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January 1, 2014: The world celebrates the new year; meanwhile in Russia, an impromptu protest begins against Vladimir Putin's government in Moscow. Beginning in the early hours of the morning, the “New Years Day Protest” is curtailed only a few hours after it begins, with the authorities dispersing the protesters just after sundown.

January 2, 2014: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych brashly decides to send the military over to clear Kiev's Independence Square of Euromaidan protesters. The resulting brutal military crackdown kill some 76 people and 247 others, though the protesters stand their ground. It also angers millions of Ukrainians, who turn up to protest the crackdown.

January 3, 2014: The UN releases a statement decrying the continued lack of support for the latest fundraising campaign for the Syrian civil war, despite acknowledging unrelenting American and British humanitarian assistance despite the recent Islamic Front . The statement also places the number of deaths at 185,241 people. The sharp rise in the last month is attributed to sporadic but fierce Islamic Front and Free Syrian Army conflicts at FSA occupied bases, in addition to a renewed regime assault on the deadlocked areas of the country such as Aleppo. President Obama releases a statement denouncing the Islamic Front's continued occupation of FSA bases on the Jordanian border. In addition, the statement notes that large amounts of humanitarian aid from the US and UK amongst other countries is unaccounted for after delivery to UN refugee camps along the border near to IF-occupied bases.

January 16, 2014: Canadian Cabinet Minister Jason Kenney in a interview with 660 News in Calgary, Kenney says that he thinks the Conservative Party is in need of a “reboot”. This causes some commentators speculate that Kenney is moving to replace Stephen Harper as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister, but Kenney flat out denies this.

January 19, 2014: In a surprise decision, President Yanukovych unilaterally decides to opt for full membership into the Eurasian Union and Russia-led Customs Union, angering western Ukrainians even more.

January 24, 2014: Michigan governor Rick Snyder (R) signed the Michigan Driverless Automobiles Act, allowing Michigan to become the fourth state to legalize Autonomous Cars.

February 2, 2014: Super Bowl XLVIII - 10 years and 1 day after their loss in Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Carolina Panthers defeat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 20-10.

February 6, 2014: The Ukrainian crisis reaches a boiling point, when armed thugs (later revealed to be hired by the government) beat opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko to death while she is in prison. The act would be condemned by the international community and especially the EU, which now call for Yanukovych to resign (which he adamantly refuses to).

February 9, 2014: Actor Sean Connery passes away at age 83.

March 3, 2014: In a surprise address to the crowds, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani calls for a “steady process of reforms that will give more rights to the people while keeping true to the ideals of the Islamic Republic”. His first act since the address is the release of more political prisoners and the easing of Internet censorship.

March 3, 2014: The WHO announce that the 'Bird Flu' virus has been seen transmitting between humans in China but appeal for calm as this new strain 'H10N8' has a much lower death rate than first feared.

March 4, 2014: Disney and Toei Animation jointly announce a planned Phineas and Ferb-Pretty Cure crossover to air around 2015.

March 7, 2014: In a stunning decree, President Yanukovych bans the 3 largest opposition parties (Batkivshchyna, UDAR, and Svoboda) and bans their politicians from running for office for the rest of their lives. This is seriously condemned by most politicians, and begins to rupture the ruling Party of Regions, as some MPs begin to join the protesters.

March 7, 2014: 300: Rise of an Empire opens to lacklustre reviews and performs below expectations at the box office.

March 8, 2014: Greece receives its newest influx of financial aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund amidst successes in creditor negotiations, a sign of the nation's improving economic health as it has also posited a budgetary surplus for 2014. With the early satisfaction of term conditions, further relief is set to make way for the Mediterranean country with the new disbursements - setting Greece on the road to paying back its 240 billion euros in loans. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras allayed concerns for any future austerity measures, saying “[we] will conclude 2014 as promised - with the termination of [Greece's] bailout programme.” Nevertheless, concerns and suggestions in financial media raised the possibility of writing off much of Greek debt to ease the recuperation process. With today's announcement comes a slackening in government frustration, as Athens ponders lifting its 18-hour ban on protests.

March 12, 2014: A new nuclear deal is signed between the Iranian government and the Western powers is signed. Among the terms are restrictions of enriching uranium to around 4%-5% (with the dilution of all uranium stocks above that level), increased UN inspections at all nuclear facilities, and the closure of the Arak facility, in exchange for increased (yet reversible, should Iran violate the deal) sanctions relief.

The deal is hailed in both Iran and the Western world, with the notable exception of Israel, which PM Benjamin Netanyahu called “the greatest act of appeasement since the Munich Conference of 1938”.

