MARCH 2024
Lawmakers In Florida Pass Bill To Ban Social Media For Anyone Under 16
Lawmakers in Florida have passed a bill to ban social media for anyone under 16. Florida's Republican-led legislature has passed a bill prohibiting individuals under 16 from accessing social media platforms. The move aims to shield them from potential mental health risks. The law mandates platforms to terminate accounts of minors and employ third-party verification to ensure age compliance.
Nikki Haley Suffers Defeat Against Trump In Her Home State
Nikki Haley suffers defeat against Trump in her home state. Donald Trump gained a victory over Nikki Haley in her home state, South Carolina, with approximately 60% of the state voting for him, while only 40% voted for Haley.
Supreme Court Weighs Florida And Texas Laws That Regulates Social Media Companies
Supreme Court weighs Florida and Texas laws that regulate social media companies. United States Supreme Court justices expressed concerns about Republican-backed laws in Florida and Texas aimed at limiting social media companies' ability to regulate objectionable content.
Biden Claims Victory In Michigan Democratic Primary Election
One million acres destroyed in Texas massive wildfire disaster. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned over 1 million acres along the Texas panhandle, making it the biggest fire ever recorded in the state.
EA Game Gets Canceled As More Than 670 Jobs Were Cut
EA game gets canceled as more than 670 jobs were cut. Electronic Arts (EA) is canceling an upcoming Star Wars game and will lay off 5% of its employees globally, approximately 670 people.
7. Western Australia Flooding
Parts of Western Australia received more than half a year's worth of rain in 24 hours, with more than 155mm recorded at Rawlinna, 900km east of Perth.
8. House Passes Bill That Could Ban Tiktok In The United States
The House of Representatives passed a bill requiring ByteDance, TikTok's owner, to sell the platform or face a complete ban in the United States. The bill received overwhelming support, with 352 votes in favor and 65 against.
9. Oscars 2024
Oscars 2024 were held March 10, 2024. Some of the highlights are that Oppenheimer Wins Best Picture, and Emma Stone Wins Best Actress for Poor Things. Oppenheimer has won seven Oscars, Poor Things won four and Barbie only one, for best original song. The Israel-Hamas war was on the minds of many people inside and outside the ceremony.
FEBRUARY 2023
The President Of Hungary, Katalin Novak Has Resigned.
Katalin Novak, a resident of Hungary, resigned live on television following public outrage over her decision to pardon a man convicted of covering up child sexual abuse.
Qatar Defeat Jordan To Win Their Second Consecutive Asian Cup
Qatar defeated Jordan to win their second consecutive Asian Cup title with a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Lusail Stadium.
Ivory Coast Edges Over Nigeria To Win Their Third African Cup Of Nations
Despite facing numerous setbacks, Ivory Coast emerged victorious in the Africa Cup of Nations, securing their third title. They overcame their earlier defeats in the tournament and showcased remarkable resilience throughout the knockout stages.
Plane Crashes On I-75 Near Naples, Killing Two People
A tragic plane crash occurred on Interstate 75 near Naples, Florida, claiming the lives of two individuals identified as pilot Edward Daniel Murphy and second-in-command Ian Frederick Hofmann. The small plane, a Bombardier Challenger 600, crashed shortly after the pilot reported an emergency to air traffic control.
Chiefs Beat 49ers In Overtime To Win Third NFL Title In Five Years
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to win their third NFL title in five years with a 25-22 victory.
Larry Hogan, Former Governor Of Maryland Announces Senate Bid
Former Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, has announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, providing Republicans with a strong contender in their efforts to secure a Senate seat in a traditionally Democratic state.
Air Pollution Increase By 19% In A Decade Due To Home Heating
Emissions of PM2.5 and PM10 from domestic grew by 19% between 2012 and 2022, against attempts to travel and generate commercial energy in less polluting methods. Home emissions are a significant source of PM2.5; according to data, residential wood-burning emissions account for 22% of total PM2.5 emissions.
Apple Released Vision Pro
Apple Vision Pro is an immersive "spatial computing" headset that lets you watch movies, play games, get work done and use your go-to Apple apps in a whole new way.
JANUARY 2024
New Law Signed By Belarusian President Grants Him Lifelong Immunity From Prosecution
The president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has signed into law an order that gives him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution. The law also prevents opposition leaders living in exile from running in future presidential elections.
