May 2000 News and Events

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World

Rebels Seize Peacekeepers in Sierra Leone (May 4): UN intervention erupts into violence as Revolutionary United Front rebels kill seven and capture at least 500 of UN force. (May 17): Rebel leader Foday Sankoh captured and arrested outside his Freetown home. (May 29): UN reports rebels have released all 500 seized personnel.
British Prime Minister Rebuffed (May 5): Despite appeals from Tony Blair, London voters elect left-wing populist Ken Livingstone as city's first elected mayor.
New Russian President Sworn In (May 6): Vladimir V. Putin takes oath in nation's first free transfer of power. (May 10): Putin appoints Mikhail M. Kasyanov as prime minister.
Putin Orders Controls over Provinces (May 13): Russian president rules that the 89 provinces be organized into seven large administrative districts each to be overseen by a powerful Kremlin representative.
Serbian Government Seizes TV Station (May 17): Charges main opposition outlet with encouraging an uprising. Thousands jam Belgrade streets to protest action.
New President of Taiwan Sworn In (May 20): Chen Shui-bian, member of the Democratic Progressive Party, inaugurated, ending 50 years of rule by the Nationalist Party that fled China under Chiang Kai-shek.
Israel Withdraws from Lebanon (May 24): Israeli troops abandon Lebanese security zone after 22 years of occupation.
Chile Ends Pinochet's Immunity (May 24): Chilean court clears way for trial on charges of kidnapping, murder, and torture of thousands during 17 years as dictator.
Belgrade Opposition Divided (May 25): Democratic leaders divided over how to respond to government's takeover of television station. Split imperils image of unity they seek to project to voters and to West.
Reform Parliament Convenes in Iran (May 27): First since Islamic revolution to include majority of members eager to challenge conservative clergy's dominance.
Fujimori Wins in Peru's Runoff (May 28): President's victory tarnished as opposition candidate Alejandro Toledo withdrew, alleging vote fraud and campaign irregularities. (May 29): U.S. and allies warn that Fujimori reelection jeopardizes Peru's position in international community.
Israeli President Under Attack (May 28): Ezer Weizman charged by state prosecutors with financial misdealings. He plans to resign in July.
Suharto under House Arrest (May 29): Former Indonesian president, 78, faces charges of corruption and abuse of power.
Britain Again Grants Parliamentary Powers to Northern Ireland (May 30): Sinn Fein again pledges to disarm, paving way for restoration of Belfast parliament, suspended Feb. 12.

Nation

McCain Endorses Former Rival (May 9): G.O.P. united as senator pledges to help Texas governor George W. Bush in campaign for presidency.
CD Price-Fixing Case Settled (May 10): Federal Trade Commission announces end to antitrust action against five music companies. Considerable price cuts for compact discs are expected.
Moms March for Gun Control (May 14): Hundreds of thousands rally in Washington and several other cities to demand stricter gun laws.
South Carolina Removes Confederate Flag (May 18): Both houses of General Assembly vote to take it from Capitol dome. Smaller flag will be flown in front of building.
Panel Requests Clinton Be Disbarred (May 22): Arkansas court disciplinary committee recommends penalty because of “serious misconduct” in Paula Jones sexual harassment case.
Army Cancels General's Appointment (May 22): Holds up naming of Maj. Gen. Larry G. Smith as deputy inspector general in wake of sexual harassment charges brought by Lieut. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy.
House Votes to Lift Trade Curbs on China (May 24): In victory for President Clinton, House votes, 237–197, to give Beijing permanent normal trading privileges.

Business/Science/Society

Cable Blackout Affects Millions (May 1): Time Warner contract dispute with Disney, parent company of ABC, results in blackout of network in 3.5 million homes.
Archbishop of New York Dies (May 3): Cardinal John O'Connor, 80, was considered Vatican's most influential spokesman in U.S.
Virus Disrupts Worldwide Computers (May 4): Invasive software program with “I love you” message crashes e-mail systems and destroys data on hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide.
Jobless Rate Lowest since 1970 (May 5): Unemployment level falls below 4%. In continuing boom, employers hire hundreds of thousands of workers.
Thousands Flee New Mexico Fire (May 8 et seq.): Control blaze set by National Park Service blown out of control in densely wooded area by 50-mile-an-hour winds. Blaze forces evacuation of as many as 25,000 and destroys hundreds of homes in Los Alamos.
Saline Breast Implants Approved (May 10): Seven years after questioning safety, FDA allows two largest manufacturers to market devices despite new evidence of serious health risks.
Two Winners Share Record Lottery Jackpot (May 10): Total in Big Game seven-state drawing is $366 million, biggest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.
Ford Admits Flaws in SUVs (May 11): Company concedes that profitable sport utility vehicles cause serious safety and environmental problems.
Vatican Names New York Archbishop (May 11): Appoints Bishop Edward Michael Egan of Bridgeport, Conn., to succeed Cardinal John O'Connor.
Federal Reserve Acts against Inflation (May 16): Raises short-term interest rates half a percentage point.
Two Charged in 1963 Church Bombing (May 17): Thomas E. Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry held in Birmingham, Ala., as murder suspects in deaths of four black girls at Baptist church.
U.S. Takes Blame for Los Alamos Fire (May 18): Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt admits errors and vows to compensate victims.
Thalidomide Proves Useful in Treating Disease (May 21): Specialists report promising role treating AIDS, leprosy, and some cancers. Drug banned worldwide in the 1960s for harming thousands of children.
Giant Airline Merger Planned (May 23): United, world's largest, agrees to acquire biggest carrier in Northeast, US Airways, for $4.3 billion.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Completes Mission (May 29): Lands in darkness at Cape Canaveral, Fla., after repairing International Space Station, replacing batteries, and installing other equipment.