March 14, 2014: The climax of the Ukrainian crisis. Chief of the General Staff Volodymyr Zamana issues an ultimatum to President Yanukovych to either rescind the ban (which he denounced as unconstitutional) within 72 hours or be forced out of office. Yanukovych refuses to comply. Meanwhile, the colonel general orders the military to refuse to obey the President's orders.

March 15, 2014: The RCAF announces that it is purchasing twelve Airbus A330 MRTT transports, seven A310 MRTT (three of which are built as medevac aircraft), 21 A400M Atlas tactical transports (equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW180 turboprops instead of the SNECMA M138A2 turboprops), four Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters, and five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules airlifters.

March 17, 2014: President Viktor Yanukovych is finally ousted in a military coup d'état after the ultimatum expires. Col. Gen. Zamana later appoints Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Rybak as Interim President until elections scheduled in 15 June.

March 19, 2014: The Canadian government announces that it is separating the F-35 purchase from the CF-18 Replacement program. The CF-18 Replacement will replace the CF-18 Hornet with 160 new fighters and be an open competition between the Boeing Advanced Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3, Lockheed Martin F-16CA Arctic Falcon, and Saab Gripen E/F.

March 20, 2014: The British government announces that it will increase the number of Eurofighter Typhoons it's purchasing back to the original 250 aircraft.

March 25, 2014: President Salva Kiir of South Sudan is killed when tensions escalate into a violent battle in the capital city. While Kiir's death is confirmed, his cause of death remains unknown - and no faction takes responsibility.

March 25, 2014: Ukraine tells the Russian government to “Go To Hell” in response to the announcement that they owe the Russian government the money that Russia paid to lease the black sea navel base back.

March 26, 2014: Moscow and Beijing hammer out a deal on natural gas supply in a visit by Vladimir Putin to the Chinese capital. Also playing on reducing public anger surrounding air pollution, President Xi Jinping inks the agreement under the lobbying of Gazprom - all part of state's current plans to substitute the country's coal-fire energy plants in a bid to reduce choking emissions. After wrangling over years of pricing disagreements, the contracts signed call for 38 billion cubic meters per year to be transferred by pipelines for $10.40 per million British thermal units, supplanting Russian desires to buttress its European markets. The first shipments in 2018 are scheduled for entry by 4 thoroughfares: In the Russian Far East's Blagoveshchensk, Dalnerechensk, and Vladivostok - and Western Siberia's Gorno-Altaisk into Xinjiang. Today's breakthrough ends over 15 years in negotiations.

March 30, 2014: Major protests erupt in Eastern Ukraine between pro Russian and Anti Russian factors. The protest turn violent and are eventually broken up with the use of Military force. Their are many injuries and some deaths.

March 31, 2014: At 1 am Russian tanks roll into Eastern and Southern Ukraine. Unlike in Crimea their is intense fighting by the Ukrainian Military.

March 31, 2014: At 9 AM Vladimir Putin gives a speech on international television. He tells that world that the Ukrainian government was quickly loosing control of the situation between the pro and anti Russian factions, and he could no longer stand by while Russian nationals continued to be put in harms way.

March 31, 2014: At noon President Obama goes on national television to address the crisis. Condemning Putin he says that Putin's autocratic actions continue to escalate tension in the region and that all Russians will have to pay the price. He announces new sanctions against dozens of people in Russian government and several banks and major oil companies.

April 7, 2014: Canadian government increases its purchase of F-35s to 96 aircraft for 9.6 billion USD.

April 7, 2014: Despite fighting valiantly after only a week the Ukrainian forces are pushed back to Kiev. The world anxiously watches to see how far Putin will go.

April 10, 2014: After returning from a trip from Europe President Obama announces that the U.S. will send several squadrons of F16's, several tank battalions and several battalions of troops to the Poland and the Baltic States. Warns Putin that the U.S. will stand by it's Nato allies in the event of an attack.

April 12, 2014: In response to President Obama sending troops to the region Putin orders troops to the Borders of the Baltic States for “ Military Exercises”

April 12, 2014: The U.S. Military goes to DEFCON 3 upon hearing the news about troops massing along the border in the Baltic States. President Obama gives an emergency speech on the White House Lawn. He denounces Putin as the most dangerous world leader since Hitler and reassures that the U.S. will stand by their NATO allies if attacked. He ends the speech by saying “Not since the day's leading up to WW2 has the world been in such turmoil.” Citizens and governments alike nervously await to see what the Russian leader will do.

April 13, 2014: The Italian government increases it Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 orders back to the originally planned 165 Typhoons and 131 F-35s.

