I hope 2017 has been good to you – in general, at a
global level, I’d suggest that 2017 has been an interesting year, for sake of
more stronger words and I wonder how history will look back on it. The rich
have definitely got richer and the poor, poorer. Corruption has continued to
increase in both business and politics; customer service seems to be an afterthought;
and the US turned its back on dealing with Global Warming. Let’s hope 2018 is a
better year for all.
The year started with the inauguration of Donald Trump in
January as the 45th President of the United States. The Trump Administration
caused controversy in the days after the inauguration when it claimed to have
‘perhaps record-breaking crowd attendance’, despite photographic evidence
suggesting otherwise. The President’s then Press Secretary Sean Spicer boasted
the crowd ‘was the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period,
both in person and around the globe’, later accusing the media of reporting
inaccurate crowd estimates.
Setting the tone for a year when elections brought big
changes in governance, in January Adama Barrow ended Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year
rule in the Gambia. Jammeh, whose exit terms meant he avoided prosecution and
was able to keep many assets, departed only after mediation by West African
neighbours and the threat of armed intervention.
Kim Jong-un grabbed the headlines on February 12 when he
ordered the launch of a ballistic missile over the Sea of Japan. It was the
nation’s first missile test of Mr Trump’s presidency and sparked a bitter feud
between Kim and the US leader, which is ongoing still.
Also in February while Chad’s foreign minister, Moussa
Faki Mahamat, was elected as the new head of the African Union, outgoing chief
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma condemned the proposed US travel ban on refugees from
Somalia, Libya and Sudan. Morocco rejoined the AU after a row over the status
of Western Sahara more than 30 years ago. Three UN agencies warned that Somalia
was facing a ‘very real’ risk of famine, with more than 6 million people, half
the population, facing acute food insecurity. Humanitarian groups said there
was a ‘small window’ to stop a repeat of the 2011 famine, when an estimated
260,000 people starved to death in the country after a slow response from
donors.
March saw Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, finally trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, officially starting
the process of the UK’s departure from the European Union. The Prime Minister
told the Commons at the time: ‘This is a historic moment from which there can
be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union.’ Britain is
currently due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019.
Also in March International Women’s Day on 8 March
included a call for a global strike. In New York, the Commission on the Status
of Women ended with commitments by states to advance women’s economic
empowerment by implementing equal pay policies, gender audits and job
evaluations. El Salvador made history as the first nation to impose a blanket
ban on metal mining. Campaigners celebrated a victory for ‘water over gold’. Also
a powerful video report showed how anti-slavery activists are often the only
chance of escape for the thousands of vulnerable Russians lured from cities to
the remote republic of Dagestan, where they are enslaved in rural brick
factories and farms.
On the morning of April 7, US President Trump ordered 59
Tomahawk cruise missiles to be fired at the Shayrat airbase in Syria. The
strike was in response to a chemical attack three days earlier, which saw the
Syrian Government allegedly airdrop toxic gas on the town of Khan Shaykhun,
killing 74 people and injuring more than 557 others, according to the Idlib
health authority.
Also in April it emerged that international aid agencies
in Nepal were paying the government hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to
get their projects approved. Citing year-long delays, they accused the
authorities of hampering their work as the country struggles to recover from
the 2015 earthquake. The World Health Organization (WHO) lauded record-breaking
progress in tackling sleeping sickness, elephantiasis and other tropical
diseases that affect one in six people globally.
On May 22, after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester
Arena in the UK, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device, killing 22
people and injuring hundreds of others - many of them children. About two weeks
later, the singer returned to the UK to host a benefit concert at Old Trafford
Cricket Ground dubbed One Love Manchester. The concert raised some £10million
for the victims of the attack.
Also in May G20 health ministers in Berlin called for a
faster response to global health risks, such as infectious disease outbreaks
and antimicrobial resistance; and research by a coalition of UK and African
campaigners showed that more wealth leaves Africa every year than enters it, by
more than $40bn.
In June the US President, Donald Trump, announced that
America would be pulling out of the landmark Paris climate agreement. Trump
claimed the Paris agreement ‘front-loads costs on American people’, ‘disadvantages
the US to benefit other countries’ and causes ‘vastly diminished economic
production’. The move was widely condemned by other world leaders.
Also in June supermarkets in the UK pulled corned beef
off shelves after the Guardian UK and Brazilian journalists found the products
could contain meat linked to slave labour on cattle farms.
On July 4, North Korean officials launched its first test
of an intercontinental missile, which the reclusive nation claimed could strike
‘anywhere in the world’. In response to the launch Mr Trump tweeted: ‘North
Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to
do with his life?’
A stunning total solar eclipse, dubbed The Great American
Eclipse, blocked out the Sun across the US on August 21. The path of totality
crossed 14 states and was the first total solar eclipse to be visible from all
of the US since 1918.
Also in August the number of South Sudanese fleeing
across the border to Uganda passed a million. A further million had fled into
Ethiopia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in what has become
the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis.
