WORLD AGENDA MAY 2005

May 3, Texas: Lynndie England, the U.S. reservist pictured humiliating and degrading Iraqi prisoners in photographs from Abu Ghraib jail that shocked the world, faces court-martial. England, 22, is charged with nine offences including conspiracy, dereliction of duty and maltreatment of detainees.

May 5, London: BritainÕs Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair is on course for an unprecedented third consecutive General Election victory. It will be the first time the party has won power three times in a row though a reduced majority is expected.

May 8-9: Celebrations take place throughout Europe and North America to mark the 60th anniversary of VE Day. U.S. President George W. Bush is among 50 world leaders attending celebrations in Moscow to commemorate the allied victory over Nazi Germany.

May 10, Canberra: The Australian budget will focus on pushing working-age welfare claimants back to work to help meet the annual A$20 billion (US$15.2 billion) costs of an ageing population.

May 21, Kiev: Newly-democratised Ukraine hosts the 50th Eurovision Song Contest. The show prompted President Viktor Yushchenko to allow visa-free entry for citizens of the European Union and Switzerland from May 1 to illustrate the countryÕs new openness.

May 22, Cape Canaveral, Florida: NASA hopes to launch its first shuttle mission since Columbia disintegrated two years ago, killing all seven astronauts on board. Discovery is due to blast off at 06.46 local time and is scheduled to dock at the International Space Station two days later.

May 29, Paris: Polls show European Union founder member France looks set to reject the EU constitution in a referendum.The constitution aims to streamline decision-making within the bloc after its enlargement from 15 to 25 members.

Early May, Pacific Rim: Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Brunei could reach a deal on a four-country free trade pact.

May (undated), Hong Kong: A bill introducing a complete ban on smoking in public places goes before parliament this month. The new law would extend existing restrictions to restaurants, bars, karaokes, indoor work places, schools and nursing homes.

May (undated), India: Groundwork to enable the conversion of 2,500 tonnes of New DelhiÕs mounting waste to be converted into 20 MW of power is due to be completed. Two projects, at Timarpur, in the north of the city, and Okhla, in the south, are underway.

Parliamentary elections in Central African Republic (second round, May 1), Dominica (May 5), United Kingdom (May 5), Ethiopia (May 15) and Lebanon (date to be confirmed). Presidential elections in Central African Republic (second round, May 1) and Mongolia (May 22).
/ENDS