August 2005 - August 15, 2005 (Monday)

August 15, 2005 (Monday)

• Many countries celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the Pacific and the end of World War II. Beijing holds an arts performance gala. In Japan, in a large-scale ceremony led by the Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologizes for people's suffering Japan caused during World War II. The ceremony was met with scattered protests. (Xinhua) (BBC China)
• The Parliament of Iraq grants an extension to the nation's leaders to draw up a new Constitution. (MSNBC)
• The U.S. refused to abide by a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ruling on the US vs Canada softwood lumber dispute, leading to Canada's Finance Minister Ralph Goodale saying he was considering trade sanctions on the US. (Boston Globe)
• Israel begins the Gaza Strip pullout plan. The Kissufim Roadblock was shut down at midnight between August 14 and August 15. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hailed the move as "historic" but said Israel should also pull out of the West Bank. (BBC), (Canada.com)
• Conflict in Iraq: A senior aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Abu Zubair, has been shot dead following a U.S. ambush in Mosul, Iraq. (BBC)
• The Indonesian government and rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) sign a peace deal aimed at ending their near 30 year conflict. (BBC), (chosun.com). UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan applauded both parties for reaching a peaceful settlement of the dispute through dialogue, and commended Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland, for the mediation role that he played throughout the negotiation process. (XinHua)
• Due to stalled labour talks, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation locks out the company's 5500 members of the Canadian Media Guild, severely disrupting operations in most of Canada. The key point of contention is the broadcaster's insistence on more contract employees to the expense of full time positions. (The Toronto Star)
• Phil Mickelson wins the 2005 PGA Championship (PGA.com)
• India celebrates its sixtieth Independence Day.