February 2018 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 February 2018:
- Fidel Castro’s Son Dead by Suicide
- Kenyan Police Detain Legislator
- Suicide Bomber in Pakistan Kills 11
- Holocaust Bill Debate in Poland
- North Korea Violated Sanctions
- Gay Marriage Dominates Costa Rica Election
- Pope Calls for Worldwide Day of Prayer
- Brazilian Roadway Overpass Collapses
- Holocaust Bill Signed into Law
- Air Strikes in Syria Kill 31
- Flu Outbreak in Hong Kong
- Bermuda to Reverse Same-Sex Marriage Bill
- Swiss Van Heist
- Bombing at Benghazi Mosque
- Kim Jong Un Invites President Moon-Jae to Summit
- London City Airport Temporarily Shuts Down
- Train Crash in Austria Kills One
- Denmark’s Prince Henrik Dead at 83
- Deadly Motorcade Crash
- Afghan Taliban Wants to End War Through Dialogue
- New President for South Africa
- State of Emergency in Ethiopia
- Death Toll in Syria Highest Since 2013
- 44 Dead in Peru Bus Crash
- Bomb in Lashio
- Boko Haram Attack in Nigeria
- Diarrhea Outbreak in Uganda
- US Embassy to Open in May
- US Places More Sanctions on North Korea
- Somali Capital Hit with Bombs and Gunfire
- Nine Dead After Vehicle Rams into India School
- Train Crash in Egypt Kills 15
- Russia’s Olympic Membership Restored
Fidel Castro’s Son Dead by Suicide
On February 1, it was reported that Fidel Castro’s son, Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, committed suicide after being treated for depression. The 68-year-old was a nuclear scientist and the eldest son of Castro. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa
Kenyan Police Detain Legislator
On February 3, Kenyan police briefly detained the legislator responsible for “swearing-in” opposition leader Raila Odinga. President Kenyatta officially won the majority of votes in November, and the government has worked on shutting down members of the opposition who continue to challenge the results. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ben Curtis
Suicide Bomber in Pakistan Kills 11
On February 3, a suicide bomber in Pakistan killed 11 soldiers and injured another 13. The attack occurred near an army base in Pakistan that was once controlled by the Taliban. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Channi Anand
Holocaust Bill Debate in Poland
Many Polish citizens expressed outrage on February 3 regarding new legislation deemed the “Holocaust Bill.” This legislation jails people for up to three years for suggesting Poland was complicit in the Holocaust. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alik Keplicz
North Korea Violated Sanctions
On February 4, CNN released information from a UN report regarding North Korea’s violation of sanctions made last year. North Korea has exported coal and other banned commodities, raking in $200 million in the process. Investigators are looking into the violation. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Gay Marriage Dominates Costa Rica Election
As Costa Ricans go to the polls on February 4, gay marriage remains one of the core debates. There are currently thirteen candidates opposing the current President, and one-third of voters appear to be undecided on the issue. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco
Pope Calls for Worldwide Day of Prayer
On February 4, Pope Francis announced that he would like the world to participate in a day of prayer on February 23. The day is meant to symbolize peace, as Pope Francis encourages people to “say no” to violence. (Reuters)
Photo Source: Alessandro Di Meo/Pool photo via AP
Brazilian Roadway Overpass Collapses
On February 6, a busy roadway overpass in Brazil’s capital collapsed onto parked cars and an outdoor restaurant. No deaths have been reported. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo
Holocaust Bill Signed into Law
On February 7, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda signed the controversial Holocaust Bill into law. The law is expected to be enforced in three months time. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alik Keplicz
Air Strikes in Syria Kill 31
A group of air strikes in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta region killed 31 people, including 12 children. The February 7 bombing also injured 65 people. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo
Flu Outbreak in Hong Kong
A flu outbreak in Hong Kong has caused schools to shut down on February 7. The flu has killed 121 people this past season, and the number is expected to rise. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Kin Cheung
Bermuda to Reverse Same-Sex Marriage Bill
On February 7, Bermuda’s governor signed a bill reversing the right of same-sex couples to marry, despite the original Supreme Court ruling. The government has stated that same-sex couples can instead enter a domestic partnership. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
Swiss Van Heist
On February 9, men posing as plumbers entered the home of a security guard’s daughter, taking her hostage and then taking a Swiss armored van. The woman was later returned, but the thieves are said to have stolen 26 million euros. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo
Bombing at Benghazi Mosque
A twin bombing occurred in a Benghazi mosque on February 9, killing 2 people and wounding another 75. Security is Benghazi remains poor. (Reuters)
Photo Source: Al-Hadath Channel via AP
Kim Jong Un Invites President Moon-Jae to Summit
On February 9, it was announced that Kim Jong Un had reached out to South Korean President Moon-Jae to meet for talks in Pyongyang. This meeting would be the first between Korean leaders in ten years. (Reuters)
