INSTANCES OF 2015 THAT DEFINED AN ICONIC YEAR
Added on: 3rd Oct 2016
MEETING OF PUTIN AND OBAMA
On September 28th, US President Barack Obama and his
Moscow based counterpart Vladimir Putin came face to face
at a time when relations between the U.S. and Russia had
fallen to near Cold War level lows amid disagreements over
Syria and Ukraine. The presidents agreed to look for a
diplomatic end to the Syrian civil war but clashed over the
central question of whether Syrian President Assad
should retain power.
ANKARA BOMBINGS
On October 10th, suicide bombers killed over 100 people
and injured more than 400 others at a peace rally in
Ankara, Turkey. No organization has yet claimed
responsibility for the attack but the bombers have
suspected links to the Islamic State.
INDONESIA BURNING
Since summer, Indonesia and some other Southeast Asian
countries have been dealing with extensive wildfires
caused by illegal slash and burn practices used to clear land
for new plantations. Totally exhausted after escaping the
fire and being attacked by local villagers, this orangutan
mother with her baby has become a symbol of this disaster.
HURRICANE PATRICIA
On October 23rd, Central America, Mexico and Texas were
hit by hurricane Patricia, the most intense hurricane ever
recorded in the Western Hemisphere, with winds of 200 mph
and a pressure of 879 mbar. Fortunately, the affected areas
were mostly rural, mitigating a potential large scale disaster.
EUROPEAN MIGRANT CRISIS
For most of the year, Europe has in the midst of an
unprecedented human migration. Fleeing war, fearing
for their life and dreaming of a better life far from the
poverty and upheaval of their unstable nations, hundreds
of thousands have been flocking to Europe in rickety
boats, cramped trucks and even on foot.
PARIS ATTACKS
On the evening of 13th November 2015, a series of
coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in Paris. First, 3
suicide bombers struck near the Stade de France in
Saint-Denis, followed by suicide bombings and mass
shootings at cafés, restaurants, and a concert hall in
Paris. The attackers killed 130 people. Later, the
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.
END OF KLITSCHKO´S WINNING SERIES
On November 28th, Wladimir Klitschko, one of the greatest
heavyweight champions in boxing of all time, lost to
Tyson Fury in what was one the most watched sport events
of the year. Fury beat the “Dr. Steelhammer” on a point
decision, ending Klitschko´s remarkably long reign as
the heavyweight champion of the world.
GROUND-BREAKING CLIMATE CHANGE PACT
On December 12th, after two weeks of intense negotiations,
a deal to attempt to limit the rise in global temperatures
to less than 2C was agreed at the climate change summit
in Paris. According to the pact and for the first time ever,
all countries are committed to reduce their carbon emissions.
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