Portal:Current events/2013 November 18

Current events of November 18, 2013 (2013-11-18) (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks A gunman attacks the offices of the newspaper Libération and the bank Société Générale in Paris, three days after attacking the offices of the news channel BFM TV. (BBC) Disasters and accidents Typhoon Haiyan: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III encamps in Tacloban to oversee the rescue and relief operations after receiving criticism for his disorganized response early into the tragedy. (USA Today) At least twenty people are dead after an Egyptian train collides with a minibus and other vehicles south of Cairo. (BBC) Mounts Merapi and Sinabung erupt in Indonesia forcing residents of Central Java and North Sumatra to flee. (Fox News) International relations Destruction of Syria's chemical weapons Belgium ruled itself out as a candidate to host the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile and said it would prefer the arsenal to be eradicated close to Syria itself. (AP) Indonesia recalls its ambassador to Australia and will "review" Australian diplomatic positions in Jakarta following revelations that Australia had tapped the phone of the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife. (Sydney Morning Herald) Science and technology NASA successfully launches its MAVEN space probe on a mission to study Mars' atmosphere. (The Verge)