April 14, 2014: Amazon begins preliminary limited testing of remotely-piloted drone deliveries in select areas of California.

April 18, 2014: The 2014 New York International Auto Show opens in New York City. Many of the vehicles debuting this year continue the trend of ever greater fuel efficiency, with more electric and hybrid vehicles set to hit dealerships this year at more affordable prices. Analysts also note the prominence autonomous driving systems were granted this year, with most of the major carmakers debuting either road-ready systems in luxury models set for release later this year or prototypes of models expected to hit the market in 2015.

April 19, 2014: Musician Chris Brown is arrested after a violent incident where he allegedly fired a pistol into the ground and stole $500 from a hotel employee in Orlando, Florida. Fellow musician Sevyn Streeter is arrested for driving Brown away afterwards.

April 19, 2014: A bill to legalize autonomous cars was rejected by the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee, the biggest setback for automakers pushing for legalization since Colorado rejected a similar bill in February 2013.

April 25, 2014: The Spanish government increases it Eurofighter Typhoon orders up to 100 aircraft.

May 10, 2014: Malta wins the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, with the song I Will Love You Forever performed by Beangrowers. Ireland are 2nd thanks to Johnny Logan. Due to lack of suitable venue, TVM asks RTE to host the 50th contest the following year.

May 11, 2014: The German government increases its Eurofighter Typhoon order back to the originally planned 250 fighters.

May 14, 2014: Chris Brown pleas guilty to robbery charges over the Orlando robbery. He is sentenced to four years in prison

May 16, 2014: The film “Godzilla” from Legendary Pictures and Warner Brothers is released. It is the highest grossing film this weekend, raking in a total $78.1 Million in the United States.

May 17, 2014: Sevyn Streeter goes to trial over the Chris Brown robbery case, and pleas innocent.

May 18, 2014: Israel increases its F-35 purchase to 75 aircraft.

May 26, 2014: Moscow and Beijing hammer out a deal on natural gas supply in a visit by Vladimir Putin to the Chinese capital. Also playing on reducing public anger surrounding air pollution, President Xi Jinping inks the agreement under the lobbying of Gazprom - all part of state's current plans to substitute the country's coal-fire energy plants in a bid to reduce choking emissions. After wrangling over years of pricing disagreements, the contracts signed call for 38 billion cubic meters per year to be transferred by pipelines for $10.40 per million British thermal units, supplanting Russian desires to buttress its European markets. The first shipments in 2018 are scheduled for entry by 4 thoroughfares: In the Russian Far East's Blagoveshchensk, Dalnerechensk, and Vladivostok - and Western Siberia's Gorno-Altaisk into Xinjiang. Today's breakthrough ends over 15 years in negotiations.

May 28, 2014: Despite what many pundits predict, Sevyn Streeter is found not guilty on all charges. Three hours after the verdict, a previous unreleased single entitled “Free” is released by her record label causing controversy. The song debuts at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

June 3, 2014: The Reverend Ian Paisley passes away, aged 88. Similar to the passing of Margaret Thatcher the previous year, his death reveals strong disagreement about his legacy.

June 3, 2014: 2014 Stanley Cup The Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup on home ice at TD Gardens in the sixth of the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals against the San Jose Sharks. Bruins Defenceman Zdeno Chára scores the game winning goal five minutes into the third period, for a final score of 3-2. The win marks the teams seventh Stanley Cup in their history, and their second in three years, as well as their third trip to the Finals after last year's defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Conn Smythe Trophy for Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs goes to Joe Thornton, who racked up 21 points during the post-season. Thornton, a former Bruin himself, got a standing ovation from the crowd when accepting the award.

June 3, 2014: The Canadian government cancels the Single Class Surface Combatant Project and replaces it with the Canadian Destroyer eXperimental Project and the Future Frigate Program. The CDX program will build sixteen ships across three classes of destroyers while Future Frigate program will construct twenty 6000 ton frigates for the RCN.

June 8, 2014: Vladmir Putin is critically injured during an assassination attempt, taking three bullets to the torso. He is immediately hospitalized but remains unconscious. Police immediately detain the would be assassin who is described as a “radical lesbian anarchist” by Russia Today.

June 9, 2014: In retaliation of the attempted assassination of Vladimir Putin, a group of Russian army soldiers in St. Peterborough starts a killing spree against anybody they see as homosexual after posting a video on social media sites. The death toll from the massacre levels at 61, the deadliest single rampage killing, but was heightened by the fact there was a group of them.

