World CNN Wire

1998 US Embassies in Africa Bombings Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s a look at the bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on August 7, 1998, which killed 224 people. Terrorist group al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the bombings. FactsThe bombings took place eight years to the…

World Cup Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s a look at the World Cup football (soccer) tournaments. The World Cup is organized by FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association. Men’s and women’s tournaments are held every four years.July 20-August 20, 2023 - The Women’s…

CN Tower Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s some background information about the CN Tower, or Canada’s National Tower. Standing 1,815 feet (553.33m), it is the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere. The CN Tower is located on Front Street in Toronto’s entertainment district.…

World Cup Fast Facts

Here's a look at the World Cup football (soccer) tournaments. The World Cup is organized by FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association. Men's and women's tournaments are held every four years.July 10-August 20, 2023 - The Women's World Cup…

Summer Olympics Competitions Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s some background information about the Summer Olympics, which is held every four years. The 2020 Olympic Games were held July 23-August 8, 2021, in Tokyo. The Games were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Paris is slated…

Summer Olympics Competitions Fast Facts

Here's some background information about the Summer Olympics, which is held every four years.The 2020 Olympic Games were held July 23-August 8, 2021, in Tokyo. The Games were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.Paris is slated to be the host…

Norway Terror Attacks Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s a look at the terror attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011. Eight people died in a bombing in Oslo and another 69 people died on nearby Utoya island. This was the deadliest attack in Norway since…

Pan Am Flight 103 Fast Facts

Here's a look at the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.December 21, 1988 - Pan Am Flight 103 exploded 31,000 feet over Lockerbie, Scotland, 38 minutes after takeoff from London.Two hundred fifty-nine people on board the New York-bound Boeing 747…

Romano Prodi Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s a look at the life of Romano Prodi, former prime minister of Italy.PersonalBirth date: August 9, 1939Birth place: Scandiano, ItalyFather: Mario ProdiMother: Enrica ProdiMarriage: Flavia Franzoni Prodi (1969-present)Children: Giorgio and AntonioEducation: Catholic University in Milan, Law, 1961;…

Space Accidents Fast Facts

Here's a look at space accidents that have affected astronauts or other staff related to spaceflight. Accidents that involved unmanned spacecraft are not included.TimelineOctober 24, 1960 - The first space-related fatalities occur when a rocket explodes at the Soviet Union's…

Genocide Fast Facts

Here's a look at genocide, the attempted or intentional destruction of a national, racial, religious or ethnic group, whether in wartime or peace.FactsThe Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted by the United Nations…

Taliban Fast Facts

Here's a look at the Taliban, a Sunni Islamist organization operating primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan.FactsReclusive leader Mullah Mohammed Omar led the Taliban from the mid-1990s until his death in 2013.Taliban, in Pashto, is the plural of Talib, which means…

Taliban Fast Facts

Here's a look at the Taliban, a Sunni Islamist organization operating primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan.FactsMawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada has been the Taliban's supreme leader since 2016.Reclusive leader Mullah Mohammed Omar led the Taliban from the mid-1990s until his death in…

Libya Fast Facts

Here's some background information about Libya, an oil-rich country in North Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Sudan.About Libya(from the CIA World Factbook)Area: 1,759,540 square kilometers (slightly larger than Alaska)Population: 7,137,931 (2022 est.)Median age:…

USS Cole Bombing Fast Facts

Here is some background information about the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen on October 12, 2000.FactsIn October 2000, the USS Cole was attacked by suicide bombers, while in port in Aden, Yemen, for refueling. The attack was attributed…

Gulf War Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s a look at the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. In response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the United States and other countries launched military operations known as Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.FactsThe Allied…

Tiananmen Square Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here is some information about the events in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 3-4, 1989.FactsTiananmen Square is located in the center of Beijing, the capital of China. Tiananmen means “gate of heavenly peace.” In 1989, after several weeks…

Berlin Wall Fast Facts

(CNN) — Here’s some background information about the Berlin Wall, which enclosed West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, in an attempt to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West. It became a symbol of East/West relations during the Cold…

Purim Fast Facts

Here's a look at Purim, a Jewish holiday celebrating Queen Esther.In 2023, Purim will begin at sundown on March 6 and end at nightfall on March 8.FactsPurim is the celebration of the story of Queen Esther of Persia.The story is…

Passover Fast Facts

Here's a look at the Jewish holiday of Passover.The holiday will be celebrated from sundown on April 5 through April 13, 2023.FactsPassover, also called Pesach, is the Jewish festival celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery in the…