Foreign news 2019

Here are some of the most significant foreign news stories from 2019:

Global Politics

  1. US-Iran Tensions: The United States and Iran engaged in a series of escalating tensions, including the US withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, imposing sanctions, and Iran shooting down a US drone.
  2. Hong Kong Protests: Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong continued to escalate, with clashes between protesters and police, and the Chinese government imposing a national security law.
  3. Brexit: The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020, after a tumultuous divorce process.
  4. North Korea-US Relations: The two countries engaged in a series of diplomatic talks, including a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but no significant progress was made on denuclearization.

International Crises

  1. Venezuela Crisis: The political and economic crisis in Venezuela continued, with opposition leader Juan Guaidó recognized as interim president by many countries, while President Nicolás Maduro remained in power.
  2. Syria Conflict: The Syrian Civil War continued, with the Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, making gains against rebel forces.
  3. Yemen Conflict: The conflict in Yemen, fueled by a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels, continued to worsen, with widespread humanitarian suffering.
  4. Ethiopia-Eritrea Relations: The two countries, which had been at war for decades, signed a peace agreement in July, marking a significant step towards normalization.

Natural Disasters

  1. Australian Bushfires: Devastating bushfires swept across Australia, killing dozens and destroying thousands of homes.
  2. Typhoon Hagibis: A powerful typhoon hit Japan, causing widespread flooding and landslides, and killing over 90 people.
  3. Hurricane Dorian: A Category 5 hurricane struck the Bahamas, causing catastrophic damage and killing over 70 people.
  4. Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami: A powerful earthquake and tsunami struck Indonesia, killing over 2,000 people and displacing thousands more.

Economic News

  1. Global Trade Tensions: The United States and China engaged in a trade war, with both sides imposing tariffs on each other's goods.
  2. European Economy: The European economy faced significant challenges, including a recession in Germany and a no-deal Brexit.
  3. Global Economic Slowdown: The global economy experienced a slowdown, with many countries, including the United States, China, and the European Union, experiencing reduced growth.
  4. Cryptocurrency Market: The cryptocurrency market experienced significant volatility, with the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies fluctuating wildly.

Other Significant Events

  1. Greta Thunberg: Climate activist Greta Thunberg became a global phenomenon, speaking at the UN Climate Action Summit and inspiring a global movement.
  2. Hong Kong's Extradition Bill: The Hong Kong government's extradition bill sparked massive protests, leading to the bill's withdrawal.
  3. India's Citizenship Amendment Act: The Indian government passed a controversial citizenship law, sparking widespread protests and international criticism.
  4. South Africa's Land Reform: The South African government announced plans to expropriate land from white farmers, sparking concerns about property rights and economic stability.

These are just a few of the many significant foreign news stories from 2019.