Four People Confirmed Dead As A Result Of Train Collision In Indonesia
Police have confirmed that a train collision in the west province of Indonesia killed four people and left 42 others injured.
Prime Minister Of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Re-Elected For Fifth Term
Officials confirmed that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has been re-elected for a fifth term.
Prime Minister Of France, Elisabeth Borne Resigns Ahead Of Reshuffle
The Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne, has resigned after less than two years in office. Her resignation comes as the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, is widely expected to reshuffle his top team ahead of the election in the European Parliament later this year.
MPs Arrested In Presidential Palace In Poland’
The Police in Poland have arrested the former interior minister and deputy interior minister inside the presidential palace in Warsaw. Last month, Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik were both sentenced to two years in jail for abuse of power when they led an anti-corruption office in 2007.
Australia Terminates Its Golden Visa Scheme For Wealthy Investors
Australia has abolished its "golden visa" program, which allowed wealthy foreign investors to live in the country, due to poor economic outcomes. The program, launched in 2012 to attract foreign business, has attracted significant investors.
Sweden’s NATO Membership Bid Has Been Approved By Turkish Parliament
The Turkish parliament has approved Sweden's membership in NATO, bringing the Nordic country closer to joining the Western military alliance.
Several People Killed As Gold Mine Collapses In Mali
Officials confirm that at least 40 people have been reported dead following a tunnel collapse in a gold mine in Mali's southwestern Koulikoro region.
Landslide In A Region Of Colombia Kills 37 People
At least 37 people have died in landslides in Colombia's northern district of Chocó, according to the Prosecutor's Office. The current report did not specify the number of people who sustained injuries following the disaster
Dead And Missing People In China Following Massive Landslide
A landslide in Zhaotong city, an isolated, hilly terrain, trapped 47 persons in sub-zero temperatures, prompting President Xi Jinping to urge an "all-out" rescue. Nearly 1,000 rescue personnel were deployed, and over 500 locals were evacuated.
SpaceX Planning To Launch New Communications Technology Into Space
SpaceX has launched the first batch of Starlink satellites, which can beam signals directly from space to smartphones. The satellites, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, will provide network access to phone users in "dead zones" via Starlink.
The Japanese Moon Sniper Races Towards Lunar Touchdown
Japan is now making significant progress towards being the fifth nation to successfully land on the moon. This achievement would mark a notable turnaround in its fortunes as it strives to participate in the international competition focused on exploring the enigmatic lunar terrain.
Researchers Project The Possibility Of Using Simple Blood Test To Diagnose Alzheimer’s
Researchers have uncovered evidence that inexpensive blood tests may equal pricey brain scans or invasive lumbar punctures in terms of accuracy, increasing the prospect of using them to identify Alzheimer's disease more quickly. Recent research has pushed the idea of accurate blood testing for dementia closer to reality. Researchers in the UK began a £5 million initiative last year to allow patients to be diagnosed in seconds on the NHS within five years.
DECEMBER 2023
1. "Madagascar President, Andry Rajoelina, Re-Elected for a Third Term in Office"
The Current President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has won a third term in office following a controversial election that was boycotted by his opposition and their supporters. He won with 59% of the vote, defeating the two closest rivals, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko and the ousted ex-president, Marc Ravalomanana.
2. "China Promises to Deepen Trade Ties with Vietnam"
During a meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, the commerce minister of China, Wang Wentao, promised to deepen the bilateral trade ties between China and Vietnam. Mr. Wang stated that although the relations with Vietnam had already achieved fruitful results, they would now include strategic areas like the digital economy, green development, and cross-border e-commerce.
3. "24 People Confirmed Dead as a Result of Lightning Strike"
Officials have confirmed that at least 24 people were killed by lightning and intense rain and hail storms in India. Eighteen out of the 24 deaths were attributed to lightning strikes. Several houses were damaged, and livestock were killed in Gujarat state because of the weather.
4. "Heavy Flood and Rain in Tanzania Kill 47 in Hanang District"
At least 47 people have been confirmed dead due to severe flooding and landslides in northern Tanzania. Eighty people were also wounded in the incident. The President of the country, Samia Hassan, has deployed national security forces to help with rescue efforts.
