The surprise election of Donald Trump, Britain’s exit from the EU and terrorist attacks in Europe were among the biggest news stories that made headlines in 2016.
This year was marked by violence as terror attacks in Belgium and France left Europe in mourning. A gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida was the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire named Canada’s news story of 2016
Millions around the world also said goodbye to influential musicians David Bowie, Prince and Canadian Leonard Cohen.
While 2016 for many was a year to forget, here is a look back at 10 major international news stories in no particular order:
Donald Trump wins U.S. Election
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Electoral College expected to formally elect Donald Trump as president -
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Donald Trump introduced for the first time as President-elect -
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U.S. electoral college votes, likely to elect Donald Trump -
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What President Donald Trump will mean for Canada -
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Donald Trump blames Islamic terrorists for attacks in Europe without any proof -
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Anti-Trump protesters in Berkeley chant ‘Not My President’ -
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Will Trump be visiting Canada in his first trip as President? -
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Donald Trump says he’s getting along with President Barack Obama -
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President-elect Donald Trump is TIME magazine’s person of the year -
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President-elect Donald Trump backs away from prosecuting Clinton -
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President-elect Trump holds meetings with ‘interesting’ politicians to fill his Cabinet -
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Justin Trump: What is Canada’s place at the table with Putin and Trump? -
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Electoral college confirms Trump election, one month countdown to his inauguration begins
From polls and pundits to media, when it came to the U.S. presidential election, almost no one predicted Donald J. Trump would win.
Trump — who defeated Hillary Clinton after a bitterly divisive campaign — ran on a platform of anti-immigration and protectionist trade policies that resonated with white middle-class voters and stunned the rest of the world.
READ MORE: What President Donald Trump will mean for Canada
His campaign was marred by scandals and controversies including graphic recorded comments from the Republican candidate describing sexual assault and accusations of sexual misconduct from more than a dozen women.
However, in the end nothing was able to derail the Trump train. And although Clinton won the popular vote nationwide by nearly 2.9 million votes, Donald Trump is slated to be sworn in as 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2017.
Brexit: UK votes to leave the European Union
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Pro-Brexit protesters demand action outside British parliament -
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Hate crimes surge in U.K. after Brexit -
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Market analyst: Global markets more stable post-Trump then post-Brexit -
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British government ‘disappointed’ by judges’ decision on Brexit ruling -
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BIV: MPs vote to trigger UK Brexit, Facebook stock drops -
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Scotland’s First Minister sounds the warning alarm regarding Scotland’s future post-Brexit -
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Market analyst says British pound falling in response to ‘hard Brexit’ pledge -
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British lawmakers debate public petition on 2nd Brexit referendum -
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Germany, France, Italy say Europe must move forward after Brexit vote -
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U.K. newspaper claims Brexit delayed until 2019
It was an event simply known as Brexit.
Britain’s stunning vote in June to leave the European Union sent shockwaves around the world as global markets plummeted and the British pound fell to a 31-year low.
By a slim margin of 52 to 48 per cent, Britons voted to exit from the EU, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron. Theresa May succeeded him.
READ MORE: British Prime Minister May plans to keep Brexit plan on track despite court ruling
The push to leave the EU was spearheaded by British politicians on the far-right including Nigel Farage, former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). He championed issues of immigration and nationalism. He later resigned following the Brexit vote.
A much criticized UKIP campaign poster featuring thousands of migrants gathered near a border alongside the words “Breaking Point” became a symbol of fear that fuelled some Brits’ to push for Brexit.
“When I came here 17 years ago and I said that I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the European Union, you all laughed at me,” Farage told the EU parliament following the Brexit vote. “Well I have to say, you’re not laughing now.”
Dozens killed at Pulse nightclub in Florida
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Transcript of 911 calls from Pulse Nightclub offer chilling timeline of Orlando shooting -
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Emotional eulogies at funeral of Orlando shooting victim who died shielding her son -
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Orlando Shooting: Police release portions of Omar Mateen’s call to 911 operators -
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‘No questions answered’ in week since Orlando shooting: US Attorney -
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Trump says Orlando shooting would have had ‘different result’ if clubgoers had been carrying guns -
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Thousands gather in Orlando for candlelight vigil to honour Pulse nightclub victims -
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Emotional moment as Orlando shooting victim is reunited with the cop who saved his life
A night of drinking and dancing at a Florida nightclub quickly turned to scenes of horror after a gunman entered carrying an assault-type rifle and opened fire.
