WORLD AGENDA AUGUST 2004

Early August, Iraq: South Korea begins deploying 3,000 troops, a plan it has pledged to uphold despite the killing of hostage Kim Sun-il, a 33-year-old translator, beheaded in June by militants demanding that Seoul pull out of Iraq.

August 2-20, North Carolina: Scientists, concerned about the effects of growing numbers of Indo-Pacific lionfish, will study fish populations. The bright and beautiful but venomous species paralyse other fish with their sting and feed on important commercial breeds such as snapper and grouper.

August 13-29, Greece: The Olympic Games returns to its ancient birthplace with 10,500 athletes from 200 countries competing in 28 sports. Swimmer Michael Phelps will attempt to surpass Mark SpitzÕs 1972 record of seven swimming gold medals, while the US$1.2bn security operation -- to include surveillance from a 60-metre airship -- will also be a record-breaker.

August 15, Caracas: Venezuelans decide whether to oust their left-wing firebrand president, Hugo Chavez, in a referendum on his rule. The populist leader of the worldÕs fifth biggest oil exporter has vowed to stand for re-election if he is recalled.

August 28, Russia: Pope John Paul II returns the priceless 16th century icon, Our Lady of Kazan, stolen from St Petersburg in the early 20th century, to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II. The date marks the Feast of the Assumption of the Madonna in the liturgical Orthodox calendar.

August 29, Chechnya: Kremlin-backed Interior Minister Alu Alkhanov will be the likely victor in the regionÕs presidential election, called after the assassination in May of Akhmad Kadyrov. Rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov has warned that any Òpuppet leaderÓ will meet the same fate.

August, Sudan: The World Heath Organization has warned that the worldÕs worst humanitarian crisis will claim a further 10,000 lives this month unless a massive aid operation is set up after heavy rains threaten to bring cholera, dysentery and malaria to stricken Darfur.

August, Bahrain: Work begins on the construction of a $500m artificial island, measuring 552,000 square metres, off the coast of Manama. Pearl Island, which will take five to six years to complete, is part of the Arab stateÕs bid to boost tourism.

August, Australia: Jerry, a cattle dog-bull terrier cross living in the Outback, will become the worldÕs oldest living dog if he makes it to his 27th birthday -- the equivalent of 189 years for a human.
/ENDS