Reports of a spike in Covid cases in China. Have prompted authorities to reassess the preparedness of the health infrastructure. A year that began with optimism is ending on a note of caution.
2022 began on a note of optimism after two years of disruption due to the Covid pandemic. With restrictions eased in much of the world, sports and public events took center stage again. And tourism got a boost as people put the tough times behind them. The year was not without its difficulties, however. The Ukraine war threatens world peace, global inflation hits household budgets, and the challenge of climate change only gets taller. As 2022 draws to a close, a new wave of Covid cases in China brings back grim memories and the world crosses its fingers for 2023.
The Ukraine War:
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began after President Vladimir Putin. Accused Ukraine of being an “anti-Russian” state and accused US-led NATO. Of expanding eastward and threatening Russia’s borders. 300 days on, the war is still raging, with Ukraine putting up a spirited resistance to the Russian invasion.
Imran Khan’s Ouster:
In April, Imran Khan was ousted as Pakistan’s prime minister,. Becoming the country’s first prime minister to lose power through a no-confidence vote. The vote saw high drama, with Mr Khan’s attempt to dissolve the National. Assembly prompting Supreme Court intervention. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shehbaz Sharif succeeded Khan.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis:
People took to the streets as the island nation plunged into the worst economic crisis in its history. The protests intensified in late March and peaked in May, when Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to resign as prime minister. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who refused to step down as president, was forced to flee the country as the movement grew. He was forced to resign, becoming the first Lankan president to do so mid-term. Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected to the Lankan Parliament for the rest of Rajapaksa’s term.
Assassination of Shinzo Abe:
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former prime minister, was assassinated on July 8 while addressing an outdoor political rally. The man accused of shooting him told investigators he targeted Mr. Abe because he allegedly preached to a religious group. The alleged shooter said he was upset because the group. The Unification Church, had bankrupted his mother.
Droupadi Murmu Is President:
Draupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India. On 25 July, becoming the country’s first tribal to hold the highest constitutional post. She is the second woman to hold the post after Pratibha Patil. A former teacher, President Murmu has previously served as Governor of Jharkhand and Minister in his home state of Odisha.
European Heatwave:
France, Germany, Spain and the UK have never before reported temperatures above 40°C, causing. Human health problems and severe drought across Europe. Climate scientists say such temperatures are “virtually impossible” without climate change, Reuters reported. The heat wave could cause more than 20,000 additional deaths on the continent. Reuters said, citing a report compiling official statistics.
Attack on Salman Rushdie:
Author Salman Rushdie, who has been targeted by extremist forces for his writings, was attacked on August 12 at an event in New York. The attacker, Hadi Matar, stabbed him in the neck and stomach. Mater later said in an interview with the New York Post that she acted alone. He described Mr Rushdie as “senseless”. “I don’t like him. He is someone who has attacked Islam, he has attacked their faith, their belief system,” the Post reported as saying.
Queen Elizabeth Dies:
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, ending the longest reign of any British monarch. He was 96 years old. Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign, the longest verified by any female monarch in history. Saw important world events such as the moon landing and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The biggest royal scandal ever. Queen Elizabeth was succeeded as King by her 74-year-old son Charles.
Xi Jinping’s Historic Third Term:
Chinese President Xi Jinping was elected to a third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party this October. Becoming only the second leader to do so after the founder of the People’s Republic, Mao Zedong. XI’s third term as party general secretary, which strengthened his iron grip on power. began with the introduction of a new governing body made up of his loyalists. Xi’s tenure as China’s leader has seen heightened censorship and greater state control of the economy. He now faces long-standing challenges in the form of an economic slowdown. China’s growing rapprochement with Russia. And isolation from the West over Taiwan.
Rishi Sunak Is UK Prime Minister:
On 25 October, Rishi Sunak was sworn in as Britain’s first colored. Prime Minister, six weeks after he lost to Liz Truss for the top job. Indian-born Mr Sunak returned when Ms Truss resigned amid the UK’s deepening economic crisis. For India, Sunak’s entry into 10 Downing Street was highly symbolic given India’s history of colonial oppression. The 43-year-old Conservative leader is known to speak proudly of his Indian connections. This has endeared him to Indians, who hope his elevation will bode well for the country’s relations with the UK.
Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover:
Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk decided to acquire. The microblogging site this October after months of dramatic growth. Twitter, which Mr Musk previously described as the world’s “de facto public town square”. Has since seen massive changes, including massive layoffs and the reinstatement of suspended accounts. Mr Musk maintains he is a free speech absolutist and has opposed previous enforcement tactics used by Twitter. He also dismissed reports claiming an increase in hate speech on the platform since taking over. His radical moves, including a fee for a verified badge. And voting on key issues, effectively represent a social media reset that is shaping global thought processes.
Gujarat Bridge Tragedy:
At least 135 people, including more than 50 children, died when a suspension bridge over the Machu River collapsed on October 30. The incident, one of the worst bridge collapse tragedies ever,. Occurred days after the 143-year-old bridge was reopened. Long shutdown for repairs. After the bridge was reopened after an investigation into the incident, it found major flaws in its renovation and management. Questions have been raised as to why the Oreva Group, known for making clocks and fans, was commissioned to renovate the suspension bridge. Nine people linked to Oreva have since been arrested.
Iran Protests:
Iran has seen widespread protests against the country’s strict hijab dress code for women. The protests, which began in September against the economic crisis and restrictions on free speech. Intensified after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in custody after she was arrested for not wearing a hijab. Although official authorities claimed he died of a heart attack. His family alleged he was tortured by Iran’s “morality police”. Women burned hijabs and cut off their hair in mass protests. The Iranian government described the protests as “riots”. And cracked down, executing several protesters.
Argentina Wins World Cup:
Argentina beat France to win FIFA World Cup glory on December 18, 26 years after football. Iegend Diego Maradona led the country to the world’s biggest trophy. This time, it was Lionel Messi who led Argentina to victory as captain, immortalizing a legacy only rivaled by his compatriot Maradona and Brazil’s Pele. But the road was not easy. France’s Kylian Mbappe’s stunning equalizer took the match to a penalty shootout, turning. Tt into a nail-biter that many have claimed was the best FIFA World Cup final.
Covid Spike Concerns:
As the year comes to a close, reports of a sharp rise in Covid cases in China. Have brought back grim memories of the devastation the pandemic has wreaked in India. Another wave of concerns has prompted authorities to reassess the health infrastructure’s preparedness if cases rise. So a year that began with optimism ends on a note of caution. Authorities, but, stress that there is no cause for alarm, citing natural immunity. Due to widespread vaccination coverage and multiple waves of infection.
