Portal:Current events/2013 September 21

Current events of September 21, 2013 (2013-09-21) (Saturday)

Armed conflict and attacks Islamic insurgency in the Philippines: Zamboanga City crisis: Six people die in the Philippines city of Zamboanga as fighting continues between the Army and Moro National Liberation Front insurgents. (AP via The Sun Herald) Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal): Over 100 people are killed in a series of attacks across Iraq, most of them in a twin suicide bombing at a Shiite funeral in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. (BBC) Aftermath of Operation Linda Nchi: A gun battle breaks out in a shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi with "at least 39 dead and 150 wounded". A hostage situation is evolving. Al-Shabaab claims responsibility. (France 24) (CNN) (RTE) Business and economy Exxon Mobil, BP and BG decline to take part in the upcoming international bidding for rights to explore Brazil's deep-water Libra oil field, one of the largest pre-salt fields yet to be explored in that country. (GloboNews) Disasters and accidents Typhoon Usagi hits the northern Philippines causing flooding and landslides and disrupting transport, communications and power supplies. (Reuters) International relations Pakistan frees Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a cofounder of the Taliban in Afghanistan. (BBC) The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons reports that Syria has handed over data on its chemical weapons program. (BBC) Law and crime Police in the Indian city of Mumbai charge several people in connection with a cricket match fixing scandal, including umpire Asad Rauf, former Chennai Super Kings principal Gurunath Meiyappan, Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh and 15 bookies. (Hindustan Times) Politics and elections Voters in Sri Lanka go to the polls for provincial elections with the Tamil National Alliance doing well in the north. (AAP via SBS)