June 9, 2014: - Legal procedures in China and the United States make way for Lenovo Group's $2.91 billion acquisition of Google's Motorola Mobility division, placing the technological multinational over its competitor Huawei for the world's third-largest smartphone provider after South Korea's Samsung Group and the United States' Apple Incorporated. Cross-licensing agreements ensure either party's access to the brand's immense patent portfolio, as Beijing-based Lenovo gains a foothold in the vast markets of North and Latin America. Seeking to expand its LTE offerings in a new triad focus on tablets, PC's, and smartphones, CEO Yang Yuanqing plans to roll out the Motorola name to the company's dominant turfs in China, Indonesia, and Russia, all the while dialing up its presence in Europe and strengthening its mobile launch in Brazil this year.

June 10, 2014: The video announcing the massacre is taken from YouTube. Dmitry Medvedev condemns the massacre the day he becomes Interim President and announced a military tribunal. This gives the world a gimps into the massive change between Medvedev and Putin, putting Medvedev in a positive light.

June 10, 2014: On the same day, Russia Today that was quoted as saying “the would be assassin who is described as a “radical lesbian anarchist”” comes under fire from the Western World for inciting Homophobia that caused the massacre.

June 10, 2014: The world waits in anticipation still of the fate of Vladmir Putin. Meanwhile Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, announces he will become the Interim President until Putin recovers.

June 14, 2014: The Russian Orthodox Church goes against Medvedev's new approach to homosexuality, this puts a spotlight on the Russian Orthodox Church which is bombarded with comments from critics.

June 15, 2014: Ukrainian Presidential Elections - Vitaliy Klitschko (UDAR-Batkivshchyna) wins by a landslide, winning 63% compared to his nearest rival Oleh Tyahnybok (Svoboda) who won 21% of the vote. The main pro-Russian parties (Party of Regions and the Communists) suffer massive defeats in the Verkhovna Rada, with the PoR largely dissolving by itself after the elections.

June 27, 2014: Mercedes-Benz debuted the 2015 S-Class, which featured an improved autonomous driving feature. Like the 2014 S-Class released in 2013, the autonomous driving feature is operable at highway speeds.

July 1, 2014: In a widely-expected move by the West, President Vitaliy Klitschko suspends all talks of joining both the Customs Union and Eurasian Union, opting instead to sign and ratify the Association Agreement with the EU. In a speech directed to a joint session of the Verkhovna Rada shortly before ratification, Klitschko declared that “Ukraine's future is forever with Europe, not with Russia”

Most pro-Russian groups (especially the Communist Party) protests, but they are mostly ineffectual since the Ukrainian crisis, while Russian Interim President Dmitri Medvedev (becoming Interim President after Vladimir Putin's assassination attempt) expressed concern at the situation.

July 1, 2014: Mexico see's largest gains in GDP in over 4 decades at 6.7% growth. Economists and politicians credit it to the liberalization of the Energy sector last winter.

July 5, 2014: Mexican president Peña Nieto calls for new trade deals with the US in regards to the new energy policy and how US companies can move into the country.

July 14, 2014: 2014 World Cup - Brazil earns a record sixth World Cup title, beating Spain 2-1 in the final match.

July 18, 2014: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel resigns from his position and refers to the Obama administration as “dishonest and disgraceful”. He refuses any interviews or offers to elaborate on his comment.

July 21, 2014: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough also resigns, stating “I have failed to control the many situations I have faced”.

July 30, 2014: President Obama announces his a joint trade summit for Mexico and the US as well as Canada due to NAFTA obligations. This summit is scheduled for early 2015.

August 6, 2014: Large groups of pro-Russian protesters, gather in front of Besserabsky Square, where a statue of Lenin used to stand. Due to the largely discredited nature of the pro-Russian groups after the fall of Yanukovych, the protests are largely ignored.

August 7, 2014: The crisis in the Central African Republic grows worse, even as the French try to intervene. Hundreds of people are killed in the latest clashes, and now 2 more groups are emerging out of the shadows, an armed movement to restore the Central African Empire under Emperor Bokassa II, and a Maoist revolutionary group. Both are waging war against the government, French peacekeepers, and Séléka rebels, as well as targeting the other.

August 7, 2014: NJ Governor Chris Christie signs into law new regulations requiring most police vehicles to install dashboard cameras by July 1, 2016.

August 13, 2014: Audi released the Fourth Generation A8, the first model to feature an autonomous driving system, dubbed the “Traffic Jam Assistant”.

September 3, 2014: Japanese PM Shinzō Abe approves a controversial constitutional amendment (pending approval in both houses of the Diet) that will amend Article 9 of the constitution and allowing Japan to field a army of its own. This comes as tensions over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands continue to escalate.

September 3, 2014: The final version of the Bangsamoro treaty between the Philippine government and the MILF is signed. Among other things, it creates a new autonomous Bangsamoro region with sweeping devolved powers.