5. "At Least Six Dead in Tennessee Due to Severe Storms and Tornadoes"
At least six people were confirmed dead because of severe storms and tornadoes in Tennessee. The incident caused extensive damages and left tens of thousands of residents without power.
6. "Tesla Cyber Truck Makes a Comeback Debut After Four Years"
Tesla boss Elon Musk pioneered the relaunching of his cyber truck after a faulty launch four years ago. Traditional sedans have fallen far from the trend that certain automakers have ceased producing them for the US market, leaving trucks as one of the most popular automobiles sold in the country.
7. "Google, Meta, Qualcomm, and Other Tech Companies Team Up for Open Digital Ecosystems"
Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms, Qualcomm, and seven other tech companies teamed up to push for open digital ecosystems in response to new EU tech rules in a move that may also ease possible future legislation.
NOVEMBER 2023
1. "Former Premier of China, Li Keqiang, Confirmed Dead"
The former Premier of China, Li Keqiang, has died after suffering a sudden heart attack early on Friday in Shanghai. As the No. 2 leader of China, Li served as the premier of China for a decade from 2013 to March this year under leader Xi Jinping, overseeing the country's economy.
2. "Supreme Court Blocks United Kingdom Plan To Send Asylum Seekers To Rwanda"
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled the government’s plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda unlawful. The ruling deals a significant blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policy on migration and sets up an anticipated revolt from a part of his Conservative party.
3. "Russia Files Lawsuit To Ban LGBTQ+ Community"
The Ministry of Justice in Russia confirmed that it has filed a lawsuit with the country's Supreme Court to ban what it refers to as the “international LGBTQ public movement.” This is the latest attack against the LGBTQ+ community in the country, which is already suppressed. However, the proposed bill was condemned by human rights activists.
4. "Ceasefire Deal of Four Days Agreed By Israel and Hamas"
Both Israel and Hamas announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a four-day ceasefire. Alongside the ceasefire deal, 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza would be released in return for 150 Palestinian women and children. A senior United States official confirmed the deal, stating that three Americans would be included among the hostages to be freed.
5. "A Long Year of Several Wildfires May Change the Climate of Canada"
Fires have historically been prevalent in Canada's forests. However, specialists assert that this year's wildfire served as a dire portent of the circumstances that will be engendered by the climate crisis. The climate crisis is contributing to the escalation of wildfires in intensity and size through altered precipitation patterns and elevated temperatures. A remarkable 45.7 million acres, roughly twice the size of Portugal, were consumed by wildfires, nearly tripling the previous annual record. The boreal forests of Canada, a vital repository of carbon and a haven for species including moose, bears, and songbirds, were the primary target of the fires. Due to the extreme intensity of some of these fires, it is uncertain whether the boreal forest's predominant fir and spruce trees will return to their former positions.
6. "Dreadful Heatwave Spreads Across Brazil"
Almost 3,000 towns and communities in Brazil have received red alerts due to an unusual heatwave. The heat has affected over a hundred million people and is predicted to linger. Rio de Janeiro recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius weather, a record for November. Heavy humidity made it seem like 58.5 degrees Celsius, according to municipal authorities, while The National Institute of Meteorology reported average temperatures of 37.3 degrees Celsius in Sao Paulo.
7. "Canadian Government Bans WeChat from All Official Devices"
Canada has stated that WeChat would be blocked on government devices. WeChat is one of the world's most popular applications, widely used in China, Southeast Asia, and among Chinese expatriate populations. Western governments have had increasing concerns about its security because the program may be used to spy on users; nevertheless, there is no proof that government information has been hacked via WeChat.
OCTOBER 2023
"China to Host Global Gathering of Over 140 Countries"
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is gathering world leaders in Beijing for a high-profile forum with a set of goals: to laud China’s role in backing economic development over the past decade and to project its expanding ambitions as an alternative global leader to the United States. Leaders, representatives, and delegations from more than 140 countries, including those from the Middle East and many Global South nations, are expected to meet in the Chinese capital for the carefully choreographed two-day gathering – China’s first time hosting an international event at this level since emerging in January from nearly three years of pandemic isolation.
