July 31: The Palestinian death toll after Israeli missile strikes and ground invasions reaches 1410, mostly civilians. The Israeli death toll is 59.
August 4: African countries Liberia and Sierra Leone declare a state of emergency in response to the Ebola outbreak.
August 9: Police officer Darren Wilson shoots and kills 18-year old African American Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. Brown was reportedly unarmed, but other details are under dispute. Violent protests quickly begin nationwide.
August 11: Legendary actor and comedian Robin Williams dies at 63, most likely due to suicide.
August 19: ISIS militants behead American journalist James Foley and release a graphic video depicting the killing in retaliation for U.S. air strikes.
August 31: China denies Hong Kong the right to hold democratic elections. The decision sparks another wave of protests.
September 4: Comedian Joan Rivers dies at 81.
September 7-8: Serena Williams wins the U.S. Open against Caroline Wozniacki, marking her 18th Grand Slam title. Marin Cilic defeats Kei Nishikori the next day to win his 1st Grand Slam event.
September 18: Scotland votes to remain part of the United Kingdom, with 55% of voters agreeing. British leaders have promised to listen to the 45% who voted for independence.
September 26: President Obama implements a plan that will create the world’s largest protected marine reserve in the Pacific Ocean, increasing it from 87,000 square miles to nearly half a million.
October 1: Julia Pierson, the first female Secret Service director, resigns just days after examination of how the Secret Service failed to prevent a White House breach.
October 13: The British Parliament votes 274-12 to diplomatically recognize Palestine in light of the recent conflict in Gaza.
October 20: Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta dies at 82.
November 11: China and the United States finally reach an agreement on climate change.
China will stop its carbon emissions from increasing by 2030 by using wind and solar power, while the United States will reduce emissions 26-28% by the same year.
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