1) US Kills Top al-Qaida Leader in Afghanistan.

• The leader of the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria with a history of attacks against U.S. targets was killed in a U.S. airstrike.
• Muhsin al-Fadhli, who led the Khorasan Group in Syria, was killed when the vehicle he was riding in northwest Syria near the Turkish border, was destroyed.
• Al-Fadhli was the leader of a network of veteran al-Qaeda operatives, sometimes called the Khorasan Group, who are plotting external attacks against the United States.

• Conakry, the capital of the Republic of Guinea, has been named World Book Capital for 2017. The decision was made by an international committee of experts during a meeting at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris.
• The selection committee singled out Conakry “on account of the quality and diversity of its programme, in particular its focus on community involvement” as well as “for its well-structured budget and clear development goals with a strong emphasis on youth and literacy”.
• While welcoming the quality of all applications received by UNESCO for the title of World Book Capital 2017, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, endorsed the Committee’s decision to designate Conakry World Book Capital for 2017.

3) Nepal’s political parties agreed to remove word ‘Secularism’ from the Constitution.

• Nepal’s political parties agreed to remove the word “secularism” from the yet-to-be framed Constitution.
• They agreed to this during a discussion on peoples’ view vis-à-vis the new constitution in the Constituent Assembly.
• The political parties reached the consensus on this after a majority of people in their feedback to the new constitution demanded for replacing the word “secularism” by either “Hindu” or “religious freedom.”
• Over 80 per cent of Nepal’s population is Hindu.
• Nepal was declared a secular country in 2007 after Nepal’s Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist joined mainstream politics after a decade-long insurgency that killed over 13000 people. The decision had ended Nepal’s century-old identity as the world’s only Hindu kingdom.

• A member of the Russia-led economic blocs - Kazakhstan - has been officially accepted as member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This ends two decades of talks with WTO, and makes the country the 162th member.
• The agreement on the country’s membership was signed Monday in Geneva; it now has to be ratified by the Kazakh parliament by October 31.

1. The economy of Kazakhstan is still dependent on resource-based income; the accession will help it to diversify its trade in other sectors and to strengthen its economy.
2. Kazakhstan currently trades with 185 countries and after being the WTO member its trade will spread on much larger canvas.
3. Kazakhstan’s trade is mainly directed toward European Union that accounts share of more than 54 per cent in its foreign trade.
4. Other sizeable partners in trade are Russia, the United States, China, Canada and some other countries.
5. Being the WTO member Kazakhstan economy will become stronger and more liberal; as its trade was more prominent with post-Soviet states in mid 1990s.

5) Meghna Gulzar`s film on Aarushi murder case to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival.

• Irrfan Khan and Tabu-starrer `Talvar`, based on the infamous Aarushi Talwar murder case, will have its world premiere at the 40th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), to take place between September 10 to 20.
• Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film has been selected by the members of the festival and will be presented as the part of the "Special Presentations" programme.

• Pakistan received some USD 336 million from the United States for its ongoing role in combating a Taliban insurgency in neighbouring Afghanistan.
• The injection of cash, which comes as the Taliban steps up its annual summer offensive launched in late April, has helped Pakistan`s foreign exchange reserves reach a fresh high of about USD 19 billion.

• Sri Lanka government announced its decision to repair and renovate one Hindu and one Buddhist temple in Nepal that was destroyed in the recent earthquake.
• According to government spokesman, Sri Lankan cabinet decided to undertake the repair of Buddhist temple in Swayambhunath and Hindu temple of Rato Machindranath in Lalitpur at a cost of 34 crore Sri Lankan rupees.
• Sri Lankan Army will handle the repair work which will be coordinated by Ministry of Buddha Sasana.
• Accordingly, a group of officers and technical craftsmen will be sent to Nepal to plan the above task shortly.

• China’s Ministry of National Defense accused the U.S. of militarizing the South China Sea as Beijing makes increasingly bold moves to assert its claim to virtually all of the sea’s waters, islands and reefs.
• China has slammed the U.S. for militarising the South China Sea and escalating tensions that have been fuelled by maritime disputes in these waters, which are vital for the conduct of international trade.

1. Military activity in the Pacific has been accelerating following President Barack Obama’s “Asia Pivot” or “Rebalance” doctrine, which has led Washington to position 60 per cent of its forces in the Pacific. In Beijing, the “Asia Pivot” doctrine is seen as a China-containment policy.
2. The Chinese have been especially piqued surveillance mission undertaken by U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, Admiral Scott Swift, who, for seven hours, flew on a reconnaissance mission aboard a P-8A plane in the South China Sea. 

