The toppling of Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad was a very significant top story. It symbolized the end of his regime and was a highly visible moment that was broadcast around the world.
The high number of civilian casualties was an important top story. The war had a devastating impact on the Iraqi civilian population. Innocent people were caught in the crossfire, and there were also cases of targeted attacks on civilians, which had a profound impact on the international perception of the war.
The sectarian violence that erupted after the initial invasion was a major top story. Shia and Sunni groups started fighting for power and influence, which led to a long - term and complex civil conflict that was a key aspect of the Iraq War narrative.
The abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison was a huge top story. The pictures that emerged of the inhumane treatment of detainees by US military personnel caused international outcry. It not only damaged the reputation of the United States but also raised serious questions about military ethics and the conduct of the war.
A significant 2022 sports story was the growth of women's sports. There were more opportunities and greater visibility for female athletes in various sports. In cricket, for example, women's cricket was getting more attention. Also, in the realm of extreme sports, new events and challenges were introduced, attracting a lot of adrenaline - junkie fans.
The top stories in Countdown 2019 included the growth of the streaming wars. Disney+ launched in 2019, shaking up the media landscape by competing with established players like Netflix. In addition, there were various social movements. For instance, the youth - led movements demanding action on issues like gun control in the United States. These movements gained a lot of international attention.
The mass displacement of people is one such memorable horror. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis had to flee their homes, becoming refugees in their own country or in neighboring states. They had to leave behind all their possessions and start from scratch in an unfamiliar and often hostile environment.
A memorable story is of a medic in the Iraq war. He treated numerous soldiers under heavy fire. He didn't care about his own safety and just focused on saving lives. His selfless acts were truly remarkable.
In politics, Brexit was one of the most significant 2019 top global stories. It was a complex and drawn - out process that involved multiple rounds of negotiations between the UK and the EU. The future relationship between the two was highly uncertain and had implications for trade, immigration, and security.
The Battle of Hampton Roads was very significant. As I mentioned before, it was the encounter between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. This battle changed the future of naval warfare with the use of ironclad ships.
One memorable story is when a unit misread their map and ended up at the wrong location. Instead of a strategic point, they found themselves at an old abandoned farmhouse. They were all confused at first but then started exploring. They found some really old and strange items which they used to create a sort of 'funny museum' right there. They took pictures and had a good laugh about their blunder.
The story of the Fukushima 50, those brave workers who stayed at the plant to try to prevent a complete meltdown. They risked their lives to keep the situation from getting even worse. Their heroic actions were widely reported and became an important part of the overall narrative of the disaster.
One of the big ones was the ongoing global climate crisis and the efforts to address it.