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English in the News - 2011 Upheaval and Change in an Unsettled World

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Parent Category: English in Use
Category: English in the News
Written by Michael Ugiliini
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When historians, someday in the future, look back on the year that was 2011, no doubt many of them will see the year as one of societies in flux. This past year involved political killings, natural disasters, wars, protests, economic crises, and more. In an unsettled world, upheaval and change were - and continue to be - the norm.

Remembrances of less turbulent times were met with a sense and feeling of nostalgia for many of the world's inhabitants. Talk to people anywhere and there seems to be an underlying trepidation of what 2012 will bring, mingled with the eternal optimism that seems to break forth when times get tough. With that in mind, here is a rundown of some of the top stories of 2011:

Death of Osama Bin Laden

U.S. Navy Seals killed Bin Laden in a raid in May. Bin Laden met his end in his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. He was buried at sea within a short time of his death.

The Japan Earthquake

The earthquake off Japan's northeast coast occurred in March. Destruction and havoc came to many communities. The earthquake caused a nuclear crisis in the country, whose effects are still not fully known – for Japan and the rest of the world.

The Arab Spring

Civil unrest led to massive and powerful demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, as well as Syria. The death of Moammar Gadhafi and the stepping down of Hosni Mubarak were a direct result of the Libyan and Egyptian demonstrations respectively. Time Magazine has chosen "The Protestor" as the 2011 Time Person of the Year.

Economic Turmoil

The European Union, the United States, and the world economy as a whole experienced significant trouble in 2011. A few short years ago, the mention of turbulence of this sort coming would have garnered guffaws from experts and casual observers alike. Today, as 2012 dawns, the opinion of astute world observers who understand what is truly happening is being taken more seriously. This isn’t the stuff any longer of apocalyptic literary stories or Hollywood scenarios.
The EU is in a fiscal crisis that threatens its very survival and the survival of their currency. The debt problems of Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Italy - as well as fiscal mismanagement that we may not even yet know of - threaten to bring the amalgam of European nations down. France and Germany, and particularly Germany are spearheading efforts to stop this train before it derails and causes widespread havoc.
The United States is experiencing a debt load that threatens the country's survival, once the world's leading 'lender', the U.S. is now the world's #1 'borrower.' Unemployment runs deep through American society and the nation's politicians either are in denial about the severity of their problems or refuse to work together to make the hard decisions to get their economy back on track.
Globally, the economic slowdown in China is having a trickle down effect in nations that rode the China boom. According to a BBC report, China's growth has slowed for three quarters in a row. They say that some economists predict it could fall below 9 percent in 2012. This would be the first time since 2001.

Occupy Wall Street Protests

The Occupy Wall Street Protests began in September with a protest near Wall Street in New York City. The protests spread across the country and internationally, but the message and aim of the protesters seemed unfocused and unclear. Many cities eventually cleared out the protesters, but some still remain.

Death of Apple's Steve Jobs

Apple visionary Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011. He started Apple with engineer Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Jobs and Wozniak are responsible for the way many people use computers on a daily basis. He was the man responsible for bringing the iPhone and iPad to market; revolutionary products that are only a part of all he did in the technology spectrum.

Flash Flooding in the Philippines

In December, flash floods drowned hundreds of people in their beds in two southern Philippine cities. Most recently, heavy rains started to pour in on Christmas Day affecting nine regions. The Philippine government and the international community have launched a huge humanitarian effort to help the victims of this flooding.

While it may not seem so, much good happened in 2011, these were the stories that garnered the majority of the headlines and took up most of the front-page space in newspapers and magazines. In addition, television and the Worldwide Web abounded with commentary and video related to these stories.

Happenings of a more positive note were often relegated to the back pages. However, you as the reader of this article have your personal news stories of 2011, good and maybe not so good, to think about, as you formulate your new path for 2012, and you can discuss any of your favourite news stories on the forum. We here at the English Magazine hope 2012 is everything you desire it to be for you and those important to you.

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