1) In Central Asia, Modi Jump-Starts India’s `Look North` Strategy.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s whirlwind tour this month of the five Central Asian republics of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkeminstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with a stop in the middle in Russia, was a move to breathe life into the “Connect Central Asia” strategy launched under Modi’s predecessor, Manmohan Singh, in 2012.
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• It is a multi-modal trade transport network that includes strategic rail, road, and water transport connecting India with Central Asian and Eurasia Countries.

1. It will connect Mumbai (India) via Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports of Iran with Baku (Azerbaijan) to Moscow (Russia) and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe via the Caspian Sea.
2. Economic Integration: It will help in facilitating India’s economic integration with Eurasian economies and other countries in surrounding regions. If India partners with Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), it will further boost and expand its economic, trade and investment opportunities in more countries in this region.
3. Shorter transport route: It will be a shorter route to transport goods to Eurasian and Central Asian regions compared to present route via Suez Canal and western European countries. Thus, reduce the cost of transporting goods from India to Eurasia.
4. Natural resources access: It will help India to tap the abundant natural resources potential of Central Asian countries for its energy security. These countries are having rich deposits of petroleum, natural gas and uranium along with deposits of fertilizer inputs such as potash.
5. Exports: Many sectors in this region are becoming increasingly service-oriented which can benefit India to export expertise in information technology and IT-enabled services.

• Lower House of Japan’s Parliament (Diet) approved 11 security-related bills that change the self-defence law, which was followed by Japan since World War - II.
• The change paves the way for the Japanese military to potentially fight abroad for the first time since World War - II.
• Now the bills need approval from the upper house within 60 days.
• The biggest change under the new bills is that it allows Japan`s military to defend allies like the United States, that come under attack, under a concept known as collective self-defense.

3) India, Myanmar issued joint statement on bilateral cooperation.

• India and Myanmar issued a joint statement on bilateral cooperation after the conclusion of the first meeting of the India-Myanmar Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) in New Delhi.
• The JCC meeting was co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Foreign Minister of Myanmar U Wunna Maung Lwin.
• The second JCC meeting is scheduled to be held in Myanmar in 2016.

1. Bilateral MoU on Movement of People across the Land Border.
2. Investments by Indian companies in areas like ports, power, agro-industries, forest products, mining, construction industry, consumer goods, highways, oil & gas, plantation, manufacturing, hospitality and ICT would be specifically encouraged.

• China has confirmed its participation in the Indian International Fleet Review (IFR) in Visakhapatnam in February 2016.
• This is the first time the Chinese Navy will take part in the event.
• Despite the growing maritime friction, both nations agreed on increasing bilateral naval cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China.
• The two sides will exchange visits of naval ships and hold PASSEX [passing exercises] and SAR [search and rescue] exercises.

5) 54 years on, US & Cuba to reopen embassies.

• The United States and Cuba abolish one of the last vestiges of the Cold War; they restore diplomatic ties frozen for half a century.
• For the first time since 1961, the Cuban red, white and blue flag will fly over Havana`s newly upgraded embassy in Washington, just a stone`s throw from the White House.
• Rodriguez will earlier preside over a ceremony to mark the upgrading of the Cuban interests section to a full embassy.
• Foreign policy legacy for US President Barack Obama, and Cuban counterpart Raul Castro agreed to end their estrangement and put their countries on track towards a full normalization of ties.

• Indians coming to the UK for business or investing may soon have to produce proof that they don`t hold a criminal record in any country they have lived in over the past 10 years.
• The UK is planning to float sweeping plans to tighten background checks in order to prevent international criminals from entering the country legally.
• The initial phase of the scheme will apply to "Tier 1" visa applicants who apply for the visa as investors or entrepreneurs.
• The mandatory rule will also apply to dependents and family members. If any applicant is found to have fudged the data, he or she will be banned from entering UK for at least 10 years.

• The official nationality preference survey in recently swapped 162 enclaves on India- Bangladesh border under the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) has ended. The survey was conducted by the Enclaves Exchange Co-ordination Committee (EECC) of both countries for ascertaining the nationality preference of over 50,000 enclave-residents.

1. The nationality preference survey was conducted by 75 joint-teams of EECC under the modalities of the LAB. The agreement came in to effect after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
2. India had swapped around 111 enclaves to Bangladesh, while the counterpart had had swapped 51 enclaves.

• India and Russia have signed a customs and liberalize business visas agreement to boost trade between both countries to remove the hindrances and boost commerce.
• This pact will help to rapid clearances of imported goods at the land and sea ports and addresses the issues related to the non-tariff barriers. Both countries also have fixed a target of US 30 billion dollars to be achieved by 2025.
• This agreement will play important role proposed International North-South freight corridor (INSTC) for trade from India to Russia to central Asia through Iran.

