World Weekly: Year in Review
World Weekly: Year in Review
By: News Board Staff
| Month | Topic | Sources | Blurb |
| ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- |
| January | WHO Zika Announcement | https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/health/zika-virus-spreading-explosively-in-americas-who-says.html | The World Health Organization warns the world of the rapid spread of Zika virus, estimating that four million people could be infected by the end of the year. The mosquito borne virus is suspected to cause birth defects such as microcephaly, in which infants are born with an unusually small head and damaged brains. Many cases of babies born with microcephaly are reported in Brazil, even prompting the government of El Salvador to advise women to avoid pregnancy until 2018. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is in the process of developing a vaccine for the virus. |
| February | Discovery of Gravitational Waves (LIGO) + Picture! | http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/physics/big-ideas-of-2016-gravitational-waves-rocked-the-world/ | Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which famously predicted the existence of gravitational waves, is confirmed by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The observatory uses L-shaped tubes called interferometers to detect the waves. Gravitational waves are infinitesimal disruptions of spacetime that emanate from the motion of matter. The LIGO team is able to detect gravitational waves caused by the merger of two massive black holes that occurred 1.3 billion light years away. Scientists believe that this discovery could have applications in the proof of String Theory. |
| March | Colombian President begins talks with rebel group - Wins Nobel Peace Prize in October | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/30/colombia-starts-peace-talks-with-eln-countrys-second-biggest-guerrilla-group https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/world/americas/nobel-peace-prize-juan-manuel-santos-colombia.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/world/americas/nobel-peace-prize-juan-manuel-santos-colombia.html | Colombia announces a formal peace process with the country’s second largest rebel group, the Nation Liberation Army (ELN). Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, is later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. President Santos continues negotiations between the parties despite Colombians rejecting one of his peace deals in a referendum. Many Colombians call for tough prison sentences for rebel groups, which President Santos says will push rebel groups back to war. The country remains divided on the issue and it is unclear if the prize will shift public opinion. |
| April | Paris Climate Agreement + Picture! | http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/opinions/sutter-un-earth-day/index.html | With environmental sustainability in mind, nearly 200 world leaders gather in New York to sign the Paris Agreement. The objective of the agreement is to prevent climate change by eliminating fossil fuels. After signing the accord, leaders are still required to ratify it in their nations. By November 2016, 127 are successful. The highlights of the event are speeches from Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a 32-year-old woman from Chad, about her mother’s struggles to obtain drinking water, and Getrude Clement, a 16-year-old from Tanzania, about the the devastating floods in her community. |
| May | Fort McMurray Fire | http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/a-week-in-hell-how-fort-mcmurrayburned/article29932799/ http://globalnews.ca/news/2681249/fort-mcmurray-wildfire-timeline-of-events/ | As the ninth forest fire in the Fort McMurray area, the MWF - 009 wildfire initially seems harmless when it begins on 1 May 2016. However, the warm weather, strong winds, and low humidity offer conditions that are perfect for the fire to grow. Despite the efforts of eighty firefighters, the fire doubles in size in its first day. By the end of the week, 80 000 people are evacuated from the city, and the fire has damaged over 1 600 buildings. The fire is officially declared to be under control on 5 July 2016. |
| June | Brexit + Picture! | http://time.com/4381313/brexit-vote-david-cameron-elites/ | Britain decides to leave the European Union after a national referendum, causing chaos in the global economy. The cause was led by Nigel Farage, and 52% of the 1.3 million votes cast are in support of Brexit. Right wing parties in other nations, such as France, Denmark, Sweden, and Austria urge their countries to follow in Britain’s footsteps. Due to their exit, the country must re-establish trade relations with EU nations. The country’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, resigns from his position in September. |
| July | Pokémon Go + Picture! | http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/pokemon-go-launches-in-canada-1.3683087 | Nintendo finally releases Pokémon Go, a mobile app version of its classic animated pocket-monster games, in Canada. The game has already been released in 26 other European countries, but fellow Canadian Pokémon enthusiasts have been unable to partake in the joy of catching pokemon. Just an hour after the release, the servers crash due to masses of players wanting to download the game. However, the game gains momentum over the next few months and becomes a huge success by the end of 2016. |
| August | Olympics - Focus on Canadian medallers + Picture! | http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-22/rio-2016-a-look-back-at-the-olympics/7771162 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/23/sports/olympics/the-best-and-the-worst-from-the-rio-games.html?rref=collection%2Fnewseventcollection%2Frio-olympics-2016&action=click&contentCollection=olympics®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection&_r=0 http://www.businessinsider.com/laundry-list-of-problems-facing-rio-just-seven-months-before-olympics-2016-1 | Athletes from all over the world gather in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Prior to the opening ceremony, audience and officials voice concerns about athlete accommodation and the recent Zika virus outbreak. While there are many controversies at the games such as doping, and countries performing sub-par, the final result—especially for Canadians—is exceptional. Penny Oleksiak, Erica Wiebe, Derek Drouin, Brianne Theisen-Eaton, Andre de Grasse, and Rosie MacLennan are some of many notable medallers. |
| September | World Cup of Hockey, held at the ACC - Mention/briefly summarize Reckoner article on MGCI Students | http://www.tsn.ca/canada-wins-world-cup-of-hockey-with-late-comeback-1.576154 http://thereckoner.ca/growing-garneaus-grassroots-hockey/ | Canada is crowned the World Cup of Hockey Champions after a tournament held in the Air Canada Centre. The country’s best players put up a fierce fight against European and American teams. The team’s coach, Mike Babcock, praises the Canadian team for their individual talent and ability to work well together. Two students and two alumni at Marc Garneau C.I. are invited to speak at a World Cup of Hockey Panel discussion regarding their experiences with grassroots hockey. |
| October | Chicago Cubs End 108 year World Series Drought - Longest championship drought in professional sports + Picture! | https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/sports/baseball/chicago-cubs-beat-cleveland-indians-world-series-game-7.html https://theringer.com/chicago-cubs-2016-world-series-champions-c5ad10e5b6c#.x9am3d52m (If you’re a sports nerd, otherwise don’t) | The Chicago Cubs win the Major League Baseball World Series to end their historic 108-year championship drought. The world series, a 7-game playoff, is played between Cleveland, the American League Champion, and Chicago, the National League Champion. The year’s championship series ends with a seventh game, and the Cubs ultimately prevail, with a score of 8-7 in the extra innings. Ben Zobrist of the Chicago Cubs, who has helped bring in the winning run, is named the World Series’ Most Valuable Player. |
| November | US Election + Picture! | https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-president.html?_r=0 | On 9 November, the citizens of the United States elect their 45th President, Republican Candidate Donald John Trump. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence succeed Barack Obama and Joe Biden respectively. Despite polls predicting the victory of Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton, Trump wins the electoral college by securing key battleground states such as Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The Republicans also retain their Senate majority. |
| December | Russia and China vote against Aleppo Ceasefire | http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/05/middleeast/aleppo-syria-un-vote/ | Russia and China veto a United Nations Security Council resolution asking for a ceasefire in Aleppo, Syria. Venezuela votes against the resolution as well. The proposed 7-day ceasefire is intended to provide needed supplies and aid to those stuck in war-torn areas. Aleppo is the target of frequent strikes which are responsible for dozens of deaths every day. The Syrian government and Russia, the former’s biggest ally, send in humanitarian aid, but have yet to guarantee safe passage for any UN staff. |
