Portal:Current events/2013 November 19

• Syrian civil war spillover in Lebanon, Iranian embassy bombings:
  • Two suicide bombers target the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut killing at least 23 people. (Reuters via ABC News Australia)
  • An Al-Qaeda-linked group known as the Abdullah Azzam Brigades claims responsibility for the attacks. (Daily News Egypt) (France 24)
• Somali Civil War (2009–present):
  • An African Union base in Beledweyne, Somalia, is stormed by armed attackers, resulting in the deaths of 19 people. (BBC)
• Syrian Civil War, Battle of Qalamoun:
  • The Syrian Army captures the town of Qara. (AP via The Hindu)

• The United States commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. (Sydney Morning Herald)

• Bombardier Aerospace, a Canadian manufacturer, signs a letter of intent to sell Iraq's national carrier five CSeries jets with options for 11 more. (Reuters)

• Typhoon Haiyan:
  • The World Bank offers a US$500 million loan to the Philippines. (NBC News)
• Cyclone Cleopatra:
  • At least 18 people are dead after Cyclone Cleopatra hits the Italian island of Sardinia, causing heavy floods. (BBC)
  • The Prime Minister of Italy, Enrico Letta, declares a state of emergency. (ABC Australia/Reuters)
• An under-construction shopping mall collapses in the South African town of Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, with 50 people trapped and at least one person dead. (AFP via the Melbourne Age)
• Fort Lauderdale Air Ambulance crash:
  • An Air Evac International Learjet 35 crashes shortly after take-off from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, on its way to Cozumel, Mexico, after calling mayday and during an attempt to return to the airport, possibly due to engine failure, leaving 2 persons dead and two missing as a result. (CNN)

• Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds was stabbed multiple times at his home by his son Austin "Gus" Deeds. His son, Gus was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the home. (ABC News)
• U.S. Representative Trey Radel is arrested and charged with cocaine possession. (CBS News)
• George Zimmerman is accused of felony aggravated assault and other charges for interactions with his current girlfriend. (BBC)
• In the largest-ever settlement with the U.S. government, banking giant JPMorgan Chase agrees to pay US$13 billion and admits to making serious misrepresentations over mortgage-backed securities. (FOX Business)

• Voters in Nepal start voting to elect a Constituent Assembly to draw up a new Constitution. (Reuters)
• The Venezuelan National Assembly votes to hand President Nicolás Maduro decree powers over the economy with the opposition concerned about a potential crackdown on political opponents. (Reuters)