April Current Events 2023: 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 April 2023.
- Finland's Bid To Join NATO Approved By Turkey
- 13 People Killed In Crush In Pakistan, While Waiting For Food Donations
- E-Scooters Have Been Banned In Paris After Votes
- Prime Minister Of Finland, Sanna Marin, Suffers Defeat In Election
- NASA Names Four Astronaut To Embark On A Mission To The Moon
- Train Incident Near The Hague Kills One, Injures 30 People
- France President Emmanuel Macron Arrives In China
- Ten People Confirmed To Be Aboard A Japanese Helicopter That Crashed Into The Sea
- Italian Tourist Killed, Seven Others Injured In A Car Incident In Israel
- Explosion Destroys Two Buildings In Marseille, Eight People Missing
- Report Shows That Population Of Tigers In India Is Now 3,167
- Dozens Killed Due To Airstrike From Myanmar Military
- Japan Reveals Plans To Develop Long-Range Missile Amid Tension With China
- Germany To Shut Down The Remaining Three Nuclear Power Stations
- President Macron Signs Rise Of Pension Age Into Law
- Seven People Killed In Mexico, After Gunmen Open Fire In Public Swimming Pool
- Italian Police Discover $440 Million Worth Of Cocaine
- Putin Travelled To Ukraine To Visit The Occupied Kherson Region
- SpaceX Rocket Blows Up Mid-Air Minutes After Launch
- 10 People From The Same Family Killed In South Africa
- Two People Dead And 12 Injured When Fire Razed A Restaurant In Madrid
- G7 Request For Black Sea Grain Deal To Be Extended
- First Ever Abortion Pill Has Been Approved In Japan
- For The First Time In History, Women Would Be Allowed To Vote At Bishops Meeting
- Agreement On Vital Nuclear Weapons Deal Reached By United States And South Korea
Finland's Bid To Join NATO Approved By Turkey
Photo Source: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo
Friday, March 31, 2023 — Finland is set to become the 31st member of NATO, after the Turkish parliament approved its application in a vote. Finland’s bid to join the West’s defensive alliance was delayed for months by Turkey, complaining that the country was supporting terrorists.
Finland’s admission into NATO will be made official at its next summit, which will take place in July, in Lithuania. The Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Twitter that he “looks forward to raising Finland’s flag at NATO Headquarters in the coming days.”
Earlier this month, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip, approved Finland’s bid and praised the country’s authentic and concrete steps on Turkish security.
Finland will now become the seventh NATO country on the Baltic Sea, further isolating Russia’s coastal access at St. Petersburg.
Source: BBC
13 People Killed In Crush In Pakistan, While Waiting For Food Donations
Photo Source: AP Photo/Fareed Khan
Saturday, April 1, 2023 — Local police confirm that at least 13 people were killed and another 10 were injured in a crash while people were waiting for Ramadan food donations in the largest city in Pakistan, Karachi. Police confirmed that all the victims in the crash were all women and minors. Among the people reported dead were two boys aged seven and 16, respectively, and a nine-year-old girl.
Another police official said the crash occurred in an industrial area of Karachi, where alms for Ramadan was been distributed by the FK Dyeing company. Approximately 400 women were reported to have gathered to receive the food aid.
Several of the company employees were arrested by the authorities after they were accused of not putting safety protocols for queuing in place.
Source: CNN
E-Scooters Have Been Banned In Paris After Votes
Photo Source: AP Photo/Christophe Ena
Sunday, April 2, 2023 — Parisians have voted to ban rental electric scooters from the streets of the capital after the official results show that an overwhelming vote of 90% supports a ban. The voting process came as a result of the casualties that have been recorded, where three people died in 2022, and 459 people were injured.
A total of 21 polling stations were set up across the city, which were open till 7 p.m. local time. The number of eligible voters is 1.6 million, but turnout is expected to be low. According to the City of Paris website, the ban won between 85.77% and 91.77% of the vote cast in the 20 Paris districts.
Anne Hidalgo, Paris’s socialist mayor, supports cycling and bike-sharing but opposes using e-scooters. While speaking in an Interview, he described the e-scooters as a source of tension and worry.
