Portal:Current events/2013 December 6

December 6, 2013 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen:
- The Yemeni Defense Ministry regains control of their military compound in Sana'a, Yemen, killing 11 militants in the process. (Reuters)
Central African Republic conflict under the Djotodia administration:
- The Red Cross claims that at least 300 people have died in two days of fighting in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

2013 North American cold wave:
- Record snowfall occurs over the United States killing at least eleven and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. (USA Today)

Environment

Pollution in China:
- A record level of smog is reported in Shanghai causing officials to issue the highest level health warning and delaying of hundreds of flights.(Reuters)

Law and crime

War in Afghanistan:
- Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman is given a life sentence by a court martial for the murder of an unarmed insurgent. (BBC)
The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to decide whether software can be patented. (Reuters via The Chicago Tribune)

Science and technology

The China National Space Administration achieves Earth to Lunar transorbital insertion of their Chang'e 3 probe. The spacecraft enters a 100 km (62 mi)-high circular lunar orbit at 5:53 p.m. Beijing Time. The orbit is obtained after 361 seconds of variable-thrust engine braking. (Economic Times)
Researchers at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute are published in the journal Cell, describing a link between Parkinsonism (Parkinson's disease) and the agricultural pesticides of paraquat and maneb. (MSN)

Sport

2014 FIFA World Cup:
- The draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup is done in Brazil with the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain and runners-up The Netherlands both drawn in Group B. (The Sports 24)