• India and Singapore signed Technical Agreement (TA) on sharing white-shipping information to enhance maritime cooperation between the two navies. The agreement was signed during the visit of Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan to Singapore.
• The White-shipping refers to commercial shipping information about movement of cargo ships.

1. The Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy conduct the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) together annually. In 2015, the SIMBEX was held in May, this was the 22nd in the series.
2. Both navies also interact regularly through high-level visits, dialogues, joint military training, courses and other professional exchanges.

1. In this 400-plus page document, Japan demanded China to stop the construction of a new offshore platform that could be used for military purposes in the East China Sea (ECS).
2. Japan also criticized China for its military spending, saying it is now 41 times higher than in fiscal year 1989.
3. It referred to successful test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile by Democratic People`s Republic of Korea, claiming that its nuclear tests pose a significant threat to Japan`s security.
4. It also pointed to the conflict between Russia and the United States and Europe over the crisis in Ukraine, as well as Moscow`s increased military activity in the Asia-Pacific, the Arctic, Europe and near the mainland of the United States.
5. Japan released its first white paper on defence in 1970 and has been compiling new versions of the Defence White Paper every year since 1976.

1) India, Uzbekistan released Joint Statement to intensify security cooperation, exchanges.

• India and Uzbekistan released a Joint Statement (JS) to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. Modi visited Uzbekistan on the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

• Russia voted a draft U.N. resolution recognising the Srebrenica massacre as genocide, branding the measure “confrontational” and a setback to reconciliation in the Balkans.
• Britain had put forward the draft text, hoping the Security Council would formally recognise it as an act of genocide for the first time.
• Angola, China, Nigeria and Venezuela abstained from the vote on the draft resolution, days before Bosnia is due to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of 8,000 Muslim boys and men by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995.

• The BRICS group denounces military interventions as well as imposing economic sanctions that violate international law, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said in the Ufa Trade Union Declaration adopted.
• Pitching for closer cooperation and coordination among BRICS nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a 10­point initiative that includes India hosting the first trade fair for the grouping and establishing research centers for railways and agriculture.

1. BRICS Trade Fair
2. BRICS Railway Research center
3. Cooperation among supreme audit institutions
4. BRICS Digital Initiative BRICS Agricultural Research Centre
5. BRICS State/ Local
6. Government`s Forum
7. Cooperation amongst Cities in field of Urbanization
8. BRICS Sports Council and
9. Annual BRICS Sports Meet
10. First major project of NDB to be in field of Clean Energy
11. BRICS Film Festival
12. BRICS Agricultural

4) `Overseas students should leave U.K. once they complete studies`.

• The British government would like to see overseas students who come to Britain to study in its world class universities leave as soon as they finish their courses - and not stay back to work or settle.
• Indian students are second only to China amongst non-EU overseas students in higher education in the U.K. rising tuition fees and an unfriendly visa system have seen the numbers drop.
• The revoking of the post-study work visa was a major deterrent for Indian students. Unlike their Chinese counterparts who usually come on Chinese Government scholarships, must take substantial loans to study.

• India and Turkmenistan signed eight agreements/ Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two nations. They discussed ways to increase regional cooperation and connectivity.
• The agreements were inked during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Turkmenistan at the invitation of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

1. MoU on supply of chemical products between the Indian Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) ‘Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited’ and the Turkmen State concern ‘Turkmenhimiya’.
2. MoU between the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
3. MoU between India and Turkmenistan on cooperation in Yoga and Traditional Medicine.

• Uanited States has approved major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status to Tunisia. Decision in this regard was taken by US State Department.
• With this Tunisia became the 16th country to become a MNNA of US. In May 2015, US President Barack Obama had declared Tunisia as its non-NATO ally while hosting his Tunisian counterpart Beji Caid Essebsi at the White House.
• This decision was taken by US to support for Tunisia’s decision to join the world’s democracies.
• US is hoping to strengthen democracy in Tunisia especially after Beji Caid Essebsi became the first democratically elected President in 60-year history of Tunisia.

• India has been accorded full accorded the full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at its Ufa summit held in Russia.
• Technically, India will become the member of SCO by 2016 after completion of certain procedures.
• This membership will help India to work with the 6 members grouping to enhance connectivity, combat terror and create an environment for boosting trade by easing barriers.

