News Timeline: May 2013

 

May 3 — Middle East: SYRIA

Israel launches two air strikes on Syria targeting a shipment of weapons bound for Hezbollah in Lebanon. (May 5): Syrian activists report two massacres in central Syria, one in the Sunni village of al-Bayda and the other in the town of Baniyas, where bodies of about 150 people are found, including women and children. The pro-government militia, the shabbiha, is reported to be involved in these massacres. (May 17): The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that more than 1.5 million Syrians have fled the civil war, mostly to Jordan and Lebanon. Another 4.5 million are internally displaced. (May 28): The European Union agrees not to renew its arms embargo on Syria, on both the government and opposition. The EU member countries can now decide themselves whether they want to send arms to Syria. Russia criticizes the EU decision, and sends anti-aircraft missiles to the Syrian government.

May 5 — East Asia: MALAYSIA

Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, wins a second term in office after his ruling National Front coalition secures enough votes in the parliamentary elections. The National Front has been in power for the last 56 years. The opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, alleges massive electoral fraud and calls for protests.

May 11 — South Asia: PAKISTAN

Nawaz Sharif from Pakistan’s Muslim League conservative opposition party wins parliamentary elections and becomes prime minister for a third time in his career. In 1999, he was deposed in a military coup and forced into exile. Despite the Taliban’s attempts to disrupt the election campaign, the voter turnout was historically high. Sharif plans to fight corruption, create jobs through public works, and end US drone attacks on Pakistani territory.

May 15 — Africa: NIGERIA

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declares a state of emergency in three northern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe and sends troops there after new deadly attacks by Islamist militant groups. Since 2010, more than 2,000 have been killed in violence brought by Boko Haram militants who want to create an Islamic state in northern part of Nigeria.

May 20 — Latin America: BOLIVIA

The Bolivian parliament passes a controversial law allowing President Evo Morales to run for a third term. Although the country’s constitution says that the president can only serve two terms, the Bolivian Supreme Court rules that because the constitution was changed during Morales’ first term, this term should not count. Opposition condemns the ruling as unconstitutional. Next presidential election is scheduled for 2014.

May 23 — Europe: GERMANY

According to the Annual Country Ratings Poll, which interviewed people from 25 different countries, Germany has been voted the most popular and influential country in the world. Iran scored at the bottom of the list.

May 29 — South Asia/North America: PAKISTAN/UNITED STATES

Pakistani Taliban’s top leader, Waliur Rehman, and six other militants are killed in northwestern Pakistan in a U.S. missile drone strike. Rehman was responsible for attacks and bombings on coalition forces in Afghanistan. Pakistani authorities condemn the drone attack as a violation of their sovereignty.

May 31 — Latin America: CUBA

The Cuban government says it is expanding internet access, but to surf the web will cost Cubans $4.5 an hour. An average salary on Cuba is about $20 a month. Cuba has one of the lowest internet access rates in the world, and most Cubans can connect only at work or at school.

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