September 4, 2014: 2014 MLS Cup The Chicago Fire beat the LA Galaxy 3-0 to win the MLS Cup.

September 9, 2014: The European Union announces a protection deal for Ukraine, promising it protection from Russian capture when the push is finally made. Ukraine accepts the deal under Klitschko, which angers many pro-Russians still inside of un-occupied Ukraine, as well as Russian soldiers based in Ukraine.

September 9, 2014: Bungie's new game Destiny is released to great critical acclaim, with IGN calling it 'The First Truly Next-Gen Title'.

September 10, 2014: Apple announces the iPhone 6 and once again it has a 4 inch display but different design and 13 mp Camera.

September 18, 2014: Scotland narrowly votes (50.8% to 49.2%) against independence from the UK.

September 25, 2014: The United States Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in Kitchen v. Herbert after the Tenth Circuit Court agrees with Judge Robert Shelby's ruling that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

October 1, 2014: Bob Dylan releases Funeral in the Valley, his first studio album since 2012's Tempest. Reviews for the album are favorable, though it is seen as a step-down from Tempest.

October 2, 2014: A second incident involving NSA and CIA international investigations and illegal operations is revealed once again. The responsible for this time was Anvril Haines Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, who is suffering from a serious case of brain cancer in the terminal stage.

October 4, 2014: Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announces he will not run for President in 2016 and will focus on his reelection effort in 2016.

October 5, 2014: In a joint session of the Diet, the controversial “War Powers Amendment” passes by a wide margin. China and South Korea protest.

October 7, 2014: Pre orders for the first time for the iPhone 6 are not breaking records for the first time ever.

October 12, 2014: Despite protests from Nur Misuari and the now-discredited MNLF, the Bangsamoro Accords are ratified by Congress, subject to a referendum.

October 14, 2014: Canada purchases a further 130 upgraded CH-146 Griffons, 32 CH-147F Chinooks, 50 CH-148 Cyclones and 16 CH-149 Comorants to expand the Canadian Forces. The Canadian government also purchases 75 NHIndustries NH90 helicopters as a new addition to the CF.

October 15, 2014: In a short teaser video released online, Disney reveals the title for it's upcoming Star Wars film as Star Wars:Episode VII:Legacy of the Rebellion.

October 18, 2014: The 2015-2016 budget for the Canadian Forces is increased to 2.2% of Canada's gross domestic product.

October 25, 2014: 2014 World Series In a surprise turn of events, the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals (after the Nationals win the first 2 games) 29-21 in Nationals Park in Game 7 (4-1), giving the Red Sox their fourth World Series title since 2004.

November 1, 2014: Hawaii senator Brian Schatz comes under fire after a reporter discovers that in college he may have plagiarized several papers.

November 9, 2014: Unlike Scotland, Catalonia votes in the opposite direction, voting overwhelmingly (78% to 22%) for independence from Spain.

November 10, 2014: The iPhone 6 is not recieived well at all. The concenceus is that apple has lost its magic. AAPL Drops nearly 290 dollars.

November 21, 2014: CIA agents in cooperation with Mexican intelligence thwart a plan to kidnap the President Peña Nieto Daughter Paulina by a Cartel in response to what appeared to be a ceasefire with the Cartel's rivals. President Peña Nieto vows that when he is no longer president the Cartel's will no longer have power in Mexico.

November 21, 2014: The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1 sets a new box office record for it's opening weekend.

November 23, 2014: 2014 Formula 1 Season Sebastian Vettel wins the 2014 series for a second time in a row, with Lewis Hamilton in second. the series included the new race-track around the Sochi Winter Olympics park.

November 27, 2014: On the 14th anniversary of the release of their first album “Since I Left You”, The Avalanches release their long awaited second album, “Friday Night Fever”. The album is far more dance and hip-hop influenced than SILY, and features collaborations from artists like A$AP Rocky, and Flying Lotus. The album is a critical smash hit, and enjoys mild commercial success, reaching number one on the Australian album charts.

December 1, 2014: President Obama and Peña Nieto both announce that the upcoming trade summit will also include joint meetings with all affected parties in how to deal with the cartels. In a surprising turn of events has invited every Central American country as well as Columbia and Peru.

December 6, 2014: A massive 8.8 earthquake strikes central Nicaragua, levelling much of the cities of Léon and Managua, and killing some 45,200 people, and injuring some 160,000 people.

Killed among them is Miley Cyrus, who was vacationing in Managua when the roof of the hotel she was on, collapsed around her.