1. SCO is a Eurasian economic, political and military organisation.
2. Headquarters: Beijing, China.
3. Established: 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders 6 countries viz. China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
4. It is an outcome of The Shanghai Five grouping established in 1996 by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
5. SCO’s first enlargement was in 2001 with addition of Uzbekistan and second enlargement was in July 2015 with addition of 2 new members India and Pakistan.
6. Presently it has four observers Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Since 2005, India was having an Observer status of SCO and had applied for full membership in 2014.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for early implementation of the $10-billion TAPI gas pipeline project during his talks with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as both countries inked seven pacts to ramp up engagement in key areas, including defence.
• During their comprehensive talks, both leaders resolved to step up efforts against cross-border threats of terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug-trafficking as they their reaffirmed their commitment for a stable Afghanistan.

9) India, US ink MoU to establish PACESetter Fund in New Delhi.

• The MoU was signed by Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India and Upendra Tripathy, Secretary, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• The PACESetter Fund seeks to support the Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) track of the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE).
• In turn, it will accelerate the commercialization of off-grid clean energy with the help of early-stage funding grants to develop and test innovative systems, products and business models.

• India and Kyrgyzstan have signed 4 pacts/ agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two nations. These agreements were inked during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kyrgystan as part of his official visit to 5 Central Asian countries and Russia.

1. Agreement on Defence Cooperation.
2. MoU and Cooperation in the field of Elections.
3. MoU on cooperation in the sphere of Standards.
4. Agreement on Cooperation in Culture.
5. Country: Kyrgyzstan.
6. Capital: Bishkek.
7. Currency: Kyrgyzstan Soma.

• India and Turkmenistan have signed 7 pacts/ agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
• These agreements were inked during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Turkmenistan as part of his official visit to 5 Central Asian countries and Russia.

1. MoU on Supply of Chemical Products.
2. MoU Foreign Service Institutes of both nations.
3. Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Sports.
4. Programme of Cooperation In Science And Technology.
5. MoU on Cooperation in Yoga and Traditional Medicine.
6. MoU on Cooperation in the Field Of Tourism.
7. Agreement in the field of Defence.
8. Country: Turkmenistan.
9. Capital: Ashgabat.
10. Currency: Turkmenistan manat.

• India and Georgia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of election management and administration. The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India Nasim Zaidi and Tamar Zhvania, Chairperson, Central Election Commission, Georgia.
• Till now, Election Commission of India has signed twenty MoUs with Election Management Bodies and international organizations across the world.

1. Promotion of exchanges of knowledge and experience in electoral processes.
2. Exchange of information, materials, expertise and training of personnel.
3. Production and distribution of materials pertaining to electoral systems, voting technology, voters’ education and awareness.
4. Participation of women and minorities in electoral process.

• Ending a 12-year stand-off, Iran and P5+1 countries comprising of the United States, the United Kingdom (UK), Russia, China, France and Germany reached an agreement on the Iran nuclear programme.
• The agreement called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) or Vienna agreement was reached after 17 days of almost uninterrupted negotiations in Vienna involving foreign ministers of seven countries.
• Now, the Vienna agreement needs to be ratified by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and will come into force 90 days later.

• The European Union (EU) Summit gave in principle approval to a bailout package worth between 82- 86 billion euro to Greece. The Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium.
• A final Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to the bailout package will be reached between the creditors and Greece only after Greece undertakes certain reforms specified under the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) programme.
• If finalized, the financial assistance will be the third bailout package from the European Union (EU) under the ESM, the eurozone bailout fund, since Greece plunged into severe economic crisis during 2009-10.

• United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD) decided to set up a working group to study the policy and readiness implications of allowing transgender persons to serve in the military of the nation.
• The decision to set up the working group was announced by the Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
• Besides, setting up a working group, the decision authority in all administrative discharges were directed to elevate all those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify themselves as transgender to Carson, who will make determinations on all potential separations.

1) Cuba becomes first nation to eliminate mother-to-child HIV and syphilis: WHO.

• Cuba has become the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. It was announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• Cuba was able to achieve this milestone with the help and efforts of WHO and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

• Unfazed by the recent economic slide, China formally pledged to reduce carbon intensity of its industries while committing itself to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the next 15 years.
• The commitment came from the world`s biggest emitter ahead of the United Nations climate talks in Paris.
• China`s carbon dioxide emission will peak by around 2030 and China will work hard to achieve the target at an even earlier date.
• UK Food Standards Agency gave clean chit to India-made Maggi.
• The Food Standards Agency (FSA) of United Kingdom (UK) released test results of Nestle’s 2-minute Maggi noodles manufactured in India.
• FSA in its release said that levels of lead in the product are well within European Union permissible levels and would not be a concern to consumers.
• In total 900 samples were taken from Nestle, local authorities and port authorities for being tested.
• United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (UK FSA) decided to test a selection of Maggi Noodles as a precaution after the product was banned in India.
• It was banned in India by food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for containing high levels (beyond permissible limits) of lead and taste enhancer Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).

