Portal:Current events/2009 August 15

August 15, 2009 (Saturday)

Hamas police claim to have killed Abdel-Latif Moussa, head of the Islamic group Jund Ansar Allah in a shootout. (The New York Times) (Petra)^{[permanent dead link‍]}
Hong Kong posts 3.3% growth over its previous quarter, far exceeding predictions, signaling an end to its recession. (The Straits Times)
Colombia claims to have completed talks with the United States to allow US troops to use seven of Colombia's military bases. (BBC)
Japan expresses remorse for its actions in World War II on the anniversary of its 1945 defeat, but former Prime Ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe visit the Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial war shrine seen as a symbol of its past militarism. (The Straits Times)^{[permanent dead link‍]} (Mainichi Daily News)
Former President of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba, awaits the verdict in his trial into his criminal case for being accused of plundering the national economy during his decade-long rule. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
MV Arctic Sea
- A ransom demand is made for the missing ship. (Al Jazeera) (Bangkok Post) (The Times)
- The tracking device onboard the Arctic Sea was briefly reactivated according to Russian media, showing the vessel to be off the coast of France. (RIA Novosti) (Associated Press)
A suicide bomb attack occurs outside the NATO headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least seven and injuring 100. (The Times) (Xinhua) (RTHK)
A prison riot in the Mexican state of Durango leaves at least 19 people dead and 20 injured. (BBC) (Reuters) (Press TV)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi speaks at a news conference to say his country will crack down on organised crime over the next four years. (The Straits Times)
Burma is to free detained American John Yettaw, who appeared uninvited at Aung San Suu Kyi's home, after a meeting with US Senator Jim Webb. (BBC) (The Straits Times) (The Telegraph)
A blaze in a tent in Kuwait, where a wedding party is held, kills 43 women and children. The ex-wife of the groom confesses to starting the fire. (Al Jazeera)