SCHOOL SECURITY

On May 12, a man attacked a kindergarten in northwest China and killed nine people, including two adults, leaving 11 other children in hospital.

It was the fifth such school rampage in less than two months.

Police forces nationwide were ordered to step up security at kindergartens and schools after a spate of attacks against children.

An emergency circular issued by the Ministry of Public Security also called for harsh punishments of criminals who attacked school children in order to deter potential attackers.

TWELFTH-FIVE YEAR PLAN

China has been making a five-year plan since 1953.

During the Eleventh-Five Year Plan period (2006-2010), the government's aims included maintaining industrial growth, accelerating research and development, and bringing international cooperation to more areas.

The Twelfth-Five Year Plan, for 2011 to 2015, is being deliberated.

Shaanxi Pprovince, in northwest China, is to pilot the use of methanol gasoline across the whole province from October this year, with the aim of forming an annual methanol production capacity of 10 million to 20 million tons by the end of Twelfth-Five Year Plan period.

OIL LEAK IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

The Deepwater Horizon, near the Gulf of Mexico, exploded on April 20. The Coast Guard says most of the 126 workers on the rig Deepwater Horizon escaped safely after the explosion off the Louisiana coast with at least 11 workers missing.

The rig collapsed and crude oil gushed from the well, polluting a large area along the coastline.

Scientists have said the leak might be much more serious than first estimated. Thousands of sea birds died and many animals are at risk due to the vast damage to the ecosystem.

Chinese and U.S. researchers discovered in June that a new strain of bacteria can help the clean-up of the massive Gulf Coast spill.