It’s that time of year again when Time Magazine awards its person of the year, so here’s the shortlist so far
Time Magazine is looking for who dominated headlines and conversations in 2022. Ahead of the reveal this week, it has shortlisted a few candidates.
Elon Musk makes the cut
Top pick, is Elon Musk once again. The billionaire dominating headlines for his $44 billion takeover of Twitter.
He is no stranger to controversy, with many critics slamming his changes to the social media giant.
FILE PHOTO: SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk gestures during a conversation with legendary game designer Todd Howard (not pictured) at the E3 gaming convention in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2019.
Xi Jinping
Next, is Xi Jinping as he secured himself a third term as President of China. He also stole the global spotlight for his draconian zero-covid strategy, as thousands call for his resignation.
Xi has also been the centre of geopolitical tensions and trade with the United States and Australia.
Plus, China’s dominance over Taiwan has cause a global stir.
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves after his speech as the new Politburo Standing Committee members meet the media following the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
U.S. Supreme Court
Also named is the U.S. Supreme court for overturning the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade abortion law.
The landmark ruling overturned the law that recognised a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion and legalised it nationwide.
It sparked global protests with thousands of women begging for the right to decide what they do with their own bodies.
Protestors react outside the U.S. Supreme Court to the leak of a draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito preparing for a majority of the court to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision later this year, in Washington, U.S., May 2, 2022. REUTERS/Moira Warburton
Volodymyr Zelensky
No surprise, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky made the cut. The comedian turned President is leading his country through war.
During 2022, Zelensky has given unwavering strength for Ukraine. He has forced world leaders to support the war-torn nation, in the face of Russian aggression.
He has been a pillar of hope, endurance and resilience.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures during his annual news conference at the Antonov aircraft plant in Kyiv, Ukraine May 20, 2021. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
Iran protestors
Protestors in Iran have also been named, as the country continues to stand up against the strict Islamic Republic.
The uprising is one of the largest in the nations history, with the world unable to turn a blind eye.
Women have been burning their hijabs and cutting their hair, forcing the Parliament to review the mandatory hijab law.
FILE – Iranians who live in Brazil protest against the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who died in Iran while in police custody, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. As anti-government protests roil cities and towns in Iran for a fourth week, sparked by the death of a 22-year-old woman detained by Iran’s morality police, tens of thousands of Iranians living abroad have marched on the streets of Europe, North America and beyond in support of what many believe to be a watershed moment for their home country. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)
The magazine also made mention of Ron DeSantis, Gun safety advocates and Liz Cheney.
U.S. military strikes in Yemen target Houthi rebels following threats to maritime security and attacks on shipping.
In Short
The U.S. has launched military strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels following their attacks on commercial vessels, with President Trump stating the goal is to protect American shipping. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties and are part of a broader campaign to deter aggression and ensure navigational freedom.
The U.S. has initiated military strikes in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, following their attacks on commercial vessels.
President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that these aerial attacks aim to protect American shipping and restore navigational freedom. He stated that the Houthis will be held fully accountable for their actions.
Local sources report significant explosions in San’a, with civilian casualties reaching 31 dead and 101 injured. Yemen’s Houthi Health Ministry condemned the strikes, labelling them a war crime.
BREAKING: President Trump ordered the airstrikes that killed members of Houthis in Yemen.
AFTER his round of golf. He was still in his golf clothes in the clubhouse literally dropping bombs.. pic.twitter.com/2MAtA40z7W
The U.S. strikes targeted Houthi leaders’ residences and their strongholds, alongside missile systems positioned along the coast. U.S. military officials have indicated that this is part of a larger campaign against the group.
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is involved in the operation, which seeks to deter aggression from Iran-backed Houthi forces and protect American interests.
Tensions escalated after the Houthis announced their intent to resume attacks on Israeli ships, claiming the lapse of ceasefire agreements.
In retaliation, Trump ordered these military actions, which aim to target Houthi leadership and missile launchers, while also signaling a warning to Iran.
Lando Norris triumphs at the Australian Grand Prix as Oscar Piastri faces heartbreak in his home race.
In Short
Lando Norris won the 2025 Australian Grand Prix amid chaotic weather conditions, while Oscar Piastri struggled at his home race, finishing far behind expectations. Despite scoring some points, Piastri and his supporters were disappointed with his performance.
Lando Norris achieved victory at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, marking a strong start to his season. The race featured significant chaos, largely due to rain, affecting many drivers.
Oscar Piastri, competing in his home Grand Prix, faced disappointment as his race was derailed. Piastri’s team McLaren celebrated Norris’s success while he struggled on the track.
Aussie rookie Jack Doohan’s race ended prematurely after a crash in the early laps.
Piastri was positioned close to Norris when he lost control and spun onto the grass, dropping to the back of the pack.
Despite a determined effort to regain positions, Piastri’s race did not meet the expectations of him or his supporters.
In the final moments, he managed to score some points but it was not the outcome he desired.
Fans had hoped for a better performance from their local hero, but the race results proved challenging. The event highlighted the unpredictable nature of Formula 1, especially under adverse weather conditions.
Trump’s tariffs may jeopardise Australia’s $1.1 billion pharmaceutical exports, risking essential medicine prices and healthcare quality.
In Short
Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium raise fears they could increase medicine prices in Australia, threatening its $1.1 billion pharmaceutical export industry. Prime Minister Albanese criticises the tariffs as unjustified but has ruled out retaliation, while industry experts warn against using health policies as trading leverage.
Fears have emerged that President Trump’s tariffs could adversely affect Australia’s pharmaceutical export industry, potentially raising medicine prices.
The Trump administration recently announced 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, sparking concern that Australia’s pharmaceutical exports, valued at approximately $1.1 billion in 2024, could face similar tariffs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the US tariff actions as unjustified and detrimental, indicating he would not retaliate with similar measures.
The pharmaceutical industry is a significant part of Australia’s economy and is critical to the $18 billion federal scheme that reduces essential medicine costs.
The US aims to protect its declining steel industry amidst increasing competition from Asia, particularly Canada, Brazil, and the EU.
US companies claim that Australia’s medicine pricing policies affect their earnings, raising concerns that they might push to reconsider the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The PBS was instrumental in lowering the costs of 930 medications last year.
The Trump administration previously blamed the high costs of US medicines partly on foreign nations benefitting from US investment without contributing fairly.
Calls have been made for the Australian government to maintain a strong stance against US influence over its domestic health policies.
Albanese has ruled out retaliatory tariffs, highlighting the negative impact of trade wars on consumers.