In the early morning hours of June 12, 29-year-old Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 others inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. He was later killed in a shootout with police.
“People are getting hit by bullets, blood was everywhere,” recounted Patience Carter, 20, who survived the shooting.
READ MORE: New body cam footage captures chaotic scenes after Orlando Nightclub shootings
Candlelight vigils and memorials sprung up across the U.S., Canada and around the world to mourn the victims in one of the worst mass shootings and the deadliest attacks against LGBTQ people in U.S. history.
A 911 call released by police revealed that Mateen swore allegiance to the leader of the so-called Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. However, an investigation by the CIA found no links between ISIS and Mateen.
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The shooting also led Donald Trump to renew his call for banning Muslim immigration to the U.S.
Terror attacks in Brussels and Nice
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Hollande on Nice attack victims: 84 dead, some 50 in critical condition -
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Friends mourn the loss of American father, son killed in Nice attack -
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‘My daughter!’: Horrifying amateur video captures moment of Nice terror attack -
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Nice attack: Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly violence -
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Nice attack: New details revealed about victims, missing people -
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Civilians help paramedics treat Nice attack victims -
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People dump rubbish at spot where Nice attacker died -
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French PM booed as Nice mourns attack victims
European countries continued to see horrific acts of violence this year with major attacks carried out in France and Brussels.
On July 14, a 19-tonne truck was deliberately driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenade D’Anglais in Nice. Eighty-six people were killed and more than 400 were injured. The driver was later killed in a hail of bullets by police.
WATCH: Suicide bombings shake Brussels
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Brussels attack: How it happened and who’s responsible -
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Belgians hold vigil for victims in deadly Brussels attacks -
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Brussels attacks: New video shows survivors treating injured victims -
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Brussels attacks: Bombing suspect reportedly captured by police -
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Belgian authorities hunt for Brussels attacks suspect -
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Pope Francis condemns ‘cruel’ Brussels attack -
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US security and military forces on heightened alert following Brussels attack -
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Belgians leave tributes for Brussels attack victims -
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House of Commons pays tribute to victims of Brussels attack -
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Survivors of Brussels attack struggle to describe terrifying moments -
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Brussels airport slowly re-opening after attacks -
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Brussels airport CEO warns we’ll have to live with terror attacks -
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EU flags at half mast following Brussels attack -
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Raids target terror cell suspected in Brussels and Paris attacks -
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Minister Dion reads off list of phone numbers for Canadians trapped in Brussels attack
The attack in Nice was preceded by three coordinated suicide bombings in Belgium in March that killed 32 civilians and injured another 300. The bombings occurred at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and at Maelbeek metro station in the city’s downtown during morning rush hour. It was the deadliest attack in the country’s history.
READ MORE: Terrorist network behind Paris-Brussels attacks a ‘supercell’ of extremism
The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks and investigators later determined the perpetrators belonged to a terrorist cell, which had been involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks.
On Dec. 19, a truck rammed into crowds at a Christmas market in the heart Berlin killing 12 people and injuring 48 others. German authorities are investigating the tragedy as a “probable terrorist attack.”
Panama Papers
The Panama Papers, some 11.5 million documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, detailed how people — from world leaders, dictators and business people — used offshore accounts and shell companies to hide their wealth.
The leaks were published in April by The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), comprising of journalists from more than 100 media organizations in 80 countries.
WATCH: Iceland’s PM resigns over fallout from Panama Papers allegations
More than 350 Canadians were listed in the trove of leaked documents, according to one report. And while it’s not illegal to set up an offshore account or business, the Panama Papers raised questions about how some wealthy Canadians use offshore entities to avoid paying taxes.
Police officers killed in Dallas and Louisiana
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Cellphone video shows alleged Dallas shooting suspect -
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Raw Video: multiple gunshots heard as police respond to shooting at Dallas protest: report -
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Dallas’ Police Chief says they’re negotiating with a shooting suspect who continues to exchange gunfire -
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5 Dallas police officers killed in shooting during protest -
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Police used a bomb disposal robot to deliver explosive which killed final suspect in Dallas shooting -
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Man wrongfully identified as suspect in Dallas shooting speaks out -
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Dallas Shooting: A night of terror in the streets -
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Obama to address memorial service for 5 fallen officers killed in Dallas shooting -
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Dallas Shooting: Protesters say there’s no excuse for what the shooter did -
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Concerns have arose that a local officer may have gone too far after allegedly making online comments following the Dallas shooting -
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Dallas Shooting: Sniper targets police in a deadly attack -
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Aerial footage shows Dallas shooting scene with police cars still present -
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Toronto police offer condolences after Dallas shootings
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Tragedy unfolded in Dallas, Texas after a gunman ambushed and killed five police officers and injured nine others and two civilians on July 7.
The gunman, Micah Xavier Johnson, was reportedly angry over police shootings of black men. He was killed by a bomb attached to a remote control robot after a standoff with police.
WATCH: Alton Sterling shot by police in Baton Rouge
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Alton Sterling’s son calls for an end to violence, both from and against police -
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Protesters march through downtown Philadelphia over Alton Sterling shooting -
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Outcry over police shooting of Alton Sterling -
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Second video of Alton Sterling shooting emerges, shows he was still alive moments after shooting -
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Convenience store owner says he was shocked and horrified to witness his friend Alton Sterling shot dead by police -
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Video of Alton Sterling getting shot by police is ‘disturbing’: Louisiana Governor -
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FBI and US Department of Justice taking over Alton Sterling shooting investigation -
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Officers involved in Alton Sterling shooting identified -
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Security expert weighs in on Alton Sterling shooting -
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Protesters in Ferguson rally in show of support for Alton Sterling -
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Lawyers for Alton Sterling’s family to uncover history of racial profiling by Baton Rouge police
The shooting happened at the end of a peaceful protest against the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile occurred a few days before and sparked outrage across the country.
WATCH: Gunman kills three police officers in Baton Rouge
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Amateur video shows Baton Rouge police responding to shooting -
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Baton Rouge mayor calls for city to ‘come together’ -
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3 Baton Rouge cops dead, at least 3 injured in shooting -
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Witness video captures sounds of gunfire during shootout between Baton Rouge police and shooting suspects -
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Baton Rouge police: ‘No active shooter’ on the loose -
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Baton Rouge police describe deadly shooting of 3 officers; release surveillance photos of shooter -
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Police dispatch calls reveal frantic moments following shooting in Baton Rouge -
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Raw video: memorial grows to three fallen police officers in Baton Rouge -
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Autopsy to be performed on Baton Rouge police shooter
Less than two weeks after the Dallas shooting, six police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were shot by a gunman on July 17. Three died and three were hospitalized.
The shooter, identified as Eugene Gavin Long, had associated himself with organizations linked to black separatism and the sovereign citizen movement. He was shot and killed by a SWAT officer during a shootout.
Syria crisis deepens
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‘I left my soul in Aleppo’: mother of Syrian girl Bana Alabed speaks out -
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Deal to free civilians in Aleppo stalled again after buses torched -
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Possible new deal to evacuate Aleppo -
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Aleppo evacuations are back on, but for how long? -
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Gunfire heard in video said to show east Aleppo evacuation -
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Aleppo evacuees describe horror of surviving 5 years inside besieged city -
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Red Cross describes state of Aleppo civilians arriving at evacuation zones -
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Hours after they began, evacuations in Aleppo halted -
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Obama calls for impartial force in Aleppo to monitor the evacuation -
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Convoy taking evacuees out of eastern Aleppo turns back -
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Explosions heard near Aleppo departure point -
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Aleppo evacuation begins as residents are shuttled out in ambulances, buses -
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Freelance journalist in eastern Aleppo calls bombings massacres -
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Refugees from Aleppo left speechless watching devastation -
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‘It’s like hell’: Winnipeggers watch as family and friends struggle back home in Aleppo -
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Syrian-Canadian hoping to help those in Aleppo with medical releif -
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Hundreds of Syrians finally allowed to leave Aleppo -
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Injured victims evacuated from Aleppo arrive at hospital -
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Human rights group in Aleppo to monitor evacuation process -
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Leader of White Helmets says situation in Aleppo is ‘terrible’
The ongoing Syrian civil war, which has resulted in the death of more than 400,000 people since 2011, reached a bloody climax this year as airstrikes from President Bashar-al Assad and Russia continued to pound rebel held positions throughout the country.
Several ceasefires were nearly reached before falling apart as tens of thousands continued to die.
READ MORE: How Canadians can help people in Aleppo
By mid-December, government forces reclaimed the city of Aleppo from rebels and Islamist fighters. The United Nations called it a “meltdown of humanity” as civilians were reportedly killed trying to flee the city.
On Dec. 19, the Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot dead by a police officer who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo” as he pulled the trigger. The images and video of the incident were shared around the world.
