Rome - Rescue teams in Italy's central Abruzzo region continued to sift through the rubble Saturday, six days after an earthquake that left at least 290 dead. Volunteer rescue workers using a special microphone had on Friday night scoured the rubble of a house in the city of L'Aquila, where noises had been heard. There was however little hope of anyone being found alive, according to Italian media reports.

The quake that registered some 6.2 on the Richter scale struck on Monday, destroying scores of buildings in L'Aquila and other nearby towns in the Abruzzo region.

Rome - Pope Benedict XVI planned to preside over Rome's traditional Good Friday evening Way of the Cross procession at which the Vatican has invited the faithful to reflect on the persecution of Christians in IndiaThe procession was to be accompanied by words penned by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, India.

As in many previous years, the event which commemorates the last hours leading to Jesus' crucifixion was set to be held at Rome's Colosseum.

Berlin - Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim is to perform in Egypt for the first time next week, the foundation he jointly heads said on Friday. Barenboim will conduct the Cairo Symphony Orchestra at a concert in the Egyptian capital's Opera House on April 16, the foundation said.

Supported by Austria and Spain, the concert is part of the conductor's efforts to promote dialogue in the Middle East. On the programme are piano solos and Beethoven's
5th Symphony.

L'Aquila - Dozens of wooden caskets containing some of the victims of Monday's earthquake in Italy were being lined up Friday at a parade ground of a police training school in the city of l'Aquila, a few hours ahead of a planned state funeral. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was scheduled to attend the solemn ceremony over which the Vatican's second highest official, Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was set to preside.

By Friday morning the death toll from the earthquake stood at 287, including at least 20 children.

Rome - AC Milan star Kaka has ruled out a possible transfer to Real Madrid, which this week had been rumoured by Spanish media but dismissed by the Italian club.

"I didn't have contacts with Real Madrid," the 26-year-old Brazilian told La Gazzetta dello Sport Thursday. "No one looked for me. I think I have declared my pleasure and my will to remain at Milan.

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI in a Holy Thursday Chrism Mass celebrated the first of a series of traditional rituals leading to Easter - a feast tinged with sorrow in Italy this year for the victims of an devastating earthquake.

During the ceremony in St Peter's Basilica, Benedict blessed holy oils which will be used in Catholic sacraments, including baptisms, confirmations and last rites for the dying.

Some of the oils consecrated this year are destined for parishes in Italy's central Abruzzo region where by Thursday morning the death toll from Monday's earthquake stood at 278.