December 11, 2014: A plot to detonate a bomb in Times Square during New Year's celebrations is uncovered by US security forces. Although Al-Qaeda were initially thought to be the perpetrators, the plot is found to be the work of a rogue, relatively small group.

December 13, 2014: In a surprise move, the EU opts to grant Catalonia its membership in the EU. Spain protests however, and begins plans to withdraw.

December 15, 2014: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie 2 is released in theatres. Despite being one of the best movies of the year, many critics call the movie “SpongeBob's Swan Song”, after the general decline of the show since the first movie.

December 17, 2014: China announces that certain areas in the North East of the country will be placed under curfew to prevent further spread of the 'H10N8' virus which has claimed over 100 lives in the past week.

December 31, 2014: End of year statistics show the Philippine economy continuing to grow at a record pace, going as high as 6.3% this year, and with a projected high of around 7.1% (by some estimates). This has lead some analysts to make the claim that the Philippines could become the fastest-growing economy in the world.

January 2, 2015: The BBC officially announces that a Doctor Who feature film is in development. Its scheduled to be released on Christmas Day 2017 and will star Peter Capaldi as the doctor. After a successful first series as the doctor, the BBC also announces that Peter Capaldi will remain the Doctor through 2017.

January 3, 2015: The Mexican government accepts the transfer of the decommissioned USS Curts (FFG-38) and USS McClusky (FFG-41). They are renamed ARM Alfonso Virgen Meza (F-215) and ARM Fernando Hernández Vega (F-216). The two frigates are sent into dock to receive an overhaul using blueprints of the Australian Adelaide-class guided missile frigates.

January 12, 2015: The BBC revises its decision to finalise its prime-time hit Sherlock with its fifth season, instead extending the popular television series for a sixth and seventh on the backs of its highest one-day viewerships ever recorded with today’s broadcast of the fourth series finale – The Red Star. Simultaneously released in all global markets as well as on online platforms, the episode reached an apex of 19.4 million worldwide. Numbers were especially bolstered by Latin American and Asian audiences, where the latter bore responsibility for a quarter of the ratings lead by Chinese telestream service Youku. Reairing throughout the week is estimated to top nearly 40 million, continuing the British programme’s increasing Sino-fame and helming British cultural exports to and proliferation in the billion-member nation. Everyday monikers assigned to the show’s leading characters Fuermosi (福尔摩斯– Holmes) and Huasheng (花生– Watson) are household names as the series is now the most-watched foreign production in the Middle Kingdom, drawing praise from the country’s media outlets for the plot’s nod to the nation (the finale title doubling as a reference to the original 1911 short The Adventure of the Red Circle).

January 16, 2015: As a result of the no vote against Scottish independence in the 2014 referendum, multiple Ministers and Secretaries of the Government of Scotland resign their place including First Minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leaving the Government of Scotland leaderless. Opinion polls show a drastic drop of support for the Scottish National Party.

January 25, 2015: Police break up the demonstrations around Victoria Tower Gardens and Parliament Square relatively peacefully apart from 4 arrests, but this is voided as a larger occupation of Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square and St.Paul’s Cathedral occur due to the use of social media.

January 25, 2015: On the same day Virgin Media become the last major internet supplier in the UK to turn on 'Adult Filtering'.

January 29, 2015: The Guardian citing WikiLeaks publishes evidence which it says shows that the 'Adult Filtering' settings imposed by ISP's also block a large amount of content which is viewed as portraying the government in a negative light.

January 30, 2015: UK ISPs report that in the last 24 hours around 30% of users have 'opted-in' to receive filtered content.

March 8, 2015: Vice President Joseph Biden suffers from a minor stroke, while he is projected to make a full recovery, many commentators call the stroke an “end to his career”.

March 9, 2015: Hillary Clinton announces that she will not be a candidate for President in 2016.

March 18, 2015: A stock market crash occurs in the United States; by closing time, the Dow Jones has dropped 6.8% and commentators already begin to debate the cause of the “Wednesday Crash.” Also, the Canadian government announces that it will be constructing three Polar 8 icebreakers and that the names of the icebreakers will be CCGS Robert Lorne Stanfield, CCGS John Edward Broadbent, and CCGS Colin Angus.

March 20, 2015: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) announces he will seek the Republican nomination for President.

April 15, 2015: Construction starts on a high speed rail line connecting Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, and Winnipeg with plans for expansion into Saskatoon, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, and Lethbridge.

April 19, 2015: The 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing is marked at a ceremony attended by President Obama, Vice President Biden, as well as former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.

April 21, 2015: Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne announces plans to build twenty-four hydro-electric dams, producing some 40,000 MW of electric power, in areas in Northern Ontario that drain into Hudson Bay. It is named the Ontario North Project. It is estimated to cost over 32 billion CAD.

