January 2018 Current Events: World News

Updated September 25, 2021 | Infoplease Staff

Disaster News | Science & Technology News | US News

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 January 2018:

  1. Gunman in Senegal Kills 13
  2. Mexican Beach Resort Gun Battle
  3. Listeria Outbreak in South Africa
  4. Violence in Nigeria
  5. Blast in Pakistan Kills Seven
  6. Over 3,000 Arrested During Protests in Iran
  7. 85 Civilians Killed by Syrian Forces
  8. Four Churches Attacked by Vandals
  9. Bus Fire Kills 52 Uzbeks
  10. Pedestrians Hit by Car on Copacabana Sidewalk
  11. 11 Mugabe Allies Fired from Parliament
  12. Helicopter Crash Kills Zimbabwe Opposition Party Leader
  13. Gunman Kills 18 in Kabul Hotel
  14. Kidnapped US and Canadian Citizens Released from Nigeria
  15. Fire in India Warehouse Kills 17
  16. Protests in the Democratic Republic of Congo Turn Deadly
  17. Syria Hit by Turkish Airstrikes
  18. Egypt’s Presidential Candidate Arrested
  19. Two Car Bombs Explode in Benghazi
  20. 95 Dead in Ambulance Bomb
  21. Gunmen Kill 14 in Brazil Nightclub
  22. Bomb Attack in Colombia
  23. 800 Migrants Rescued
  24. Potential for Children to Starve in North Korea
  25. Saudi Arabia Corruption Purge
  26. North Korea to Parade Missiles
  27. Leak of Brexit Analysis

Gunman in Senegal Kills 13

Senegal Flag

On January 6, a gunman in Senegal killed 13 people and wounded another 11. The motive is still not apparent. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/Intel.Nl

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Mexican Beach Resort Gun Battle

Violence in Mexico

On January 7, a gunfight broke out at a beach resort in Mexico. The battle killed 11 people, 8 of whom were residents. Acapulco, the beach resort, is a very famous destination for Hollywood stars and vacationers. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Bernandino Hernandez

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Listeria Outbreak in South Africa

Listeria Outbreak

On January 8, it was announced that the death toll from the listeria outbreak in South Africa had reached above 60. The outbreak began last January, and there has been 720 confirmed cases. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/David Goldman

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Violence in Nigeria

Violence in Nigeria

On January 8, it was reported that 83 people have died due to communal violence in Nigeria. The battle is between Muslim cattle herders and Christian farmers over the use of land. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File

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Blast in Pakistan Kills Seven

Blast in Pakistan

On January 9, a bomb went off in Quetta, killing seven people and injuring another 23. The bomb was targeting a nearby police truck. The attack has not been claimed by a terrorist group, yet. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Arshad Butt

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Over 3,000 Arrested During Protests in Iran

Protests in Iran

On January 9, 3,700 people were arrested in Iran during an anti-government protest. The protests began in late December, and the count is expected to rise. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

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85 Civilians Killed by Syrian Forces

Syrian Forces

The U.N. announced on January 10 that at least 85 civilians have been killed since December 31. The deaths occurred as Syria stepped up attacks against the rebel-held zone of Eastern Ghouta. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

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Four Churches Attacked by Vandals

Pope Francis

The Pope is set to visit Chile in three days; however, on January 12, it was discovered that four churches had been vandalized in anticipation of his visit. The vandals threw homemade bombs at the church and left threatening messages. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

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Bus Fire Kills 52 Uzbeks

Bus Fire

A bus traveling to Kazakhstan caught fire on January 18, killing 52 Uzbeks on board. Five people managed to escape. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Kazakhstan Ministry for Emergency Situations via AP

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Pedestrians Hit by Car on Copacabana Sidewalk

Beach

On January 18, a car plowed through the busy sidewalk of Copacabana beach, killing an 8-month old child and injuring 15 other pedestrians. As of now, the act is not thought to be terrorist related.

