October 2017 Current Events: World News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the world news events you need to know so far for October 2017:
- American Family Freed From Afghanistan
- Catalonia Officials Continue to Seek Independence
- Parsons Green Bomber Receives Trial Date
- Turkey Enters Syria
- Over 300 Die in Somalia Bomb Attacks
- 69 Dead in Afghanistan Taliban Attack
- Suicide Bomber Kills 7 in Pakistan
- Madagascar Suffers a Plague Outbreak
- New Zealand Elects its Youngest Female Prime Minister
- Suicide Bombers Kill 72 at Afghanistan Mosques
- Bombing Kills 4 Yemeni Soldiers
- Saudi Arabia Sports Stadiums to Allow Women
- Violence Erupts in Kenya After Election
- Kenya Election Results Announced
- Catalonia’s Declaration of Independence Blocked
American Family Freed From Afghanistan
After five years of capture, a family of five has been released from Afghanistan’s Haqqani network—a faction of the Taliban—on October 12, 2017. Working together, U.S. officials and the Pakistani government eventually agreed on a release of the family. (The New York Times )
Photo Source: AP Photo/Bill Gorman
Catalonia Officials Continue to Seek Independence
On October 1, 2017, Catalonia—a region of Spain—approved the independence referendum. This decision has sparked protests throughout the region, as the Spanish government attempted to halt voting. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Francisco Seco
Parsons Green Bomber Receives Trial Date
In the early weeks of October, the teenager accused of bombing Parsons Green in September was given a date for trial. The 18 year old, Ahmad Hassan Mohammed Ali, is expected to appear in court on March 5, 2018. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Kristy Wigglesworth
Turkey Enters Syria
On October 13, Turkish soldiers and vehicles crossed the border to Syria, to set up observation posts. The country’s plan to do so was approved by Russia and Iran, as they seek to stengthen the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Murat Kibritlioglu
Over 300 Die in Somalia Bomb Attacks
Two bomb explosions in Mogadishu on October 14 have been reported to have killed over 300 people and injured hundreds more. One of the bombs detonated next to a fuel truck, creating a deadly fireball. The death toll continues to rise and various bodies remain unidentified.(Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh
69 Dead in Afghanistan Taliban Attack
Killing 69 people, the Taliban attacked various government targets in Afghanistan on October 17. The attack occurred when suicide car bombers cleared a path for a number of gunmen.(Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini
Suicide Bomber Kills 7 in Pakistan
On October 18, a suicide bomber crashed his car into a police truck, killing seven people and wounding twenty-two more. Immediately following the attack, the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.(Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ayub Khosa
Madagascar Suffers a Plague Outbreak
Though Madagascar has a plague outbreak nearly every year, it was reported on October 16, that this particular year is more concerning. Experts have said the infections are beginning earlier this year and infecting new regions, and over 680 cases have been reported, which is quite the jump from the average 400. Of these 680 cases, 57 have proved fatal, and the government continues to take precautionary measures to keep that number from rising. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alexander Joe
New Zealand Elects its Youngest Female Prime Minister
On October 19, it was announced that Jacinda Ardern would become New Zealand’s new Prime Minister. At 37, Ardern is the country’s youngest female leader and second-youngest leader overall. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Nick Perry
Suicide Bombers Kill 72 at Afghanistan Mosques
On October 20, two mosques in Afghanistan were targeted by suicide bombers. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack at the Imam Zaman mosque, which killed 39 people. A separate attack at a mosque in central Ghor province yielded 33 victims. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul
Bombing Kills 4 Yemeni Soldiers
Al Qaeda is claiming responsibility for the attack on a military checkpoint in Yemen on October 23. Four men, with explosives also strapped to their chests, set off a car bomb that killed four soldiers and injured another ten. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Hani Mohammed
Saudi Arabia Sports Stadiums to Allow Women
Following its decision to allow women to drive last month, Saudi Arabia announced that come 2018, there will be three sports stadiums that will allow women to enter. The press release on October 29 stated that the stadiums are making the necessary changes to accommodate this new ruling. (Reuters)
Photo Source: Saudi Press Agency via AP, File
Violence Erupts in Kenya After Election
In August, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was re-elected; however, the results were annulled due to what the Supreme Court called “irregularities.” The election re-run took place on Saturday, October 28, but protesters have affected both the voting polls and the results from being announced. It is estimated that the continuing violence has killed around 50 civilians (BBC/Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo
Kenya Election Results Announced
It was announced on October 30 that Uhuru Kenyatta won 98% of the vote for president of Kenya, despite only 39% of people coming out to vote due to the boycott of the election. Though Kenyatta’s re-election is now final, many small protests continue to appear throughout the country. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/ Sayyid Abdul Azim
Catalonia’s Declaration of Independence Blocked
On October 31, the declaration of independence made by Catalonia on October 27 was blocked by Spain’s Constitutional Court. The court also fired Catalonia’s government and set December 21 as the date for regional elections. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
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