August 2013 Current Events: U.S. News. Here are the key events in United States news for the month of August 2013. *. Minnesota and Rhode Island Begin Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses (Aug. 1):Two more states, Minnesotaand Rhode Island, begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples this month. To see all the states that have legalized same-sex marriage, go here. *. Bulger Found Guilty of Racketeering, Extortion, Conspiracy and Murder (Aug. 12):Notorious Boston gangster James (Whitey) Bulgeris found guilty of 31 of the 32 charges he faced, including murder, extortion, money laundering, drug dealing and possession of weapons. Bulger, at age 83, faces a sentence of life in prison, plus thirty years. His sentencing is scheduled for November 13. *. Manning Sentenced to 35 Years for Leaking U.S. Files (Aug. 21):Private Bradley Manning, age 25, is sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking over 700,000 U.S. government files to WikiLeaks, files that contained classified U.S. military activities. It is the longest sentence ever given in the U.S. involving leaked government data to the public. Private Manning can be up for parole in seven years, according to his attorney.(Aug. 22):The day after his sentencing, Manning announces that he is female and wants to be referred to from now on as Chelsea. The announcement is made during an appearance on theTodayshow by David E. Coombs, Manning's defense lawyer. Coombs makes the announcement by reading Manning's written statement. In the statement, Manning writes: "As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun."

August 2013 Current Events: Business News. Here are the key events in business and science news for the month of August 2013. *. More Jobs Are Added in July, But Growth Remains Slow (Aug. 2):According to the Labor Department, 162,000 jobs are added in July, thirty thousand less than what was added in June. Meanwhile, unemployment decreases from 7.6 percent in June to 7.4 percent in July, partly because more people stopped looking for work. The unemployment rate represents only those who are only actively seeking a job. *. Amazon Founder BuysThe Washington Post(Aug. 5): Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, buysThe Washington Postfor $250 million. Bezos is currently ranked 19th onForbes' billionaire list. He has an estimated fortune of more than $25 billion. Despite his extensive wealth and success, Bezos' purchase comes as a surprise because he has not previously mentioned an interest in the newspaper business.

August 2013 Current Events: Disasters & Science news. Here are the key events in Science and Disasters news for the month of August 2013. *. Several Wildfires Burn in Several States (Aug. 17):As of mid-August, 34 wildfires are burning in eleven states. There are ten wildfires in Idahoalone. Idaho residents near the town of Ketchum are forced from their homes as 1,200 firefighters battle the state's biggest wildfire, which currently burns across 1,000 acres. More than 2,300 homes have been evacuated so far in central Idaho. The fire is six percent contained.(Aug. 26):One of the biggest fires in California's history continues to spread near Yosemite National Park. The fire, which is being referred to as the Rim Fire, is seven percent contained and has burned through 144,000 acres, making it the 14th largest fire in Californiasince 1932, the year the state started keeping wildfire records. The size of the fire is roughly the size of Chicago. The fire's location makes it a threat to San Francisco's electrical and water supply. Nearly 3,000 firefighters are battling the blaze. *. Train Hits Crowd in India, Killing Dozens (Aug. 19):Dozens of Hindu pilgrims are killed while crossing the tracks near a remote station in eastern Indiawhen an express train crashes into them. After the crash, the crowd drags out the train's driver and beats him. The crowd also sets the train on fire. The Bihar train station is not accessible by road and express trains usually come through without stopping at a speed of 50 miles per hour. Officials say the driver of the train had clearance to pass through the station. Thirty-seven people are confirmed dead, including several children.

