Top 5 News Stories of the Year

 

It has been an incredibly tumultuous year. Governments have fallen, natural disasters have devastated and figure-heads have passed away. We look at the top 5 stories which shaped 2011.

5. The Japanese Earthquake

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake which rippled through Japan in March was depressingly vivid. It was one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded and triggered a massive tsunami in the north-east of the country. The images broadcasted were implausible as buildings, bridges and cars were swept away in a matter of minutes. The earthquake left more than 20,000 people dead or misplaced with billions of dollars caused in damage. This natural disaster did happen to show however, the kindness of the human spirit as millions of dollars were donated to the relief cause. Perhaps even more astonishing than the earthquake was just how efficiently Japan has managed to rebuild.

4. The passing of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of the technology giant Apple, passed away on the 5th of October. The outpouring of grief which his death brought was indicative of how much influence he had. His life and his work were transcending for the visionary and a creative genius that he was. His impact on the technological industry is best evaluated by the personal connection he had with his consumers. It was perhaps his innovative spirit which propelled him to become the icon he was, along with his trademark black turtle-neck. Apple is estimated to be worth around $350 bjllion and Mr. Jobs is credited for this success. His name will always be indistinguishable from his company, and his company continues to revolutionise the new media industry .

3. The death of Osama Bin Laden

The world’s most wanted man was finally killed in May. The West rejoiced over the death of a man who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. He was eventually shot dead near Islamabad, Pakistan in a U.S ground operation. Bin Laden’s most notorious attack came on September 11th 2001 and since then he has been at the forefront of America’s war on terror. The impact of his death within Al-Qaeda is still being evaluated but his death has proved to be a significant achievement for the Obama administration. The news of his death broke on Twitter and on the 2nd of May those who had suffered from Bin Laden’s terror could finally rejoice .

2. The Occupy MovementThe international protest movement targeting social and economic inequalities was inspired by the Arab Spring and the Spanish Indignantos. The first Occupy Movement to receive notoriety was New York as protesters aimed to Occupy Wall Street. The coverage of the movement was at first muted, but as numbers grew and support strengthened, the movement began to resonate with millions across the world. It quickly spread to other cities as the people had finally, albeit temporarily, found a uniting voice. The ‘99%’, as they became known, made their economic struggles known and directed their discontent towards the ‘1%.’ The Occupy Movement transcended all walks of life, as the world became transfixed on this momentous protest. Protests have been clamped down upon as protesters have been told to disperse by government officials. Their voice, however managed to captivate many in 2011 and here’s hoping it’s not the last we’ve heard from the Occupy movement.

1. The Arab Awakening

The revolutionary waves of protests which have taken place in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria and Yemen have been the biggest story of the year and maybe the decade. The protests have shared similar forms of civilian resistance to authoritarian regimes, regimes which have suppressed their civilians for far too long. The protesters staged campaigns, demonstrations and rallies as a way of initiating change. They used social media as a means of mobilisation and raising awareness to the rest of the world. Their fight, once unimaginable, became democratic and their opponents were the tyrannical regimes. Thousands have died but they will not be forgotten, for they will remembered as the founders of this watershed revolution. Many dictators have fallen and others are not far away, 2011 will be remembered as the year that this historic change began.