News of the World, 2008

2008 news of the world from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe

by Beth Rowen and Liz Olson

Robert Mugabe Related Links 2008 Year in Review 2008 News of the Nation 2008 Month-By-Month 2008 Places in the News Quiz Country Profiles

For the first half of 2008, much of the world was focused on global warming, the urgent need for alternate sources of energy, and the global food crisis. These issues took a backseat in the fall, however, as the U.S. financial crisis quickly spread, wreaking havoc in all corners of the world. Indeed, Iceland went bankrupt, Pakistan was forced to borrow $7.6 billion from the International Monetary Fund, and China announced a $586 billion stimulus package. In addition to the economic woes, dozens of countries confronted protracted civil wars, wars on new fronts, and ongoing internal turmoil. Here's a look at some of the world's hotspots in 2008.

The U.S. plans to deploy additional troops to Afghanistan as violence there intensifies

India experienced a series of deadly terrorist attacks in 2008

In 2008, the Iraqi government made progress on both legislative and security fronts

Internal problems squander Bush's hope for a peace agreement under his administration

In February 2008, Kosovo became the world's 195th country

North Korea maintained its unpredictable diplomatic course in 2008

A new government took over after the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf

Although Russian president Vladimir Putin stepped down in 2008, he refused to relinquish power

The war between Russia and Georgia heightened tensions between Russia and the West

A new political party challenges the leadership of the ANC

The quality of life deteriorated further in Zimbabwe in 2008

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