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)