2. "Missile Strike On Kharkiv Kills Six Postal Workers"
Six people have been killed and at least 14 injured in a Russian missile attack that hit a postal distribution center in the war-devastated northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
3. "Women in Iceland, Including the Prime Minister, Embark on a Strike for Gender Equality"
Several women in Iceland, including the Prime Minister, have embarked on a strike as part of a movement pushing for greater gender equality in the country. This strike marks the 7th time women in Iceland have embarked on a strike for gender equality. The first strike happened on October 24, 1975.
4. "South Africa Gets $1 Billion Loan from World Bank to Tackle Power Crisis"
The World Bank confirmed that its board has approved a $1 billion loan to help South Africa reform its energy sector as it tries to overcome regular power cuts that have curbed economic growth.
5. "Australia Takes Decisive Actions on Climate Change"
The Australian government announced an ambitious plan to tackle the pressing issue of climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined a comprehensive roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2030.
6. "Three Scientists Share The Nobel Prize For Discovery Of Quantum Dots"
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to two American scientists and one Russian for the discovery and production of quantum dots, which helped fuel a revolution in nanotechnology.
7. "Amazon Plans To Try Out Humanoids for Replacement of Human Employees"
Amazon has increased its usage of robots in recent years as pressure to decrease costs has grown. It announced last year that it was testing a massive robotic arm capable of picking up objects. It currently moves things around its warehouses with wheeled robots and has begun employing drones for deliveries in two U.S. states. According to Amazon, the purpose of this trial is to "free up employees to better deliver for our customers," and its robot systems have, in fact, assisted in creating "hundreds of thousands of new jobs" inside its operations. The corporation now has over 750,000 robots working "collaboratively" with its human employees, frequently performing "highly repetitive tasks."
SEPTEMBER 2023
Fourteen people have died and more than 150 cases have been confirmed following an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in south-eastern Poland. Many of those infected have been taken to hospital since the outbreak was detected. Authorities are still checking how the legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, got into the water supply in the Rzeszow city and its surrounding areas.
After successfully landing a spacecraft on the moon last month, India is aiming for the sun: The nation launched a mission to study our nearest star. The spacecraft, called Aditya-L1, will spend 110 days traveling to its destination, a spot between the Earth and sun known as the first Lagrange point.
The new Iphone 15 was released, and it now comes with Thunderbolt Charging ports.
Dozens of people were killed in a fire that engulfed a five-story building in central Johannesburg. At least 74 people, including 12 children, were confirmed dead
Sydney was blanketed under thick wood smoke for a fourth consecutive day due to hazard reduction burns in preparation for the wildfire season. The city has recorded some of the world’s worst air quality readings since the controlled burning of fuel loads in the surrounding area. Fire authorities have only carried out 14% of planned hazard reduction burns across New South Wales state and are attempting to catch up before what is forecasted to be a hot and dry summer.
AUGUST 2023
On July 26th, a coup d'état occurred in Niger when the country's presidential guard detained president Mohamed Bazoum, and Presidential Guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta shortly after confirming the coup a success.
At least 30 people were killed and 67 injured after a train derailed in Pakistan. Hazara Express derailed near Nawabshah in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan.
In 2023 alone, Italy will tax 40% of banks' net interest margin, a measure of income that banks derive from the gap between lending and deposit rates. The government expects to collect less than 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) from the measure.
Forty-one migrants, including three children, died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa after a small boat that had set off from Sfax in Tunisia capsized and sank in the Strait of Sicily. Four people survived the shipwreck: three men and one woman originally from the Ivory Coast and Guinea
Spain defeated England 1-0 in Sydney in a tense, entertaining World Cup final to give La Roja its first-ever women's World Cup title.
More than a million people have been forced from their homes by the remnants of a storm in China’s northeastern Hebei province. Typhoon Doksuri slammed into southeastern China’s Fujian province on July 28th before weakening and making its way north. The rains that followed soaked Hebei, a province of 75 million, and the neighboring cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Flooding in those regions stranded residents, washed away bridges and highways, and killed about 30 people in total, according to Chinese authorities.
The official death toll from the wildfires in Maui reached ninety-six. The blaze that devastated the historic town of Lahaina is now the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 year
JULY 2023
China's economy grew 6.3% in the second quarter, which was faster than the 4.5% growth seen in Q1. However, analysts expected growth to exceed 7%, and the momentum is expected to weaken in the coming quarters due to weakening demand and disappointing consumption. The growth number was largely due to base effects.
