May 2008
World
U.S. Missile Kills Top Militia Leader in Somalia (May 1): American officials say Aden Hashi Ayro, the leader of Shabab, an Islamic militant group with ties to al-Qaeda, was killed in a missile attack. U.S. intelligence officers had been tracking him for several weeks.
Pakistan Leaders Agree to Reinstate Judges (May 2): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif announces that on May 12, 2008, the Supreme Court justices who were dismissed in November 2007 by President Pervez Musharraf will resume their positions. (May 12): The agreement falls apart when the junior member of the governing coalition, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, says it is withdrawing from the cabinet because the senior coalition partner, the Pakistan People's Party, insists on retaining the judges who replaced those who were dismissed. In addition, the two parties disagree on how to reinstate the justices. Sharif wants the judges immediately reinstated by executive order; Asif Ali Zardari, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party prefers it be done through Parliament, a process that may be protracted.
Zimbabwe Announces Presidential Election Results (May 2): More than a month after the election, officials announce that opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, defeated President Robert Mugabe, 47.9% to 43.2%. A runoff election is necessary because neither candidate won more than 50%. (May 16): The election commission sets a runoff between Tsvangirai and Mugabe for June 27.
New President of Russia Is Sworn In (May 7): Dmitri Medvedev succeeds Vladimir Putin as the president of Russia. Although he's a Putin loyalist, Medvedev is said to be moderate and pro-Western. (May 8): Parliament elects Putin, head of the United Russia party, as prime minister.
New Prime Minister of Ireland Is Elected (May 7): The Dáil, Ireland's parliament, votes 88 to 76, to elect former finance minister Brian Cowen as prime minister.
Hezbollah and Government Supporters Battle in Beirut (May 7): Members of Hezbollah, a Shiite militia backed by Iran, block city streets to support a labor union strike and fight with supporters of the pro-Western government in Lebanon. (May 9): Hezbollah takes control of large swaths of western Beirut, force a government-supported television station off the air, and burn the offices of a newspaper loyal to the government. The government accuses Hezbollah of staging an "armed coup." The fighting is mainly sectarian, with Shiites fighting against Sunnis. (May 14): In an attempt to end the violence and the threat of a civil war, the government rescinds plans to shut down a telecommunications network run by Hezbollah and backs off attempts to dismiss a Hezbollah-backed head of airport security. In return, Hezbollah agrees to dismantle roadblocks that have paralyzed Beirut's airport. The decisions are seen as a major victory for Hezbollah. (May 21): After several days of negotiations, Hezbollah and the government reach a deal that ends the violence in Beirut and calls on Parliament to move toward electing Gen. Michel Suleiman, the commander of Lebanon’s army, president; for the formation of a new cabinet, which gives Hezbollah and other members of the opposition veto power; and a discussion of a new electoral law. (May 25): Lebanon's Parliament elects Gen. Michel Suleiman as president, filling the position that had been vacant since November. Suleiman, the consensus candidate, is considered neutral.
North Korea Discloses Information on Plutonium Program (May 8): North Korea gives U.S. officials about 18,000 pages of documents detailing its efforts in 1990, 2003, and 2005 to reprocess plutonium for nuclear weapons. It does not, however, hand over information on its uranium program and its efforts to sell nuclear material.
State Department Renews Deal with Controversial Contractor (May 9): Blackwater Worldwide, the company whose guards killed 17 civilians in 2007, will continue to provide security for U.S. diplomats for another year. "We cannot operate without private security firms in Iraq," says Patrick Kennedy, an undersecretary of state.
Sudanese Rebels Attempt to Attack Capital (May 10): In an unusually bold move, about 3,000 members of the Justice and Equality Movement move to within a few miles of Khartoum before being repulsed by government troops. It was the first time that the conflict in Darfur has threatened to spill over into Khartoum.
Iraqi Government and Shiite Militia Reach Cease-Fire (May 10): Government and militia led by Moktada al-Sadr agree to end the fighting in the Sadr City area of Baghdad. As part of the deal, the government will assume control over Sadr City and the rebels who didn't actively participate in the battles, which killed hundreds of people, will avoid arrest. Iran helped to broker the truce. The cease-fire, however, fails to stem the violence in Sadr City. (May 20): Iraqi troops move into Sadr City, meeting very little resistance from the Mahdi Army.
Israel and Syria Announce Peace Talks (May 21): For the first time in eight years, Israel and Syria return to t the bargaining table to try to negotiate a peace deal. Syria hopes to regain control over the Golan Heights, which was taken by Israel in 1967, and Israel wants to distance Iran from Syria and diminish some sway Iran holds in the Middle East.
