China and Russia have signed trade agreements worth $3.5bn during the second day visit to Beijing by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Russian deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov said near about 40 contracts were signed by Russian and Chinese businessmen and officials however no deal had yet struck on energy and still talks are been continued.

Russia is keen to bolster its economy President said economy has decline 7.5 percent in 2009. Russia is hoping to sell more oil and gas in China. China is considered to the world’s second biggest energy user. Mr. Zhukov mentioned to the reporters that the deals included two $500m loans from Chinese banks to Russian financial institutions. One was from the China Development bank to its Russian counterpart Vnesheconombank while other was from Agricultural Bank of China to Russia’s state-run VTB bank. He added saying others deals included investments by Chinese firms in Russian construction facilities however, no further details was provided. Trade between Russia and China has risen from $10bn to $50bn over the past six years. Moscow had signed a $25bn agreement to help fund a pipeline to supply oil from Siberia to China earlier this year in exchange china was guaranteed 20-year supply of crude oil. Moscow is interested to exports machinery, aviation equipment, and nuclear power plants. Countries are seeking to expand business in own currencies rather than US dollar.

Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State is meeting Russian leaders to seek support for a tougher standpoint on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme. Hillary Clinton during her visit in Moscow a five-day European tour said in discussion with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that she has warned the world not to wait indefinitely for proof that Iran is not making nuclear weapons.

Mrs. Clinton has been invited to meet and discuss Mr. Medvedev at his private residence in the suburbs of capital city that can provide a more relaxed setting for discussions. Secretary of state comes at the crucial moment in relations between United States and Russia. Russia has traditionally opposed tougher sanctions on Iran however; Mr. Medvedev has appeared to shift his attitude after the revelation that Tehran had a second convert uranium facility. Barack Obama has pledged to reset relations with Russia during their visit held in the month of July. Since then Mr Obama has met a key Russian demand to scrap plan to deploy interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in Czech Republic as part of US missile system in Europe. US officials wants Russia to support or at least not oppose the idea of UN Security Council imposing tougher sanction on Iran if they fails to live up to its international obligations. Hillary Clinton is supposed to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. She also visited Switzerland, UK, and Ireland as a part of European Tour.

Conservationists in Cambodia have made an agreement, which should see elephants living more peacefully along with human neighbors. Villagers living near elephant’s territory have promised they will not harm animals or disturb their surroundings. In return, local farmers are receiving help from officials to keep the elephants away from their crop and farm.

Whenever animals live close to human environment there are human-elephant conflict as villagers develop and expand their land elephants lose their surroundings. So it becomes more likely for animals to wander into fields destroying crops and rarely attacking humans and livestock. This situation held to danger for many wild elephants in few countries. Conservationists are keen to prevent elephant and they are experimenting in Cambodia. Elephant’s number is to arise after decades of war and deforestation. Organization Fauna and Flora International is trying to maintain peace between people and pachyderms. This will help villagers to develop their funding through small business like chicken farming as an alterative of clearing forests. Organizations also advice villagers various tactics to keep elephant away from field. Matt Maltby  FFI’s elephant protection scheme has advised to grow different types of crops one line of defense such as chili fences around the boundaries of fields. Elephant does not like chilies so naturally they will turn other way. If that does not work then to deploy solar- powered electric fences however, the shock will not harm elephant.

More than 40 people were killed in a suicide car bombing in Pakistan’s Swat valley including civilians, women, and child. It was aimed at militants and explosion hit a security group in Shangla district. Fourth militant attack in eight days occurred in the town of Alpuri earlier military claimed area has secured. Taliban’s latest attempt to engage the army on several fronts ahead of Army planned ground nearby South Waziristan.

Alpurai was not under Taliban control at the time of a major anti- Taliban offensive by the military in Swat Valley. Security officials said they saw a car blew up near a hospital in the market as a group of troops was passing by. Dozens of people counting security officials are injured in the explosion. Khan Bahadur Khan a police official quoted the attack as a suicide attack. He added saying bomber hit one of three military vehicles that was passing through the busiest market in district. Several trucks were destroyed in the blast. Fourth attack within a week brings over 100 death tolls in four days across Pakistan. Pakistan security forces used aircraft and artillery to bombard militants in Bajaur tribal district near Afghan border. More than 15 militants are killed and over 25 injured. Arrest of several high profile Taliban leaders including Muslim Khan in Swat can be the main cause of attack although group leader Maulana Fazlullah remains secured. Offensive fight spilled into Shangla district.

Mexican government closed a state run firm with about 40,000 employees and 25 million customers. This company provides electricity to the capital and rest of the country is closed because it was no longer economically feasible and was suffering huge losses. Officials sent 5,000 police to close the headquarters and various branches of the company.

Federal police seized the offices of Luz y Fuerza Del Centro and according to the government officials; expenditure of the company was increasingly outpacing sales. President Felipe Calderon uttered this firm faced a shaky financial situation. Closure of the firm led to fight of union leaders and government. Cost of the firm between 2003 and 2008 was 433billion pesos while during sale the cost was 236 billion pesos. Mr. Caldron said the service could not continue to fund without increasing electricity rates or taxes. He added saying that it would be unfair particularly when country is going through tough economic times. He also denied union claims that the government was going to privatize to the company. Luz y Fuerza lost 32.5 percent of the energy that is generated or distribute to its customers. Half of the companies’ staff went towards pensions for 20,000 retired workers. Gomez Mont said Financial and operational inefficiencies of the company need to be blamed this year itself the government paid nearly 3 billion dollar to keep the firm floating.