In September hurricanes devastate the Americas. Where the
Caribbean and swathes of the US were battered by a string of hurricanes
including the powerful Irma and Maria. The two storms killed more than 200
people and caused billions of dollars-worth of damage.
Also in September Brazil investigated the alleged
slaughter of Amazonian tribespeople by gold miners, while the scale of the
‘ethnic cleansing’ of Rohingya in Myanmar became more apparent to the world.
On October 1, 58 people were killed when Stephen Paddock
opened fire on a crown of concert-goers from his hotel room in Las Vegas
Nevada. The attack is the deadliest US mass shooting to date and reignited
calls for tougher gun control laws nationwide, throughout the US.
October also saw Catalonia vote for independence from
Spain in a referendum that was later declared unlawful by the international
community.
On November 5, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung
released millions of documents, dubbed the Panama Papers, highlighting the
dubious financial activities of some politicians, celebrities and businesses.
Also in November, after 37 years in power, Robert Mugabe
was forced to resign as President of Zimbabwe, following a military coup in the
southern African nation. The six-day takeover resulted in Mugabe’s former ally
Emmerson Mnangagwa being sworn in as President.
On December 6, Donald Trump made the controversial
decision to formally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The move was
widely condemned and Mr Trump was even accused of issuing a ‘declaration of
war’. Most world leaders branded the President’s speech as ‘unhelpful’, arguing
that it could/would destabilise peace in the region.
Finally in December there was a sense of deja vu about a
report on women in sub-Saharan Africa being forced to have sex to pay off their
medical bills, an issue that remains perennially under-addressed; and sadly
like so many other issues in the world today simply does not get enough
attention from the main stream media, as passing mention is simply not good
enough.
As the world struggles to re-find the true value of
democracy, power in politics and business, seem to be the theme in the 21st
Century and I can only hope and pray that we, the world, find some truly great
leaders to set a new course of prosperity for all – not just the privileged
few.
And let’s remember just a few people who departed during
2017;
January:
Gordon Kaye, the 'Allo 'Allo! Star, passed away aged 75
on 23 January in a care home. The actor - who is best known for his role as
Rene Artois in the British TV comedy - left behind an impressive legacy and
career. He appeared in all 84 episodes of the show for a decade until 1992, and
reprised the role 1,2000 times in the stage adaptation.
Mary Tyler Moore, the American actress, died on 25
January at the age of 80. Moore shot to stardom as a suburban housewife in
1960s comedy The Dick Van Dyke Show. She went on to play the role as Mary
Richards on 'The Mary Tyler Moore' show from 1970 to 1977. The TV icon had a
long battle with diabetes.
Sir John Hurt, the actor, died on 25 January, aged 77,
after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He played roles in a number of
blockbuster films, including Elephant Man, Alien and Harry Potter. He also
appears in the biopic Jackie, about the widow of John F Kennedy.
February:
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died on 8 February, aged 45. The
former It girl, who more recently appeared on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of
Here, had recently revealed a secret year-long battle with a brain tumour.
Doctors discovered the tumour in January last year.
Neil Fingleton - Britain and the EU's tallest man died on
25 February, reportedly of heart failure. The County Durham native was
best-known for his portrayal of Mag the Mighty in HBO's Game of Thrones and as
Doctor Who villain the Fischer King. Moving to the US to pursue a career in
basketball, Fingleton eventually found his calling in the acting industry.
March:
John Surtees, the only man to win the Formula One and
motorcycle Grand Prix titles, died on March 10 at the age of 83. Surtees, who
won the F1 title in 1964 to add to his 500cc motorcycle world titles from 1956,
1958, 1959 and 1960, "passed away peacefully".
Chuck Berry – The musical icon died on March 18 at the
age of 90. The rock n' roll legend - known as the father of that movement - had
been producing music since the 1950s and wrote pioneering tracks such as Johnny
B Goode. His first No.1 came in 1972 with My Ding-a-Ling. He was the
great-grandchild of African-American slaves, and his parents, Martha and Henry
Berry, migrated from the South during World War I to St Louis in search of
work.
April:
Ugo Ehiogu – The Tottenham Hotspur Under-23 coach passed
away on April 21. The former England and Aston Villa defender was rushed to
hospital after collapsing at Tottenham's training centre. The 44-year-old
received medical treatment on site before being transferred to hospital by ambulance.
But doctors were unable to save him.
Erin Moran, best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on
Happy days, died on April 22, aged 56. According to TMZ, the actress was found
unresponsive on Saturday afternoon by authorities in Indiana. Henry Winkler,
who starred opposite Moran as The Fonz in the iconic series, tweeted: "OH
Erin...now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on
earth."
Michael Mantenuto – The former Disney star, best known
for his role as Jack O'Callahan in the 2004 film Miracle, died on April 24,
aged 35. The actor committed suicide at Saltwater State park, where his body
was found in his car. The former actor - who had quit Hollywood for the army -
was a University of Maine hockey star before getting his acting break in
Miracle, which chronicled the victory of the U.S. hockey team over the much
favored Soviet Union team in the 1980 Olympic Games.