Source: The Guardian
Prime Minister Of Finland, Sanna Marin, Suffers Defeat In Election
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sergei Grits
Monday, April 3, 2023 — The Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, lost the election to remain in office after her center-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) was defeated narrowly. After collating all the results, the right-wing National Coalition party (NCP) won with 20.8% of the vote, the populist, nation-first Finns party scored 20.1%, and Marin’s SDP had 19.9% of the vote.
While giving her concession speech, Marin congratulated the winner of the election. She added that “democracy has spoken today, the Finnish people have cast their vote, and the celebration of democracy is always a wonderful thing.”
Marin, who is 37-year-old became the youngest Prime Minister in the world when she assumed office in 2019. She successfully led the country through the Covid pandemic and to the brink of NATO membership.
Source: The Guardian
NASA Names Four Astronaut To Embark On A Mission To The Moon
Photo Source: AP Photo/Michael Wyke
Monday, April 3, 2023 — After 50 years, the United States Space Agency, NASA has named the four astronauts traveling to the moon. NASA named Christina Koch as the first ever woman astronaut that had ever been assigned to a lunar mission. Victor Glover has also been included in the team as the first black astronaut.
They will team up with Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen to fly a capsule around the moon late next year or early in 2025. The astronauts’ mission will not be to land on the Moon, but it will pave the way for a touchdown by a subsequent crew.
NASA kept its promise of bringing diversity to its exploration efforts by selecting a woman and a black man, as the previous journey to the Moon were made by white men.
Source: BBC
Train Incident Near The Hague Kills One, Injures 30 People
Photo Source: AP Photo/Peter Dejong
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 — Very early on Tuesday in the Netherlands, a passenger train carrying close to 50 people derailed after coming in contact with construction equipment on the track. Dutch emergency service confirmed that one person was killed due to the accident, and 30 others were injured.
The rescue team was spotted at the scene as they were seen transporting injured people away from the accident scene at Voorschoten, close to The Hague. A fire department spokesperson said 19 people were taken to the hospital, while the others were treated on the spot.
There were numerous reports about the cause of the accident. The earlier reports suggest that the train had collided with a freight train. Erik Kroeze, the spokesperson of Dutch Railway (NS), said a freight train was involved in the accident but refrained from giving further information.
Source: CNN
France President Emmanuel Macron Arrives In China
Photo Source: AP Photo/Thibault Camus
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 — The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has arrived in China for a 3-days state trip. He hoped to talk China’s President, Xi Jinping, out of supporting Russia in the war with Ukraine and also to discuss developing European trade ties with Beijing.
An official from the office of the President of France said, “China is the only country in the world that is capable of having an immediate and radical impact on the conflict, in one direction or the other.”
Macron’s visit to China is his first since the Covid pandemic. It will include more than six hours with President Xi Jinping between meetings and banquets. The European Commission President, Ursula Von Der Leyen, will join Macron on his visit.
The European Union expects no significant change in where the stance of China, but it believes it is very important to keep engaging with the superpower.
Source: The Guardian
Ten People Confirmed To Be Aboard A Japanese Helicopter That Crashed Into The Sea
Photo Source: AP Images/11th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters
Friday, April 7, 2023 — Japan’s Minister for Defense, Yasukazu Hamada, confirms that rescuers were searching the water for 10 people on board a Japanese military helicopter when it crashed into the sea. While speaking to reporters, Hamada said he would do his best to gather information on the damage and the continuous search for human lives.
Chief of staff of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), General Yasunori Morishita, said remnant of what appears to be the UH-60JA helicopters have been discovered in the sea by the searchers, and they continue in their effort to look for survivors.
The Defense Ministry said the helicopter went missing while conducting a local survey. It disappeared from the radar screens off the coast of Miyako Island in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.
Source: CNN
Italian Tourist Killed, Seven Others Injured In A Car Incident In Israel
Photo Source: AP Photo/Oded Balilty
Saturday, April 8, 2023 — Israeli medic confirms that an Italian tourist has been confirmed dead, and seven others injured in a suspected car-ramming attack close to a beach in Tel Aviv. Foreign Minister in Italy said Israel had identified the man killed as an Italian citizen Alessandro Parini, who is 36 years old.
