The Big Stories of March 2016

March ended with the all to familiar sound of explosions as Brussels was attacked by terrorists hell bent on destabilizing the world.

Headlines

Brussels was attacked by terrorists claiming to be part of ISIS who detonated multiple bombs at the airport and subways killing over 30 people and injuring hundreds more. ISIS however saw it's strangle hold in Iraq and Syria slowly slipping away as the world continued to fight the oppressive regime. Elsewhere we saw the refuge crisis growing with European nations trying to hold back the influx of refuges while in Brazil protests raged on over a corruption scandal at the very highest office in the land.

Business

The VW scandal continued in the business world with the US chief stepping down and lawsuits from investors. Multinational companies and their taxes were in the spotlight with European governments desperate to bring in more money instead of focusing on inefficiencies.

Sports

The FIFA corruption scandal grew with more allegations levied against those responsible while FIFA itself has said the scandal has affected it's bottom line and want money back from those responsible.

Entertainment

Controversy from the Oscar's held in February carried on into March with host Chris Rock taking flak for some of his jokes while one performer walked away with a smile on his face this month when Hulk Hogan one his legal battle against Gawker receiving over $115 million in compensation for his leaked sex tape.

Technology

The battle between Apple and the FBI fizzled out when an alternative third party presented an offer to the FBI to help crack the iPhone security, meanwhile cyber criminals finally met their match when the long arm of the law closed in on them while troubling news from west Africa shows that Ebola was making a come back with more cases reported.

Style

Lastly Paris Fashion Week closed out the fashion week scene giving the beautiful people a chance to rest up for the second half of the year.

Accidents and Natural Disasters

The week wasn't particularly pleasant with misfortune playing a large role in many tragedies.

Accidents

We begin the week with the world looking on as it was feared nearly 700 people had drowned off the coast of Libya after a human smuggling vessel sunk with the only progress being the captain and his crew being arrested. The EU held an emergency meeting regarding the tragedy however the outcome has been criticized as been inadequate. Elsewhere in the world 7 people were reported dead and 17 trapped in a flooded coal mine in China.

Older tragedies made news with robot's at the Fukushima nuclear power plant capturing images of a strange green glow and even further back to one of histories most notorious accidents one of the remnants, a deckchair from the Titanic, was sold for $190,000.

Natural Disasters

Mother nature proved a destructive force earlier in the week with Tsunami warnings raised for Japan's southern Okinawa island after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the Easter Taiwan. Another earthquake, 6.3 magnitude, was recorded between Nelson and Kaikoura in New Zealand's south island. However nature wasn't done with the Calbuco volcano erupting and sending plumes of smoke and ash into the atmosphere in southern Chile forcing evacuations of surrounding areas.

On the biological front new warnings were raised after it was discovered that Ebola, now thought to be under control, could still be spread by sex with the CDC asking previous victims to abstain from sex. Good news also followed on the Ebola front when a monkey was cured with a new experimental drug along with more good news of a clinical trial coming to an end offering a malaria vaccine. Meanwhile in Iowa 5 million hens are to be euthanized after a bird flu outbreak. We end the week with man doing as much damage to nature with the deteriorating quality of air in China under more scrutiny over the last few months as the second largest economy continues to plow ahead but it's not alone with growing economy Delhi claiming the most polluted air.

What Happened? 2014 Technology News

2014 saw advances in space exploration while closer to home security online and safety in the real world came under threat.

World Wide Web

With more personal information out in the world it was the security threats that garnered the most attention with the Heartbleed attack showing major vulnerabilities in one of the internet's most critical systems, SSL. The never ending saga between the NSA and Edward Snowden continued with more releases showing the problems the NSA faced with certain security measures and scrutiny of Silk Road resulted in the cracking of Silk Road 2.0 due to vulnerabilities in the TOR network.

With safety a concern the next hurdle was net neutrality and it's impact on users with the FCC being inundated with complaints crashing their site at one point, even President Obama stepped into the debate giving his support for net neutrality. In Europe the Right to be forgotten act was introduced resulting in over 12,000 requesting information be removed from Google in the first day alone. Facebook managed to annoy it's 1 billion users when it was revealed it had manipulated the news feeds of over half a million users while some websites faced censoring with India blocking access to many and China blocking access to Gmail. Finally both the PlayStation and Xbox networks suffered outages due to attacks.

Scientists

Out in space scientists were set back when tragedy struck a Virgin Galactic test flight claiming the life of one pilot. Pushing forward the crew on-board ISS received the first ever zero-gravity 3D printer and used it later in the year to print a wrench which NASA had emailed. NASA's Orion rocket managed a successful test flight along with a successful recovery from the Pacific Ocean.

