2022年世界大事：動盪不安的一年

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 9/08 2022, making her reign the longest of any female head of state in history (70 years). Her father King George VI acceded to the throne in 1937 after the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth II the heir presumptive.

During her reign, the U.K. went through plenty of political as well as economic crises, especially the independence of British colonies, the early 1980s recession, the financial crisis of 2008, and Brexit. However, Queen Elizabeth II always made public speeches in support of her people during these difficult times.

During her coronation speech on June 2, 1953, there’s a paragraph that touched people’s hearts,“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”

Swiss Tennis legend Roger Federer announced on Thursday of 9/19, that he would retire from the competitive tennis. He would make his final competitive match at the Laver Cup in London a week after his announcement.

Roger Federer once said, “I’m 41 years old; I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I would have dreamed, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”

Federer rocked the professional tennis field with his record-breaking achievements in history, 103 tour singles titles, 20 Grand Slam singles titles, 310 weeks ranked No.1 and a record six victories in season-ending tour finals. On top of all, he was never forced to stop playing a match he had started because of an injury.

“It was a sad day for me and for sports around the world,” Nadal said on the social network, being a friend and rival of Federer. He also mentioned that it was a privilege to share so many memories on and off the court.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan at 2:44 p.m. on 9/19. A cement factory worker was killed, and 79 people were injured. The epicenter of this earthquake was located in Chihshang Township, Taitung County, and it caused an apartment building and two bridges in Hualien to collapse. It was the most powerful earthquake in Taiwan so far this year, following a 6.4 magnitude foreshock late on 9/18.

Six cars of Express Train No. 402 derailed after being hit by a falling concrete canopy. The Taiwan Railways Administration stressed that 20 passengers had left the train before the derailment. Train services were suspended between Hualian and Taitung County due to damages to railway tracks and cables along railway lines.

Nearly 400 travelers were trapped on Chikeshan in Yuli Township, since a road was Damaged by an earthquake-triggered landslide. Power outages were also reported in parts of Taipei City, New Taipei City, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City and Taitung County.