WORLD AGENDA MAY 2019 --------------------- May 23-26, EU: Voters elect the ninth European Parliament in a poll that appears likely to see centrist domination of the 751-seat body eroded by a tide of euroscepticism and far-right sentiment --------------------- May 18, Australia: Scott Morrison’s minority coalition hopes its economic record will win a third election victory, but tackling climate change, after summer’s searing heat and extreme drought, might resonate more with voters --------------------- May 26-29, Japan:U.S. President Donald Trump makes a state visit to congratulate Emperor Naruhito on his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, then hunkers down with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for talks over trade imbalances --------------------- May 2, France: Prodigious Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci died in Amboise 500 years ago. Creator of some of the world’s most influential artworks, his notebooks also reveal a spirit of scientific inquiry and inventiveness that were centuries ahead of their time --------------------- May 22, UK: Brexit’s next key deadline: If Parliament has failed to agree a deal by this time, Britain will have to contest the EU elections the following day --------------------- May 23-Jun 3, Sri Lanka: The CITES conference on international trade in endangered species will hear encouraging news that China has postponed the lifting of a ban on the trade of rhino horn and tiger parts, but South Africa’s plan to export more lion skeletons will cause an outcry --------------------- May 26-Jun 9, France: A dress code will be in place for players at Roland Garros. Singling out the figure- hugging black suit worn by Serena Williams in 2018, French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said that players have “sometimes gone too far” --------------------- May 14-25, France: American director Jim Jarmusch’s new film, The Dead Don’t Die, opens the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. The zombie comedy is one of a growing lineup of films competing for the Palme d’Or --------------------- Sources: NewsAhead, Julie Mullins Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS