The term world news is often used to describe current events around the globe. This is news that deals with a global subject, and is usually sent out by news agencies for distribution to a wide audience, including individuals, corporations and intelligence agencies. It differs from national news which deals primarily with events that directly affect the interests and security of a particular nation-state.

In this issue of WORLD, we take a look at the big stories of the past year, from the fifth-deadliest earthquake in history striking Turkey and Syria to a deadly cholera outbreak in Somalia. Plus we see the impact of Hurricane Michael in Florida and the ten-day struggle to free a group of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

We also follow the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as a secretive hacktivist group that’s trying to target sites associated with the Kremlin. In addition, we learn how a lone American soldier survived being shot by snipers while on patrol in Afghanistan.

We also look at what’s coming in the future. Could the planet be crossing a dangerous threshold that scientists have warned about for decades? And what’s the latest from graffiti artist Banksy, who has kept his identity a secret for years?