May 20, 2013 (Monday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal):
- A wave of violence continues, with attacks across the country killing 133 and leaving 283 others injured. Almost 400 people have been killed in the last six days alone, as tribal leaders warn of impending civil war. (BBC) (Antiwar.com via AP)
- Insurgency in the North Caucasus:
- Twin car bombs explode in Makhachkala, capital of the Russian republic of Dagestan, killing 4 and injuring almost 50 others. Hours later authorities announced they have foiled a terror attack in Moscow.(Reuters)
- North Korea launches short-ranged projectiles off its coast for the third day in a row. (The New York Times)
Disasters and accidents
- A massive two mile wide tornado strikes south of the US city of Oklahoma City, causing widespread damage and causing the National Weather Service to issue a rare tornado emergency. 24 people are killed. (MSN)[permanent dead link] (NPR)(NBC News), (ABC News)
- A 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Chile. (Christian Science Monitor)
- A morning peak Tranz Metro commuter train derails near central Wellington, New Zealand, after part of the undercarriage comes loose and punctures the carriage floor, injuring four people and delaying tens of thousands of commuters as services are cancelled. (Fairfax NZ)
- A hot air balloon crashes in Cappadocia, Turkey, killing 2 tourists and injuring another 20. (BBC)
- The BBC documentary series Panorama airs unseen footage from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster that casts doubt on medical evidence given at the inquest. (BBC)
Health and environment
- North Korea confirms a bird flu outbreak that has forced authorities to kill over 160,000 ducks in Pyongyang. (Yonhap News Agency)
International relations
- The President of Myanmar Thein Sein visits the White House as part of his visit to the United States, the first by a Burmese head of state in 47 years. (Reuters)
Law and crime
- Guatemala's Constitutional Court overturns a genocide conviction against former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt due to a dispute over jurisdiction. (The Guardian)
- Immigrant youths riot in Stockholm suburb Husby, burning more than 100 vehicles. (Washington Post)
Religion
- The Church of Scotland's General Assembly votes to allow openly gay men and women to become ministers. (BBC)
Sport
- Paralympian Oscar Pistorius' agent confirms that he will not take part in any sports this year as he awaits his trial for murder. (BBC Sports), (Sky News)