August 2013 Current Events: World News. Here are the key events in world news for the month of August 2013. *. Russia Grants Asylum to Fugitive, Angers U.S. (Aug. 1): Russiagrants Edward Snowden, the American who leaked info about U.S. surveillance, asylum for one year. The temporary asylum allows him to leave the Moscow airport where he has been since June. Russia grants Snowden asylum despite strong urging from the U.S. not to do so. In response, President Obamacancels a planned summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putinwhich was to be held in Moscow in September. *. Egypt Declares State of Emergency (Aug. 14):In Cairo, riot police raid protest camps. They open fire and use armored bulldozers, tear gas, snipers, and helicopters to clear the camps. Protesters throw rocks and burn tires in response. More than 500 people are killed, and the government declares a state of emergency. Mohamed ElBaradei resigns as vice president in protest of the military's action. President Barack Obama cancels joint military exercises between Egyptand the U.S. that are scheduled for September in response to the military's repressive and heavy-handed tactics. "While we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt, our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual while civilians are being killed in the streets," Obama says.(Aug. 18):The crackdown and protests continues, as both the military and Mohammed Morsi's supporters vow to continue their fight. Casualties mount with more than 1,000 fatalities, most of whom are Morsi supporters. Thirty-six Islamic militants in police custody are killed while being transported to prison on the outskirts of Cairo.(Aug. 19):Militants kill 24 police officers in the northern Sinai region. Foreign governments urge the military to use restraint, a plea largely ignored. While foreign officials deplore the heavy-handed tactics of the military, they are careful not to imply support for the protesters, recognizing that the interim government is the only hope for stability. Police arrest Mohamed Badie, the Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual leader, and charge him with incitement to murder. Meanwhile, a court orders that former president Hosni Mubarak be released from prison, calling into question whether the 2011 revolution would be in vain. Given the turn of events, all signs indicate that Egypt is headed back to becoming an authoritarian regime. *. Israel and Palestine Begin Talks on Their Own Turf (Aug. 14):Israelis and Palestinians officially begin peace talks in Jerusalem. Expectations are low going into the talks, the third attempt to negotiate since 2000, and nearly five years since the last attempt. The talks begin just hours after Israelreleases 26 Palestinian prisoners. The prisoner release is a step on Israel's part to bring Palestineback to the negotiating table. Israel says the prisoner release will be the first of four. However, Palestinian officials are concerned over Israel's ongoing settlement building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, land that will be part of an official Palestinian state. "The talks might collapse any time because of the Israeli practices," says Yasser Abed Rabbo, adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking on Voice of Palestine radio about the settlements. Israelis are also aware of the challenges ahead. In a TV interview just before the talks began, Israel's chief negotiator Tzipi Livnisays, "It will be complicated and complex, but I am not giving up." *. Opposition Accuses Government of Chemical Weapon Attack in Syria (Aug. 21):Opposition groups accuse the Syrian government of attacking rebel areas in Zamalka, Ein Terma, and Erbeen, suburbs east of Damascus, with chemical weapons. Gruesome, graphic images in the media show victims foaming at the mouth and twitching and lines of covered corpses. The opposition say as many as 1,000 people died in the attack. The government denies it launched a chemical attack. The alleged attack coincides with the arrival of UN inspectors to Syriato investigate earlier allegations of government use of chemical weapons. Inspectors are cleared to investigate the site, and their convoy is fired on by snipers en route. They do gain access to the affected areas and took samples for testing. The Syrian government denies it launched a chemical attack. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerrycalls the attack a "moral obscenity" and an "indiscriminate slaughter of civilians."(Aug. 27):Because Russia and China vow to veto any UN Security Council resolution authorizing retaliation on Assad, the U.S. and allies hope to form a coalition to support an attack. President Obama says that he is considering a limited strike on the military bases

July 2013 Current Events: U.S. News. Here are the key events in United States news for the month of July 2013. *. Key Witness Testifies at Bulger Trial (July 9):Kevin Weeks, a key government witness, testifies against his former mentor James (Whitey) Bulger. In his testimony, Weeks recounts how Bulger killed two men in 1982 in South Boston. Weeks gets a reduced sentence for testifying. His testimony is the most damaging yet because it ties Bulger to at least two of the 19 murders he's been accused of playing a part in.(July 10):As Weeks testimony continues, he and Bulger trade expletives in the courtroom. It is the first words the two have spoken to each other in over 16 years. The trial, which began on June 12, 2013, is expected to continue through September. *. George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty of Trayvon Martin's Murder (July 13):A jury in Floridafinds George Zimmermannot guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin. The six jurors, all of which are women, deliberate for 16.5 hours before the verdict. Of the jurors, five women are white and one is a minority. After the verdict, Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father, tweets: "Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY." Both sides ask for peace after the verdict. The verdict does spark outrage on the internet and protests in cities throughout the U.S., but no riots or extreme violence are reported.