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2014: The year's biggest headlines

By Amy R. Connolly
Kel Kelly from Boston, left, and Flossie Gaile from Hampton, Va., center, stand in protest during the 'Justice For All' march on Dec. 13, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Activists gathered to bring attention to the recent incidents of police brutality against African Americans and to protest the recent Mike Brown and Eric Garner grand jury decisions. Photo by Gabriella Demczuk/UPI
1 of 9 | Kel Kelly from Boston, left, and Flossie Gaile from Hampton, Va., center, stand in protest during the 'Justice For All' march on Dec. 13, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Activists gathered to bring attention to the recent incidents of police brutality against African Americans and to protest the recent Mike Brown and Eric Garner grand jury decisions. Photo by Gabriella Demczuk/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- From the Ebola epidemic that leached into the United States to the continuing mystery behind Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the events of 2014 captured worldwide attention.

Here's a look back at some of the headlines:

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Ferguson

This small Missouri city is ground zero for the nation's outrage over racial injustice and police brutality, sparked in August when Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown.

Within weeks, more unarmed black men died at the hands of police. The issue came to a tipping point in November when a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. Protests, some violent, erupted nationwide, with a push for better police training and legislative changes.

Obamacare

Right out of the gate, the Affordable Care Act was besieged with problems. In addition to the continual technical issues and security concerns with the HealthCare.gov website, Americans said the mandated health insurance was not affordable.

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In November, Republicans filed a federal lawsuit claiming the Obama administration abused its executive authority in implementing the act, among other complaints.

Ebola

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa became even more concerning when the disease spread overseas. The world watched as Dr. Kent Brantly, medical director for Samaritan's Purse in Liberia, was airlifted to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Within weeks, a small but growing number of Americans who had connections to Africa were diagnosed, including two Texas nurses who had treated an Ebola patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is continuing the efforts to create a vaccine.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

On March 8, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia bound for Beijing Capital International Airport in China. Less than an hour after takeoff, the plane disappeared with 227 passengers and 12 crew members. Despite the weeks-long multinational effort to find the aircraft in waterways that include the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca, it has never been found.

Islamic State

Middle East terror group IS beheaded several Western hostages this year, including American journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley, aid worker Peter Kassig and British aid worker David Haines. IS members said the beheadings are in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes in Iraq. Republicans and Democrats have complained that the U.S. response to the IS has been slow at best.

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Marijuana legalization

Early in the year, Colorado and Washington opened their doors to legalized recreational marijuana. Voters in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C. approved legal recreational use, while Maryland, Minnesota and New York voters approved medical marijuana. In November, Congress approved a provision in the federal spending bill that prohibits the U.S. Department of Justice from using federal money to raid and prosecute dispensaries in states where medical marijuana is legal.

Midterm Elections

The November midterms were a big victory for Republicans who won the Senate and expanded their presence in the House. Republican leaders said the newfound control means reshaping the country's foreign policy and stepping up aid in the fight against IS militants. Closer to home, the Republicans are likely to tackle immigration reform and Obamacare.

Immigration

From June through August, some 50,000 children -- most from Central America, traveling without an adult -- crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. In response, Obama took executive action in November granting temporary legal status to some 5 million people living in the country illegally. As a result, 24 states filed federal lawsuits, saying the White House violated the U.S. Constitution. On Dec. 17, a federal judge in Pennsylvania declared Obama's executive action unconstitutional, opening the door to a prolonged legal fight.

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Domestic violence

Domestic violence issues came to the forefront after videos emerged showing former Baltimore Ravens superstar Ray Rice assaulting his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer. The two videos showed Rice knocking Palmer unconscious and dragging her.

Reaction was swift on Twitter, under the hashtags #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft, with thousands of domestic-abuse survivors sharing their stories. Rice was charged with felony aggravated assault, dropped from the National Football League and later reinstated.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was criticized for his handling of the issue.

Rosetta comet landing

In January, the European Space Agency announced the Rosetta spacecraft awakened from hibernation after a 10-year journey to rendezvous with a comet. In November, Rosetta released Philae, a mini lander that descended to the comet's surface, marking the first time scientists landed a probe on a comet.

After about 50 hours of work, Philae stopped transmitting data when its batteries died. Observers see the landing as a tremendous victory for space exploration. It's the first step in sending a manned mission to Mars.

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