Looking Ahead

Olympic display

Great Britain's largest piece of public art will open for reporters on April 30 ahead of its official opening to the public on July 27. The 377-foot ArcelorMittal Orbit, composed of red steel and shaped like a twisting, vertical roller coaster, is supposed to become an icon of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

London mayoral election

For only the fourth time, Londoners will get their chance to choose their mayor. Incumbent Conservative Boris Johnson seems a likely favorite in the May 3 election, despite the city's leftward tilt. Residents voted for the creation of the mayor's office in a 1998 referendum that devolved power from parliament and allowed the city's citizens to elect local leaders.

Kentucky Derby

Three horses look to be favorites heading into the most popular of all horse races, the Kentucky Derby. According to oddsmakers, Union Rags, Hansen, and Gemologist are the horses most poised to win laurels at the May 5 event based on strong races in April.

Syrian deadline

To comply with a timeline demanded by United Nations and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, Syrian President Bashar Assad will have to conduct parliamentary elections by May 7. But in the fragile ceasefire, anything could happen. Political opponents of Assad and the ruling Ba'ath Party are likely too fractured and disorganized to mount much election day opposition.

Putin returns

Once and future Russian President Vladimir Putin officially takes back Russia's presidency on May 9 at the nation's annual Victory Day parade. The parade should feature a military parade reminiscent of the Soviet era-apropos of Putin, whose KGB background causes many in the international community to suspect he yearns for an autocratic Russia.