Vodafone London Fashion Week - a/w 2012
17 February 2012 at Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Major British biannual fashion industry showcase where international fashion press and buyers preview designers' work for the autumn/winter 2012/13 season. Runs till Wednesday 22 February 2012
Welsh Labour Party Conference
17 February 2012 at SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, CF11 9XR
Key speeches come from First Minister Carwyn Jones and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain. Conference dinner, attended by Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, takes place at Cardiff Hilton on the evening of day one. Runs till Sunday 19 February 2012
On this day one year ago: Libya protests began
17 February 2012 at
As pro-democracy protests spread throughout the Arab world, Libyans took to the streets on February 17, 2011 to demonstrate against Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Violent suppression of initial protests led to international military intervention, culminating in Gaddafi's death on October 20 and the declaration of liberation by the National Transitional Council on October 23.
Rio Carnival
18 February 2012 at Rio de Janeiro, BR
Flamboyant carnivals take place throughout Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife. Runs till Tuesday 21 February 2012
Web: www.rio-carnival.net
Pakistan v England - 3rd ODI
18 February 2012 at Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City, Emirates Road, Dubai, 111123, United Arab Emirates, AE
Web: www.ecb.co.uk
Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader - meeting; announcement of Palestinian unity government expected
18 February 2012 at Cairo, Egypt
Palestinan Authority President is scheduled to meet with Khaled Meshaal to decide on the membership of a new unity government, agreed at their last meeting on February 6. They are also expected to confirm a date for elections, which are due to take place around May 4, one year on from the signing of an agreement ending four years of internal conflict.
Eurogroup Finance Ministers - meeting
20 February 2012 at Council of the European Union, Justus Lipsius Building, 175 rue de la Loi, Brussels, Belgium, BE
Finance Ministers of euro zone countries convene ahead of tomorrow's ECOFIN council. At their January 30 meeting, EU leaders called on euro group Finance Ministers to sign the Treaty for the European Stability Mechanism at today's meeting so that the ESM can take effect from July 1 (brought forward from January 1, 2013).
IAEA inspectors - Iran visit
20 February 2012 at Tehran, Iran
Inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog visit for meetings with representatives of the Iranian government. Last visit took place January 29-31. (Info): IAEA announcement on February 1 stated that the visit would take place February 21-22. Runs till Tuesday 21 February 2012
Web: www.iaea.org
Speaker's Lecture: Ministers and Government - Alistair Darling speaks
20 February 2012 at Speaker's House, House of Commons, Houses of Parliament, London, SW1 Starts at 7:00 PM
Former Chancellor delivers lecture.
Web: www.parliament.uk
Government pensions changes - Court of Appeal hearing
20 February 2012 at Court of Appeal, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL
Hearing for an appeal brought by unions and affiliated organisations against the Government's switch from RPI to CPI for calculating public sector pensions, effectively reducing payment amounts. The unions, which include GMB, Prospect, the FDA, National Union of Teachers, Civil Service Pensioner's Alliance and the Police Negotiating Board, argue the Government is wrong to alter long-standing employment contracts in two appeals that are to be heard together. Case references: 2011 3128/2012 0095.
NFU Conference and AGM - day one; Vince Cable and Caroline Spelman speak
21 February 2012 at ICC, Birmingham
Business and Environment secretaries are among the speakers at the first day of the National Farmers' Union's (NFU) conference and AGM.
Web: www.nfuonline.com
The BRIT Awards
21 February 2012 at The O² Arena, London, SE10 0AX
The UK's largest music awards show features a star-studded line-up of presenters and performers. The event ended its 13-year run at Earls Court in 2011 and moved to The O² Arena. James Corden hosts. Blur receive the Outstanding Contribution award and Emeli Sande receives the Critics' Choice Award. Performers include Ed Sheeran (nominated for four awards), Adele (nominated for three), Florence and the Machine (nominated for two), Rihanna, Olly Murs and Noel Gallagher.
Web: www.brits.co.uk
EU ECOFIN Council
21 February 2012 at Council of the European Union, Justus Lipsius Building, 175 rue de la Loi, Brussels, Belgium, BE
EU Finance Ministers convene.
MPC Minutes
22 February 2012 at nationwide, UK
Minutes of this month's Monetary Policy Committee meeting are published. Publication outlines thinking behind the Committee's decision on whether to raise, lower or maintain the rate of interest.
Policing and Justice Conference - Crispin Blunt speaks
22 February 2012 at One Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD
Prisons Minister, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness Harris and Shadow Justice Minister Jenny Chapman speak at event discussing the key issues affecting the sector.
Web: govknow.com
Labour's defence policy review - launch
22 February 2012 at Ideas Space, Policy Exchange, Clutha House, 10 Storey's Gate, London, SW1P 3AY
Shadow Defence Minister Jim Murphy launches the Labour Party's defence policy review at think tank event. Following the speech, there is a panel discussion and Q&A session. (Info): Those wishing to attend should contact events@policyexchange.org.uk.
Royal Bank of Scotland Group - preliminary results
23 February 2012 at London Stock Exchange, Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LS
Web: www.rbs.com
House of Commons agenda - debate on cycling
23 February 2012 at House of Commons, Houses of Parliament, London, SW1A 0AA
Backbench Business Committee debate on cycling in Westminster Hall.
Web: www.parliament.uk
