BIGGEST NEWS OF 2011

Written by Sian Cain

December 2010- January 2011- Queensland and Victorian floods

It’s fair to say that in 2011 Australia had more than its share of natural disasters. The weeks of footage of gushing water were overwhelming, yet the aftermath exposed the greatest side of Australia- mate-ship, boundless charity and genuine camaraderie.

February 11^th– Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak resigns

The Egyptian revolution was an inspiring start for 2011. Sparked by riots in Tunisia and thirty years of absolute dictatorship, the Egyptian revolution was the first successful uprising in the Arab Spring. Egyptians thirsty for change took to Twitter and the streets until Mubarak resigned.

March 11^th– Japanese earthquake

Six months after the Tohoko earthquake and tsunami hit the Japanese coast, 20,000 are dead or missing and the overall economic cost is set to be the highest in the history of natural disasters.

April 29^th– The Royal Wedding

It’s common knowledge that when the world is a bit shit, English royals get married. England can now lay claim to having produced the biggest show of ostentatious wealth in a long time. Thanks to them, in 2021 we can look at our cabinets of Willz’n’Kateä memorabilia and wonder why we ever cared.

May 2^nd– Osama bin Laden’s death

Such big news, it stopped Royal Wedding coverage for like a whole week.

June 13^th– Greece and the Euro-debt crisis

Though Greece’s debt crisis has lasted much older than a couple of months, much of the protesting started on June 13^th when Greek’s credit rating dropped to the lowest possible rating. Still, let’s face it; a lot of the problems seem to stem from the fact Greece can no longer retire at stupid ages and take three-hour naps in the afternoon.

July 9^th– South Sudan secedes from North Sudan

99.9% of Sudanese voted in support of secession in January, but when the process was finalized in July, it was a true joy to behold such positivity and hope in the world’s youngest nation.

August 22^nd– The National Transitional Committee (NTC) wins Tripoli from Colonel Gaddafi

Many of the news outlets around the world abandoned the Libyan conflict around two months in; it was not as quick as Egypt nor as tech savvy. Yet after six months of constant gun battles, Libyan rebel civilians fought and took the capital from Gaddafi and the worlds eyes turned back to behold 2011’s greatest underdog story.

September 5^th– India and Bangladesh end their border dispute

Both countries signed an agreement to end their 40-year long dispute over where each country ends and begins. This deal affects approximately 7000 acres of land and 51,000 people, who under the agreement can either remain where they are or move to whichever country they prefer.