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.

The Big Stories of February 2016

With February being the shortest month it surprised everyone managing to pack a lot in.

Headlines

We begin with protests which broke out in Hong Kong at the start of the Chinese new year while Julian Assange made a bid to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy with some help from the UN. The standoff between the FBI and occupiers at the Wildlife Refuge in Oregon came to an end while everyone was on edge after North Korea launched a satellite into space spreading fears of their launch abilities while a tropical cyclone slammed into Fiji.

Business

The business world saw the oil situation being addressed with Russia and 3 OPEC members agreeing the freeze oil output while the IMF warned that the global economy was still fragile.

Sports

The sporting world saw the Australian Open come to an end while ex FIFA bosses fought their suspensions dropping them from 8 to 6 years.

Entertainment

The awards ceremony season saw the Grammy's and BRIT Awards celebrate the best of music while the BAFTA's celebrated stars on the screen. The month ended with the controversial Oscar's awarding those in the movie industry.

Technology

The technology world came together when Apple refused to assist the FBI in unlocking an iPhone once again raising the issue of privacy. Outside of the politics in science we saw an amazing breakthrough in the form of gravitational waves being confirmed confirming long standing theories.

Style

Finally the fashion world saw the return of Fashion Weeks with New York Fashion Week kicking things off followed by London Fashion Week and then Milan Fashion Week. Lastly, rounding things off for the start of the year was Paris Fashion Week.

Have We Gone Too Far?

The world looks to Paris again this week with the conference on Climate Change bringing the world together after Paris was torn apart.

The conference on climate change began a day earlier in Paris with world leaders including China's Xi set to give a speech with China using more coal than most nations and it's pollution reaching record levels while in Europe greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to record lows.
Meanwhile a tiny satellite is set to look at the world climate offenders while Bill Gates has bet $2billion to beat climate change.

Follow the Climate Change Storyboard

Where in the World - Paris Attacks

The world was stunned with unprecedented attacks on the City of Lights from multiple gunmen and suicide bombers attacking multiple targets in Paris, France.

Attacks

The attacks took place on Friday night with multiple attacks carried out by multiple terrorists. The attackers targeted people sitting outside Paris' famous cafe's and restaurants along with a music concert and a soccer game between France and Germany. Of the 130 that died many were attending a concert in Bataclan. Later it was discovered the attacks had been orchestrated by ISIS with the leader scurrying away.

Response

Internationally there was condemnation from world leaders and pledges of support for France with condolences coming from all corners. After the initial attacks France began a man hunt for the terrorists that escaped along with neighbouring nations. The manhunt resulted in the organizer pinned down in an apartment block who eventually died along with others including a female cousin of his who set off a suicide vest she was wearing.

With such a brazen attack by ISIS France was left no choice but to intensify strikes on ISIS with a declaration of war with other world leaders calling for more action.

For more on the Evolving story make sure you Follow the Paris Attacks Storyboard.

Awards Season Begins

The week saw the start of award season in Hollywood with the Golden Globes kicking things off followed by the Critics Choice Awards and nominations in the hotly contested Oscars race.

Golden Globes

All the action kicked off on the Red Carpet with celebrities creating a sea of designer labels with well sculpted heads bobbing on the surface. Inside saw Tina Fey and Amy Poehler host the event where hilarity ensued leaving no celebrity safe from the cunning duo. Current events were targeted with North Korea and Sony receiving mention but it was Bill Cosby who became the ultimate punchline. Along with the humour and jest there were somber moments with many recognizing the tragic events in Paris.

When it came time for awards the men were unusually emotional from George Clooney receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Michael Keaton who took home Best Actor in a Comedy and Eddie Redmayne taking Best Actor in a Drama. The ladies on ther other hand were pillars of strength with Amy Adams winning for Best Actress in a Comedy and Maggie Gyllenhaal taking Best Actress in a TV series while Patricia Arquette took Best Actress in a Drama. The Globe for Best Original Song went to John Legend and Common while the overall Best Picture - Drama was won by Boyhood.

Critics Choice

The critics Choice Awards were also held this week with Boyhood and Birdman taking top honors along with Michael Keaton and Julian Moore.

The Nominees

With the mood set the Oscars were next on the agenda with the naming of the nominee's revealing Birdman and Grand Budapest Hotel taking poll position with 9 nods each. While the full list of nominee's contains many stellar performances there were a few missing with neither Angelina Jolie nor Jennifer Aniston grabbing a nod.

Need to Know - #‎JeSuisCharlie‬ (I am Charlie)

A shocking act of violence rocked the beginning of 2015 when 12 people were executed by terrorists at the headquarters of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Attack

2 gunmen entered the offices of Charlie Hebdo where they confronted a women and her young daughter forcing her to provide the security code to access the magazines office. The gunmen called out the victims by name searching for their targets. Entering the morning meeting the gunmen executed the magazines editor, police bodyguard followed by several cartoonists.

