May 16, 2014 (Friday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine:
- Pro-Russian rebels quickly withdraw from Mariupol as dozens of unarmed pro-Ukraine steelworkers with some employed by System Capital Management joined by the police start to patrol the city. (U.S. News & World Report) (New York Times)
- The United Nations warns of a deterioration of human rights in eastern Ukraine and the harassment and persecution of the Crimean Tartars in Crimea. (BBC News)
- Ten people are killed in two explosions in the Gikomba market area of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. (BBC News)
- Brazilian police clash with protestors angry over the cost of hosting the World Cup in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. (BBC News)
Arts and culture
- American journalist Barbara Walters retires after a 52 year career. (BBC News)
Business and economy
- 2014 General Motors recall:
- The United States government fines General Motors $35 million for their delays in recalling small cars with faulty ignition switches. (BBC News)
- Darden Restaurants agrees to sell Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital for US$2.1 billion. (USA Today)
Disasters and accidents
- Soma mine disaster:
- Turkish police crackdown on an anti-government demonstration in the town of Soma, firing tear gas and water cannon at thousands of protestors. (BBC News)
- A Russian Proton-M rocket carrying a communications satellite veers off its intended path and burns up in the atmosphere. (CNN)
- Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated in Serbia and Bosnia as heavy rains cause floods. (ABC)
Politics and elections
- Led by Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party wins a majority in the Indian general election. The incumbent Indian National Congress records its worst ever result. (India Today)
- Dr. Robert Petzel resigns as the US Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health following a scandal over long waits for care, treatment delays, and falsification of records at VA hospitals. (Fox News)
Sport
- In association football, Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and Manchester City F.C. are fined €60 million by UEFA for breaches of the Fair Play regulations. (France 24)