Hard news stories 2017
Here are some of the most significant hard news stories from 2017:
- North Korea's Nuclear Tests: North Korea conducted multiple nuclear tests in 2017, including two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, which sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the country's nuclear capabilities.
- Assassination of Kim Jong-nam: The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia in February 2017. The attack was widely attributed to North Korean agents.
- Manchester Arena Bombing: A suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, killed 22 people and injured over 500 in May 2017. The attack was carried out by Salman Abedi, a British citizen of Libyan descent.
- London Bridge Attack: A van rammed into pedestrians on London Bridge, followed by a stabbing attack at Borough Market, killing eight people and injuring 48 in June 2017. The attack was carried out by three men who were later shot dead by police.
- Hurricane Harvey: A Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Texas in August 2017, causing widespread flooding and damage in Houston and other parts of the state. The storm caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
- Hurricane Maria: A Category 5 hurricane devastated Puerto Rico and the Caribbean in September 2017, causing an estimated 3,000 deaths and $90 billion in damages.
- Las Vegas Shooting: A mass shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, killed 58 people and injured over 800 in October 2017. The attack was carried out by Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old man who was found dead in his hotel room.
- Syria's Chemical Weapons Attack: A chemical weapons attack in Khan Shaykhun, Syria, killed over 80 people and injured hundreds in April 2017. The attack was blamed on the Syrian government, which denied responsibility.
- Trump's Travel Ban: The Trump administration issued a travel ban targeting several majority-Muslim countries, which was met with widespread protests and legal challenges.
- Russia's Election Interference: The U.S. intelligence community concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and that the interference was intended to help Donald Trump win the presidency.
- FBI's Russia Investigation: The FBI launched an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
- Catalonia's Independence Referendum: The Spanish government cracked down on a referendum on Catalan independence, which was held in October 2017. The referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish government, and several Catalan leaders were arrested and charged with sedition.
- South China Sea Dispute: The United States and China engaged in a series of diplomatic tensions over the South China Sea, with the U.S. Navy conducting freedom of navigation operations in the disputed waters.
- Yemen's Civil War: The conflict in Yemen continued to escalate, with the Saudi-led coalition launching airstrikes against Houthi rebels and the humanitarian situation deteriorating.
- Zuma's Ouster: South African President Jacob Zuma was ousted from office in February 2017, following a series of corruption scandals and allegations of state capture.
These are just a few of the many significant hard news stories from 2017.