Please note: In order to avoid inaccurate transmission times appearing in this e-newsletter, all times  
         are listed in GMT. This is a result of many regions adjusting their clocks on Sunday 30th March 2008.
         Customised programme transmission information will resume next week. We apologise for any
         inconvenience caused.

China's first ever Olympic games are on the near horizon. Xiuning county may be 1000 miles from Beijing, but that hasn't stopped Olympic fever reaching its schools. It's Autumn and with the heat of summer and exams behind them, it's time for the students to hit the sports field. For the deputy head teacher of Haiyang Middle school, sports day is a mammoth undertaking and School Radio DJ Zha Yujie sees it as the highlight of the year. At Ping Min primary school they're holding their first ever sports day. Young champion Dai Deli is the fastest runner in school and determined to take gold.

(Duration: 50 minutes)

Saturday 29th  March 2008 at 1210

Repeated: Sunday 30th March 2008 at 0910; Sunday 30th March 2008 at 1710 & Monday 31st March 2008 at 0110

Dan Cruickshank (pictured) is in Africa, "the most beguiling and enchanting of continents". Mali was once a mighty trading empire that extended across West Africa as far as the Atlantic coast. Here Dan finds the first of his treasures, the extraordinary Djenne mosque, which is the largest mud building in the world. The search continues west to Songho and Africa's most isolated tribe, the Dogon. Dan tries his luck at bartering for a mask at the local market before heading North to Libya to see the lost Roman city of Leptis Magna. In Egypt, he heads for the Great Pyramid, which is followed by a trek across the Libyan desert.

(Duration: 50 minutes)

Saturday 29th March 2008 at 0710

Repeated: Saturday 29th March 2008 at 1610; Sunday 30th March 2008 at 0110 

& Sunday 30th March 2008 at 1210

China is just five months away from hosting the biggest sporting event Asia's ever seen, and the pressure is building. There's little doubt that the venues will be ready, but what about the athletes? A ban on interviews has meant that few of China's Olympic team are known outside their own country, and rumours have circulated about strange diets and draconian training regimes. This week's guest is Gao Dianmin, the Director-General of Sports News at the Xinhua News Agency. He's covered seven Olympic games and is gearing up for a media circus in his city. Does he think China's Olympians can deliver the clutch of gold medals that their country – and their government - would like to see? 

(Duration: 30 minutes)

Saturday 29th March 2008 at 1930

Repeated: Sunday 30th March 2008 at 0830; Sunday 30th March 2008 at 1330 

& Sunday 30th March 2008 at 2330^

According to the IPCC, climate change currently contributes to an increasing global burden of ill health and premature death. A hallmark study by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health charted the relationship between temperature and childhood diarrhoea. Scientists are researching the link between climate and other diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Earth Report investigates. 

(Duration: 30 minutes)

Friday 28th March 2008 at 2030

Repeated: Saturday 29th March 2008 at 0430; Monday 31st March 2008 at 0930;

Monday 31st March 2008 at 1230AP;  Tuesday 1st April 2008 at 1530; Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 0130# 

& Wednesday 2nd April 2008 at 0730

Spirit Of Yachting explores some of the most exciting events in the world of sailing. The programme also tells the human story behind the races and reveals the passion, emotion and dedication needed to take part in a world class sporting occasion. Filmed around the world, in some of the most stunning and desirable locations imaginable, each episode visits some of the sailing world's most famous race venues.

(Duration: 30 minutes)

Saturday 29th March 2008 at 1330

Repeated: Saturday 29th March 2008 at 1830; Sunday 30th March 2008 at 0230;

Sunday 30th March 2008 at 1030 & Sunday 30th March 2008 at 2130