WORLD AGENDA JUNE 2009

Moscow, June 1: Russia may lift its ban on imported pork, imposed after the swine flu outbreak, which has infected more than 10,000 people and killed around 80 worldwide. Russia is the fourth-largest export market for U.S. pork.
 
London, June 4: Right-wing minority parties are expected to make significant gains in the European elections because of public anger at a far-reaching scandal over MPs’ expenses. Leaks to a newspaper have revealed extravagant and possibly fraudulent claims.
 
Cairo, June 4: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world, seeking to repair ties damaged under his predecessor, George W. Bush. The new leader has made clear that Palestinian statehood and Middle East peace are top foreign policy priorities.
 
Harare, June 4: Zimbabwe’s new unity government comes under international scrutiny when 18 opposition activists, including rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko, stand trial, accused of terrorism. The fate of the group is being seen as a barometer for the success of the power-sharing deal.
 
Beirut, June 7: Militant Shia Muslim group Hezbollah is poised to win parliamentary elections in volatile Lebanon. Branded a terrorist organisation by the U.S. and Israel, Hezbollah has an estimated 40,000 rockets and one of the most powerful armies in the world.
 
New York, June 7: Billy Elliot, The Musical, the story of a ballet dancing boy from a coal mining town in northern England, is the frontrunner in Broadway’s glitziest theatre awards. The show, based on the 2000 film, has been nominated for 15 Tonys.
 
Tehran, June 12: Presidential elections are held in Iran, after which Barack Obama, leader of arch-foe the United States, wants to open talks. The U.S. President has said he wants to see serious diplomatic progress by the end of the year.
 
Johannesburg, June 16: The first purpose-built stadium for 2010’s soccer World Cup opens with a rugby match between the touring British Lions and Southern Kings. The 48,000-seater Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is one of five venues being built for the tournament.
 
Baghdad, June 30: An escalation of major attacks has preceded the deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. combat brigades from Iraqi cities. The upsurge in bombings has raised renewed doubts about the ability of Iraqi forces to impose security from July 1.
 
Mumbai, (undated): One of India’s most ambitious and controversial infrastructure projects, a $325m eight-lane bridge, running through the sea, opens after 10 years in the making. The 5.6km Bandra Worli Sea Link is aimed at easing the financial capital’s legendary traffic jams.
/ENDS