A look at what could be dominating the headlines around the world this week - and some key background on those events.
MONDAY 3 MARCH
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LOOK OUT FOR
Features by the BBC's Jorn Madslien from the massive Geneva car show
A series of features on the FBI at 100, examining the clash between national security and civil liberties
Full coverage of this week's US presidential primary contests in Ohio and Texas
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Powerful atoms: The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency meets in Vienna. The nuclear watchdog's director, Mohammed ElBaradei, is to present his report on Iran's nuclear
programme.
Road-map: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Israel and the Palestinian territories. She will be meeting both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the US-sponsored peace plan.
TUESDAY 4 MARCH
The Texas vote will be vital for Hillary Clinton's White House bid
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Turning point? Democratic and Republican presidential primaries take place in the US states of Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont. Texas is the largest prize left on offer. It will send 228 delegates to the Democratic convention, which will confirm the party's choice of presidential contender.
Washington visit: Jordan's King Abdullah and his wife, Rania, are expected in the US capital where they will meet US President George W Bush. Jordan has long been one of the most trusted US allies in the Middle East.
New solutions: An international energy conference opens in Washington, bringing together high-level officials to discuss alternative renewable energy sources and technologies.
WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH
The congress is expected to approve Communist Party decisions
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Changing China: The annual session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress, begins. The session mainly serves as a rubber-stamp to endorse the policies of the ruling Communist Party.
Oil moguls: Members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) meet in the Austrian capital to consider cutting production. The price of crude remains high, but the group is expected to keep supplies steady because it predicts demand for oil may ease.
THURSDAY 6 MARCH
Kosovo calling: Nato foreign ministers are to meet in Brussels. The issue of Kosovo - which has just declared independence - is expected to be high on the agenda.
High speed: The 78th Geneva International Motor Show opens in the Swiss city. The exhibition brings together key players in the industry and showcases the latest designs and technologies in the car world.
FRIDAY 7 MARCH
Which way now? The UN Special Envoy to Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, takes part in a seminar on its future. Kosovo's declaration of independence was opposed by Russia and China, which are permanent members of the Security Council.
SATURDAY 8 MARCH
Clarion call: International Women's Day - an event designed to highlight women's action for global equality and change - involves events and demonstrations worldwide.
New party... but Silvio Berlusconi remains the same candidate
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Third time lucky? Media mogul-turned-politician and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to launch his election campaign. The 71-year-old is tipped to win the mid-April elections where he is standing against former Culture Minister Walter Veltroni.
SUNDAY 9 MARCH
Dead heat: Spaniards head to the polls in parliamentary elections. It looks like it will be a close race between Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and conservative opposition leader Mariano Rajoy.
This guide to the week ahead is not intended as an exhaustive list, and the events noted may be cancelled or postponed.
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