Nepal Nears Final Transition Away from Monarchy (May 28): The newly elected Constituent Assemby votes to dissolve the monarchy and form a republic. King Gyanendra is told he must step down within 15 days.
Nation
Jalali: Qadeer Khan's confession a clear-cut victory for Iran IRNA 31 May 2008 -- Member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazem Jalali said here Saturday that recent confessions by Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan is regarded as a clear victory for Iranian nation.
Pakistan's Khan Now Denies Selling Nuclear Weapons Technology VOA 29 May 2008 -- The founder of Pakistan's nuclear program has broken a long silence, following four years under house arrest for selling banned nuclear technology.
Doubts Surround Pakistan's Peace Talks with Taliban Groups VOA 29 May 2008 -- Pakistan's attempts in 2006 to strike peace deals with pro-Taliban groups were widely viewed as failures that allowed the militants to grow stronger.
Musharraf makes mind to quit: report IRNA 29 May 2008 -- President Pervez Musharraf has made mind to quit as he has no other option left with him, local media reported Thursday.
Pakistan to contribute to UN Darfur peacekeeping, says army IRNA 29 May 2008 -- Pakistan will contribute troops in the United Nations Darfur peacekeepers, the army said Thursday.
Pakistani Islamists Demand Release of Nuclear Scientist VOA 28 May 2008 -- Pakistani Islamists are calling for the release of a scientist regarded as the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, on the 10th anniversary of the country's first nuclear tests.
Pakistan's Sharif Says Government to Expel Musharraf VOA 28 May 2008 -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says the ruling coalition has agreed to remove President Pervez Musharraf from power.
PAKISTAN: Child soldiers in Swat Valley IRIN 26 May 2008 -- Authorities are investigating allegations that militants running some madrassas (Islamic schools) in Swat Valley, north-western Pakistan, are recruiting and training children as soldiers.
Pakistani Taliban Vows Attacks in Afghanistan, Seek Peace in Pakistan VOA 24 May 2008 -- Pakistan's top Taliban commander is vowing to continue fighting U.S. and NATO forces in neighboring Afghanistan, even if he signs a peace deal with the Pakistani government.
Analysis: Pakistan's Other Border cfr.org 23 May 2008 -- South Asia's nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan resumed peace talks May 20 amid reminders of how vulnerable the two nations are to terrorism.
Pakistan and local Taliban sign peace deal IRNA 22 May 2008 -- Pakistani government in the country's northwest and local Taliban on Wednesday signed agreement, under which Taliban will stop suicide attacks and the army will be gradually withdrawn from the Swat valley, a provincial minister said.
U.S., Pakistani Forces Complete ‘Inspired Union 2008’ AFPS 22 May 2008 -- Pakistani and U.S. naval forces completed Exercise Inspired Union 2008 in the North Arabian Sea yesterday.
Is a Pakistan Truce Good for the United States? cfr.org 21 May 2008
Pakistan: Reports Hint At Possible Prisoner Swap With Militants RFE/RL 21 May 2008 -- The Pakistani government has denied local reports claiming that the release of Islamabad's kidnapped ambassador to Afghanistan was part of an exchange for Taliban prisoners.
Pakistan Strikes Deal with Militants in Troubled Swat Province VOA 21 May 2008 -- Pakistani government representatives and a spokesman for a pro-Taliban militant group say they have struck a peace deal aimed at ending months of fighting in the restive Swat valley.
India to Raise Infiltration, Terrorism in Bilateral Talks with Pakistan VOA 19 May 2008 -- The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan are meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, May 21, for the fourth round of the so-called composite dialogue process.
Pakistan's Sharif Says Resolving Judiciary Key to Addressing Problems VOA 19 May 2008 -- Pakistan's fragile coalition government has made little progress on the key issue that swept them to power in February's elections: reinstating judges who were thrown out of office by President Musharraf last November.
Bush, Pakistan's Gilani Discuss Fighting Terrorism VOA 18 May 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani say they are determined to continue fighting terrorism.
NATO: Pakistan's Deal With Militants Spurring Violence in Afghanistan VOA 14 May 2008 -- NATO officials say a sharp rise in violence in eastern Afghanistan may be linked to Pakistan's peace deal with militants in the border area.
Pakistan's Zardari Tries to Ease Concerns About Fragile Coalition VOA 14 May 2008 -- The leader of Pakistan's main ruling party says he is optimistic the country's six-week-old governing coalition will remain intact despite the Cabinet resignations of a key coalition partner.
Refugees can resume returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan – UN UN News Centre 13 May 2008 -- After security concerns prompted the United Nations to suspend assistance to Afghan refugees who are voluntarily returning to their home country from Peshawar in Pakistan, the UN refugee agency announced today that it will reopen its voluntary repatriation centre (VRC) in the city.
