1. Rebels Surge to Victory in Libya. Six months of violent struggle for control of Libya may be coming to an end. Anti-government rebels entered Libya’s capitol, Tripoli, and effectively unseated the government of Muammar El-Qaddafi.  The sudden victory comes after months of intense fighting, backed by European and American air strikes and financial and military aid from some European countries. The pro-Qaddafi government stands accused of crimes against humanity and corruption, both over the course of the so-called “Arab Spring,” in which Middle Eastern nations faced unprecedented popular protests, and throughout the regime’s four-decade hold on power. Qaddafi himself has not yet been located and it is unkown whether he will be tried in Libya or in the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

2. South Sudan Becomes a New Nation. On July 9, South Sudan celebrated its independence from the Sudanese government. The secession comes after a referendum was held on the issue of independence in which the mostly Christian population voted overwhelmingly to break ties with the Muslim government of Sudan. The new nation has inherited a host of problems, ranging from disputes over the nation’s borders to internal tribal conflict. There have been previous conflicts over South Sudan’s independence, including a 22-year civil war, in which about two million people were killed.

3. Norway Hit with Dual Terrorist Attacks. A domestic terrorist is allegedly responsible for killing 77 people in two terrorist attacks in Norway. On July 22, a car bomb exploded outside of the office of the prime minister. Eight people were killed, though the prime minister was not in the building at the time. An hour and a half later, a man wearing a police uniform arrived at a political youth camp on an island outside of the Norwegian capitol of Oslo and opened fire on the campers. The police were unable to respond for another hour and a half, allowing the gunman to kill almost 70 other people. Police arrested Anders Behring Breivik, a right-wing extremist, in connection with the two attacks. He admitted that he carried out the attacks, but denies that he was criminally responsible.

4. England Sees Worst Riots in Years. Rioting broke out in London on Aug. 6, following the fatal shooting of a black man by police officers two days prior. Over the next four days, the rioting spread to other parts of the city, and eventually to the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol. Most of the rioting was, in fact, not connected to the fatal shooting, and officials in London have debated the cause of the violence. Police were urged to use water cannons and plastic bullets to disperse rioters after an initially slow response from law enforcement. Ultimately, however, a surge in the numbers of police officers deployed put an end to the rioting. Five people were killed in the violence and over 3,000 people were arrested.

5. Global Markets in Flux; Fears of a Second Recession. Early August brought fear and uncertainty to the stock market, as exchanges from New York to Hong Kong fell and rose with apparent unpredictability. Large sell-offs were motivated by slow economic growth, financial concerns of European nations and a downgrade of the U.S.’s credit rating. Stocks rebounded on news that the U.S. had increased retail sales, but global markets continued to show a general downward trend. Economists now fear that a so-called “double dip” recession might result, putting further stress on already troubled markets.