Top 10 News

As the school year is coming to a close, here’s a recap of the top ten news stories of 2012-2013.

Honorable Mentions: Death of Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, takeover of Libyan embassy, record breaking heights for the stock market.

10. iPad mini/iPhone 5

Apple released two new products during this school year. The iPhone 5 added an inch of screen real estate as well as a faster processor. However, the iPad mini, was completely changed. Although the late Steve Jobs vehemently abhorred smaller tablets, Apple revealed a 7-inch iPad to the public. The public reception to the product was mixed; many were disappointed that Apple had not lived up to its reputation of constantly innovating and creating world-changing products.

9. The Fall of Lance Armstrong

He was an athlete admired around the world. His story of overcoming cancer was motivating: Lance went on to win the Tour de France seven years in a row.  Unfortunately, the doubters were correct, as he was caught doping, and cheating his way to victory.  What a shame.

8. North Korean Anger

Kim Jong Un is going crazy. After several failed nuclear tests, he proclaimed that North Korea now has the power to nuke America.  Let’s ask Kim Jong’s new buddy, Dennis Rodman, to see how true that proclamation is.

7. Chaos in the EU

Same old, same old, the wealthy nations (UK and Germany) don’t know what to do with the poorer ones (Greece and Cyprus) who are not holding up their end of the bargain.  In this globalized society, it is imperative that this extremely important trade organization gets their act together immediately.

6. Sandy Hook shooting

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza fatally shot twenty children and six adult staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He then proceeded to commit suicide. This incident was the second deadliest mass shooting by a single person in American history since the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. The effects of the shootout have triggered massive gun control debates in Congress.

5. The Boston Marathon Bombings

Although the Boston Marathon bombing took place almost 2 weeks ago, the aftermath still horrifies the nation. America was taken by surprise as two pressure cooker bombs exploded at the end of the marathon, killing 3 and injuring over 250.  However, Boston has rebounded magnificently, ultimately leading to the murder and capture of the terrorists.  Stay strong Boston.

4. Hurricane Sandy

In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy rocked the east coast of America. It was the second-most costliest in US history, second to only Hurricane Katrina.  The lack of preparation in the northeast corridor was evident as the storm took over 250 people and $75 billion dollars of damage with it.

3. Chinese presidential elections

Around the same time elections were happening in America, the Chinese Communist Party (or the CCP) elected Xi Jinping.  Although little is known about him, hopefully he will create a reform-friendly China as his father was a banished revolutionary.

2. The Fiscal Cliff

Heading up to the New Year, all the talk in politics was the upcoming fiscal cliff.  Luckily, we managed not to fall off just in the nick of time (2 AM 1/1) as a bill was finally passed.  However, the budget sequestration was only further delayed.

1. Obama’s reelection

And finally, the number one news story of the school year is the 2012 presidential election. Incumbent Barack Obama ran for reelection against Republican Mitt Romney. Based off of  the electoral college, the election wasn’t as close as expected.  However, according to public opinion, Romney came out ahead in the debates, but he fell apart when trying to garner the support of the female, Latino, and African American populations.