International Headlines
Mar 14: Carbon Emissions Stalled
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the growth of carbon emissions stalled in 2014. This marks the first time in 40 years that growth has remained stable during the absence of a major economic crisis, and demonstrates that economic growth is not dependent upon factors which cause high emissions. Although this information is encouraging, the IEA warns that further action is necessary for the trend to continue.
Mar 13: Iceland Stays Out
Iceland has dropped its plans to seek European Union membership. It gave no reason for dropping its bid, however two Eurosceptic parties have said the nation already enjoys most full membership benefits through deals with the EU. Iceland has free trade arrangements with the EU and is part of the Schengen visa-free travel zone, and says it wants to strengthen ties "even further".
Mar 12: Mexican Candidate Killed
Aidé Nava, a female Mexican mayoral candidate, was found dead by the side of the road after being abducted by members of “Los Rojos” – one of the main criminal groups in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Mrs Nava’s husband, former mayor Francisco Quiñónez, was murdered last year, and the group threatened similar treatment for any politician who did not “fall into line”.
Mar 10: Solar Powered Plane
A solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse-2, has completed the first leg of its attempt to fly around the world. It took off from Abu Dhabi, heading east, landing in Oman after a 400 kilometer, 12-hour flight. The plane, which is powered by 17,000 solar cells lining the top of its wings, will take five months to complete the journey and aims to spread a campaigning message about clean technologies.
Mar 8: Celebrating Womens’ Achievements
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It was first celebrated in 1911, and honours the work of the Suffragettes who campaigned for womens' right to vote as well as celebrating women's success, and reminding of inequities still to be redressed. The theme this year is "Make it Happen".
Mar 6: Rape Film Controversy
British film-maker Leslee Udwin has made a film for the BBC about the December 2012 gang rape of a student in Delhi. The film has been banned in India, but the BBC is showing it in the UK and it is also released on social media. Indian authorities have started legal measures, claiming she broke a contract by airing an interview with one of the rapists, who shows no remorse.
Mar 5: Economy Slowdown
China has announced a lower growth target and a pledge of tighter environmental controls. Premier Li Keqiang told the National People's Congress that China would target growth of around 7% in 2015, and said that with traditional drivers of growth weakening, more structural reform was needed. Describing pollution as a "blight" on the quality of life, he said environmental laws will be strictly enforced.
Mar 4: Stop Albino Killings
Albino killings in Tanzania are to end, vows Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete, who said they have brought shame on the nation. Albino people, who lack pigment in their skin, have faced attacks for their body parts which witchdoctors believe bring good luck and wealth. Last month an albino toddler was found dead with all his limbs hacked off and a young girl with albinism has been missing since December.
Mar 3: Prince Visits Beijing
Britian’s Prince William is in Beijing on an official visit. Prince William is the most senior British royal to visit China since the Queen's tour of the country in 1986. Prince William met Chinese President Xi Jinping who has told the prince that the visit would go a long way to developing mutual understanding and friendly ties between China and Britain.
Feb 27: Nurse Jailed
A former nurse, Neils H, 38, has been jailed for life in northern Germany after admitting to killing more than 30 patients with lethal drug overdoses in the Delmenhorst clinic where he worked in intensive care. He told the court he had acted on impulse and apologised to the victims' relatives. In 2008 he was also convicted of attempted murder and given a seven-and-a-half year term.
Feb 26: Austria on Islam
Austria has reformed a 100-year-old law which made Islam an official religion in Austria. The controversial new bill is partly aimed at tackling Islamist radicalism, and gives Muslims more legal security but bans foreign funding for mosques and imams. Muslim leaders say the law fails to treat them equally as international support is still permitted for Christians and Jews. However it is seen as a model for Europe.
Feb 24: Auschwitz Murder Charge
A 94-year-old former Nazi medical sergeant who served at Auschwitz has been charged with 3,681 counts of accessory to murder. If found guilty he could face a jail term of three to 15 years. The man has not been named but has been deemed fit to stand trial. About 1.1 million people, mostly European Jews, were killed at Auschwitz concentration camp during the second world war, between 1940 and 1945. .
Feb 23: China Complains
China has objected to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it as Chinese territory. Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Liu said that India has "undermined China's territorial sovereignty, right and interests".
Feb 21: Swine Flu Hits India
An outbreak of swine flu has killed more than 700 people since it took hold in mid-December, and since last week the number of people infected has doubled to more than 11,000. The northern state of Rajasthan has been worst affected. The virus first appeared in Mexico in 2009 and rapidly spread around the world.
Feb 16: Cyber Theft
$1bn (£648m) has been stolen by a cybercriminal gang with members from Russia, Ukraine and China. According to computer security firm Kaspersky Lab, up to 100 banks and financial institutions in 30 countries worldwide including Russia, US, Germany, China, Ukraine and Canada have been attacked. The gang transfered money from the banks' accounts to their own, or told cash machines to dispense cash at a pre-arranged time.