The Omicron variant of Covid spreads around the world but, against a background of intensified vaccination, is proving less deadly. Restrictions continue to relax in Europe and by mid year life is back to something closer to normal. Russia invades Ukraine displacing millions of people. The US supreme court overturns the constitutional right to abortion. Liz Truss becomes the shortest serving Prime Minister in British history and Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch, dies after seventy years on the throne. Her funeral is estimated to have been watched by almost two thirds of the world making it the most viewed emission in the history of television.

Astronomical rises in energy costs hit Europe. As winter gets colder there is no doubt that 2022 is coming to an end dominated by the energy crisis.