Pakistan: Islamabad Plunged Into Political Crisis After Nine Ministers Resign RFE/RL 13 May 2008 -- Pakistan is in the midst of a political crisis after nine ministers from the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned from the cabinet because of a disagreement over reinstating sacked judges.
Pakistan's PM Optimistic About Mending Government Rift VOA 13 May 2008 -- Pakistan's new prime minister says he hopes the two main political parties in Pakistan will resolve their differences over how to reinstate judges deposed by President Pervez Musharraf.
Pakistan Coalition Government Shaken by Impasse Over Reinstatement of Judges VOA 12 May 2008 -- The second largest party in Pakistan's ruling political coalition is vowing to quit its federal cabinet posts, threatening the stability of the six-week-old coalition government.
Pakistani Party Quitting Coalition Government VOA 12 May 2008 -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says his party is withdrawing from the federal Cabinet because the two leading parties have failed to reach agreement on re-instating deposed judges.
Pakistan Coalition Leaders Fail to Reach Agreement on Reinstating Fired Judges VOA 10 May 2008 -- The leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition have again failed to reach agreement on reinstating the country's top judges who were deposed by President Pervez Musharraf last year.
Pakistan FM Criticizes Proposed US Defense Appointment VOA 09 May 2008 -- Pakistan's foreign minister has rejected the proposed appointment of the former U.S. commander of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as the top defense liaison to Pakistan.
Experts Voice Concerns About US Approach on Pakistan, Afghanistan VOA 08 May 2008 -- Experts appearing before a congressional panel have voiced concerns about U.S. policies toward Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan: U.S. Urges Islamabad To Fight Terrorists As Fragile Peace Collapses RFE/RL 08 May 2008 -- After a two month lull in the violence that has plagued Pakistan's border regions, Islamist militants appear to have resumed the violence when a recent suicide-bomb attack in the northwestern city of Bannu killed five.
US Official Says Terror Safe-Havens in Pakistan Remain a Challenge VOA 07 May 2008 -- A top counterterrorism official says the United States has had a mixed record of success in the fight against al-Qaida terrorists.
Pakistan's Sharif Says Deposed Judges to be Reinstated May 12 VOA 02 May 2008 -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says judges dismissed during a state of emergency last year will be reinstated through a parliamentary resolution on May 12.
Deal Reached To Restore Deposed Judges in Pakistan VOA 01 May 2008 -- Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition have reached a deal to reinstate judges fired by President Pervez Musharraf under a state of emergency.
Suicide Bomber Wounds 30 in Northwestern Pakistan VOA 01 May 2008 -- Pakistani officials say a suicide bomber has wounded at least 30 people in the northwestern Khyber tribal region
Business/Science/Society
Storms Cause Wide Damage and Death in Arkansas (May 2): At least seven people are killed, more than a dozen are injured, and about 350 homes and businesses are badly damaged or destroyed in tornadoes and storms in Arkansas.
Microsoft Withdraws Bid for Yahoo (May 3): After Yahoo rejects Microsoft's offer of $33 per share, or about $47.5 billion, up from $29.40 a share, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer announces the company has rescinded its offer.
Cyclone Devastates Myanmar (May 3): Cyclone Nargis ravages the Irrawaddy Delta and Yangon, killing 78,000 people and leaving up to a million homeless. About 28,000 people are reported missing and are feared dead. Most of the death and destruction are caused by a 12-foot high tidal wave that formed during the storm. (May 10): The ruling military junta goes ahead with a constitutional referendum intended to cement its grip on power.
Tornadoes Strike in Midwest and South (May 11): More than 20 people die and hundreds more are injured when tornadoes hit Missouri, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Racine, a town about 170 miles south of Kansas City, Missouri saw the most damage, leaving about 9,000 people without electricity for over three days.
Earthquake Kills Thousands in China (May 12): At least 68,000 people are killed and thousands injured when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan Provinces in western China. Nearly 900 students are killed when Juyuan Middle School in the Sichuan Province collapses. Several other schools collapse, killing about 10,000 students. It is China's worst natural disaster in three decades. (May 19): Nearly 160 rescue workers are killed in landslides caused by rain and floods. (May 27): Authorities begin evacuating residents who are threatened by the potential flooding of "quake lakes," which formed when landslides blocked several rivers. As many as 1.3 million people may have to be relocated.
Polar Bear Designated as Threatened (May 14): Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announces that the polar bear has been listed as threatened, thus protected by the Endangered Species Act. The Interior Department includes provisions, however, that allow oil exploration to continue in the Arctic, somewhat watering down the protection.