WORLD AGENDA JULY 2009

July 1-24, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim goes on trial for a second time on what he claims are politically motivated charges of sodomy. His first conviction, in 2000, was set aside in 2004 although a corruption sentence stood.

July 6-8, Moscow: U.S. President Barack Obama starts a wide-ranging foreign tour with a trip to Moscow. Talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev will centre on negotiating a successor to the 1991 START treaty on arms reduction which expires in December.

July 8-10, L’Aquila: Silvio Berlusconi hosts a G8 summit on the global financial crisis just as a sex scandal threatens to topple him. The Italian prime minister is fighting for his political life amid claims he paid young women to attend private parties.

July 10, Ghana: High expectations will accompany Barack Obama’s first trip to Africa since he took office as the first black U.S. president in January. The election of the son of a Kenyan man triggered great hopes across the world’s poorest continent.

July 12, Brazzaville: One of Africa’s longest-serving leaders faces 12 challengers in presidential elections. Denis Sassou-Nguesso seized control in the Congo in 1979, lost a 1992 poll, took back power in 1997 and won a 2002 ballot that rivals branded a sham.

July 18, New York: Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday marks the first “Mandela Day”, celebrated with a concert including performances by Aretha Franklin and France’s First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. The global annual event was proposed to inspire people to improve their lives within communities.

July 18, Nouakchott: Presidential elections that would bring Mauritania back into the international fold following a military coup last August are due to take place. The U.S. says it will resume support for the west African state if it returns to constitutional rule.

July 18, Florida: Celebrations mark the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon. An estimated 500 million people worldwide made this  the largest TV audience for a live broadcast at that time.

Undated, New York: Pharmaceutical company Baxter International says it expects to have its swine flu vaccine ready for commercial use in July. The firm has developed the vaccine against the virus -- officially declared a pandemic in June -- using Vero cell technology.

Undated, Lima: Heads are set to roll in the Peruvian government after deadly clashes over the introduction of laws, later repealed, that native groups say would speed the destruction of their jungle habitat. Several ministers are expected to be fired.

Undated, London: “Great Train Robber” Ronnie Biggs, whose playboy lifestyle and defiance of British authorities during 36 years on the run made him a criminal legend and spawned several films, may be released from jail. The 79-year-old surrendered to police in 2001.
/ENDS