority, will serve as the group's interim president until elections can be held.
United States and Iraqi military forces have launched an offensive into the Iraqi city of Fallujah, which has become a stronghold for militant groups in Iraq. The operation, designed to move swiftly and oust insurgent forces in the city, has been a success so far. Military commanders report that three quarters of the city has been secured. Rebel forces have reportedly seized three relatives of Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and threatened to kill them unless the offensive is halted.
Anti-France demonstrations have prompted French officials to evacuate nationals from Ivory Coast. The demonstrations came as a result of the destruction of the nation's air force by French bombers, a move sparked by the killing of several French peacekeepers. The French have had a significant involvement in a peace effort in the nation, and have been accused of trying to overthrow the country's president, a charge the French government denies.
Police forces executed their second raid in a week on the El Geer refugee camp in southern Darfur. The police vehicles were used to knock down several makeshift houses, fired tear gas, and assaulted several of the camp's inhabitants. In their first raid, police forcibly relocated at least 8,000 people staying in the camp. Peace talks in the region are continuing, with agreements reached on several minor issues. No overall settlement is in sight, however.