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, said the attack was cowardly and expressed her deep sorrow at the death of Mr. Parini. Lord Ahmad, the United Kingdom Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, condemned the attack and said British nationals were part of those injured in the incident.
It was reported that officers shot the suspected attacker.
The car-ramming attack came after two sisters from Britain were killed and their mother injured in a shooting in the occupied West Bank on Friday.
Source: BBC
Explosion Destroys Two Buildings In Marseille, Eight People Missing
Photo Source: AP Photo/Bishr El Touni
Sunday, April 9, 2023 — Local officials said that eight people are not responding to calls after an explosion destroyed two buildings in Marseille early on Sunday. Officials believe they could be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Marseille prosecutor, Dominique Laurens, said they are yet to know the cause of the explosion. Rescue efforts were complicated due to a fire caused by the incident.
Minister for Interior Gerald Darmanin, who visited the incident site, said 30 buildings in the area were evacuated. Five seriously injured people were taken to the nearby hospital for treatment.
French Housing Minister Olivier Klein told reporters that it is unclear how many people were inside the buildings before the incident. He added, "not all the people who were supposedly inside have been seen, and thus family members are worried.”
Source: The Guardian
Report Shows That Population Of Tigers In India Is Now 3,167
Photo Source: AP Photo/Satyajeet Singh Rathore
Monday, April 10, 2023 — According to the estimate from the recent tiger census in India, it was discovered that India is home to 3,167 tigers, which is 200 more than the tiger population four years ago. The report was released by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during an event that marked the country’s 50 years of Project Tiger Campaign.
Former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, launched Project Tiger in 1973. There was worry about the populations of the animals then. An estimate confirms that nearly 80,000 tigers were killed in India between 1875 and 1925.
According to the 2022 report, there has been a significant increase in the tiger population in the Shivalik and Gangetic flood plains in the north, followed by central India, where tigers have entered new areas in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Source: BBC
Dozens Killed Due To Airstrike From Myanmar Military
Photo Source: AP Photo/File
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 — During an event organized by the domestic opponent of the Myanmar military, the military launched airstrikes that killed dozens of people. The attack is described as the deadliest attack since power was seized by the Junta two years ago.
The National Unity Government (NUG), established to challenge the junta, confirmed that not less than 53 people were killed, and 40 others were injured in the strike. Acting President of the NUG, Duwa Lashi, said: “the Myanmar air force dropped multiple bombs on a civilian gathering of several hundred people, while attack helicopters strafed the crowd.”
There has been no comment from the Junta regarding Tuesday’s attack. The Junta has previously denied atrocities against civilians and referred to resistance groups as terrorists trying to devastate Myanmar.
Source: The Guardian
Japan Reveals Plans To Develop Long-Range Missile Amid Tension With China
Photo Source: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 — Japan has announced plans to develop long-range missiles due to increased tension with China. The Ministry of Defense in Japan has signed contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The deal involves the development and mass production of the weapons under a plan that extends to 2027. The deals are said to be worth more than $2.8 billion.
Under the new deal, MHI will begin mass production of two types of missiles already developed this year. The two missiles are ground-launched Type 12 guided missiles, designed to target ships at sea, and hypersonic glide missiles, designed for island defense.
MHI, at the same time, is expected to begin the development of submarine-launched missiles, which could be launched by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s fleet of conventionally powered boats.
Source: CNN
Germany To Shut Down The Remaining Three Nuclear Power Stations
Photo Source: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber
Saturday, April 15, 2023 – Germany is set to shut down its remaining three nuclear power stations this Saturday. This comes 12 years after the Fukushima disaster in Japan made the country accelerate its exit from atomic energy.
The facilities that will be shut down are in Emsland, in the northern state of Lower Saxony, the Isar 2 site in Bavaria, and the third one in Neckarwestheim, in Baden-Wurttemberg in the southwest.
Last year, the closure of the three sites was delayed by Germany, which then provided close to 6.5% of the electricity in the country in 2022 after European gas supplies were reduced by Russia, which triggered concerns about an energy shortage over the winter.
