October Current Events 2023: World News
U.S. News | Disaster News | Science & Technology News | Current Events This Week
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 2023.
- President Of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu Increases The Country’s Monthly Wage
- At Least 13 People Have Been Confirmed Dead In A Fire Outbreak In A Nightclub In Spain
- 10 People Confirmed Dead, As Roof Of Church Collapses In Mexico
- Canada Asked By India To Withdraw Its Diplomatic Staff From India
- Bus Crashes Near Venice, Italy Killing At Least 21 People
- Ukraine To Receive Seized Iranian Ammunitions From United States
- At Least 16 People Have Died, Following A Bus Crash In Mexico
- Authorities Confirmed The Death Of Six Suspects In The Murder Of Ecuador Presidential Candidate
- Israel In Bid To Repel Militants Declares War Against Hamas
- Inquiry Begins Concerning Execution Of Afghans By SAS Troops
- Airstrike On Displaced People Camp In Myanmar Kills 29 People
- Lawmakers In Uganda Rejects Use Of Birth Control By 15-Year-Old Girls
- School Teacher Killed In France During A Knife Attack
- National Party Defeats Labor Party To Win New Zealand Election
- China To Host Global Gathering Of Over 140 Countries
- Two Swedish Nationals Shot Dead In Brussels
- Supreme Court Of India Refuses To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
- Airstrike Hits Hospital In Gaza, Killing Over Hundred People
- Prime Minister Of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, Separates From Her Partner Over Sexist Comment
- Aid Enters Into Gaza Through The Rafah Crossing Point
- Missile Strike On Kharkiv Kills Six Postal Workers
- Argentina’s Presidential Election Heads Into Runoff
- Women In Iceland, Including The Prime Minister, Embark On A Strike For Gender Equality
- South Africa Gets $1 Billion Loan From World Bank To Tackle Power Crisis
President Of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu Increases The Country’s Monthly Wage
Photo Source: AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga
Sunday, October 1, 2023 – The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has confirmed that there would be a six-month increase to the minimum wage, as workers are prepared to begin an indefinite strike.
The unions want an increase in their monthly wage, saying it should be raised to $255 (£210), in order to help them with the sharp increase in the cost of Living since President Tinubu took office in May. However, the president only increased the monthly wage by $32, which brings the amount of the total monthly wage to $70. He also promised to accelerate the rollout of cheap gas-powered buses to assist with the recent hike in fuel prices.
While addressing the country on national television in its 63rd year of independence, the president laid down some measures that he said would cushion people from the ongoing economic hardship.
Source: BBC
At Least 13 People Have Been Confirmed Dead In A Fire Outbreak In A Nightclub In Spain
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alfonso Duran
Sunday, October 1, 2023 – Not less than 13 people have been confirmed dead in a nightclub fire in Spain, while four others were injured. The fire is said to be the deadliest outbreak in Spain in decades. However, the cause of the fire that broke out very early on Sunday is yet to be known.
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez sent his condolences. He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “his love and solidarity are with the victims and families of the tragic fire that occurred this morning in a nightclub in Murcia.” He also confirmed that he had conveyed to the president of the Murcia region all his support and collaboration.
The Mayor of Murcia posted on X that three days of mourning have been declared in the city, for those who died in the fire outbreak.
Source: CNN
10 People Confirmed Dead, As Roof Of Church Collapses In Mexico
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alejando de Angel/El Sol de Tampico
Monday, October 2, 2023 – At least 10 people have been confirmed dead, and another 60 injured when the roof of a church in northern Mexico collapsed. Authorities confirmed that searchers searched the site of the accident thoroughly looking for survivors and other victims.
The spokesperson of the state security office confirmed that 10 people died in the collapse, which it described as a possible structural failure. The state police in Tamaulipas confirmed that about 100 people were in the church at the time of the incident.
Bishop Jose Armando Alvarez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tampico said that the roof collapsed while the worshipers were receiving communion at the Santa Cruz church in the Gulf Coast city of Ciudad Madero. He pleaded to anyone that has wood to donate, to shore up the roof while the rescue teams crawled inside.
