August 1 – Latin America: CUBA
Cuban leader Fidel Castro, 80, temporarily turns over power to his brother Raul due to an illness. Castro has been one of the world’s longest-ruling leaders, in power since 1959, and never before gave up power.
August 1 – Africa: ANGOLA
The Angolan government signs a peace agreement with the leaders of the northern Cabinda enclave who fought for independence for 30 years. The deal includes a special status for the enclave and demilitarization and amnesty for the rebels. Oil production off the coast of Cabinda contributes to half of Angola’s revenues.
August 3 – Former Soviet Republics/Europe: UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko agrees that his rival Viktor Yanukovych should become the country’s next prime minister. Some of the Orange Revolution supporters, which brought President Yushchenko to power, accuse him of betraying the Revolution. Ukraine has experienced power struggle since the March parliamentary elections, in which no party won a majority. However, Yanukovych’s Party of the Regions won the most votes.
August 14 – Middle East: ISRAEL/LEBANON
Truce between Israel and Hezbollah comes into effect after 34 days of fighting, with both sides claiming victory. As a result of the conflict, more than 1,000 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 150 Israelis, mainly soldiers have been killed. A UN peacekeeping force, expected to consist of 15,000 foreign troops, begins to deploy along the southern border. Also, Lebanese troops are going to be deployed to the south of the country.
August 18 – North America: UNITED STATES
A United States federal court rules that a secret wiretapping program approved by President George W. Bush in 2001 is unconstitutional and orders it to end. Within the program the government monitors phone calls abroad by millions of U.S. citizens. The program was uncovered by the media and brought to court by the American Civil Liberties Union (UCLA). The Justice Department launches an appeal against the decision.
August 20 – Middle East: IRAQ
Gunmen believed to be an Iraqi Sunni extremists open fire on Shia Muslim pilgrims in Baghdad, killing at least 20 and injuring 300. The pilgrims walked to the tomb of the revered 8th century Imam Musa Kadhim in an annual ritual to pay homage for his martyrdom.
August 22 – East Asia: CHINA
China signs a free trade agreement with Chile, its first one in South America. The deal gives Chile access to the vast Chinese market. China, on the other hand, will have access to Chile’s vast natural resources, such as copper. Free trade covers 92 percent of Chile’s exports to China and 50 percent of China’s exports to Chile.
August 22 – Latin America: CHILE
China signs a free trade agreement with Chile, its first one in South America. The deal gives Chile access to the vast Chinese market. China, on the other hand, will have access to Chile’s vast natural resources, such as copper. Free trade covers 92 percent of Chile’s exports to China and 50 percent of China’s exports to Chile.
August 23 – East Asia: NORTH KOREA/THAILAND
Thai police arrest 175 North Koreans in Bangkok who illegally entered the country. Tens of thousands of North Koreans escape the repression and hunger in their country. Through China, they try to reach Southeast Asia, where they have a chance of being sent to South Korea.
August 26 – Africa: UGANDA
The Ugandan government and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) sign a truce to end two-decade long conflict. According to the deal, the rebels will peacefully leave northern Uganda and their bases in southern Sudan and the Ugandan government pledged not to attack them. September 12 has been set for a final peace agreement. The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to prosecute LRA’s top leaders for murder, rape, and using children as child soldiers. However, in exchange for a peace deal, the Ugandan government has offered amnesty for the rebels.
August 26 – International Organizations: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
The Ugandan government and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) sign a truce to end the two-decade long conflict. According to the deal, the rebels will leave northern Uganda and their bases in southern Sudan and the Ugandan government will not attack them. September 12 has been set for a final peace agreement. The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to prosecute LRA’s top leaders for murder, rape, and using children as child soldiers. However, in exchange for a peace deal, the Ugandan government has offered amnesty for the rebels.
August 28 – South Asia: AFGHANISTAN
A suspected suicide bomber blows himself up in a busy market in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, killing 17 people and injuring 47. Insurgents have recently intensified their attacks against government and foreign forces in the south and east of the country. So far this year, casualties amount to 2,000 people, including militants, civilians, aid workers, Afghan soldiers, and 90 foreign troops.
August 30 – East Asia: VIETNAM
A Vietnamese pro-democracy activist, Pham Hong Son, is released from prison as part of a general amnesty. Son was sentenced to 14 years in prison for spying, after he translated an article on democracy and posted it on the Internet. His release follows diplomatic pressure from the United States, the European Union, and human rights organizations on Vietnam to improve human rights and release Son.
August 30 – Middle East: IRAQ
A string of bombings in Iraq kills 44 people and leaves many injured. Two of these bombings happen at a busy Baghdad market and an army and police recruitment center. Two days earlier, 25 soldiers are killed in clashes with Shia militiamen in the southern city of Diwaniya. In Baghdad, at least 14 people are killed in a suicide bombing in Iraq’s interior ministry. In the month of July, a Baghdad mortuary reported receiving 1,855 bodies, 90 percent of those died due to violence.