May 2009 Current Events: World News

U.S. News | Business/Science News

Here are the key events in world news for the month of May 2009.

• First Female Poet Laureate Appointed in UK (May 1): For the first time in 341 years, a woman is appointed as poet laureate of the United Kingdom. Carol Ann Duffy, 53, will take over the post from current poet laureate Andrew Motion. Though the position was traditionally appointed for life, Motion accepted a 10-year term in 1999.
• Martinelli Wins Panama's Presidential Election (May 3): Wealthy businessman Ricardo Martinelli, running as a centrist independent, wins the presidential election in Panama. Martinelli earns 60% of the vote, unseating the currently ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party.
• U.S. Admits Killing Civilians in Bombing (May 7): U.S. military officials admit that some of the civilian deaths in Afghanistan were caused by American bombs. Afghan officials claim 147 civilians in two villages are dead due to air raids by the U.S. military, but American officials say that amount is exaggerated.
• Former South Korean President Kills Himself (May 23): Former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun dies after jumping off a cliff in Bongha, South Korea. Roh had recently come under questioning for his involvement in a corruption scandal involving bribery, which has sent several of his relatives and aids to prison.
• North Korea Conducts Second Nuclear Test (May 25): Against international warnings, North Korea announces it has conducted its second nuclear test, claiming they are boosting self-defense capabilities. The country draws criticism from nations around world. North Korea conducted its first nuclear test on October 9, 2006.