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A timeline of events in the news for April, 2002.

See also: Afghanistan timeline April 2002

April 28, 2002

• Recent celebrity deaths: Alexander Lebed - Russian General who ran for the presidency against Boris Yeltsin; Ruth Handler - inventor of the Barbie Doll

April 26, 2002

• In Erfurt, Germany, a nineteen-year-old runs amok at his high school, killing 14 teachers, two other pupils and himself. The event sparks a discussion about stricter weapons laws in Germany, and about banning violent computer games and movies.

April 21, 2002

• Extreme-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen qualifies for second round of French Presidential Elections. Right-wing incumbent Jacques Chirac places first. Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin places third and announces his retirement from politics. Thousands take to the street all over France to protest against Le Pen.
  • Chirac (19.9%), Le Pen (17.4%), Jospin (16.3%), Bayrou (6.5%), Lauguiller (6.3%), Mamere (5.5%), Chevenement (5.3%), Besancenot (4.5%), Saint-Josse (4.0%), Hue(3.6%). Turnout 75%.

April 18, 2002

• A Swiss-registered Rockwell 112 aeroplane made headlines when it collided with the Pirellone building in Milan initially generating fears of terrorism.

April 14, 2002

• Hugo Chávez returns to power in Venezuela.

April 12, 2002

• Coup d'état in Venezuela. President Hugo Chávez is brought to military barracks. Military announces transitional government consisting of mix of civilians and military headed by leader of the Venezualan Chamber of Commerce(FEDECAMERAS), Pedro Carmona, who immediately repeals constitution, dissolves supreme court and parliament.

April 11, 2002

• Ten nations deposit their ratifications for the International Criminal Court at a United Nations ceremony, bringing the total to 66, well above the 60 needed to bring the Statute into force. The ICC will therefore come into force on 1 July 2002.

April 7, 2002

• There are reports that the Poincaré conjecture may have been solved by Martin Dunwoody.

April 6, 2002

• As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies, the United States repeats its demands to Israel that it should pull back its troops.

April 1, 2002

• Various April Fool's hoaxes are perpetrated throughout the world, as is custom.

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