| April 29 – May 5 | An Arab-Israeli peace initiative may be revived in Washington; the Japanese prime minister visits Russia; watch, jewellery and precious stones industry experts and show visitors gather in Basel; Malaysia goes to the polls
• Companies week ahead: http://www.ft.com/companies/weekahead
• Economic Outlook: ECB watched for rate cut and other measures
• See a full guide to the week's economic data: http://markets.ft.com/research/economic-calendar
Monday – April 29
Rebels talk to Thai leaders
Thai authorities and Muslim rebel leaders resume peace negotiations in Langkawi aimed at ending nearly a decade of violence that has killed thousands of people in southern Thailand.
Arab-Israeli initiative
Arab League ministers are expected to meet US secretary of state John Kerry in Washington to revive an Arab-Israeli peace initiative. Though unconfirmed by the US, Mr Kerry is expected to meet foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan as well as a Palestinian Authority representative.
Abe visits Russia
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visits Russia, the first official visit by a Japanese prime minister to the country in a decade (to April 30). He and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss energy and a dispute over Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.
Climate conference
The European Commission launches its strategy on adaptation to climate change at a conference with policy makers and private sector companies in Brussels, an opportunity to also discuss the strategy's framework and focus.
Spanish literature fair
Buenos Aires International Book Fair, the leading annual literary event in the Spanish speaking world, features conferences, readings, workshops and book presentations. One million readers from Latin America take part in more than a thousand literary events (to May 13).
Brilliant setting
"Brilliance Meets" is the motto for BaselWorld, the watch and jewellery show in Switzerland, where new halls allow the biggest concentration of top brands (to May 2). Some 104,300 specialist buyers from 100 countries and 1,800 companies from the watch, jewellery and precious stones industries are expected to attend.
Aviation art sale
Bonhams auction households a sale of aviation art and aeronautica. The sale includes a design drawing for Concorde from 1968 signed by test pilot Brian Trubshaw. It is estimated to realise £1,000-£1,500.
Post Office action
UK Post Office staff plan another walkout, a third half-day of strikes led by the Communication Workers' Union.
Dance delights
International Dance Day commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), modern ballet's creator, and includes a message from choreographer Lin Hwai-min of Taiwan
Tuesday – April 30
Netherlands accession
The anniversary of Queen Beatrix's accession is marked in the Netherlands with street parties. She became queen in April 1980. Prince Willem-Alexander is to ascend to the throne today after the queen, 75, announced her abdication.
Emerging opportunities
The London School of Economics holds a panel discussion: "Doing Well by Doing Good? Private Equity Investing in Emerging Markets" at which Arif Naqvi, founder of The Abraaj Group, speaks.
Wednesday – May 1
Ford ballot result
Trade union Unite announces results of a vote on strike action for the 652 employees working at Ford's stamping and tooling plant in Dagenham.
May marches and revelry
May Day is celebrated with traditional ceremonies including May morning in Oxford while in many towns and cities worldwide trade unions mark International Labour Day with rallies, marches and demonstrations.
Thursday – May 2
Antiquities auctioned
Auction house Christie's in South Kensington, London, holds a sale of antiquities in which a highlight is a solid gold Iron Age bracelet made over 3,000 years ago, with an estimate of £40,000-£60,000.
By-election in safe seat
A by-election is held in South Shields after former cabinet minister David Miliband resigned as MP. South Shields is the only seat never to have been held by a Tory since 1832. The Labour majority is at 11,000. Local elections take place in 33 English authorities.
ECB to set rates
European Central Bank head Mario Draghi is to speak after the bank's meeting in Bratislava to set eurozone interest rates.
Obama to visit Mexico
US President Barack Obama visits Mexico and Costa Rica (to May 4). In Mexico he will meet Enrique Peña Nieto, the president, for talks.
Asian progress
The Asian Development Bank meets in New Delhi, India, where discussion will focus on issues relating to the economic and social progress of Asia and the Pacific (to May 5).
Friday – May 3
Ice hockey championship
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships are played in Finland and Sweden (to May 19).
Saturday – May 4
Kentucky running
The Kentucky Derby is run at the Churchill Downs racecourse, Louisville, US.
Sunday – May 5
French left demo
The chairman of the French Left Front, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, is expected to lead a demonstration in Paris after financial corruption scandals in government and opposition parties.
Malaysians go to polls
A general election in Malaysia is a test for the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Diamond Council meets
The World Diamond Council meets in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was set up in 2000 to examine ways of lowering conflict diamond numbers (to May 6).
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