China oil spill after pipe blast 'worse than thought'

China is boosting effort to clean up a major oil slick off its north-east coast, following a pipeline explosion.

There are growing fears that strong winds have dispersed the pollution more widely than previously thought.

the oil was up to 20cm thick along parts of the coast near the city of Dalian.

Shipments of oil from the north to the industrial belt in the south have been disrupted since the accident.

At least one person has died during the clean-up operation, after being thrown from a ship by waves and drowning in the oil.

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Within 2km of radius of the disaster, the smell of petrol is very strong”

End Quote Zhong Yu Greenpeace

The oil spilled into the sea in north-east China after two pipelines exploded on Friday night, resulting in a fierce fire.

Museums and schools on Riba Stirling Prize shortlist

Two schools and three major museums are among the buildings up for this year's Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) Stirling Prize.

The shortlist, described as "unique" in the award's history, sees two UK schools up against museums in Oxford, Rome and Berlin.

The Bateman's Row mixed-use development in east London rounds off the shortlist for the £20,000 award

Chile bishops seek pardons for military-rule crimes

The Roman Catholic Church in Chile has urged the government to pardon any members of the country's military who show repentance for the crimes they committed under military rule.

The Chilean Bishops' Conference said there should be room for clemency.

The families of those abused under General Augusto Pinochet's rule reacted angrily, accusing the Church of turning its back on the victims.

4 persons killed, 7 wounded in Nawabshah road accident

Four persons were killed, seven others injured in road accident here on National Highway of Nawabshah, police said.
Police sources said that the collision took place between passenger Van and Mini Truck when the Van loaded with passengers was going towards Mandi but suddenly mini truck which was coming behind it collided with the van after bursting its tyre.
As a result both vehicles fell down into the ditch, however, police recovered dead bodies while shifting injured to hospital for medical treatment, where doctors informed about the critical condition of two persons.

Muttiah Muralitharan reaches 800 Test wickets landmark

Muttiah Muralitharan became the first bowler to take 800 Test wickets on the final day of his Test career in Galle.

The Sri Lanka off-spinner, 38, who made his Test debut in 1992, began his final match against India on 792 wickets.

He ousted record Test run-scorer Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday and went on to take 5-63 as India had to follow on.

Team-mate Lasith Malinga took 5-48 but with the last pair together, Murali had last man Pragyan Ojha caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip to reach his 800.

It left Sri Lanka needing to score 95 to win the game and take a 1-0 lead in the series, but Muralitharan's achievement - reached in his 133rd Test - will overshadow the game.

Earlier in July, Muralitharan's retirement plans - and he later confirmed that this Test in Galle, the first of a three-game series, would be his last.

He is expected to continue to play limited-overs internationals, including next spring's World Cup which will be staged in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

Born in Kandy, Muralitharan has also taken 515 wickets in 337 one-day internationals, and a further 13 in Twenty20 internationals.

His unique bent-arm bowling action has meant that he has courted controversy at times during his career.

Some umpires and former players, notably in Australia, have questioned his action's legality, and it has been investigated by the International Cricket Council who cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Away from the international game, he has had spells with English counties Kent and Lancashire, and also starred for Chennai Super Kings in the lucrative Indian Premier League - taking 1-17 from his four overs as Chennai won this year's IPL final.