Two big dates today in the Middle East: in the Gaza Strip, the day has come for Israeli settlers to leave. Unarmed troops are at present in the Neve Dekalim settlement delivering eviction notices. In Iraq, meanwhile, August 15 is the deadline for the writers of Iraq's constitution to finish their document. There are hours to go before it must be presented to parliament, with disagreement between Shia and Sunni delegates on proposals for a federal Iraq a key stumbling block.
August 15 is also VJ Day, marking the end of the second world war. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Japan's surrender. Junichiro Koizumi, the Japanese prime minister, today expressed his "deep reflections and heartfelt apology" for Japan's actions. In Britain, the Duke of Edinburgh will join former prisoners of war and servicemen for a reunion at the Imperial War Museum in London. We've an extensive archive of Guardian wartime reporting here.
Also today, England will attempt to take a 2-1 lead in the Ashes series by bowling out Australia for less than 423, and Jon Ronson writes on the year he spent with Omar Bakri Mohammed.
