TORONTO – From the summer Games in London to superstorms in the United States, 2012 comes to a close after a year of ups and downs. Global News takes a look at some of the top news stories of 2012.
U.S. President Barack Obama clinched re-election by defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney with 332 electoral votes to 206, capping off an over year-long campaign.
Luka Magnotta, a 29-year-old Canadian aspiring porn star, made headlines around the world at the start of summer after allegedly killing, dismembering and partially cannibalizing a Montreal university student.
Superstorm Sandy battered the U.S. east coast in late October, killing dozens and leaving millions without power, making it one of the most devastating storms to hit the densely populated area in decades.
Billed as one of the largest food recalls in Canadian history, XL Foods in Brooks, Alberta, was forced to recall more than 1,500 meat products due to E.coli contamination.
28 people were killed when cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground after the captain allegedly deviated from his planned route, crashing into a reef off the coast of Italy in January.
The International Cycling Union formally stripped cycling star and cancer advocate Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles after he gave up his long battle against doping allegations.
The music industry lost a star in February when Grammy-winner Whitney Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel room. She was 48.
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U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three American security guards were killed after terrorists attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
In July, 12 people were killed and 58 others were injured during a shooting rampage at an opening night screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colorado. James Holmes was charged in the deadly shooting.
Two people were killed and 23 others injured at a block party in Toronto’s east end in July. Four people have been charged in connection to the city’s worst shooting.
As the Quebec election came to an end, a 62-year-old man opened fire during the victory speech of Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois. One man was killed and another was seriously injured.
A British Columbia town mourned the death of Amanda Todd, 15, in October. The teen took her own life following years of Internet sexual exploitation and bullying by her peers.
Game off! For the second time in eight years, the National Hockey League locked out its players after a contract between the league and the National Hockey League Players’ Association expired. The lockout is the fourth work stoppage for the league in 20 years.
In March, protests erupted across the United States in reaction to the death of Trayvon Martin, a Florida teenager who was shot by a Neighbourhood Watch captain.
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All eyes were on London, England as the city played host to the 2012 Olympic Summer Games.
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