New Delhi, December 26: The year 2018 is coming to an end, and there have been many events which made to the international headlines. Ranging from Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in North Korea to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the highest statue of the world – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Statue of Unity.

Also, on one side, Pakistan saw the rise of a new era with cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan becoming the Prime Minister and on the other hand, Myanmar sentencing two Reuters journalists for seven years for possession of classified material on security operations. Not Just Allahabad and Faizabad, Government Has Renamed 25 Places in Last One Year, Know the Old and New Names of the Cities.

Among other events that took place and made headlines include United States President Donald Trump meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in Singapore, and American journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s suspicious killing by Saudi Arabia agents.

Here in LatestLy, we bring to you the most important news that made quite a furore in the international media in 2018.

1). Kim Jong-un's sister is making history at the Winter Olympics. Here’s what we know about her (Time, February 9):

Rather than North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, his sister Kim Yo Jong made the news by visiting at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, held in Pyeongchang of South Korea from February 9, 2018, to February 25, 2018. She is considered to be the closest aide to dictator Kim Jong-un and is the deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of North Korea.

2). President Trump and Kim Jong Un meet in Singapore for the historic summit (VOX, June 12):

For the first time in last 70 years, United States President Donald Trump and the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un met for a historic summit in Singapore on June 12. The news created awe among the international news agencies, as details of the meeting were kept top secret. After the meeting, US president Trump stated that the duo signed an agreement, which he referred to as “very important” and “pretty comprehensive.”

3). Prime Minister Imran Khan: PTI chairman sworn in as 22nd premier of Pakistan (Dawn, August 18):

Former cricketer-turned-politician and PTI chief Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi took oath as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan on August 18 in Islamabad. His party secured a thumping victory in the national elections held in the same month, and he was declared as the selection of the party for the top post.

4). Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar over secrets act (BBC, September 3):

In a landmark judgment by Myanmar court, two Reuters journalists – Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo – were sentenced to seven years in prison for violating state secrets act while investigating violence against the Rohingya minority. Both the scribes were arrested while carrying official documents which have just been given to them by police officers. This case is being referred to as a test of press freedom in Myanmar and gained attention all across the globe.

5). Russian airstrikes in Syria reportedly killed 18,000 people (dw.com, September 30):

This year Russia was making international headlines after Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that Russian airstrikes had killed 18,096 people in last three years (Since 2015). According to the UK-based monitor, among the killed people 7,988 were civilians, including 1,936 children and 1,199 women. It further added that another 5,233 "Islamic State" (IS) fighters and 4,875 fighters of rebel and jihadi factions were also killed. Russia's military intervention changed the course of the war, allowing President Bashar Assad's regime to retake large swaths of the country since 2015.

6). Jamal Khashoggi’s Killing: Here’s What We Know (NYT, October 19):

The world’s most read newspaper took this report in their front page and tried to solve the puzzle over renowned journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s sudden disappearance and killing. According to the reports, the dissident journalist was killed by Saudi agents inside the Istanbul consulate, weeks after he went missing and the Saudi kingdom later confirmed it. With this, the relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia further strained.

7). PM Modi unveils Sardar Patel’s ‘Statue of Unity’: ‘It’s an answer to those who question India’s existence’ (The Indian Express, October 31):

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the tallest statue of world – Statue of Unity – on the banks of Sardar Sarovar Dam in Navagram in Gujarat on October 31. PM Modi dedicated the 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – built at the cost of Rs 2,989 crore – to the nation on the latter’s birth anniversary, stating that this is “answer to those who question India’s existence”. Media channels and newspapers across the globe came to cover this ceremony.

Though there were innumerable incidents that shook the world in 2018, these significant events are the most rememberable ones.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2018 08:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).