Leaving the building the gunmen were confronted by police who opened fire but were outgunned by the heavily armored terrorists. A wounded officer lying on the ground was approached by the 2 gunmen and executed with a gunshot to the head before leaving. The speed and proficiency of the attack are thought to be due to training by Al Qaeda.

Response

Sympathy rolled in from all corners with the people of Paris standing together with signs of "Je Suis Charlie" (I am Charlie) along with support from the international community with other journalists and cartoonists posting their work as a show of support.

French police released the identities of the 2 gunmen and began the manhunt while 1 of the suspects handed himself in. The getaway car used by the gunmen was later found abandoned and another vehicle stolen while the Police conduct terror raids in search of the terrorists.

Since the attack survivors at the magazine insist they will continue with a million copy edition.

What Happened? 2014 Style News

Even with the world facing challenges in 2014 there was still time for beauty to lift the spirit.

Events

The world renowned Fall/Winter Fashion Weeks rolled into New York with everyone from Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren to Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. London Fashion Week had Tom Ford and Pam Hogg showing how it's done while Paris wasn't going to be outdone with Givenchy and more.

Later in the year New York kicked off the Spring/Summer Fashion Week with Rebecca Minkoff and Diane von Furstenburg to Derek Lam and Hugo Boss. London Fashion Week saw Mulberry, Topshop Unique and Marchesa show their wares while Paris took to the stage with Jean Paul Gaultier and Celine among others.

Elsewhere it was the sight of gorgeous amazonian beauties strutting the catwalk at the 2014 Victoria's Secret show that had heads turning in London for the first time. Still in Britain the British Fashion Awards celebrated British Beauties from designers to models.

Designers

Renowned designers dominated the fashion news with Jean Paul Gaultier ending his ready-to-rear line in a blaze of glory and John Galliano returning to the fashion world joining Maison Martin Margiela after his shameful exit in 2011 from Dior.

While some designers redefined their career's others left the fashion world with their legacy. The fashion world lost an icon when Oscar de la Renta passed away in October and in a tragic turn of events L'Wren Scott committed suicide in March.

Celebrities

What would the fashion world be without the rich and more importantly famous dressed to kill on the red carpet from the American Music Awards to the Emmys and the Billboard awards.

While some celebrities made news for their choice of attire others joined brands lending their considerable presence with Jennifer Lawrence with Dior to Julie Roberts and Givenchy campaigns even Maddona appeared in a Versace campaign.

What Happened? 2013 Style News

All the beautiful people were out strutting their stuff leaving tongues wagging and credit cards itching.

Fashion Weeks and Events

New York Fashion Week featured all the big names from Michael Kors to Betsy Jonson. Being New York the crazy creations had to make an appearance and so they did.

Milan Fashion Week brought the likes of Prada, Jil Sanders and of course Armani. Like moths to a flame the celebrities descending on Milan.

London Fashion Week brightened the English weather with Jonathan Saunders, Burberry Prorsum and Topshop Unique. Unfortunately Mulberry had to bow out as they continue to search for a creative director.

With Paris Fashion Week came the end of "Fashion Month" showcasing Valentino, Givenchy, Chanel and more. After the show it was announced that Marc Jacobs would be leaving Louis Vuitton after 16 years.

Victoria's Secret was another over the top affair with gorgeous models strutting down the runway with pop stars like Taylor Swift serenading them.

Other notable events included designers letting loose with Roberto Cavalli claiming Michael Kors copies him. And after some disastrous PR Lululemon chairman, Chip Wilson, stepping down after his comments regarding the companies yoga pants "rubbing situation".

Models

They're paid to look beautiful and that's what they did. Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel won the honour of wearing the years most expensive bra valued at $10 million.

The long legged Karlie Kloss may have the world at her feet but it seems even with all the covers and Victoria Secret Angel title it's hard when you're "too famous".

Miranda Kerr had drama in her personal and professional life with rumour's of a split with her and hubby Orlando Bloom as well as not appearing in the 2013 Victoria's Secret show.

Jessica Hart made headlines after comments she made about Taylor Swift's performance at the Victoria Secret show with rumour's saying she had been fired only to be denied later.

However, Cara Delevingne was the model of the moment grabbing the spotlight taking the title of top model of 2013.

Celebrities

Not content entertaining the world celebrities took it one step further making it all look glamorous. The always fashion forward Victoria Beckham topped the list of most pinned on Pinterest.

Jennifer Lawrence continued her charm onslaught with blockbusters under her belt she also snagged a few covers, even if there was some controversy with said covers.

Kate Bosworth collaborated with Top Shop on a second collection everyone had been waiting for.

Lily Collins famous brows made it on to Lancome campaign as a pretty pink French ballerina.

The ravishing redhead, Jessica Chastain, appeared on the December Vogue cover and landed an endorsement deal with YSL Beauty. 

Fashionable Beyonce ended the year in thigh high boots and a figure hugging black dress.