The World Daily Brief: Chinese President Xi visits Europe this week; Israel, Hamas ceasefire talks break down

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Coming Up this Week

• China’s Pres. Xi is in Europe this week on a trip the NYT says “is likely to be seen as a none-too-subtle effort to divide Western allies.” He’ll visit France, Serbia (on the 25th anniversary of NATO’s accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade tomorrow), and Hungary. READ MORE
• Chad votes for president today, making it the first of the West African countries that fell to a coup in recent years to hold an election with the stated intent to return to democracy. [Opposition groups call that a lie, though: junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby – who grabbed power after rebels killed his long-ruling father, Pres. Idriss Deby, in 2021 – is expected to win (it helps that 10 rivals were excluded from the ballot for “irregularities” and security forces shot an 11th dead in February). Deby’s critics say the election is a sham designed to legitimize his rule.] READ MORE
• One of the energy industry’s biggest tradeshows, the Offshore Technology Conference, begins today and runs through Thursday in Texas.
• Russia celebrates its bloody victory over Nazi Germany – known as Victory Day in Russia – on Thursday, May 9 too. READ MORE
• The Eurovision finals are on Saturday, May 11. READ MORE