WORLD AGENDA AUGUST 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Aug 15: The 70th anniversary of Victory in Japan Day when the Japanese surrendered to the allies, and World War II came to an end. It follows the 70th anniversary, on Aug 6, of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and, on Aug 9, of Nagasaki 2 Aug 6, U.S.: A debate of Republican presidential hopefuls in Cleveland, Ohio, kicks off an election season ahead of the Nov 2016 vote that is on track to break records for fundraising and campaign spending. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (left), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, and Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker, are among the early front-runners 3 August, Canberra: Australia, which has one of the world’s highest per capita emissions of carbon dioxide, is to release its post-2020 emissions reductions target, currently a 5% cut on 2000 levels by 2020. China, the U.S. and the EU have far more ambitious aims 4 Aug 19, Iraq: The term of Iraqi Kurdistan’s President Massoud Barzani is due to end, and the parliament in Irbil is wrestling with the urgent question of who should replace him. A disputed decision invites instability, a boon for IS cutting a deadly swath through the region 5 Aug 17, Sri Lanka: Wartime leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, who faces a UN war crimes investigation, stands for prime minister in elections. Months of coalition government deadlock forced President Maithripala Sirisena, his bitter rival, to nominate him to avoid a split 6 Aug 3, U.S.: Colt, the famed gun-making company founded by Samuel Colt 179 years ago, goes up for auction. Colt, which supplies M4 carbines and M16 rifles to the U.S. military, filed for bankruptcy in June amid delays on government sales and declining demand 7 Aug 22-30, Beijing: The spotlight falls on double Olympic champion Mo Farah at the 15th World Athletics Championships following doping allegations levelled at his coach Alberto Salazar. The 32-year-old is due to defend his 10,000 and 5,000 metres titles 8 Aug 13, Space: History-making Philae, perched on Comet 67P, reaches the point of closest approach to the Sun. The lander’s batteries came to life in June as sunshine reached its shaded perch ------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Kate Edgley Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images, ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM, Hmaag words 371