President Paul Kagame is admired by the way China performs business in Africa and criticized West relations with the continent on support and aid. Chinese investment in African companies and infrastructure is helping Africa to develop as a country. Annual trade between China and Africa is worth more than $100 billion.

Chinese companies are active across Africa, however China have been criticized by few countries in the West who blame Beijing of failing to promote good authority. Many Chinese firms are state owned repeatedly offer major construction projects at costs, which Western companies cannot match. Beijing also operates a policy of non-hindrance in domestic affairs. This policy has permitted China to do business in areas of Africa including Sudan where Western firms are controlled by human rights concerns. Mr. Kagame has been established as one of the most dynamic leader in Africa. He mentioned in an interview that Chinese bring what Africa need such as investment and money for government and companies. China investment is in infrastructure and building roads however, he added saying involvement of European and American countries has not brought Africa forward. Western companies in a large extent have polluted Africa and they continue doing so. Dumping of nuclear waste in the Coast of Ivory and Somalia used as rubbish bin by European firms. Kagame said he would prefer Western world to invest rather than development encouragement, which would help Africa as an industrialized country and gaining equitable access to global markets.

Thousands of gay men and lesbians marched through the Washington Monument to demand greater civil rights. Protest took place after US President Barack Obama opposition to the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy. Earlier President projected to speak to the Human Rights Campaign on issues affecting the gay community. Obama cancelled ban on gay people serving openly in the military.

Obama’s slow functioning to act on gay rights disappoints ample of protestors. During the presidential campaign, Obama promised he would request Congress to reverse the don’t ask, don’t tell policy in military. This policy permits gay people to join and serve military if they do not reveal their sexual orientation. Joel Freedman a protestor said the policy is ridiculous which does not allow full equality in spite of working hard to support the country. State department has allowed married gay and lesbian couples to obtain passports with their married names however; president has been criticized for the speedy removal of legal restrictions on same-sex partnerships, which limits local and federal bodies can recognize gay partnerships and benefits. Protestors mentioned the march as spontaneous, organized by text messages and social networking sites. Marchers waving rainbow colored flags were in no mood to wait, few marchers wore purple T-shirts, encouraging legalize gay. Marchers said LGBT community is not satisfied with a piecemeal approach to civil rights. They were demanding for full federal equality, singling out marriage, adoption, military services.

Australian government has decided to grant refugee importance to all 42 Afghan men who survived in a boat explosion off the outlying territory of Ashmore Reef in the month of April. Five of the refugee died and dozen injured in the explosion. Police declared this month that passengers have purposely set fire to the boat they are unable to pinpoint accurately the main culprit involved. They added saying there were inadequate evidences to charge against them.

Government added saying these men could lose the visas if new facts come out and interrupt, as they were involved in the explosion. Department of Immigration and Citizen will grant permanent protection visas to all 42 men by this week. Chris Evans Immigration Minister said if any of these men being found has offender of a serious offence that person’s refugee status would be withdrawn. He added saying Australian police had already informed they would be laying no charges over the incident. Boat was carrying 47 Afghan refugee and 2 Indonesian crewmembers when it exploded after being seized by the Australian navy 600km off the North West coast of the country. However, charges were against Indonesian sailors for smuggling people however; they are not suspects in the fatal fire. Many of the surviving Afghan men have burns over the body. Immigration minister said they found to be frank refugees they are afraid to return to their homeland because of the current situation in Afghanistan and threat to their lives.

Frederic Mitterrand Cultural Minister of France is facing intense pressure for the book that he wrote that described paying for young boys for sex in Thailand. Book was written four years ago in 2005 before he joined in the government. Book named “The Bad Life” narrates his habit of paying for boys his attraction towards young male prostitutes despite of been aware about the sordid details of traffic.

The rituals of slave market excited him and put him in state of desire. Mitterrand he back into news as Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland based on child sex charges. Politicians criticized and attacked him; The National Front raised voice digging out experts for his book in France. Marine Le pen National Front vice president has raised voice to restore France moral integrity. Mitterrand has been suggested to resign from his post to give lessons to others. Mitterrand nephew of former Socialist President Francois Mitterrand and was drafted into President Nicholas Sarkozy at the centre right cabinet in June 2009. However, his strong defense for Polanski brought book back into public eye. Benoit Hamon Socialist Party spokesperson said as minister of culture he draw attention to himself by defending a film maker accused of raping  a child and he has written a book were he mentions he took advantage of sexual tourism. Mr Mitterrand said it was an honor to be dragged into mud by National Front and be criticized.

Airlines Avianca of Colombia and E1 Salvadors Taca announced to join one of the Latin America’s largest airlines. Both carriers made an agreement to merge under a single holding company that will serve more than 100 destinations. Latin America best-known airlines and largest airline operators are emerging together to reduce cost cutting.

Both airlines have near about 130 planes and 13,000 employees. Their combined routes cover about 100 destinations in America and Europe where they operate with both passengers and cargo services. Avianca’s will get 67 percent of the share with the new holding company while Taca’s investor will take control of the remaining share with Taca chairman and CEO Roberto Kriete serving as Chairman and Avianca CEO Fabio Villegas as CEO. Privately both carriers mutually used to generate near about $3 billion annual revenue. Combined network will serve 75 Latin America destinations with hubs in Bogota, Lima, San Salvador, and San Jose, Costa Rica. This business is subject to approval from relevant regulatory authorities. Avianca chief executive Fabio Villegas said this is a historic event in aviation bringing together both airlines to create a leading group in aviation industry. Avianca and Taca will preserve their respective brands and continue to operate separately under a common strategic vision.