WORLD AGENDA -- APRIL 2012

April 1, Myanmar: By-elections are being seen as the first big test for both the country’s electoral integrity and the popularity of Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy. The poll follows reforms last year after decades of military dictatorship.

April 2, Falkland Islands: The 30th anniversary of the start of the 74-day Falklands War comes as Argentina renews its claims to the British-held territory. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentines, 255 Britons and 3 Falkland islanders.

April 12-16, Pyongyang: International tensions over North Korea look set to intensify if plans to launch a rocket- mounted satellite go ahead. The launch, seen as highly provocative, is intended to mark the centenary of “Great Leader” Kim Il-sung, and also aims to boost the legitimacy of new ruler Kim Jong-un.

April 14, Beijing: An exhibition of works by the late American artist Andrew Wyeth is held in China for the first time. The master realist, who died in 2009, exerted some of his greatest influence among young Chinese artists.

April 14-15, UK: The centenary of the sinking of the Titanic is commemorated with exhibitions, new scientific theories about the accident and a recreation of the fateful voyage. Over 1,500 people died in the world’s most famous maritime disaster.

April 16, Oslo: The trial begins of Anders Behring Breivik, the right-wing militant who killed 77 people in Norway on July 22 last year. He has admitted launching a bomb attack at government headquarters in Oslo, and a gun massacre at an island summer camp.

April 16-27, South China Sea: Military drills by the U.S. and the Philippines are being held on Palawan island close to disputed territory. Manila, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and China -- which says it owns most of the South China Sea -- have overlapping claims.

April 22, France: President Nicolas Sarkozy has seen his poll ratings rise in the wake of his handling of the terrorist atrocity in Toulouse, narrowing the gap on socialist frontrunner François Hollande ahead of the first round of presidential elections. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen trails in third place. The deciding round is on May 6.

April 26, The Hague: The UN war crimes tribunal rules on former Liberian president Charles Taylor. He is accused of arming rebels fuelling the 1990s civil war that led to widespread murder, rape and mutilation in Liberia and neighbouring Sierra Leone.

April 30, Florida: A private company launches a spacecraft to the International Space Station for the first time. SpaceX, the first commercial enterprise to deliver cargo to the orbital laboratory, aims to offer fee-paying customers trips into orbit in 10-15 years time.
/ENDS