WORLD AGENDA JULY 2010

July 1, United Nations: Christiana Figueres, a Costa Rican diplomat and the daughter of a revolutionary, takes over as head of the climate convention. The 53-year-old, who supports bigger emission cut pledges from rich nations, will spearhead efforts to draw up a new treaty.

July 3, Rotterdam: Cycling’s toughest challenge, the Tour de France, kicks off with Alberto Contador, of Spain, entering the race as favourite and bidding for a third win against seven times champion Lance Armstrong. The Tour ends in Paris on July 25.

July 4, Mexico: Local elections take place amid a reign of terror by drug cartels intent on defying an army-led crackdown on traffickers. Hitmen have forced out candidates and killed one mayoral hopeful in an effort to retain control of key smuggling routes.

July 6, Dharamsala: The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s charismatic spiritual leader and head of the government-in-exile based in India, turns 75.

July 7, Chicago: A 30-foot high, three-dimensional sculpture of an eyeball, complete with blue iris, goes on display in Pritzker Park. Visitors will find the work, “Eye”, created by Tony Tasset, staring back at them until October.

July 11, Tokyo: Japan’s new leader, Naoto Kan, needs an outright win in upper house elections to avoid policy deadlock, as his ruling Democratic Party struggles to reign in the country’s huge debt. No majority would mean deals with small coalition parties.

July 19-27, Kampala: The African Union Summit takes place amid controversy over the decision to invite Sudanese President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges. He is accused of ordering mass murder, rape and torture in Darfur.

July 20, Washington: Britain and the United States’ “special relationship” comes under the microscope when David Cameron makes his first visit to the U.S. as British Prime Minister. The trip comes as transatlantic tensions simmer over London-based BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

July 29, Phoenix: The controversial Arizona immigration law, an effort to stop illegal immigrants and drug smugglers entering the United States from Mexico, is due to come into effect. Critics say it will permit racial profiling and is unconstitutional.

July (undated), Nigeria: Efforts to contain a lead poisoning epidemic will be stepped up as heavy rains risk spreading water supply contamination, linked to illegal gold mining. The outbreak has killed more than 160 people, mostly children under five, in Zamfara state.

July (undated), Mumbai: “Dear Friend Hitler”, a film about the Nazi leader’s last days which is courting international controversy, begins filming. Director Rakesh Ranjan Kumar denies the film glorifies the Fuhrer but says it shows Hitler’s “love for India”.
/ENDS