Further out in space the European Space Agency's Rosseta spacecraft managed to successfully land a robot craft, Philae, on a moving asteroid. NASA's Mars Opportunity rover suffered memory issues after more than a decade on Mars but it's younger sibling, Curiosity, managed to discover organic matter on the red planet.

The annual Nobel Prizes were handed out for excellence in the field of Physics for blue light emitting diodes, in Chemistry for capturing nano scale images and in Medicine for discovering the brains inner GPS. In other areas we weren't so lucky with the Ebola outbreak recorded as the largest to date with over 7000 people dying and the flu was declared an epidemic by the CDC after 15 deaths.

What Happened? 2014 Headline News

2014 wasn't an easy year for the world at large with tragedies and human suffering defining a difficult time for many. While governments struggled with conflict and people fought for their rights, nature reminded everyone who was in charge.

Tragedies

Tragedy struck with Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappearing on a route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with not a trace to be found of the 239 on-board. Things got worse when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over the Ukraine by pro-Russian rebels killing all 298 on-board. But it wasn't over when another aviation tragedy struck on the tail end of 2014 when communication was lost with Asia Airs Flight QZ8501 echoing the loss of MH370 with 162 on-board until search parties discovered parts of the wreckage and bodies of the crew and passengers.

South Korea suffered a national disaster when a Ferry carrying 450 people, mostly school children, capsized. Towards the end of the year another Ferry disaster struck in the Adriatic Sea when the ferry caught on fire killing 11 on-board. The year ended with 35 people killed in a New Years celebration's stampede.

Protests

The year saw people protesting across the world starting with the unfortunate killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson Missouri which sparked protests around police brutality. Things only got worse when a second man, Eric Garner, was killed in New York by a police officer using a choke hold. However the protests against police brutality were stymied after 2 police officers were executed in New York by a lone gunman and tension grew as more police became targets.

It wasn't only the US that saw people protesting as Hong Kong came to a grinding halt after protestors took over the main business district. With corruption and gang violence prevalent Mexico experienced protests after 43 students went missing and were believed to have been killed by gangs with government assistance. Protests were triggered in the Ukraine by politics resulting in the President being thrown out, but it didn't end there with things only getting worse.

Politics

After protests in the Ukraine erupted Russia invaded Crimeia outraging the international community and beginning the process of sanctions on Russia for it's actions. While some conflicts resulted in financial pain others were outright bloody with old enemies fighting in Gaza to a new foo the world learnt to fear with ISIS who resorted to beheading journalists as threats against the west.

North Korea flexed it's muscle with it's old adversary South Korea and challenged Sony when a movie about it's leader resulted in hackers believed to be from North Korea breaking into Sony's network and threatening terrorist style attacks if the movie was released. Even with blood in the streets it was what happened behind the scenes that brought about outrage when the CIA torture report was released detailing it's torture methods. Boko Harem in Nigeria resorted to kidnapping 273 school girls and selling them off into slavery triggering the campaign for #BringBackOurGirls.

Individuals

Some individuals shone bright making their names with the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Malala Yousafzai making her the youngest ever recipient while the entertainment world lost great entertainers with Robin Williams death shocking everyone.

The news wasn't great for everyone with Rob Ford caught in another video smoking crack less than a year after the first video emerged and the Oscar Pistorius trial which gripped the world. US President Obama had a tough year when the Democrats lost control after many cut ties to Obama and top officials like Eric Holder resigned.

Nature

For a year where man did his best to destroy nature wasn't going to be outdone with Earthquakes ravaging areas and Wild fires tearing through Northern California destroying everything in its path as it passed through, Hawaii had to call in the National Guard after a volcano directed a slow moving mass of lava into populated areas.

Over 900,000 people had to be evacuated after Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the Philippines all the while a deadly disease threatened to take down everyone in the form of Ebola which spread through West Africa claiming nearly 7000 lives.

From the Noblest of Minds to the Deadliest of Diseases

The annual Nobel Prize awards were announced with breakthroughs in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine, however, the week was plagued with more bad news as Ebola stretched it's legs spreading beyond it's original confines.

Nobel Prizes

The awards in the technological fields spanned photography, GPS and LED's. Starting with Physic's the Nobel Prize went to scientist's Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano of Japan and Shuji Nakamura from America for their invention of blue light emitting diodes used in everything from homes to billboards. In the field of Chemistry the Nobel Prize went to Eric Betzig and William Moerner of America and Stefan Hell of Germany for their work on capturing images on the nano scale helping to study individual molecules inside cells.

Lastly the Nobel Prize in Medicine went to British-American scientist John O'Keefe and Norwegian couple May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser who discovered the brains "inner GPS" which helps people orient themselves and navigate the world around them. With the prizes under their belts here's what they can expect in their future as Nobel Prize winners according to past winners.

