Farewell

As the year finally draws to a close, it’s time to say a heartfelt and relieved goodbye to 2012, and fervently hope that 2013 is a more positive year for the world. At the time of going to press disasters seem to be mounting, and although the past year has had its bright moments, the negatives seem to have outweighed the positives. But hey, didn’t we say that about the last year as well? And the year before that? We may have enjoyed our personal moments of joy and happiness, or sorrow and tragedy; but on a global scale, 2012 has certainly been a downer. Its time to move on into the New Year and hope that the world and its myriad denizens take steps to ensure a happier, safer and more peaceful planet. So let’s take a look back at some significant events of 2012, the year best forgotten!

The World View

God bless the Queen!

In a tumultuous world, Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom in her imperturbable self, celebrated her diamond jubilee celebrations with splendour and dignified pomp in June. At 86, the monarch placidly parachuted into the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games alongside fiction’s most iconic spy, James Bond aka Daniel Craig. And why not, as the 2012 London Olympic Games promised the world a treat, and they delivered. Despite a few unsavoury doping stories, the athletes performed well and carried home their medals in glory.

And now that the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is pregnant, the UK is once again in the spotlight.

Pause to yawn

Not that this spectacular event helped much with Europe’s financial crisis, which still shows no signs of resurrecting from its monetary mire. We can only hope that 2013 provides a solution, but don’t hold your breath.

Scientific sensations

In the scientific world, the discovery of the Higgs bosun particle or God particle made headlines across the world, triumphing over petty politics and celebrity scandals. And in another spectacular event, Curiosity, the NASA satellite finally landed on Mars and continues to beam images of the red planet. To the relief of NASA who has now justified its existence, for some time at least!

Middle east crisis continues

The civil war in Syria continues and the only people truly in distress seem to be the Syrian civilians as they flee in droves to neighbouring countries. At the time of going to press, the rebels looking to overthrow the government have captured nearly 60% of the country.

Israel and Palestine also stood on the brink of war, sending shockwaves through the world in mid-November. Fortunately after eight days of pounding each other with rockets, a ceasefire was set into motion and an uneasy calm prevails. Lets hope 2013 brings a solution to this war-devastated region.

Jump from space

Felix Baumgartner is certainly one gusty man and the first to break the sound barrier through a record space jump from a helium balloon, 24 miles over Roswell, USA.

Global politics

2012 was election year in the USA, and President Barack Obama won a second term in office, much to the general relief of the world, and the slightly confused relief of Americans. He now has his hands full, trying to avert an impending fiscal cliff and dealing with disasters, both manmade and natural.

China too, has experienced a change in leadership after ten years, with a Xi Jinpin elected as the new party general secretary. Political instability continues in Egypt and Greece too, hovers on the edge of unrest.

Scandals and sensations

The trailer from an anti-Islam film produced by an Egyptian-born Coptic Christian sparked widespread riots across the world, for its depiction of the Prophet Mohammed. Innocence of Muslims gained notoriety in September, with protests by Muslims in Australia and the Middle East, among other countries. Riots over the film began at the United States embassy in Benghazi, Libya, which resulted in the death of four United States citizens, including the embassy’s ambassador.

The sporting world, and in particular, cyclists around the globe reeled in shock as iconic American cyclist Lance Armstrong was stripped of his medals and accused of using banned performance enhancing drugs. He has been banned from professional cycling for life

Former US General and CIA Director David Petraeus was forced to quit after it was revealed that he had had an affair with Paula Broadwell, principal author of his biography. Investigations continue following allegations of breach of security, and have seeped into the lives of other top brass within the US Army.

Sir James Wilson Vincent ‘Jimmy’ Savile was a BBC TV presenter, media personality and ‘prolific’ philanthropist, who died in October 2011. But since his death, hundreds of allegations of sex abuse were unearthed, and police now believe that Savile may have been one of Britain’s most ‘prolific’ sex offenders.

Tragic times

Hurricane Sandy hit parts of the Caribbean, mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States in late October 2012, leaving devastation and wreckage in its wake. The largest Atlantic hurricane on record with winds spanning 1,800kms, the losses from damage and business interruption are estimated at over $70 billion. Over 250 people were killed