The decision of Germany to abandon nuclear power is different from the ambition of the government of the United Kingdom, which kickstarted a fresh push into nuclear power last week.
Source: The Guardian
President Macron Signs Rise Of Pension Age Into Law
Photo Source: AP Photo/Daniel Cole
Saturday, April 15, 2023 – The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, signed his government’s pension reform into law. The reform raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. The law was signed by Macron after the top constitutional body in France cleared the change.
The constitutional council rejected calls for a referendum by the opposition. Some aspects of the reform with legal flaws were struck out. Following the council's ruling, 112 people have been arrested after protesters set fires across Paris.
President Macron said the reforms are essential to prevent the pension system from collapsing. The government used special constitutional power to force through the changes without a vote in March. Minister for Labor, Olivier Dussopt, confirms that the reform is expected to be effective in September.
Source: BBC
Seven People Killed In Mexico, After Gunmen Open Fire In Public Swimming Pool
Photo Source: AP Photo/Christian Chavez
Sunday, April 16, 2023 – Local authorities confirm that at least seven people were killed after gunmen opened fire in a public swimming pool. It was confirmed that a child was also part of the people killed. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen came to the swimming pool, opened fire, then went ahead to damage a shop, security camera, and a monitor before they left.
A search operation involving the Mexican army and security forces has been launched for the gunmen behind the attack. The attack occurred in the city of Cortazar, in the central state of Guanajuato.
According to the statement from the government, when the local security arrived at the scene, they found dead bodies, one of them being a child younger than seven. One person aside from those killed was taken to the hospital after sustaining a serious injury.
Source: CNN
Italian Police Discover $440 Million Worth Of Cocaine
Photo Source: AP Photo/Italian Financial Police
Monday, April 17, 2023 – Italian police confirm the discovery of a huge consignment of cocaine off the eastern coast of the Island of Sicily. Italy’s Financial Police, Guardia di Finanza, in a statement released on Monday, said close to 2 tons of the drugs spotted in the Mediterranean were seized by the authorities. They discovered the drug during a routine surveillance flight.
Police confirm that the drugs were sealed carefully in 70 waterproof floating packages, which were then connected and included in a signaling light device. The haul, as confirmed by the police, is said to have a street value of $440 million.
Financial police confirm that boats from the Sicilian municipalities of Catania were dispatched. Air cover was also provided from multiple units to ensure the safety of the officers involved in the operation.
Source: CNN
Putin Travelled To Ukraine To Visit The Occupied Kherson Region
Photo Source: AP Photo/Pool Photo
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – Kremlin confirms that the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, visited part of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region controlled by Russia. He also visited the Luhansk region in Ukraine. Russia claimed to have annexed both regions, but they did not have full control.
While speaking with the military, Mr. Putin told them that although he doesn’t want to distract them from their duties, he feels “it is important for him to hear their opinion on how the situation is developing, to listen to them and to exchange information.”
In response to the reports of the visit of Mr Putin, an adviser to the office of Mr. Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted that the Russian leader was touring the occupied and ruined territories of Ukraine to enjoy the crimes that his military had committed.
Source: BBC
SpaceX Rocket Blows Up Mid-Air Minutes After Launch
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Thursday, April 20, 2023 – The biggest and most powerful rocket ever built took off from Texas but blew up a few minutes after during a test flight. SpaceX hopes it would be the first step on a human journey to Mars. The test flight was canceled earlier this week due to a pressurization issue.
The Starship rocket, about 120 meters long, took off at 8:33 am local time on Thursday. It was discovered that the two sections of the rocket system, the booster, and cruise vessel, could not separate successfully after take-off, which caused the aircraft to fail.
SpaceX had previously warned that the test flight had a low success rate and that the flight aimed to gather data, whether or not the full mission was achieved.
Source: The Guardian
10 People From The Same Family Killed In South Africa
Photo Source: AP Photo
Friday, April 21, 2023 – Police confirm that ten members of the same family have been shot and killed in an attack on their home in South Africa. Early on Friday morning, seven females and three males were killed when their home was ambushed close to Pietermaritzburg.
