Hard news 2018
Here are some of the major hard news stories from 2018:
Politics
- US Government Shutdown: A 35-day government shutdown occurred in January 2018, the longest in US history, due to a dispute over funding for a border wall.
- Trump-Kim Summit: US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a historic summit in Singapore in June, where they signed a joint statement agreeing to work towards denuclearization.
- Midterm Elections: The 2018 US midterm elections saw Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans maintained control of the Senate.
International
- Khashoggi Murder: Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October, sparking international outrage and diplomatic tensions.
- Syria Chemical Attack: A suspected chemical attack in Douma, Syria, in April led to a US, UK, and French military response, targeting Syrian government targets.
- North Korea Nuclear Tests: North Korea conducted several nuclear tests in 2018, including a hydrogen bomb test in September, despite international pressure to halt its nuclear program.
Economy
- Global Trade Tensions: The US imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from several countries, leading to retaliatory measures and a global trade war.
- Cryptocurrency Crash: The value of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum plummeted in 2018, with some losing up to 90% of their value.
- Amazon HQ2: Amazon announced plans to build a second headquarters in Long Island City, New York, and Arlington, Virginia, in November, sparking controversy over tax incentives and gentrification.
Natural Disasters
- California Wildfires: Devastating wildfires swept through California in November, killing at least 85 people and destroying thousands of homes.
- Hurricane Florence: A powerful hurricane made landfall in North Carolina in September, causing widespread flooding and damage.
- Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami: A massive earthquake and tsunami struck Indonesia in September, killing over 2,000 people and displacing thousands more.
Health
- Ebola Outbreak: A new outbreak of Ebola occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo in August, killing over 200 people.
- Measles Outbreak: A measles outbreak in the US, particularly in New York City, led to over 700 reported cases and several deaths.
- Antibiotic Resistance: The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a growing threat from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could lead to untreatable infections.
These are just a few of the many significant news stories from 2018.