Ebola

As Ebola rampages through Western Africa a small trickle of the disease made it's way to other parts of the world with the US confirming it's first case of Ebola. Since then President Obama has promised to revamp airport screening to tackle the issue at it's entry point. With Ebola on the world's door step a San Antonio based company has developed a "germ-zapping robot" which may be effective in combating the spread of Ebola.

And finally, outside of Western Africa and the US the husband of a Spanish Nurse has become the first person to contract the disease outside of West Africa and is currently in quarantine.

Nation's Facing Decisions, War and Destruction

The week saw nation's in various forms of evolution taking on the new world, from Scotland deciding it's independence to ISIS' merciless march towards to an Islamic state and Ebola destroying any hope of humanity surviving at all.

Scotland

Scotland decided this week against becoming a separate country with 55% voting no in the referendum. The week had been filled with various campaigns on both sides with celebrities being brought in to sway the masses with the queen commenting on the mater.

The polls opened on Thursday with counting running through the night. With many questions unanswered over things like currency going forward, would Scotland join the European Union and NATO and what would the United Kingdom be called if Scotland goes it's own way, rU.K. (rest of the United Kingdom) was one option.

ISIS

The attempt by ISIS to create a caliphate (an Islamic state led by a supreme religious and political leader) was hampered by the US joining forces with Arab nations and other European groups after the recent beheading of a British citizen David Haines.

While the US stated it would assist in air strikes but there would be no boots on the ground instead the US would supply Syrian rebels with arms. The US' approach was criticized by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani who claimed the US was taking on ISIS "without any sacrifice".

Counter terrorism raids took place in Australia after threats of an attack in Australia emerged. Australia has been outspoken against ISIS and are also sending troops for possible use against ISIS.

Ebola

The disease which has already killed thousands of people had new forces to contend with when the US announced it will be sending 3000 troops to West Africa to use military muscle to battle the outbreak.

Sierra Leone implemented a 3 day shut down in hopes of slowing the infection. Meanwhile Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf fired 10 government officials who were "out of the country without an excuse" during the Ebola crisis. Saudi Arabia took steps to began testing 3 million Haj pilgrims traveling from infected areas.

The fight against Ebola became even more worrisome after it was discovered that case workers could become infected while taking off their protective suits along with the fear of being attacked by locals who had killed journalists and doctors in the region.

Need to Know - #Ebola

The largest outbreak of Ebola has been gaining speed spreading beyond it's usual West African confines with over 1300 cases of Ebola to date.

Outbreak Reach

Original reports of the outbreak came from Guinea spreading to neighbouring countries Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Since the outbreak infected foreign nationals have been pulled out of the infected areas for treatment in their respective countries with an infected Spanish priest flown to Madrid for treatment along with 2 infected American doctors flown back to the US for treatment.

There were a few scares when Mount Sinai Hospital in New York isolated a patient displaying similar symptoms but has since been declared non Ebola related. Another scare came from Gatwick airport in the UK where a women collapsed and died after a flight from West Africa but this too has been cleared as non Ebola related.

Symptoms

Ebola is one of those nightmare inducing viruses with the infected often bleed from various orifices and normally has a 90% fatality rate, however, it is not airborne and requires contact with bodily fluids of the infected. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function along with internal and external bleeding. It can take anywhere from 2 to 21 days for the infected to show symptoms.

International Response

There are rumours of a new serum been used on 1 of the 2 American doctors infected to fight the virus, however, they are the first human's to try the cure as it was previously only tested on monkeys. The FDA has also given the green light to test an Ebola vaccine while the US has sent more health experts to help combat the outbreak.

Besides the quarantine of the infected various organizations have got involved with the World Bank launching an Ebola fund for emergency assistance. As the outbreak continues to spread non affected countries have tried to limit the possibilities of further spread with the US ordering Diplomats and their families to leave Liberia after Liberian President declared Ebola an emergency. 

Tech Keeping Tabs

It was revealed this week that all your private information is there for Facebook's amusement and Government perusal.

Internet

It was revealed this week that Facebook had manipulated the news feeds of over half a million users in an experiment on "emotional contagion" for 1 week in January 2012. Naturally the backlash was swift but Facebook addressed the issue stating that they "care about the emotional impact of Facebook" however this hasn't quelled the masses with the UK data regulator probing the experiment.

In Google news, Google chair Eric Schmidt reportedly visited Cuba. It was announced that Google would shut down it's other social network Orkut, no word on Google+. Google will face claims of spying on WiFi networks after the supreme court refused to hear it's street view appeal.

After one year the UK's porn filter now blocks 1 in 5 sites most of which aren't related to pornography. Speaking of a bit of naughty, a music industry site was hacked and redirected to the file haring site The Pirate Bay.