Photo Source: Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP
London City Airport Temporarily Shuts Down
On February 11, all flights from London City airport were cancelled, after an unexploded World War II bomb was found in River Thames. The airport has since reopened. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Frank Augstein
Train Crash in Austria Kills One
On February 12, a train crashed in Austria, killing one woman and injuring another twenty-two people. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ronald Zak
Denmark’s Prince Henrik Dead at 83
On February 14, Prince Henrik of Denmark died with Queen Margrethe, his wife, at his side. However, the Prince will be breaking tradition, as he will not be buried in the plot next to hers. The decision comes after his wife’s refusal to name him king. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Michael Probst
Deadly Motorcade Crash
On February 14, DR Congo President Kabila’s motorcade crashed into a cement truck. Three soldiers and two civilians were killed by the crash, and another eleven people were injured. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File
Afghan Taliban Wants to End War Through Dialogue
On February 14, the Afghan Taliban announced to the American people that they would like to end the Afghanistan War through talks. The Taliban assured America that this was not a sign of weakness, and the use of force against the US would continue. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul
New President for South Africa
On February 16, South Africa’s newly appointed President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his State of the Nation address. Ramaphosa plans to crackdown on corruption in the country, and invoke change. (CNN)
Photo Source: Elmond Jiyane/South African Government Communication and Information Services via AP
State of Emergency in Ethiopia
On February 16, a day after Ethiopia’s prime minister resigned, the country went into a state of emergency that is expected to last 6 months. The United States has expressed disagreement with this decision. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene, File
Death Toll in Syria Highest Since 2013
On February 20, it was announced that 250 people died in a surge of violence in Ghouta. This is the highest 48-hour death toll in Syria since 2013. (Reuters)
Photo Source: SANA via AP
44 Dead in Peru Bus Crash
On February 21, a bus in Peru hurtled into a ravine, killing at least 44 passengers. The crash occurred on a curve in the road, a place common for accidents. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Diego Ramos
Bomb in Lashio
On February 21, a bomb blast in Lashio killed 2 people and injured another 22. Investigation of the explosion is still ongoing, and police have not released information regarding suspects. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe
Boko Haram Attack in Nigeria
On February 21, the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram attacked a school in Nigeria, kidnapping many of the students. During a rescue mission, 76 of the girls were found and returned, while 2 were found dead, and another 100 are still unaccounted for. (Reuters/CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo
Diarrhea Outbreak in Uganda
On February 22, it was announced that 26 Congolese refugees had died from a diarrhea outbreak in a Uganda camp. Hundreds of other cases of acute diarrhea have been reported. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Adelle Kalakouti
US Embassy to Open in May
On February 23, it was announced that President Trump’s controversial plan to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem will move forward. The embassy is expected to open in May, coinciding with the city’s 7oth anniversary. (BBC)
Photo Source: Debbie Hill, Pool via AP
US Places More Sanctions on North Korea
On February 23, it was announced that the US has imposed more sanctions on North Korea in an attempt to diffuse the nuclear tension. President Trump has stated that “phase two” will begin if these sanctions prove ineffective. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File
Somali Capital Hit with Bombs and Gunfire
On February 24, it was announced that over 40 people had died in a February 23 attack on the Somali Capital, Mogadishu. Two car bombs detonated, followed by rapid gunfire. Al Shabaab, a Somali terror network, claimed responsibility for the attack. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh
Nine Dead After Vehicle Rams into India School
On February 24, a vehicle rammed into a middle school in India, killing nine students and wounding at least ten others. Investigations are ongoing. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Vincent Yu
Train Crash in Egypt Kills 15
On February 28, a train crash in Egypt killed 15 people and injured another 40. The crash is suspected to be caused by a lack of safety regulations. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mostafa Darwish
Russia’s Olympic Membership Restored
On February 28, the International Olympic Committee announced that Russia’s olympic membership was restored. The country was banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics due to a doping scandal, but the IOC promised to reinstate membership so long as no other athletes failed drug tests at the end of the Games. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin
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