Unix Timestamp: 1076371200
Tuesday, February 10. 2004, 12:00:00 AM UTC

The French National Assembly votes (494 to 36) to ban hijab and all other conspicuous religious symbols from state schools. //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3474673.stm

Canada's auditor-general, Sheila Fraser, releases a scathing report on a CA$250-million sponsorship fund that had a major portion of its funds directed to firms friendly to the ruling Liberal party the resulting scandal and inquiry is quite likely to affect the coming election. Alfonso Gagliano, a former cabinet minister involved in the scandal, is removed from his post as ambassador to Denmark and recalled to Canada. //www.thestar.ca/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1c=Articlecid=1076411365455call_pageid=968332188492col=968793972154

2004 Philippine elections: The 90-day caigning period for the president, vice-president, and senators starts this day with no less than six qualified candidates, half of which have no previous political experience. The current president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seeking a full six-year term. The elections will be held on May 10. //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3472269.stm

Occupation of Iraq: A large car bomb explodes in the central Iraqi town of Iskandariya, south of Baghdad, killing at least 50 people. //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3475679.stm