• Iran and P5+1 nations i.e. six major powers have agreed to extend an interim nuclear agreement in order to allow more time for negotiations on a final deal.
• This decision was taken during the talks between these nations held in the Vienna, Austria after the deadline expired on 30 June 2015.
• It should be noted that the so-called P5+1 (Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and United States) and Iran are negotiating to curb Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.
• They are working towards an accord that would halt Iran’s sensitive nuclear work for at least a decade in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

4) India abstains from UNHRC vote against Israel.

• The government denied what appeared to be a major shift in India’s policy on Israel, after it abstained from a vote against Israel at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
• The resolution (A/HRC/29/L.35) had welcomed the U.N. Human Rights Council report, which found evidence of “alleged war crimes” committed by both Israel and Hamas during the Gaza conflict in 2014, particularly calling for accountability of Israeli officials.

• The death toll from Ebola virus in Liberia is on the rise once again after three new confirmed cases were reported.
• Earlier in May 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the West African country Ebola free after no new cases were reported.
• Liberia has accounted for more than 4,800 deaths since the outbreak, which began in 2014.
• The West African country was believed to have been more successful in eradicating Ebola compared to its neighbouring countries viz. Sierra Leone and Guinea, which were still reporting new cases in May, 2015.

6) UNESCO and UNITAR signed agreement to protect cultural heritage with geo-spatial technologies.

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) signed an agreement to protect cultural heritage sites with the latest geo-spatial technologies.
• The agreement was signed at the annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany.

1. Under the agreement, complimentary capacities of both the organizations-satellite technology of UNITAR and ground based resources of UNESCO – will be put into best use for protection of heritage sites.
2. Apart from the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), crowd-sourcing application UN-ASIGN, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced web-mapping solutions will be deployed to continuously monitor the status of heritage sites.
3. The agreement will be operational through the UNITAR’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT).
4. Importance of geo-spatial technologies in protecting heritage sites.
5. The agreement between both the UN organizations was signed against the backdrop of damage occurred to cultural heritage sites due to conflicts and natural calamities in different parts of the world in recent times.

• Greece’s outspoken Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis resigned under pressure from his government and his country’s creditors, who both identified him as an obstacle to productive talks about a new bailout deal.
• He was stepping down to allow Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to reach a new deal with European creditors.

• On his first visit to Central Asian countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov on key bilateral and regional issues including the situation in Afghanistan as the two countries inked three pacts to boost cooperation between their foreign offices and in the field of culture and tourism.
• Mr. Modi, who arrived in the Uzbek capital on the first leg of his eight-day visit to Central Asia and Russia, was received at the airport by his counterpart Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
• Mr. Modi and Mr. Karimov discussed ways to enhance strategic, economic and energy ties apart from reviewing key regional issues including the situation in Afghanistan.
• The two leaders also discussed ways to implement the contract for supply of uranium from mineral-rich Uzbekistan signed last year. The pact was signed for supply of 2,000 metric tonnes of the yellow cake.

1. Capital: Tashkent.
2. President: Islam Karimov.
3. Prime Minister: Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
4. Currency: Uzbekistani som.

• Presidents of the United States of America and Brazil Barack Obama and Dilma Dilma Rousseff respectively issued a joint statement on climate change in Washington, the USA.
• The joint statement includes individual commitments towards reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions and bilateral mechanisms to protect the planet from the adverse effects of climate change.
• The USA and Brazil each intend to increase the share of renewables – beyond hydropower – in their respective electricity generation mixes to the level of 20 percent by 2030. This means the USA and Brazil will need to triple and double, respectively, their share of renewable energy in the next 15 years.
• The USA will reduce GHG emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025.
• Brazil intends to restore and reforest 12 million hectares of forests by 2030.

• India and Kazakhistan signed five agreements during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kazakhstan. The agreement was signed in the presence of PM Modi and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
• Narendra Modi is on an eight-day visit to five Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan from 6 July to 13 July 2015.

1. Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
2. Agreement on Defence and Military – Technical Cooperation.
3. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation on Physical Cultural and Sports.
4. MoU on Technical Cooperation in the field of Railways.
5. Long term contract between Department of Atomic Energy, India and KazAtomProm for sale and purchase of natural uranium concentrates.
6. In addition to above agreements, a MoU between JSC «Kazxnex Invest» and JSC «Invest India», which includes a Road Map on Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation was also signed during the visit.
7. The roadmap would identify concrete projects in various sectors and assist in efficient implementation of projects in both the countries to activate bilateral trade and economic relations.