Source: The Guardian
Canada Asked By India To Withdraw Its Diplomatic Staff From India
Photo Source: AP Photo/Prabhjot Gill
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 – India has directed Canada to withdraw close to 40 diplomatic staff from its country. India confirmed that those who stayed past 10 October would lose their diplomatic immunity.
Canada accused India last month of its involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian Soil, an allegation that was denied by India. My Trudeau told the parliament of Canada that an investigation is being carried out by the country’s intelligence agencies to determine whether the agents of the government of India were involved in the killing of the separatist leader.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that he does not plan to escalate the rift with India. He also added that both countries would continue to engage responsibly and constructively with one another.
Source: BBC
Bus Crashes Near Venice, Italy Killing At Least 21 People
Photo Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 – Not less than 21 people were killed on Tuesday near Venice, Italy when a passenger bus plunged from a bridge in Mestre. Part of those who were killed were two children. The Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro confirmed that the bus was traveling from Venice to nearby Marghera, and it was full of people who were returning home from work.
The Chief of Staff of the prefecture of Venice, Francesco Martino said that 18 other people were also injured in the crash and that authorities are still trying to determine the cause of the crash.
The bus broke a wall of the overpass and fell between a warehouse and the tracks of the Mestre station below. The vehicle then caught fire as a result of the impact, said the fire brigade.
Source: CNN
Ukraine To Receive Seized Iranian Ammunitions From United States
Photo Source: AP Photo/Hani Mohammed
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – The military of the United States confirmed that it has sent over 1 million rounds of ammunition seized from the Iranians last year to Ukraine. The U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East confirmed that close to 1.1 million 7.62 mm rounds were sent to Ukraine.
For some years, the United States naval forces have been intercepting fishing vessels and seizing weapons that they believe are from Iran, that are bound for Iran-backed fighters in Yemen.
However, it is likely that the ammunition would not make any major difference on the battlefield for Ukraine, given that it is long-range weapons and air defense systems that are on the top of Ukraine’s wish list. Congress did not include any new money for Ukraine in the stopgap U.S. spending bill that was passed just this weekend.
Source: Reuters
At Least 16 People Have Died, Following A Bus Crash In Mexico
Photo Source: AP Photo/Nemesio Mendez Jimenez
Friday, October 6, 2023 – According to the local authorities, 16 people have been confirmed dead due to a bus crash in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The authorities also said that most of those who died in the bus crash were migrants. The attorney general of Oaxaca said that at least 27 people were also injured from the crash and transported to the nearest hospital.
The cause of the accident, which happened at 5 a.m. local time, is still being investigated by the authorities. The incident happened just after the deaths of at least 10 Cuban migrants, including a child, when the truck they were traveling in overturned in southern Mexico.
Citizens from Venezuela and Haiti are sources of the large numbers of migrants traveling northward, fleeing insecurity and economic crisis in their country.
Source: CNN
Authorities Confirmed The Death Of Six Suspects In The Murder Of Ecuador Presidential Candidate
Photo Source: AP Photo/Carlos Noriega
Saturday, October 7, 2023 – Six men suspected of being involved in the assassination of Ecuador’s anti-corruption presidential candidate have been killed in prison, just a week before a crucial run-off election. The office of the attorney general confirmed that the suspects were killed in a penitentiary in the country’s largest city.
The outgoing president, Guillermo Lasso, in his post on X, promised to put much effort into getting to the bottom of the killings. The SNAI prisons agency confirmed that all the suspects that were killed were Colombian nationals but did not give any further details.
The six suspects were arrested on the day that Villavicencio was assassinated. A seventh suspect, who was also Colombian was shot and killed by the police on the day of the assassination. The second run-off vote is scheduled for 15 October.
Source: The Guardian
Israel In Bid To Repel Militants Declares War Against Hamas
Photo Source: AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov
Sunday, October 8, 2023 – Israel has officially declared war on Hamas, which sets the stage for a major military operation in Gaza. Tanks and personnel carriers were sighted on the move along the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday, following a surprise attack from an Islamist militant group, Hamas, which has killed over 700 Israelis.
