The world this week

A look at what could be dominating the headlines around the world this week - and some key background on those events.

MONDAY 10 MARCH

LOOK OUT FOR A series of features ahead of Iran's parliamentary polls: Voters' views Jon Leyne on the campaign trail Ordinary Iranians people speaking about their lives Iran: Who holds power?

Caught in the web: The trial opens in Bangkok of a suspected Canadian paedophile. The man - who posted a scrambled image of himself on a website - was arrested in Thailand after police restored the image.

Thais arrest paedophile suspect

Batticaloa votes: Local government elections take place in parts of Sri Lanka's eastern province, where security forces have wrested control over the region from Tamil rebels.

Quick guide: Sri Lanka

TUESDAY 11 MARCH

Divided rule: Kenya's parliament debates proposed constitutional changes needed to implement a power-sharing agreement between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. The accord aims to end a bloody two-month crisis over the disputed presidential election.

Key points: Kenya power-sharing deal

Flying high: The space shuttle Endeavour is due to take off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shuttle will deliver Canadian robotics systems and Japanese laboratory parts to the International Space Station.

Endeavour heads for space station

Jacob Zuma was recently elected head of the ANC

Graft probe: South Africa's constitutional court is to hear an application by African National Congress president Jacob Zuma challenging search warrants executed during a corruption investigation. Mr Zuma is to stand trial on charges of corruption, racketeering and tax evasion. He insists the charges are politically motivated.

Zuma: South Africa's comeback kid

WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH

Premier on trial: The case against former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a military coup in September 2006, opens in Bangkok. He is accused of corruption and abuse of power.

Former Thai PM Thaksin flies home

Rendition scandal: The trial resumes in Milan of some 26 US citizens accused of snatching a Muslim cleric and terror suspect from the streets of Italy's financial capital. Abu Omar claims he was taken to Egypt against his will and tortured.

Italy CIA kidnap trial adjourned

THURSDAY 13 MARCH

The event is organised by a group of veterans opposed to the Iraq war

Winter soldier: Veterans and soldiers in active service on Iraq and Afghanistan take part in a Washington DC event about life on the ground as a soldier, presenting video footage and photographs about their experiences.

Iraq veterans' unspoken epidemic

Long memory: Thailand celebrates National Elephant Day. The number of elephants in the country has declined over the past two decades partly because of rapid environmental change.

New leg for wounded elephant

FRIDAY 14 MARCH

Iran's choice: Iranians head to the polls to elect members of the country's parliament - the Majlis. More than 4,600 candidates representing 30 provinces will be vying for 290 seats.

Q&A: Parliamentary election

The new terminal outraged many environmental campaigners

T5: Queen Elizabeth II opens a controversial fifth terminal at Heathrow airport, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. Environmental campaigners and local residents had waged a bitter battle against the terminal.

Green light for Heathrow terminal

Happy Birthday: South Africa launches celebrations to mark Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, which falls in July. Mr Mandela remains one of the world's most revered statesmen, who led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa with a multi-racial democracy.

Profile: Nelson Mandela

SATURDAY 15 MARCH

Mega worship: A missionary group founded in India in the 1920s is to unveil its plans for a 12,000-capacity mosque in East London. The group, which bought the site 12 years ago, has faced considerable local opposition to the plans, which would create the largest site of worship in Britain.

Watch: Debating the Abbey Mills Mosque

SUNDAY 16 MARCH

Chemical attack: It is 20 years since the gas attack on the Iraqi village of Halabja which left 5,000 people dead. The village, seen as an important centre for Kurdish resistance in their struggle for autonomy, had fallen to Iranian forces.

On this day: Thousands die in Halabja gas attack

Moveable feast: The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, celebrates Palm Sunday at the Vatican.

Pope celebrates Easter Vigil Mass

This guide to the week ahead is not intended as an exhaustive list, and the events noted may be cancelled or postponed.