August 1 — Africa: ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe’s central bank revalues the country’s currency in order to ease hyperinflation. While the official rate is 2 million percent, other estimates are as high as nine million percent. The bank cuts ten zeros, making 10 billion Zimbabwe dollars equal to one new dollar. However, because the move does not address the causes of the inflation, it is expected that the new notes will devalue as quickly as the old ones.
August 7 — Latin America: VENEZUELA
Demonstrators in Venezuela protest against the government’s ban on hundreds of candidates from November’s regional and local elections, including some key opposition politicians. Protestors also rally against a package of decrees issued by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez that increase government powers, many of which resemble constitutional changes rejected in a referendum last December.
August 7 — South Asia: MALDIVES
The president of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, ratifies a new constitution, paving the way for the countrys first multi-party presidential elections. The constitution includes the separation of powers and a bill of rights. President Gayoom, who has been in power since 1978, initiated the changes because of growing pressure from human rights groups and widespread anti-government protests. He says he will run in the elections scheduled for October, hoping to win a seventh term.
August 8 — Former Soviet Republics/Europe: GEORGIA/RUSSIA
Georgia launches a military offensive to regain control over its breakaway region of South Ossetia, following days of clashes with South Ossetian separatists. Within hours, Russia sends thousands of troops into the region and bombs targets in other Georgian cities. While Russia says it is defending Russian civilians and peacekeepers in the region, Georgia blames Russia for initiating the invasion.
August 8 — East Asia: CHINA
The Olympic Games commence in China’s capital, Beijing, with a spectacular opening ceremony. The country deploys an additional 100,000 troops and police to provide security during the two-week event.
August 11 — Africa: AFRICAN UNION/MAURITANIA
The African Union suspends Mauritania’s membership in the organization soon after the military overthrow of President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who came to power in 2007 as Mauritanias first democratically elected leader. The coup came after Presidents dismissal of several senior army officers, including coup leader General Ould Abdelaziz.
August 14 — Europe/North America: POLAND/UNITED STATES
Poland signs a deal with the United States to base 10 interceptor missiles on Polish territory as part of the controversial U.S. missile defense shield project. Negotiations with Poland went on for a year and a half, but were accelerated by the Russian invasion of Georgia. In exchange for placing the base in Polish territory, the United States agrees to supply Poland with short-range Patriot missiles for its own defense and guarantees assistance if Poland is attacked. The deal angers Russia, which says Poland has made itself a target of a possible nuclear strike.
August 14 — Africa: CAMEROON/NIGERIA
Nigeria cedes the potentially oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in deference to a 2002 International Court of Justice ruling, ending a long dispute over the territory. Although the majority of the local population identify themselves as Nigerians, the Court ruled in favor of Cameroon, basing its decision on a 19th century colonial agreement between Britain and Germany. So far, at least 100,000 people have moved from Bakassi to Nigeria.
August 18 — South Asia: PAKISTAN
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf resigns and Senate Speaker Muhammad Sumroo becomes acting president. Musharraf’s resignation comes just before the impeachment proceedings against him were about to start in the parliament. He has been accused of subverting the constitution and gross misconduct. Musharraf strongly denies any wrongdoing.
August 18 — South Asia: INDIA/NEPAL
Millions of people are stranded in India’s eastern state of Bihar when the Kosi River, which originates in Nepal, bursts its banks and unexpectedly changes course, wiping out villages and farms, and damaging crops. Known as the Sorrow of Bihar for its notorious flooding, the Kosi River had been contained since 1964 with embankments built in accordance with a treaty between Nepal and India. Government negligence in upkeep is blamed for the breach.
August 19 — Africa: ALGERIA
A suicide car bombing outside a police training school in Issers, Algeria, kills 48 people. Al Qaedas North African wing, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claims responsibility for the attack. Recently, the group has become more active in Algeria, carrying out numerous suicide bombings and attacks against targets such as the country’s police and military posts.
August 21 — East Asia: PHILIPPINES
An agreement between the Philippine government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the expansion of a Muslim autonomous region in the south collapses, leading to renewed violence on the southern island of Mindanao in which 30 people are killed. The government had agreed to expand the region in an attempt to end decades of fighting. However, Christian communities raised objections and the Supreme Court blocked the deal.
August 24 — South Asia: INDIA/PAKISTAN
Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir impose an indefinite curfew after weeks of massive clashes between police and protesters in both the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley and the Hindu-dominated region of Jammu. The unrest began in May with a dispute over land around the Hindu Amarnath shrine Kashmir Valley and quickly escalated, reigniting demands for independence from India. These demonstrations have been the biggest since the 1989 armed resistance to Indian rule.