Hamas has confirmed that they are holding more than 100 Israeli hostages, including high-ranking officers, as they continue to fire rockets into Israel throughout Sunday. Another armed group in Palestine, known as the Islamist Jihad, said that they were holding at least 30 hostages in Gaza.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu promised that his country would retaliate, and said that they were ready for a long and difficult war. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, due to Israel’s response with airstrike.
Source: CNN
Inquiry Begins Concerning Execution Of Afghans By SAS Troops
Photo Source: Getty Images
Monday, October 9, 2023 – The British SAS has been accused of shooting and killing nine Afghans while they were sleeping. They were also accused of engaging in a policy of executing Afghan males of fighting age, between 2010 and 2013.
The counsel to the inquiry, Oliver Glasgow KC, is focused on seven deadly operations in Helmand province, in southern Afghanistan, which includes one in 2011, where only three AK47 assault rifles were recovered after nine people were killed.
It is expected that the public inquiry, which is chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave would take 12 to 18 months to produce an interim report. It marks the beginning of a process that has been sought after by the families of the victims, whose wishes were only granted by conservative ministers after the British government was taken to court by two families.
Source: The Guardian
Airstrike On Displaced People Camp In Myanmar Kills 29 People
Photo Source: AP Photo/Manish Swarup
Tuesday, October 10 – An artillery strike on a displaced persons’ camp in north-east Myanmar has killed at least 29 people, which includes children. The camp is in an area that is controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). They are one of the several ethnic insurgent groups that has been fighting for independence for several decades. The spokesperson of the KIO confirmed that all those who were killed were civilians.
The larger part of Myanmar has been engulfed in an intense civil war, which broke out in 2021 after a military coup that displaced the country’s elected government. Air strikes have since been used by the military against the towns and villages that are controlled by the opposition.
The exiled National Unity Government accused the junta of the attack on the camp, but the spokesperson of the junta denies any form of involvement in the attack.
Source: BBC
Lawmakers In Uganda Rejects Use Of Birth Control By 15-Year-Old Girls
Photo Source: Getty Images
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – The lawmakers of Uganda have rejected a proposal that was made by the government. The government proposed that access to birth control pills should be given to girls who are 15 years old to reduce high levels of pregnancy. Thomas Tayebwa, who is the deputy speaker, referred to the idea as "devilish", saying it would formalize the defilement of girls.
A survey that was conducted in Uganda shows that almost a quarter of 15 to 19-year-old girls in the country are either pregnant or are already mothers.
The minister for Primary Healthcare, Margaret Muhanga, confirmed that the proposal has not been approved by the government, by was made by a senior medical officer, Dr. Charles Olaro. Dr. Olaro said that access to reproductive health information is not a question of choice, but that of fundamental human rights.
Source: BBC
School Teacher Killed In France During A Knife Attack
Photo Source: AP Photo/Michel Spingler
Friday, October 13, 2023 – Officials confirmed that a teacher was killed, and two other people were seriously injured in a knife attack at a school in France. The Ministry for Interior, Gerald Darmanin confirmed that the attack happened in the northern city of Arras, at the Gambetta High School at around 10:00 local time.
According to some of the people who witnessed the attack, the attacker shouted “God is greatest” during the attack. The individual who was killed in the attack was a French language teacher, while those who were attacked were another teacher and a security guard.
The office of the French anti-terror prosecutor’s office has confirmed that it has opened an investigation as a result of the attack for “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise,” and “attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.”
Source: BBC
National Party Defeats Labor Party To Win New Zealand Election
Photo Source: AP Photo/Brett Phibbs
Saturday, October 14, 2023 – The voters in New Zealand have voted in support of the opposition National Party, rejecting the Labor government. The result of the election marked a surprising change in for the Labor Party, which secured a historic mandate three years ago. Their support dwindled due to the rising living costs and the Covid pandemic.
The leader of the National party, Christopher Luxon, while speaking at his election night event in Auckland said his party is ready to form the new government with the libertarian party Act. He promised to bring down the cost of living, restore law and order, and deliver better healthcare and education.
While speaking at an election night event in Wellington, Hipkins, who became the leader of the Labor Party, after Jacinda Ardern surprisingly resigned said he had already called the opposition leader to congratulate him on the victory of the election.
