International

• Sunday, April 8th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  China's plan to tackle industrial and farmland pollution

  Six thousand of China's top industrial polluters will be under closer scrutiny by the country's top environmental watchdog. The list, published on the website of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), includes well-known companies and factories, reports “China Daily”.

• Sunday, April 8th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Greek cruise captain blames disaster on “strong currents”

  The Greek captain of the cruise vessel “Sea Diamond” which sank last Friday, speaking on Sunday to government run Greek television denied responsibility for the incident and blamed strong sea currents for the disaster.

• Saturday, April 7th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Sunken Greek cruise ship's skipper arraigned; two passengers still missing

  

  The captain of a Greek cruise ship that sank in the Aegean Sea was due to appear before a prosecutor on Saturday as coastguards continued to search for two missing French tourists, the Greek merchant marine ministry said.

• Friday, April 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Sinking cruise ship evacuated off Greece

  

  A listing cruise ship carrying nearly 1,600 people was evacuated safely Thursday after it struck rocks and began taking on water off the Greek island of Santorini, authorities said.

• Friday, April 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Pope commences annual Holy Week ceremonies

  

  Pope Benedict XVI bathed the feet of 12 laymen at a Rome basilica in a Holy Thursday tradition symbolizing humility, as he kept up an intense schedule of public ceremonies that will culminate on Easter.

• Thursday, April 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Global Warming Threatens Natural Wonders

  An environmental group said Thursday some of the world's greatest natural treasures are threatened with destruction because of global warming - from the Great Barrier Reef to the Amazon rain forests and the unique ecosystem of the Mexican desert.

• Tuesday, April 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Possible weather pattern changes as El Niño becomes La Niña

  

  The most recent El Niño, the periodic weather pattern that can have repercussions around the world from torrential rains and floods in the Americas and Africa to droughts and brush fires in Australia and Asia, has now ended and a transition to its mirror image, La Niña, is a substantial possibility, according to the latest United Nations forecast.

• Tuesday, April 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action Day

  

  Although efforts to curtail landmines have been successful, much remains to be done as the devices still kill nearly 20,000 people every year, the top United Nations peacekeeping official said on the eve of the second-ever International Day dedicated to curbing the scourge (April 4).

• Tuesday, April 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  World's leading donors development assistance dropped in 2006

  The world's 22 leading donors cut their total official development assistance, ODA, by 5.1% in 2006 compared to 2005 with only 16 members complying with the 2002 Monterrey summit development financing objectives, according to the latest ODA report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

• Monday, April 2nd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Lady Thatcher marks anniversary at St Paul's Cathedral

  Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher marked the 25th anniversary of the Falkland Islands War at a small, private ceremony in St. Paul's Cathedral Monday evening. She was joined by Sukey Cameron, Falkland Islands government representative in London, as well as members of the church's staff.