May 28, 2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron is released. The movie is highly praised, though many fans are upset with the decision to kill the character of both Tony Stark and Natasha Romanov only 35 minutes into the movie.

July 1, 2015: Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) forms an exploratory committee to consider a potential presidential campaign in 2016. Also in Canada, the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, Les Voltigeurs de Québec, 8th Canadian Hussars, Ontario Regiment (RCAC), Canadian Airborne Regiment, and Governor General's Foot Guards are returned to the Regular Force of the Canadian Army. Defense Minister Rob Nicholson also announces that the formation of the Canadian Special Air Service.

June 13, 2015: The United Kingdom becomes the first to recognize Somaliland's independence. Somalia, however protests alongside Scottish nationalists who in disbelief that the UK is more willing to recognize Somaliland than Scotland as an independent state, again protests occur around London as well as outside of the Scottish Parliament Building.

July 19, 2015: Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announces that he is running for President.

July 21, 2015: Gold is discovered on Baffin Island when an Inuit hunter found a gold nugget on the island larger than a golf ball.

June 24, 2015: The Broadcasting Act of 2015 is introduced, making ITV a regional service again in June 2016. A franchise round will be held in November 2015. In other TV developments, the local stations introduced in 2013/2014 will now form a proper network called Local 7.

July 31, 2015: Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) announces that he is running for President.

August 5, 2015: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announces her intentions to run for President.

September 1, 2015: Brian Schweitzer (D-MT), former governor of Montana, announces his intention to run for President.

September 7, 2015: The Canadian government announces that the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3 is the winner of the CF-18 Replacement Project and orders 160 fighters.

September 7, 2015: Jeb Bush (R-FL), former Governor of Florida and brother of George W. Bush, announces his intention to run for President.

September 8, 2015: David Dobkin releases Hefner, a Hugh Hefner biopic starting Robert Downey Jr. as Hugh Hefner.

September 17, 2015: Kansas Governor Samuel Brownback announces he will run for Republican nomination for President. Only hours later, Wesley Clark announces that he will run for the Democratic nomination for President. Pundit Bill O'Reilly refers to the announcements as “major game changers”.

September 19, 2015: Former Secretaries of Defense Chuck Hagel and Colin Powell endorse retired Gen. Wesley Clark for President in a joint announcement.

October 8th, 2015: Kanye West and Lady Gaga release their collaborative album Famous, Poisonous. all album includes featured artists include Jay Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, MGMT, Janelle Monae, Nate Ruess, P!nk, Daft Punk, Justice, Danger, and Kavinsky. It reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 and stays there for three weeks. The lead single off of the album “Snakes” features Nate Ruess and Daft Punk and samples a 2014 speech by Hilary Clinton.

November 6, 2015: Anti-war activist and 2012 Peace and Freedom Party Vice-Presidential nominee Cindy Sheehan announces her intention to seek the Green Party presidential nomination in 2016.

November 16, 2015: the ITV franchise rounds occur. The following retain their spots…

• Northern and Central Scotland (STV)
• Northern Ireland (UTV)
• Channel Islands (Channel TV)
• Yorkshire (Yorkshire TV)
• Eastern England (Anglia TV)
• Northeastern England (Tyne Tees TV)
• Wales (HTV)
• Southeast England (Meridian TV)

November 17, 2015: The second round of the ITV franchise rounds occur to replace those which failed to win. The following regions receive new broadcasters;

• Southern Scotland, and Berwick-upon-Tweed: STV South (which is owned by SMG, along with STV Central (Scottish TV) and STV North (Grampian TV)
• Cumbria, and Isle of Man: Cheviot TV
• Northwestern England: TVNW
• English Midlands: Mercia TV
• Southwestern England (includes area formerly covered ITV West): Dumnonia TV
• London (both weekday/weekend): TVLondon

They are set to launch 12 June, 2016

November 17, 2015: Rush releases their first Billboard Hot 200 #1 album The Last Clouds. At the same time, the band's collaborative single with Muse and Lorde “Age of Chaos”, peaks at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

November 21, 2015: The United States and Iran formally normalize relations for the first time since the Iranian Revolution.

November 30, 2015: Death of former USA President George Herbert Walker Bush (b. 12 June 1924) from pneumonia at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas.

December 9, 2015: Quentin Tarantino releases Edison's Cowboys. The film is about a director named Stewart Kirkman (Michael Madsen) and his crew who move from New York City to Arizona to avoid goons sent by Thomas Edison (Christoph Waltz) due to their use of prohibited film equipment. This leads to a protracted battle between Edison's men and Kirkman's crew.