Source: The Guardian
China To Host Global Gathering Of Over 140 Countries
Photo Source: AP Photo/Office of the Governor of California
Sunday, October 15, 2023 – The President of China, Xi Jinping is planning to gather the world leaders in Beijing this week for a high-profile forum. The goal of the gathering is to laud China’s role in backing economic development over the past decade.
Leaders, representatives, and delegations are expected to attend the forum from over 140 countries, which includes the Middle East and Many Global South Nations are expected to meet in the Chinese capital. It is the first time China will host an international event since they eased the pandemic isolation.
Officials and experts in China said the gathering of friendly countries will be used to pitch a much broader vision for how China wants to impact the world as it promotes an alternative to liberal order that is headed by the countries that practice democracy.
Source: CNN
Two Swedish Nationals Shot Dead In Brussels
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mark Carlson
Monday, October 16, 2023 – Two citizens of Sweden have been shot dead, while a third person was also injured in Brussels. A Euro 2024 qualifier football match that was being played between Belgium and Sweden was canceled as a result of the incident. Swedish footballers informed UEFA that they do not wish to play the second half of the March against Belgium, a decision to which the Belgian team agreed to.
Federal prosecutors confirmed that they had launched a terrorism inquiry into the shooting. Eric van Duyse, the spokesperson of the prosecutor encouraged the public to go home and stay home until the threat has been dealt with.
The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo posted on social media to offer his sincere condolences to the Prime Minister of Sweden due to the attack on the Swedish citizens in Brussels.
Source: BBC
Supreme Court Of India Refuses To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Photo Source: AP Photo/Manish Swarup
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – The Supreme Court of India has declined to legalize same-sex marriages, saying that the case is beyond its scope and should be decided by the parliament. The ruling of the Supreme Court would be a disappointment for the LGBTQ+ people in India, who had hoped that the judges in the Supreme Court would recognize their constitutional right to marriage equality.
The ruling Hindu nationalists Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was against the movement, saying that the argument for equality is “urban elitist views.” It also argued that the matter should be decided in the parliament and not in the court.
Several LGBTQ+ couples and activists who filed the petition in a collective lawsuit, have been fighting to amend the Special Marriage Act of India, which allows civil unions between couples of different religions. They want the act to be expanded to include same-sex couples.
Source: The Guardian
Airstrike Hits Hospital In Gaza, Killing Over Hundred People
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ali Mahmoud
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – Officials in Palestine have confirmed that hundreds were killed as a result of a massive blast at a Gaza hospital, as humanitarian concerns mount over Israel’s deprivation of food, fuel, and electricity to the enclave’s population. Al-Ahli Hospital was providing shelter to thousands who were displaced when it was bombed. The Ministry of Health in Palestine confirms that there are still a lot of people under the rubble.
Officials from Palestine said the incident was a result of the continuous airstrikes by Israel. Israel's defense forces however denied any involvement in the hospital attack and instead blamed the attack on a “failed rocket launch” by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group in Gaza.
Israel has laid siege to Gaza for over a week, in response to the deadly incursion by Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the coastal enclave, where 2.2 million people live.
Source: CNN
Prime Minister Of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, Separates From Her Partner Over Sexist Comment
Photo Source: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Friday, October 20, 2023 – The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni has separated from her boyfriend who is a TV journalist. She broke up with him after he made an embarrassing and sexist comment, which led to the suspension of his television show.
The Prime Minister posted the announcement of her separation from Andrea Giambruno on social media that “her relationship with his, which lasted for up to 10 years ended there. They both have a 7-year-old daughter together.
On Friday, Mr. Giambruno said through his agent that he and Mediaset had agreed to suspend his show due to the scandal. He was not sitting in the anchor chair during the Friday afternoon show taping. Mediaset has confirmed that an investigation is ongoing concerning the alleged behavior of Giambruno. Mediaset has always been criticized for airing sexist content and often publishing behind-the-scenes content.
