From the death of Queen Elizabeth II to Elon Musk buying Twitter, these are the stories that made headlines
2022 has come to an end. For many, it was the first post-lockdown year, which was meant to signal a shift to new opportunities and recovery.
But the conflict in Ukraine and rising inflation has placed the world on the verge of economic downfall.
However, as 2023 nears there is optimism in the air as the world pauses to reflect on the biggest news stories this year.
War in Ukraine
In the early hours of 24 February, Russian troops stormed into Ukrainian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the offensive as a “special military operation”.
He said countries entering the conflict would be met with an “immediate” response “never faced in your history”.
At the same time, the United Nations was meeting in New York. Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations was grilled by Ukraine’s representative at the time.
In a matter of hours, air raid sirens rung across Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as families rushed to evacuate the warzone.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky donned camouflage attire and rejected a U.S. evacuation offer. He reportedly said “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Human rights groups have laid blame on Russia for committing alleged war crimes against citizens of Ukraine.
In September, President Putin claimed to annex four Russia-occupied areas in Ukraine’s Donetska, Luhanska, Zaporizka, and Khersonska regions.
Russian authorities purportedly held ‘referendums’ in these areas, with hastily staged ‘voting.’
On the backfoot, Mr Putin announced a partial military mobilisation’. It put 300,000 army reservists on standby as Ukraine continued to fight Russian forces on the frontlines.
Professor John Bryson from the University of Birmingham said success on the battlefield requires planning, strategy and logistics combined with a professional military.
“Russia does not have a professional military but relies on conscripts and mercenaries.”
“There is something very odd going on with Putin and his war with Ukraine.”
PROFESSOR JOHN BRYSON, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
“Putin has demonstrated that there are major problems with Russia’s military technology and capability, and this includes the all-important role logistics plays in warfare,” he said.
Death of Queen Elizabeth II
In September, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II passed away aged 96.
Days before her death, the Queen swore in his 14th British Prime Minister, Liz Truss.
“The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world. Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign.”
LIZ TRUSS, THEN BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
It led to an outpouring of grief from around the world. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the late monarch as one of his “favourite people”.
As the world paid a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth, King Charles III made his ascension to the throne. Her funeral was a show of dazzling pomp and pageantry.
King Charles III became the head of state across the UK and across 14 Commonwealth realms following his mother’s death.
Covid-19 protests in China
As much of the world moved on from the grips of Covid-19, China was staying firm on its pandemic policy.
The “draconian” measures, according to Human Rights Watch, saw apartment blocks shut off as Beijing pushed ahead with its Covid-zero strategy.
After protests at Chinese universities, Beijing loosened some of its quarantine measures.
Inflation worsens
As the world begins its recovery from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine sent global shockwaves.
It led to economic uncertainty, and a stark reality that inflation remains far too high.
Global markets buckled under stress, and interest rates continued to trend upwards.
“There is considerable uncertainty about what rate will be sufficient, although there is no doubt that we have made substantial progress, raising our target range for the federal funds rate by 3.75 percentage points since March,” said Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell.
“It makes sense to moderate the pace of our rate increases as we approach the level of restraint that will be sufficient to bring inflation down,” he explained.
The financial burden and uncertainty is expected to continue into 2023 as the world nears the brink of recession.
Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom.
He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.
“The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice” had its world premiere at The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The new documentary explores the controversial legal challenges faced by John Eastman, a prominent constitutional scholar and former adviser to President Donald Trump.
The Madison Media Fund released the film, which delves into claims that Eastman and other conservative attorneys have been unfairly targeted for their legal representation of Trump following the 2020 presidential election.
Thee film raises broader questions about free speech and the ability of attorneys to represent politically divisive clients without facing personal or professional retribution.
President-elect Trump along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio attended the film’s premiere with other dignitaries, guests, and members of the media.
The film’s release comes amid ongoing national debates over judicial impartiality and the balance between legal representation and political activism.
The message of “The Eastman Dilemma” seeks to spark a national conversation about fairness in the legal system and the rights of attorneys to provide counsel without fear of career-ending consequences.
Several high-profile attendees discussed on the red carpet the main themes surrounding the documentary and Trump’s second term in office including Eastman, Peter Navarro, Gen. Michael Flynn, David Freiheit, Kevin and Sam Sorbo, Michael Harris, Philip Nicozisis, and Gabriela Berrospi.
New film questions the fairness of the Justice System in politically charged cases
A newly released documentary, “The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice,” delves into the controversial legal battles surrounding John Eastman, a constitutional scholar and former adviser to President Donald Trump.
The film produced by the Madison Media Fund and released in early 2025, examines claims that Eastman and other conservative attorneys faced disproportionate professional repercussions for their legal defense of Trump following the 2020 presidential election.
Eastman, a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, has maintained his stance that his legal counsel was constitutionally justified, despite widespread criticism and professional consequences.
His involvement in the aftermath of the 2020 election, including disputes over electoral certifications, made him a target in high-profile investigations.
Florida’s Attorney General to replace Marco Rubio following his expected confirmation as Secretary of State
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday his decision to appoint state Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate, pending Senator Marco Rubio’s expected confirmation as President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of State. Rubio, a two-term senator, is widely anticipated to step down after Trump’s inauguration, making way for Moody’s appointment.
Moody, who has served as Florida’s attorney general since 2019, has been a key political ally of DeSantis, often collaborating on high-profile legal challenges and conservative policy initiatives.
Her alignment with DeSantis on issues such as law enforcement support, immigration enforcement, and state autonomy has solidified her as a prominent figure in Florida’s political landscape.
DeSantis praised Moody’s qualifications and commitment to public service, stating she would bring a “principled, conservative voice” to Washington, D.C. Moody’s appointment would mark a continuation of the state’s GOP leadership in the Senate, reinforcing the Republican majority ahead of Trump’s administration taking office.
Rubio’s departure comes as Trump assembles a Cabinet filled with loyalists and prominent conservatives. His selection as Secretary of State underscores Trump’s focus on experienced political figures in key diplomatic roles.
Moody’s appointment to the Senate, if confirmed, would likely shape legislative debates on issues ranging from judicial reform to national security.