The death toll from a building collapse in Cameroon's commercial hub Douala has rose to 34 from an earlier estimate of 12. The four-storey building collapsed, destroying a nearby building and injuring scores of residents.The building in question unfortunately had no building permit and an investigation had been launched.
July 4th was the hottest day on Earth since records began in 1979. The average global temperature reached 17.18 degrees Celsius (62.92 degrees Fahrenheit).
A major river overflowing near India’s capital reached the highest level on record, prompting mass evacuations as northern states reported rising deaths from heavy flooding. A tributary of the mighty Ganges River, the Yamuna River, breached the “high flood level” mark for the first time in 45 years, according to the Central Water Commission. The Yamuna, which flows about 855 miles (1,376 kilometers) south from the Himalayas through several states, rose to 208.57 meters (about 684 feet) – the highest mark ever.
Hail storms hit Italy: more than 110 people were injured after the north-eastern Italian region of Veneto was hit by severe weather, including giant hailstones.
A large wildfire tearing through the Greek island of Rhodes forced thousands of tourists to flee their hotels in what Greek officials said was the largest evacuation effort in the country’s history. Fires also burned on the islands of Corfu and Evia, with Greek emergency services issuing evacuation orders for several parts of Corfu.
Elon Musk decided to rebrand Twitter and replace its iconic bird logo with an “X”.
JUNE 2023
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the Turkish Presidential Election, defeating opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and stretching his rule into a third decade. With 99.43% of the country voting, Erdogan won with 52.14% of the votes. Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%. Speaking to thousands of his supporters outside the presidential complex in Ankara, Erdogan said that now was the time to “put aside all the debates and conflicts regarding the election period, and unite around our national goals and dreams.” Erdogan stated that the government’s main priorities would be fighting inflation and healing the wounds from a catastrophic earthquake on February 6 which claimed more than 50,000 lives in Turkey and neighboring Syria.
A boat carrying more than twenty tourists sank in strong winds on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. The boat overturned between the towns of Sesto Calende and Arona. Four casualties resulted.
Prince Harry became the first high-ranking British royal to take to the witness stand in more than 130 years. Harry spent a day and a half testifying to London's High Court. He claimed that he had been unlawfully targeted by Mirror Group Newspapers' (MGN).
At least 288 people died in India's worst rail crash in over two decades after a passenger train went off the tracks and hit another train in an accident a preliminary report blamed on signal failure.
The United Nations elected five nations (Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia) to its security council. The five newly-elected countries will join Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland as non-permanent members of the Council. They will take up seats currently occupied by Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates when their two-year terms end on December 31st.
Manchester City won their first champions league trophy at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. A second-half goal from Rodri secured the win against against Inter Milan, completing a historic continental treble, only the second in English men's football history.
The Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship, downing the Miami Heat 94-89 at Ball Arena in Denver to take Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
At least 78 people died after a migrant boat carrying hundreds of people sank off the Greek coast. A total of 104 migrants who were traveling on the boat have since been rescued from the water and transferred to the city of Kalamata. It is unclear how many people were on board the ship when it went under. Survivors say there could have been as many as 750 passengers.
Tributes from grief-stricken relatives and friends have been pouring in after a “catastrophic implosion” killed all five passengers on board a Titanic-bound submersible at the bottom of the ocean. A dayslong international search effort concluded Thursday after debris from the submersible – known as the Titan – was found around 1,600 feet from the historic wreckage of the Titanic. The passengers killed were Pakastani businessman and his son, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood; British businessman Hamish Harding; French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet; and Stockton Rush, the CEO of the vessel’s operator, OceanGate Expeditions.
The smoke from the Canadian wildfires turned the New York skies a hazy orange and the air smelled of burning wood. The air quality index was between 300 and 500 in in certain parts of the state.
Huge swaths of the United States continued to face extreme weather as temperatures persisted into the triple digits in the south and south-west while smoke pollution was blighting the midwest. Chicago and Detroit both had the most unhealthy air in the world for several hours as smoke drifted from record Canadian wildfires. More than 80 million people, largely from the midwest to the east coast, were under air quality alerts.
Microsoft paid $20 million to settle U.S. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that the tech company illegally collected personal information from children without their parents' consent. The company had been charged with violating the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal information from children who signed up to its Xbox gaming system without notifying their parents or obtaining their parents' consent and by retaining children's personal information.