May:
Sir Roger Moore died on May 23, aged 89, in Switzerland
after a short battle with cancer. The London-born star is best known for
playing famous secret agent James Bond, 007.
John Noakes of Blue Peter fame died on May 28 aged 83.
John was Blue Peter’s longest-serving presenter. He joined the hit children's
show on 30th December 1956 and left the programme after twelve and a half years
on 26th June 1978. He is considered by many to have been the most successful
and memorable Blue Peter presenter in its entire history. He was known for his
daredevil stunts and looked after Blue Peter dog Shep.
June:
Michael Bond – The revered creator of Paddington Bear
passed away at the age of 91 on June 28. Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive
publisher of HarperCollins Children's Books, said: "I feel privileged to
have been Michael Bond's publisher - he was a true gentleman, a bon viveur, the
most entertaining company and the most enchanting of writers. He will be
forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington, with his duffle
coat and wellington boots, which touched my own heart as a child and will live
on in the hearts of future generations.”
July:
Martin Landau passed away aged 89 on July 15. The
Oscar-winner died of "unexpected complications" during a brief spell
in a Los Angeles hospital, his publicist Dick Guttman said. Landau's career
began in the 1950s when he landed a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's North
by Northwest. He then went on to become a series regular in Mission Impossible.
Deborah Watling – the Doctor Who actress passed away on
July 21, six weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Watling began her
acting career aged just 9 years old, but her big TV break came when she landed
the role of companion in Doctor Who, alongside the 2nd Doctor Patrick
Troughton.
August:
Glen Campbell – The country music legend died on August 8
at the age of 81. The singer passed away after a "long and courageous
battle with Alzheimer's disease" in Nashville, with the news of his death
revealed in a statement on his official website. Campbell, best known for his
hits Rhinestone Cowboy, Wichita Lineman and Gentle On My Mind, was being cared
for in a specialist unit.
Jerry Lewis - On August 20, the legendary American
comedian and actor passed away aged 91. Jerry, along with his comedy partner
Dean Martin, dominated American show business in the 1950s and beyond with his
own brand of slapstick humour. As well as his comedy, Jerry was also an actor,
singer and director - as well as a humanitarian activist.
Bruce Forsyth – The legendary entertainer and face of
dance show Strictly Come Dancing died at the age of 89. Bruce is recognised by
the Guinness World Records as having the longest television career for a male
entertainer. He shot to fame in the mid-1950s on ITV series Sunday Night at the
London Palladium, before hosting shows like The Generation Game, Play Your
Cards Right, The Price Is Right and You Bet! - and was well known for his
catchphrase, "Nice to see you, to see you nice" – which went on to be
voted the most popular UK catchphrase in 2007 by the British public.
September:
Hugh Hefner - The founder of Playboy died on September 27
at the age of 91. A spokesman said he died "peacefully" from
"natural causes" at his home The Playboy Mansion in Hollywood
"surrounded by loved ones." Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953
and the X-rated brand spawned TV and film companies and the famous mansion
where he lived alongside dozens of his 'Bunnies'.
October:
Fats Domino – The legendary rock and roll singer died on
October 25 at the age of 89. His biggest hits included Blueberry Hill and Ain’t
That A Shame. The star amassed 35 US Billboard Top 40 successes, selling over
100 million records and influencing a number of other musicians including Elvis
Presley and The Beatles.
November:
Heather North - The actress, best known for voicing the
character of Daphne in Scooby Doo, died on November 30 aged 71. The star voiced
the character for 33 years and reportedly died at her home in Los Angeles after
battling an illness for a long time. She also starred in Days of Our Lives and
The Fugitive, and played Kurt Russell's love interest in Disney's 1971 movie,
The Barefoot Executive.
David Cassidy – The former teen heartthrob died aged 67
after suffering acute liver and kidney failure. The Partridge Family star had
been in a medically induced coma after being taken to hospital in Florida when
his faltering health declined. The 67-year-old pop idol, who suffered years of
alcohol abuse, had been battling dementia in the final months of his life
following his dramatic fall from grace of the adoration he once knew.
December:
Christine Keeler - The model, whose affair with Tory
Cabinet Minister John Profumo rocked British politics to its core, died aged 75
after suffering from a lung condition for several months. She was propelled
into the global spotlight at only age 19 after an affair with the Secretary of
State for War and a Russian diplomat during the Cold War.
And may all who left us in 2017 rest eternally in peace:
References:
Lamble, L. (2017). The year’s top development stories:
2017 in Review. The Guardian UK. Published 11:00 Dec 25, 2017.
Tambini, J. (2017). Year in review 2017. The Shocking
events that changed the world in 2017. The Express UK. Published 13:57 Dec 23,
2017.
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