Source: CNN
Aid Enters Into Gaza Through The Rafah Crossing Point
Photo Source: AP Photo/Hatem Ali
Saturday, October 21, 2023 – After almost a week of negotiations between the United States, Israel, Egypt and the United Nations, the Rafah crossing point between Egypt and Gaza has been opened. The opening will allow 20 Egyptian trucks containing medical supplies to cross into the territory.
According to the agreement, only 20 trucks will be permitted to enter on Saturday, and a UN official said trucks from the UN will not be expected to cross until Monday.
The government of Israel said that they want proof that the aid deliveries are not seized or diverted by Hamas before they can authorize any further deliveries. An official of the United Nations said that the verification procedures are still under discussion. The director general of the World Health Organization confirmed that the medical supplies that are being sent to Gaza include trauma and chronic disease medicine.
Source: The Guardian
Missile Strike On Kharkiv Kills Six Postal Workers
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alex Babenko
Sunday, October 22, 2023 – A missile that hit a distribution center in Ukraine has killed six postal workers and left 14 other workers injured. The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, posted on Telegram that the Nova Poshta sorting office was struck in Kharkiv. He confirmed that rescue operations were being carried out and emergency services were working at the scene of the incident.
The regional Governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov said that all the victims worked for the postal company. He wrote on his Telegram that the victims of the strike were aged between 19 and 42.
Russia has yet to comment on the strike but has always denied ever targeting civilians during its invasion of Ukraine.
The city of Kharkiv which is not too far from the Russian border was heavily bombed during the first week of invasion in February. The mayor of Kharkiv said earlier this month that the first-ever underground school in Ukraine would be built in the city to allow children to go to school safely.
Source: BBC
Argentina’s Presidential Election Heads Into Runoff
Photo Source: AP Photo/Gustavo Garello
Monday, October 23, 2023 – The presidential election of Argentina has headed into a runoff after the Minister for Economy, Sergio Massa won more than 36% of the vote which puts him in contention with Javier Milei. The lead of Mr. Massa came as a surprise to many of the citizens because many voters believed he would be punished for leading a financial crisis.
After nearly all the ballots have been counted, no candidate received the necessary 45% of votes required to win the election. A runoff has then been scheduled for Nov 19, where voters will have to choose between Mr. Massa and Mr. Milei.
The former minister for security, Patricia Bullrich, who is a conservative came third with 23.8%. After the result of the first round of election, Ms. Bullrich said, “She would not congratulate a candidate who has been part of the worst government in the history of Argentina.”
Source: BBC
Women In Iceland, Including The Prime Minister, Embark On A Strike For Gender Equality
Photo Source: AP Photo/Arni Torfason
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 – Several women in Iceland, including the Prime Minister embarked on strike as part of a movement pushing for greater gender equality in the country. The strike on Tuesday makes it the 7th time women in Iceland will embark on a strike for gender equality. The first strike happened on October 24, 1975.
A crowd of thousands of women gathered in the afternoon in the capital, Reykjavik. According to Icelandic public broadcaster, some schools in the country did not open their doors, and only one bank branch was reported to have been opened on the entire island.
A spokesperson from the office of the Prime Minister confirmed that the Prime Minister postponed a cabinet meeting that was originally supposed to be held on Tuesday in other to show her solidarity with the Icelandic women.
Source: CNN
South Africa Gets $1 Billion Loan From World Bank To Tackle Power Crisis
Photo Source: AP Photo/Denis Farrell
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – The World Bank confirmed on Wednesday that its board has approved a $1 billion loan to help South Africa reform its energy sector, as they try to overcome regular power cuts that have curbed economic growth.
South Africa’s World Bank director, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly had earlier said last month that the loan was under discussion and could come soon. He also added that the “reform that was launched by the government would benefit people of South Africa, especially the most vulnerable households, the economy, the environment and also advance the energy transition.”
The World Bank also confirmed that its Development Policy Loan would contribute to a gradual reduction in water and air pollution by reducing how much they rely on coal for power generation.
The government of South Africa promises to split Eskom into three subsidiaries, transmission, generation, and distribution.
Source: Reuters
Are you fascinated by world structures? Check out our Monuments and Landmarks page to discover more. And if you enjoyed this article, why not drop a line to let us know, or share it with others who might be interested in World events!
About the author
Trending
Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