December 12, 2015: The Coen brothers release Hail Caesar!. The film tells the story of an actor/director in the 1920s named Gary Livingston (George Clooney) who casts himself as Julias Caesar.

December 23, 2015: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passes away, aged 94. The royal family go into mourning during the Christmas period.

December 25, 2015: The Doctor Who Christmas special, featuring Jason Isaacs as the Master and the permanent return of Gallifrey, sets ratings records notching over 15 million viewers in the UK and over 5 million viewers on BBC America.

January 1, 2016: Sherlock Series 4 premieres on BBC One with record breaking numbers tuning in to see what will happen after the explosive revelations of the Series 3 finale. The news is however bittersweet as star Martin Freeman announces Series 5 will be the last.

January 1, 2016: Iraqi Kurdistan declares independence, prompting condemnations from the central government in Baghdad.

Meanwhile, in Syria, Al-Qaeda-backed militants launch a chemical attack on Damascus, killing over 4,000.

January 3, 2016: In retaliation for the chemical attack in Damascus, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad orders a chemical strike in the rebel-held city of Aleppo. 5,000 are killed as a result.

January 4, 2016: President Obama castigates the Assad regime for the use of chemical weapons once again, and in an emergency session of Congress later in the evening calls for an American intervention in Syria.

January 23, 2016: AMC premieres Student Loans, a series about 4 intelligent and unpopular college students who begin making designer drugs, moonshine, and other illegal substances in their dorms to make money to pay for their student loans and other costs. The show is an instant critical darling, with many praising RJ Mitte in the lead role and noting the many similarities to Breaking Bad.

February 4, 2016: Jenna Coleman announces that she will leave Doctor Who at the end of the next series. On the show for 5 series, she becomes the longest running companion of the Doctor.

February 6, 2016: Gov. Chris Christie withdraws from the race for the Republican nomination. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush is ahead in the polls.

May 8, 2016: In the smallest Eurovision Song Contest this century (only 22 countries took part because of financial problems and the success of Turkvizyon), The United Kingdom wins in Dublin with Outta My Mind, performed by Tulisa.

March 12, 2016: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) is ahead of Vice-President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination.

March 25, 2016: After negotiation with the Afghan government under Pres. Abdullah Abdullah fail, the Taliban retakes the city of Kandahar, marking their return as a powerful force in the country.

April 7, 2016: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is killed by a suicide bomb. Shi'ite extremists angry at the PM's reconciliation towards the Sunni minorities take responsibility

April 12, 2016: Ibrahim al-Jafaari becomes Iraq's new Prime Minister in a joint session of the Parliament. In his first address, he condemns the extremists for the attack, al-Jafaari calls for peace and harmony between Iraq's sectarian divide.

April 14, 2016: Angered by PM al-Jafaari's words, Shi'ite extremists openly declare war on the Iraqi government, vowing to cleanse Iraq “of all the blasphemers”.

June 12, 2016: As expected, the many franchises of ITV are launched across the UK.

June 14, 2016: The Japanese government announces plans to build a trio of gas turbine-powered aircraft carriers in the 36,000-ton range, each one roughly 900 feet long and 110 feet in beam, and designed to handle 45 aircraft and with three catapults. The three carriers are provisionally named JS Fuji, JS Tate and JS Haku, after Japan's three “Holy Mountains”.

August 14, 2016: 3 months after her win for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, Tulisa is arrested under drug dealing charges and sentenced with 6 years in jail.

August 17, 2016: The BBC announce that even though Tulisa is now incarcerated for her drug dealing charges, the Eurovision Song Contest will still go on in the UK as planned, with the runner-up performing the song at the start of the show.

August 19, 2016: Miao Wei, Minister for Industry and Information Tehcnology of the Government of the People's Republic of China, announces that China hopes to reach the pinnacle of its Chang'e program for Lunar Exploration with a manned mission to the moon in 2025.

September 15, 2016: Former Vice President Walter Mondale dies at the age of 88.

October 20, 2016: In the state of Washington, Mt. Rainier erupts for the first time in over one hundred years. Less powerful than the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, Rainier's eruption manages to cause even more damage: 419 people are killed as a result, and billions of dollars in damage are caused when the eruption affects the nearby population centers - including Tacoma, Washington.

December 25, 2016: In the early hours of Christmas Day, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to identical red-haired twin sons at the King Edward VII Hospital in London. Prince Christopher Leopold Michael of Cambridge, the elder is born twelve minutes before his younger brother Prince Alfred Henry Francis of Cambridge. The names of the newly-born princes are announced immediately.