HISTORY

Death of Benjamin Franklin, US scientist and statesman. He carried out major research on electricity but is best remembered for his contributions to the American Declaration of Independence. Birth of Sirima Bandaranaike, famed Sri Lankan stateswoman. In July 1960, she became the world’s first woman prime minister.

The Japanese establish a puppet government in Vietä Nam, headed by Tranà Tronï g Kim.

Birth of Löu Quang Vuõ (died 1988), Vietnamese writer, poet and playwright. He is best known for his topical plays written at the beginning of the renovation period in Vieät Nam, including

(Tröông Ba’s Soul in the Butcher’s Body),

(I and We), and

(The Ninth Oath).

Sirhan B Sirhan is found guilty of firstdegree murder for the killing of Robert F Kennedy, who was shot while campaigning in California in June 1968. The Republic of Korea’s Supreme court upholds verdicts sentencing former president Chun Doo Hwan to life in prison and his successor, Roh Tae Woo, to 17 years. They had been found guilty of abuse of power and corruption. The Indian nationalist coalition government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee resigns after a vote of no confidence is passed in parliament. Syrian President Bashar Assad accuses the West of backing al-Qaida in his country’s civil war and warns it will pay a price “in the heart” of Europe and the United States as the terror network becomes emboldened.

Taiwan prepares to permanently ban killing of poultry in traditional markets amid concerns over the spread of the H7N9 avian flu virus in mainland China. Russia and Ukraine together with the United States and the European Union sit down for emergency talks in Geneva in regards of the unrest in Ukraine. All four agree that “illegal military formations in Ukraine” must be dissolved, and that everyone occupying buildings must be disarmed and leave them. There would be an amnesty for all anti-government protesters under the agreement.

Up to 150,000 civilians flee the Iraqi city of Ramadi which is under siege from Islamic State.

Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes says he will not be a candidate in next year’s presidential election regardless of Congress’s action on a constitutional amendment that would allow second terms. — AP/REUTERS/ VNS