Bitcoin had a busy week when the entire haul confiscated from Silk Road was auctioned off to one bidder but California was left embarrassed and had to update it's laws after it was revealed that Bitcoin was illegal in the state.

Space

NASA successfully tested a new "flying saucer" vehicle which could be used in future missions to Mars. In closer to earth news 2 Astronauts had their heads shaved on board the ISS after losing a soccer bet and finally pictures have also been released from the ISS of Hurricane Arthur growing along the US Eastern seaboard.

Security

While there are serious threats in the world with the energy sector facing attacks from Russian hackers it was Government overreach that raised the most concern's with the FBI and CIA having joined the NSA in so called "backdoor" searches of Americans while the new NSA chief downplayed fears claiming Edward Snowden's leaks are "manageable". New reports on the NSA spying scandal have revealed that the NSA was allowed to spy on all but 4 countries but never fear because an "independent privacy board" says it's alright for the NSA to do what it does.

Science

And if all that security news doesn't make you paranoid, the World Health Organization called for more drastic measures to stop the recent deadly outbreak of Ebola. But that's not all because the CDC are trying to retrace events to see how several scientists came into contact with Anthrax. Never fear if it all comes to an end we can always rebuild you after it was announced that scientists have figured out how to grow blood vessels in 3D printed organs, as long as we don't run out of ink.

Technology Moving Forward

Technology marched along with new discoveries and announcements while others, the usual suspects, abused technology for their benefit.

Moving Forward

Apple held it's annual WWDC conference where it announced several new developments most notably the new iOS8 and OSX Yosemite and a new programming language called Swift.

NASA was busy when it announced it had discovered a new rocky mega-planet called Kepler-10c capable of hosting life. Amazing new X-ray images of space were released revealing whirlpool galaxy's dotted with black holes. Not keen to leave space to the pro's Google announced it is planning on building a satellite fleet to bring internet to everyone, I guess the balloons weren't up to the challenge.

On the medical front scientist have created the very first 3D printed blood vessels but were shocked to discover 21 new cases of Ebola reported in Guinea.

Some people never learn

The NSA was in hot water again after it was reported that they have been collecting millions of photo's for facial recognition software. The NSA was also blasted by the EFF who claimed that the NSA had intentionally destroyed evidence in a case between the two. If you thought you were in the clear after the Heartbleed bug wreaked havoc a few months back, well sorry, 6 new bugs have been discovered in OpenSSL.

Speaking of the internet, it was reported that the FCC site had crashed after trolls swarmed the site making comments regarding net neutrality thanks to a piece by John Oliver on his new show 'Last Week Tonight'. Turkey came to it's sense when it allowed access to YouTube after a 2 month ban. And lastly Pirate Bay co-founder, Peter Sunde, was arrested in Sweden after 2 years on the run for copyright infringement.

Well that was unexpected

Users of car lift services have been warned after an Uber driver was arrested for kidnapping a women. Speaking of breaking the law, Google allowed people to sign up for the new EU mandated Right to be Forgotten and received over 12,000 requests on the first day alone, allowing any one with a questionable past to be "forgotten".

History was made when US Ambassador, Suzi LeVine, took an oath of office on an electronic device. And finally, in what can only be described as idiotic, the Greek letter Pi was trademarked proving once and for all that the US patent offices need a serious review.

A week of Death, Destruction and Foreboding

It's been a week where Mother Nature's devastating reach took it's toll and men tried to match her destructive power.

Nature

An earthquake hit off the northern coast of Chile with a magnitude of 8.2 triggering a tsunami warning. A 7.6 aftershock hit Chile the following day.

An outbreak of Ebola has been reported in Guinea with 63 people reported dead. Liberia has also confirmed cases of Ebola while Senegal and other neighbouring countries have closed their borders to prevent the spread of the disease.

A mudslide in Washington has officially killed 27 people with 19 victims positively identified. Along with the human lives many pets and livestock have also been lost.

A UN panel on Climate Change warns that global temperatures will likely be "severe, pervasive, and irreversible" in coming years. 7 Key findings in the report summary span only 44 pages with full chapters providing in depth details.

Man

Both Korea's traded fire over a sea border after South Korea warned North Korea of immediate retaliation if any ordinance was fired across the border. North Korea had declared a no-go area in disputed waters warning South Korea that it would be using live fire while conducting drills.

Another shooting took place at Fort Hood with 4 people killed, including the gunman, and 14 injured. President Obama has vowed to get to the bottom of the shooting.

A Senate report claims the CIA mislead the US and that the "enhanced interrogations" contributed almost nothing in the fight against al-Qaeda. The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to declassify portions of the report on the CIA's torture program.

The Philippines has filed a case after a Chinese navy vessel tried to prevent a Philippine supply boat from delivering supplies to a disputed island. The confrontation was captured on film by reporters on board the Philippine boat.