WORLD AGENDA FEBRUARY 2005

February 1, Malaysia: Formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the militant Moro Islamic Liberation Front resume in Kuala Lumpur aimed at ending a 35-year-old separatist rebellion that has killed 120,000 people.

February 6, Cuba: The country famed for its cigars bans smoking in public places. Communist leader Fidel Castro, an ex-smoker, is driving the campaign to end CubaÕs nicotine fix.

February 6, Ethiopia: The 60th anniversary of the birth of Bob Marley is celebrated in Addis Ababa with a concert performed by music stars from around the world. The Rastafarian reggae icon died from cancer aged 36 in 1981.

February 9, China: The Lunar New Year -- the Year of the Rooster -- ushers in the first direct flights between China and Taiwan since the two sides split in 1949 after civil war. The agreement allows for 24 round-trip flights between January 29 and February 20.

February 10, London: A new museum devoted to BritainÕs wartime leader Winston Churchill opens. Among exhibits will be school reports describing the man who went on to be acclaimed as the greatest Briton in history as Ôvery naughtyÕ and ÔtroublesomeÕ.

February 10, Riyadh: Saudi Arabia steps tentatively towards democracy with stage one of its first nationwide municipal elections in the capital. Women will be excluded from the vote.

February 12, Cairo: A power-sharing deal between the Sudanese government and an alliance of opposition groups is due to be signed, clearing the way for an end to 21 years of civil war in southern Sudan.

February 15, Barcelona: World soccer player of the year Ronaldinho and European player of the year Andriy Shevchenko will lead opposing teams in a star-studded Football for Hope match to raise money for tsunami victims.

February 15, Baghdad: Results from IraqÕs first direct elections are due. A heavily Shiite government and a low Sunni turnout are predicted.

February 16, United Nations: The 1997 Kyoto Protocol, obliging 55 industrialised nations to cut carbon dioxide emissions, comes into force. The worldÕs largest polluter, the United States, and Australia, a country vulnerable to climate change, did not sign the global warming accord.

February 18, Miami: Deadline for the U.S. government to submit an agreement over gold, art and household goods worth up to $200m that was seized by the U.S. Army from tens of thousands of Hungarian holocaust survivors at the end of World War Two.

February 20, Madrid: Spain is the first European Union member to hold a referendum on the 25-country organisationÕs constitution.

February 27, Hollywood: Martin ScorseseÕs ÒThe AviatorÓ, Clint EastwoodÕs ÒMillion Dollar BabyÓ and the low-budget ÒSidewaysÓ jostle for TinseltownÕs top prizes, the Oscars, at the 77th Academy Awards.

Parliamentary elections in Denmark (Feb 8), Thailand (Feb 13), Central African Republic (Feb 13), Portugal (Feb 20), Northern Cyprus (Feb 20), Kyrgyzstan (Feb 27), and Tajikstan (Feb 27). Presidential elections in Senegal (Feb 7), Greece (Feb 8), and Central African Republic (Feb 13).
/ENDS