51.   The rift between the pro-whaling and anti-whaling nations widened Tuesday, with Iceland storming out of the convention and hinting it may resume whale hunts.

52.   The tribe defends its right to whale hunt as a sacred tradition that does not harm the environment.

53.   Tokyo defends its whale hunt as scientific research allowed by the International Whaling Commission.

54.   Tokyo claims the whale hunt will enable it to study the marine ecosystem by studying food eaten by whales, among other things.

55.   Two Greenpeace vessels confiscated by Norwegian authorities last month for interfering with a whale hunt have been released and are free to leave Norway, police said Wednesday.

56.   The Norwegian coast guard seized a Greenpeace vessel Saturday for interfering with a whale hunt in the second such detention in three days, the coast guard said.