Portal:Current events/2023 October 18

October 18, 2023 (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
- Allied Democratic Forces gunmen shoot and kill a British and South African honeymoon couple and their local tour guide at the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda. (BBC News)
Gaza-Israel conflict
- Israel–Hamas war
  - Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
    - Evacuations during the Israel–Hamas war
      - Saudi Arabia tells its citizens to immediately leave Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation in the south of the country. (Al Arabiya)
  - 2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip
    - The United States vetoes a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have condemned violence against civilians while urging humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Twelve countries vote in favour of the resolution, while Russia and the United Kingdom abstain. (AP)
    - United Nations experts, including Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, express serious concerns over Israel tightening its siege on Gaza, saying it "is an ongoing campaign resulting in crimes against humanity.” (Anadolu)
    - UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths reiterates that there are rules of war after the US vetoed the resolution. (Al Jazeera) (Relief Web)
    - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemns the UNSC for failing to pass a resolution for a humanitarian pause, adding that efforts to deescalate the conflict have been impeded by the collective punishment of Palestinians through airstrikes and the deployment of US aircraft carriers to the region. (Reuters)
Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
  - Russian missile strikes across Ukraine, kill at least 10 people, including five civilians in a strike on an apartment building in Zaporizhzhia, according to Ukrainian officials. (Reuters) (The New York Times)
- Military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Russia–United States relations
  - Russia says that the U.S. decision to supply Ukraine with long-range ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles is a "grave mistake" which will have serious consequences. Ukrainian forces used the missiles in combat for the first time yesterday. (Reuters)

Business and economy

Guinea-Bissau's capital Bissau experiences a major blackout after Turkish energy firm Karpowership suspends the supply of electricity to the city over an unpaid bill of at least US$15m. The Guinea-Bissauan government says that the outstanding amount will be paid within 15 days. (BBC News)
Philippine President Bongbong Marcos postpones the enactment of the Maharlika Investment Fund, the country's proposed first sovereign wealth fund, citing the need for further review. (Reuters via CNA)

Disasters and accidents

A driver is arrested after crashing into a group of Pepperdine University students walking in Malibu, California, United States, killing four and injuring two others. (AP)

International relations

Holy See–Nicaragua relations
- Nicaragua releases 12 Catholic priests, critical of President Daniel Ortega's regime, and sends them to Rome, Italy, following an agreement with Vatican City. (AFP via The Manila Times)
International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war, Israel–United States relations
- U.S. President Joe Biden visits Israel and meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (The Guardian)
United States–Venezuela relations
- The U.S. Treasury Department announces an ease of certain oil, gas, and gold sanctions on Venezuela following the Venezuelan government and opposition's agreement to conduct elections. (AFP via France 24)

Law and crime

Disappearance of Natalee Holloway
- Dutch serial killer Joran van der Sloot confesses in a U.S. federal court that he killed Natalee Holloway. (CNN)
Islamic terrorism in Europe, Antisemitism in 21st-century Germany
- Extremists throw Molotov cocktails at a synagogue in Berlin, Germany. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack. (Politico)
Israel–Hamas war protests
- Anti-war activists gather at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., calling for a ceasefire. Over 300 people are arrested following the protest. (NBC 4 Washington)
The Palace of Versailles and three French airports are temporarily evacuated "for security reasons". (AP)
Chadian Defense Minister Daoud Yaya Brahim and the government's general secretary are sacked after a sex tape is leaked showing the two men having sex with other people. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

2024 Indonesian presidential election
- Chairwoman of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Megawati Sukarnoputri announces that Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD will be a vice-presidential running mate for Ganjar Pranowo. (CNA)
October 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election
- The Republican majority fails to deliver enough votes for Jim Jordan to become House Speaker on the second vote (CNN)
Georgian parliament members from the ruling Georgian Dream party fail to impeach President Salome Zourabichvili, securing only 86 of the required 100 votes, after the constitutional court ruled that Zourabichvili violated the constitution by advocating for Georgia's European Union membership during international trips without government approval. (AFP via France 24)

Sports

2023 WNBA Finals
- In basketball, the Las Vegas Aces repeat as WNBA champions, becoming the first team to do so since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002. (AP)