Portal:Current events/2013 May 31

May 31, 2013 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Turkish protestors are removed from Gezi Park in Taksim Square, Istanbul, in a violent crackdown by police after days of anti-government unrest. (Reuters)

Business and economics

Starbucks announces it will no longer allow customers to smoke in any of its locations. (The Guardian)

Disasters and accidents

Four firemen are killed and five others injured fighting a fire in Houston, Texas, U.S. (USA Today)
Four people are killed when two small planes collide near Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. (USA Today)
Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport is evacuated due to a tornado threat with three tornadoes touching down with five people dead and others reported missing. (CNN), (USA Today)

Health and environment

International relations

U.S. President Barack Obama lifts a trade embargo of communications equipment and software to non-government Iranians. (Bloomberg)

Law and crime

The United States Naval Academy announces it is investigating allegations that three football players sexually assaulted a female student. (CBS News)

Politics and elections

British Conservative Party MP Patrick Mercer resigns his party whip over allegations he broke the rules on lobbying. (BBC)
Iranian presidential election: The first televised debate is held with candidates discussing their economic plans. (PressTV) (Trend)
Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court orders elections must be held no later than July 31. (RTT News)

Science and technology

Near-Earth asteroid 1998 QE2 and its moon pass within 3.6 million miles (5.8 mil km) of the Earth. (BBC)