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 Terugblik op 2022 infographic
Graphic shows a selection of key events that took place during 2022 and people in the public eye. Alternative events can be found in the GN On This Day in History database (see Menu).
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EINDE JAAR

Overzicht van geselecteerde nieuwsfeiten in 2022

By Tony Mullins

December 31, 2022 - A review of major news stories in 2022 includes Russia’s war in Ukraine and its impact on the global economy, major protests in Sri Lanka and Iran, the U.S. midterm elections, and further catastrophic weather events attributed to climate change.

The Ukraine war saw thousands killed and millions displaced from their homes, and shows no sign of ending any time soon.

The coronavirus pandemic remained a threat, and while the death toll in the U.S. passed one million, restrictions were eased in most countries as people learned to live with the virus.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that guaranteed a federal right to abortion, sparking anger among pro-choice campaigners. The decision is thought to have contributed to the Democrats’ relative success in the midterm elections, where they retained control of the Senate and only narrowly lost control of the House of Representatives.

Weather-related disasters included devastating floods in Australia and Pakistan, and record heatwaves in Europe.

Figures prominent on the political stage included Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spearheaded his country’s response to Russia’s invasion, and Xi Jinping, who was confirmed as China’s leader for an unprecedented third term.

Other figures in the public eye included Emmanuel Macron, the first French president re-elected to a second term in 20 years, Giorgia Meloni, who became Italy’s first female prime minister, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who visited Taiwan against China’s wishes, and a trio of British prime ministers amid a period of political chaos.

Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne, making her last public appearances before her death in September. Japan also lost a former leader with the assassination of Shinzo Abe.

NASA enjoyed a successful first Artemis mission to the moon, and at the end of the year scientists confirmed that they had achieved a long held goal of producing more power from nuclear fusion than it took to power it.

Beijing hosted the Winter Olympics, Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, and actor Will Smith caused a furore at the Oscars.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 19/12/2022; STORY: Julie Mullins
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