Hundreds killed in failed coup attempt in Turkey
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Attempted Turkey coup: Timeline of Events -
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Canadian recounts being caught in Turkey coup attempt -
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Turkey coup: Military forces seize powers, declare marital law -
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Turkey Coup: State broadcaster taken off the air -
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US to help Turkey bring coup plotters to justice: Obama -
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Over twenty journalists arrested during Turkey’s counter-coup appear in court -
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Calgary man detained in Turkey accused of plotting failed coup, family says -
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Calgary man accused of leading failed coup in Turkey -
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Turkey’s Erdogan continues coup attempt crackdown, imposes state of emergency -
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Security video shows man hit by two tanks and survive during Friday’s coup attempt in Turkey -
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Tensions still high in Turkey after coup attempt -
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US, EU call on Turkey to respect human rights considerations following failed coup -
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Tensions in Turkey remain high after failed military coup rattles nation -
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Turkey trying to stabilize after chaotic night with attempted military coup -
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Toronto-area MP records anti-coup celebrations in Turkey
In the evening hours of July 15, tanks rolled through the streets of Ankara and Istanbul as members of the Turkish Armed Forces attempted to overthrow the government of President Recep Erdogan.
Media outlets were forced off the air as members of the military stormed into television studios. Erdogan addressed the nation via FaceTime and urged people to take to the streets to stand up to the military faction behind the uprising. Turkey later blamed U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen for the failed coup.
READ MORE: Attempted coup in Turkey leaves over 265 dead
At least 290 people died and more than 1,400 were injured in the chaotic night of violence. The Turkish government arrested tens of thousands following the coup attempt and more than 50,000 people have been dismissed or fired from their jobs in the military, public service and police agencies.
The year our heroes died
Whether you’re a fan of music or sports, 2016 was a tough year.
Renowned musicians including David Bowie (Jan. 8), Prince (April 21), and Leonard Cohen (Nov. 7) passed away this year.
And the world of sports lost some of its heroes including Muhammad Ali (June 3), Gordie Howe (June 10), Arnold Palmer (Sept. 25) and Craig Sager, a longtime sports broadcaster, (Dec. 15).
Earthquakes strike in Italy and Ecuador
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Death toll continues to rise after devastating earthquake in Italy -
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Dramatic drone footage shows devastation across central Italy -
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Aftershocks affecting rescue efforts following earthquake in Italy; at least 250 dead -
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At least 159 dead after devastating earthquake hits central Italy -
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Why is Italy so susceptible to devastating earthquakes? -
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Death toll rises to at least 159 people following earthquake in Italy -
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Aerial drone footage captures scope of the devastation following earthquake in Italy -
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Rescue worker comforts elderly woman left buried by earthquake in Italy -
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Where did the earthquake happen in Italy? -
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Aerial footage shows aftermath of devastating earthquake in Italy -
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10-year-old girl pulled out of rubble alive, 17 hours after 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Italy -
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Rescuers search for survivors in Italy quake that killed at least 240
Massive earthquakes struck Italy and Ecuador earlier this year killing hundreds and injuring thousands more.
READ MORE: Grief erupts in Italy as nation honours, buries quake dead, death toll rises to 291
On April 16, a 7.8 earthquake struck near the coast of Ecuador leaving nearly 700 people dead and injuring more than 16,000. A mother and her 12-year-old son from Quebec were among the four Canadians killed.
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Canadian death toll in Ecuador earthquake rises to 4 -
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Supermarket shaking in Ecuador earthquake caught on camera -
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Powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake rattles Ecuador -
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Aftershocks make search efforts difficult in earthquake-ravaged Ecuador -
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7.8 magnitude earthquake kills over 200 in Ecuador -
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Emergency workers race to find survivors after a massive earthquake in Ecuador -
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Aftermath of overpass collapsing in 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Ecuador -
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Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hits Ecuador, killing 28 -
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Saskatoon resident worries about family in Ecuador -
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Liberals working to recover bodies of 2 Canadians killed in Ecuador -
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Vancouver reacts to Ecuador quake -
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Rescuers continue to search for survivors in Quake ravaged Ecuador -
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Ecuador quake impact
In August, a powerful earthquake struck central Italy killing nearly 300 people. The areas hardest hit by the quake were the tiny towns of Amatrice and Accumoli, roughly 100 kilometres northeast of Rome, and Pescara del Tronto, 25 kilometres further east.
Photos and video showed levelled buildings, crumbling landscapes as some 15,000 residents were left homeless as a result of the quakes.
*With files from Adam Frisk, Nick Logan and The Associated Press
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