Big Headlines of 2018: FIFA WC, #MeToo, Stephen Hawking & More
With 2018 coming to an end, let’s look back at some of the big stories that made headlines across the world.
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Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam & Vishal Kumar
Like each passing year, 2018 has also left an indelible mark on our lives and will forever be remembered for one reason or the other. Whether politics, entertainment, sports or science, the world has had plenty of stories to keep everyone engaged.
With 2018 coming to an end, let's look back at some of the big stories that made headlines across the world.
The #MeToo Wave That Took the World by Storm
The #MeToo wave took the world by storm, even reaching the red carpets of the 75th Golden Globes Awards. Women from various walks of life stepped forward to call out the accused and stand united for the cause.
From American TV personality and household name Oprah Winfrey, to actresses Angelina Jolie and Natalie Portman, actors Gary Oldman to Chris Hemsworth, everyone chose to be draped in all-black to stand in solidarity with victims of sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the entertainment Industry.
The Loss of Stephen Hawking
The coolest professor, wittiest astrophysicist and perhaps one of the most famous and loved scientists, Stephen Hawking breathed his last on Wednesday, 14 March at the age of 76. His dry wit, steadfast belief in aliens, explanation of black holes, and his ‘theory of everything’ (regularly refurbished), however, is something that will never be forgotten.
Stormy Daniels’ Alleged 2006 Affair With Trump
Adult film star Stormy Daniels, who has alleged a 2006 affair with US President Donald Trump, gave a much anticipated interview to CBS’ 60 Minutes on 25 March 2018. In it, she detailed the affair itself, and the threats to her family and her life that she encountered afterward. The affair has been controversial because Trump had reportedly made Daniels sign a non-disclosure agreement, paying $130,000 for her silence.
Facebook Ceo Zuckerberg Questioned over Data Breach
Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg met US Senators on 10 April, in Capitol Hill, in Washington DC over the Cambridge Analytica scandal that reportedly breached personal data of over 50 million facebook users.
North & South Korea Came Together in Rare Meet on Denuclearisation
The meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in the Panmunjom Summit, on 27 April, ended the decades-long conflict between the two countries. Their new relations marking the beginning of a new era.
Donald Trump Withdrew US from Iran Nuclear Deal
US President Donald Trump on 8 May pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal with Iran in a step that will raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America's European allies and bring uncertainty to global oil supplies.
Trump, speaking in a televised address from the White House, said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Iran.
US Embassy in Israel Shifted to Jerusalem
As Israel shifted the new US Embassy in the disputed land of Jerusalem on 14 May, angry Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces near the Gaza border, according to reports.
The relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv in Palestine left Palestinians infuriated as they seek Jerusalem as their future capital.
Prince Harry-Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding
British Prince Harry and American actor Meghan Markle's royal wedding at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 19 May left everyone in awe.
Meghan Markle is the first African-American to be part of the British royal family.
The FIFA World Cup 2018
The FIFA World Cup, which ran from 14 June to 15 July this year, left the world wanting for some more thrills.
France won the world cup title for the second time.
The Missing Thai Soccer Team Rescued
Ending a 17-day ordeal that gripped the world, all 13 members of a Thailand soccer team were successfully rescued from a flooded cave complex in the Chiang Rai province in the country. The team, called the 'Wild Boars', had been stranded in the Tham Luang cave since 23 June.
The rescue operation, which began on 8 July, successfully concluded on 10 July, when the remaining five members of the group 12 boys and their soccer coach were brought out and transferred to a hospital.
Jamal Khashoggi Killed Inside Saudi Consulate in Turkey
On 2 October, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent journalists Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey.
The incident caused shockwaves around the world with several world leaders expressing their concern in conversations with the crown prince.
Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Crisis
A constitutional crisis began in Sri Lanka when President Maithripala Sirisena appointed former president and member of parliament Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister on 26 October 2018 before formally dismissing the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, resulting in two concurrent prime ministers.
The decision left the country without a functional government for two months.
The ‘Yellow Vest’ Protests
In May 2018, a woman named Priscillia Ludosky's Facebook call for fuel price cuts got a positive response and six months later she live-streamed the first ‘yellow vest’ protest.
The ‘yellow vest’ movement has grown into a wide expression of anger against inequality and President Emmanuel Macron’s perceived bias in favour of the elite.
The French National Assembly on Friday, 21 December, approved a package of emergency concessions first announced by President Emmanuel Macron in a bid to end the violent "yellow vest" protests that began on 17 November.
British PM Theresa May Survives No-Confidence Vote Over Brexit
UK Prime Minister Theresa May on 12 December survived the confidence vote from her fellow Conservative members of parliament as UK tries to exit European Union.
The vote in parliament on Britain's Brexit agreement with the EU which was recently postponed will take place during the week of January 14th. That's a month after the vote was originally scheduled and just ten weeks before Britain's scheduled departure from the EU.
14,000 US Troops to Withdraw from Afghanistan
The Pentagon is developing plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, US officials said on Thursday, 20 December, ending the 17 year deployment of American forces. The decision marks a sharp change in the Trump administration's policy aimed at forcing the Taliban to the peace table after more than 17 years of war.
One official said the troops could be out by summer, but no final decision has been made.
Moments That Left us Grieving
A former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at a Florida high school on 14 February, killing at least 17 people and sending hundreds of students fleeing into the streets in the nation’s deadliest school shooting. The incident sparked a survivor-led movement for gun control.
In a tragic incident, Indonesia’s Boeing jet, Lion Air Flight JT 610 crashed into the Java Sea on 29 October morning, just minutes after taking off from Jakarta killing all 189 passengers and crew on board.
At least 430 people were killed and thousands were displaced by a deadly Indonesian Tsunami on 22 December. The huge waves triggered by an underwater landslide after the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano caused destruction far and wide.
Well, these are just some of the stories that drew our attention.
Even as 2018 draws to a close, headlines are always in the making. Let's see what the year 2019 has in store for us!
(With inputs from IANS, PTI and AP)
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