CNET Technology Information Network reported on March 1 that Microsoft is considering allowing users to "use less hands and use more feet" when handling email tasks.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan recently announced that Japan plans to kill more than 1,200 whales in the 2006 fishing season for scientific research.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently wrote an article saying that as the rotating chairman of the G8, Russia hopes to include the establishment of a global energy security system as one of the strategic tasks of the G8.

A report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on the 28th stated that the U.S. economic growth rate in the fourth quarter of last year was 1.6% on an annual basis, higher than the 1.1% announced a month ago, but it was still the slowest quarter in the past three years.

The monthly survey report released by the European Commission on the 28th showed that the economic sensitivity index and business climate index of the Eurozone increased in February this year, indicating that the economic situation of the Eurozone was improving.

Since November last year, long-term agreement negotiations for international market thermal coal, coking coal, and iron ore for fiscal year 2006 have been held in Tokyo, Japan. Based on past experience, annual long-term agreement negotiations usually last three to four months. Under normal circumstances, there should be a clear result by March this year.

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report disclosed in advance shows that Iran is gradually advancing the country's uranium enrichment project despite pressure from the international community, while obstructing United Nations inspections.

According to Reuters, although Haniyeh, the leader of the Islamic extremist military organization Hamas, was appointed as the Palestinian Prime Minister, the European Union will provide large-scale funding to Palestine on the 27th to alleviate the financial crisis that Palestine may soon face.