Photo Source: AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo

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11 Mugabe Allies Fired from Parliament

Zimbabwe Parliament

On January 19, Zimbabwe’s ruling party fired 11 people from Parliament, all of whom were former President Mugabe allies. The new party continues to purge Mugabe supporters. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Ben Curtis

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Helicopter Crash Kills Zimbabwe Opposition Party Leader

Roy Bennett

On January 19, a helicopter carrying Roy Bennett over New Mexico crashed, killing Bennett and four others. Bennett was a founding member of Movement for Democratic Change, and a key player in Zimbabwe’s opposition party. The cause of the crash is still unknown. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/TSVANGIRAYI MUKWAZHI

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Gunman Kills 18 in Kabul Hotel

Kabul Hotel

A 12 hour standoff at a Kabul hotel ended on January 21. According to Afghan authorities, there were four gunmen who killed 18 people, 14 of whom were foreign nationals. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, later stating that there were five assailants, not four. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

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Kidnapped US and Canadian Citizens Released from Nigeria

Nigeria Flag

Earlier this week, four hostages were kidnapped in Nigeria: two Americans and two Canadians. All four were released in good health on January 20. Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria. (BBC)

Photo Source: 123RF/photoroman

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Fire in India Warehouse Kills 17

Warehouse Fire

On January 20, a fire broke out at a warehouse in India, killing 17 people. The warehouse was used to store firecrackers. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

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Protests in the Democratic Republic of Congo Turn Deadly

Congo

On January 21, it was announced that at least five people had died and over 30 were injured while protesting President Kabila, the president of DR Congo. President Kabila’s term was expected to end a year ago, but he has yet to step down. (BBC)

Photo Source: AP Photo/John Bompengo

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Syria Hit by Turkish Airstrikes

Syria

On January 21, Turkey launched an airstrike aimed at Kurdish-militia in Syria. The U.S. backs the Kurdish militia, and claims that Turkey advised the U.S. of the airstrikes before they happened. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

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Egypt’s Presidential Candidate Arrested

Sami Anan

Lieutenant General Sami Anan, one of the presidential candidates for Egypt, was arrested on January 23. Egypt officials claim Anan violated the rules by announcing his candidacy before being granted approval from the military. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Thomas Hartwell

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Two Car Bombs Explode in Benghazi

Banghazi Bomb

On January 23, two car bombs exploded near a mosque in Benghazi, killing 22 people and wounding another 30. The attack has yet to be claimed by a terrorist group. (BBC)

Photo Source: Al-Hadath Channel via AP

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95 Dead in Ambulance Bomb

Ambulance Attack

A Taliban attacker driving an ambulance filled with explosives through Kabul killed 95 people and wounded 158 others on January 23. Those wounded were taken to a nearby hospital, but the death toll is expected to rise. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

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Gunmen Kill 14 in Brazil Nightclub

Brazil Nightclub

Three cars carrying armed men stormed a nightclub in Fortaleza on January 27. The gunmen killed fourteen people, two of whom were minors. It was announced that the attack was carried out by a local gang known for drugs. (BBC)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo

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Bomb Attack in Colombia

Colombia Bomb

A bomb attack in Colombia on January 27 killed five officers and wounded forty-two people. It is thought that the bomb was specifically target officers, and a reward for more information has been posted. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan

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800 Migrants Rescued

Migrants

On January 27, 800 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean. Details about the migrants have yet to be released, but in a statement by Italy’s coast guard, it was revealed that the migrants’ destination was Europe. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Santi Palacios

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Potential for Children to Starve in North Korea

Kim Jung-un

On January 30, it was estimated that 60,000 children face the potential of starvation in North Korea. Due to the increasing sanctions against the country, aid for the citizens has been slowed, exacerbating the problem. (Reuters)

Photo Source: KRT via AP Video

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Saudi Arabia Corruption Purge

New Saudi Arabia Government

Months ago, Saudi Arabia decided to hold an anti-corruption purge. As of January 30, the country has seized nearly $100 billion through financial settlements. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Al-Ekhbariya via AP

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North Korea to Parade Missiles

Missile Parade

On January 31, it was announced that on February 8, a day before the Winter Olympics, North Korea plans to parade dozens of long-range missiles. Many speculate that this move is intended to strike fear in Americans. (CNN)

Photo Source: KRT via AP Video, File

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Leak of Brexit Analysis

Brexit

On January 31, Britain’s government said that it would hand over the leaked Brexit report to Parliament. The report discussed how the bill could actually be harmful to the economy. The report was not meant to be published, and its leak has created a division within the government. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Alastair Grant

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