2003 HOTSPOTS January 15: The Parliament of the Czech Republic elects a new President to succeed Vaclav Havel, who steps down in February after 14 years. The dissident playwright and former prisoner of the communist regime led CzechoslovakiaÕs Velvet Revolution in 1989. Jan 27: Chief UN weapons inspector, Hans Blix, makes a full report to the Security Council on Iraqi co-operation over resolution 1441, 60 days after the hunt for weapons of mass destruction resumed Jan 28: IsraelÕs general election takes place nine months early following the collapse of Ariel SharonÕs coalition government. New Labour leader Amram Mitzna promises a swift return to the peace process if he wins February: A big month for sport, with the AmericaÕs Cup taking place in New Zealand and the Cricket World Cup getting underway in South Africa March 23: ÒIÕm very pleased to be hosting the Oscars again because fear and nausea always make me lose weight,Ó says Steve Martin who will be hosting the 75th Academy awards in Los Angeles. May 29: The fiftieth anniversary of the first climb of Mount Everest, at 8,848 metres the tallest mountain in the world, by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal. May 31: The U.S. navy is scheduled to withdraw from Vieques in Puerto Rico, ending more than 60 years of bombing exercises. Islanders have long argued that the exercises have damaged their health and the islandÕs air and water quality. May (undated): St Petersburg, for two centuries the capital of Russia, celebrates its founding by Peter the Great 300 years ago. The imperial city, with its perfectly planned architecture, was designed to encourage a reluctant nation into Europe. June 2: The government of Egypt is expected to announce the winning architects in a competition to design the worldÕs largest Egyptian antiquities museum. TutankhamunÕs treasures will be among 150,000 artefacts in the new complex, expected to take five years to build. June 15: The 50th Biennale, one of the worldÕs greatest arts festivals, opens in Venice and runs until November 2. The International Art Exhibition, the International Architecture Exhibition, the Venice Film Festival and live dance, music and theatre are included. June 21: Prince William, eldest son of Charles and Diana and heir-but-one to the British throne, celebrates his 21st birthday. The image of the Prince, said to resemble his late mother, will appear on special commemoration postage stamps. June (undated): TransOrbital of California will make the first commercial venture to the moon, sending its TrailBlazer probe to map the surface with a view to developing communications and navigation systems for lunar tourism. The launch will take place from Kazakhstan. August: The mid-point of embattled Venezuelan President Hugo ChavezÕs six-year term when, according to the countryÕs constitution, a binding referendum on the presidency may be held. Venezuela has been brought to a virtual standstill by a series of general strikes. September 14: Swedish residents vote in a referendum to decide whether the Scandinavian country of 8.9 million should adopt the euro. Finland is the only Nordic country that uses the common currency. October 10: The Rugby Union World Cup begins in Australia, with the host nation and reigning champions playing the Pumas of Argentina in the opening game. Twenty nations will play 48 games in 10 cities with the final scheduled for November 22. December 17: The worldwide premiere of The Return of the King, the final film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Sir Ian McKellen as the wizard Galdalf and Elijah Wood as the hobbit Frodo Baggins. Parliamentary elections in Cuba, the Netherlands (January), Finland, Estonia (March), Paraquay, Yemen (April), Scotland, Iceland, Armenia (May), Belgium (June), Mexico (July), Switzerland, Portugal (October), Israel (before November), Argentina and Russia (December). Presidential elections in Cyprus (February), Argentina, Nigeria (March), Latvia, Liberia (October), Switzerland (December). /ENDS