WORLD AGENDA FEBRUARY 2008

February 3, Serbia: A presidential election run-off pits hardline nationalist Tomislav Nikolic, who took 39.6 percent in the first round, against the pro-Western incumbent Boris Tadic, who took 35.5 percent. A high turnout is expected.

February 5, United States: Super Duper Tuesday in the U.S. presidential election campaign could seal the Democratic and Republican nominations. Primaries take place in at least 22 states including California, Illinois, New York and Texas.

February 5-6, Geneva: The World Trade Organisation may invite Ukraine, the biggest country besides Russia and Iran outside the WTO, to join at its general council. Membership would open new export opportunities for a country with some of EuropeÕs most fertile land.

February 6, London: Triptych 1974-77, a painting by Irish-born Francis Bacon, is expected to fetch around £25 million when it is sold at auction at ChristieÕs. The work was the artistÕs response to the suicide of his lover George Dyer.

February 8, Paris: A verdict is due in the case of Jean-Marie Le Pen, accused of "conspiring to justify war crimes" and "denying crimes against humanity" following comments the far-right leader made to a magazine in 2005.

February 18, Pakistan: General elections, postponed following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, will take place amid tight security. President Pervez Musharraf has said troops will be instructed to shoot anyone trying to disrupt the poll.

February 24, Hollywood: A writerÕs strike backed by top stars, including Angelina Jolie and Keira Knightley, could mean cancellation of the Oscars ceremony, tinsel townÕs most glamorous event. The 80th Academy Awards come as the Writers Guild of America battle over internet distribution deals.

February 25, Seoul: Lee Myung-bak, whose promise of an economic boom won him one of South KoreaÕs biggest ever election victories, is inaugurated as the countryÕs new president. The former construction company boss is known as The Bulldozer for driving policies through.

Early February, Central Africa: A 3,500-strong European Union peacekeeping force is due to be deployed to Chad and the Central African Republic to protect refugees from Sudan's Darfur region, and other civilians displaced by internal fighting.

February (undated), Alaska: The United StatesÕ environmental record comes under the spotlight when bidding begins for oil and gas exploration rights in the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Siberia. Campaigners fear the effects on wildlife, in particular polar bears.

February (undated), Addis Ababa: The African Union will attempt to hammer out a common position on new trade deals with Europe. Some leaders fear damage to local economies while others, particularly cocoa and banana growers, want to safeguard exports.

February (undated), Baghdad: A six-month ceasefire by the powerful Mehdi Army, credited with improving security in Iraq, expires and may not be renewed. Shia militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has accused the government of supporting criminal gangs. /ENDS