Portal:Current events/2012 February 29

• Violence in the Xinjiang region of China leaves 20 people dead. (The Hindu)
• Syria:
  • A United Nations official claims that Syrian government activities have caused "well over 7,500 deaths" in the Syrian uprising. (CNN)
  • The Syrian Army launches a ground offensive in Homs, as water and food supplies run out for local residents. (Reuters) (USA Today)

• Davy Jones of The Monkees dies in Florida of a heart attack. (Entertainment Weekly)

• James Murdoch resigns from News International to focus on running News Limited's television business with the News International phone hacking scandal as a factor in the decision. (The Telegraph) (Sydney Morning Herald)

• Tornadoes hit the midwestern United States with twelve people killed, six in Harrisburg, Illinois. (AP via Google News) (BBC)

• North Korea agrees to suspend uranium enrichment and nuclear and long-range missile tests in return for food aid. (BBC) (Al Jazeera)
• Egypt lifts a travel ban on seven Americans employed by pro-democracy U.S. groups, including the son of U.S. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood, who is among 16 Americans on trial in Egypt for trying to foment unrest and incite protests against the nation's military rulers. (USA Today)
• In the British parliament Baroness Jenny Tonge resigns the Liberal Democrat party whip after accusations of making offensive remarks about Israel. (The Guardian)

• The President of Venezuela Hugo Chávez is recovering from the removal of a tumour from his pelvis in a Cuban hospital. (The Guardian)
• Egypt announces that a presidential election will held on May 23-24. (AP via Business Day)
• Mitt Romney wins the Republican caucuses held in the US state of Wyoming. (CNN)

• In soccer, Gold Coast United is axed from the Australian A-league following a dispute between owner Clive Palmer and the Football Federation Australia. (The Australian)