Portal:Current events/2013 October 16

October 16, 2013 (Wednesday)

Armed conflict and attacks

Syrian civil war:
- At least 21 civilians are killed when their minibus hits a land mine in southern Syrian town of Nawa, with opposition activists blaming the Syrian army. (Reuters), (BBC)

Business and economy

United States debt-ceiling crisis of 2013:
- The United States Senate reaches a bipartisan deal to avoid default and end the 16-day US government shutdown. The House passes the legislation by 285–144. The bill now goes to the president, who is expected to sign it. (AFP via Sydney Morning Herald), (CNBC)

Disasters and accidents

Lao Airlines Flight 301 crashes in the Mekong River near Pakse International Airport, killing 44 passengers and 5 crew members. (BBC)
Typhoon Wipha hits Japan resulting in at least 14 deaths. (The Australian)
A Panamanian registered ship sinks off the coast of South Korea, killing 9 sailors and leaving 2 others missing. Coast Guard officials rescue another 8 crew members. (Yonhap)

Politics and elections

Solberg's Cabinet is appointed as the 61st cabinet of Norway by the King following the parliamentary election on 9 September. (BBC)

Law and crime

Malala Yousafzai will be awarded with Honorary Canadian citizenship. (CBC)
A terminal at Miami International Airport was briefly evacuated after a bomb-sniffing dog discovers "a possible explosive device". (Miami Herald)

Science

Divers in Russia recover a 570kg (1,255lb) portion of the Chelyabinsk meteor that landed on February 15, 2013. It is one of the largest meteorite fragments found to date. (BBC)