Minister for Police Bheki Cele, while speaking to the reporters, said that the police had arrested two suspects. One was killed, the other is still on the run, and three firearms were recovered. It was reported that the gunmen could gain entry into the property after disguising themselves as police officers.
The incident is the second mass shooting in KwaZulu-Natal province this week after four people were shot dead on Thursday at another home north of the port city of Durban.
Source: BBC
Two People Dead And 12 Injured When Fire Razed A Restaurant In Madrid
Photo Source: AP Photo/Paul White
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Two people were killed and 12 others injured when a fire gazed restaurant in Madrid. One of the two people killed was an employee of the restaurant, and the other was a customer, the city mayor confirmed. He also added that one of the people injured was in critical condition in the hospital, and five were badly injured.
While speaking outside the restaurant, the mayor said the cause of the fire was due to a waiter trying to flambé a pizza, and as a result, the flame caught plastic flowers decorating the ceiling and column of the restaurant.
There was a swift response from the firefighters, as their station was just a few hundred meters from the restaurant. The mayor said it was very lucky, as the fire was extinguished in less than 10 minutes.
Source: The Guardian
G7 Request For Black Sea Grain Deal To Be Extended
Photo Source: AP Photo/Franck Robichon
Sunday, April 23, 2023 – The agriculture ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) economic powers called for the extension, expansion, and full implementation of a critical deal to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
The deal, which United Nations and Turkey brokered, was signed in Istanbul last July, allowing Ukraine to have more than 27 million tons of grains exported from several of its Black Sea ports.
After a two-day meeting in Miyazaki, Japan, the G7 agricultural ministers in the communique recognized the importance of the continuation and full implementation of the grain Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). A meeting is scheduled this week between the Russian Foreign Minister and U.N. Secretary-General to discuss the Ukrainian Black Sea export deal.
The G7 members are prepared to support the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, which includes providing expertise in the de-mining of agricultural land and the reconstruction of agricultural infrastructure.
Source: Reuters
First Ever Abortion Pill Has Been Approved In Japan
Photo Source: Getty Images
Monday, April 24, 2023 – A panel in the Ministry of Health in Japan has approved the first abortion pill in the country. This is seen as a major step for reproductive rights, years after abortion medication have been made widely available in other countries.
The ministry convened in January to review the drug, after which they asked the public to submit their opinions online. It is now expected to be passed to the minister of health for final approval.
The medication is a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which has been included in the Essential Medicines list of the World Health Organization. It was described as a safe and effective drug for pregnant people.
An obstetrician and gynecologist in Japan wrote on Twitter that the drug's approval would help spread greater sex education and awareness about contraceptive methods.
Source: CNN
For The First Time In History, Women Would Be Allowed To Vote At Bishops Meeting
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 – For the first time in history, Pope Francis will allow women to vote at a global meeting of bishops in October. The decision is seen as a historic move that could lead to more inclusiveness in the Roman Catholic Church's decision-making.
Previously, women were allowed to attend the synods as auditors, but they had no voting right. The rule announced on Wednesday allows for five religious sisters with voting right.
In addition, the pope had also included “70 non-bishop members who represent various groupings of the faithful of the people of God” in the Vatican document. 70 priests will be chosen from a list of 140 people recommended by the national bishops’ Conference. The Vatican has requested that 50% of the 70 chosen should be women.
Source: Reuters
Agreement On Vital Nuclear Weapons Deal Reached By United States And South Korea
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Thursday, April 27, 2023 – The United States has promised South Korea that it would give them more insight into its nuclear planning over any conflict with North Korea.
The announcement resulted from talks between United States President Joe Biden and the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, that included a discussion about North Korea, semiconductor chips and trade, and the war in Ukraine. The deal also states that South Korea will not pursue a nuclear bomb.
While speaking at a joint news conference, the President of South Korea, Yoon, said, “Their two countries have agreed to immediate bilateral presidential consultations in the event of North Korea’s nuclear attack and promised to respond swiftly, overwhelmingly and decisively using the full force of the alliance, including the United States’ nuclear weapons.”
Source: Reuters
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