January 1 NASA's second Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory spacecraft is in orbit around the moon January 1 Queen Elizabeth II appoints John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, and artist David Hockney, to the Order of Merit January 2 The failed Fobos-Grunt spacecraft is expected to re-enter the earth's atmosphere and crash into earth in the next week January 2 While conducting military exercises in the Persian Gulf, Iran successfully test-fires two long-range missiles January 3 Iowa voters attend electoral caucuses; Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum lead Republican contenders as nominees for President of the United States January 3 Unemployment in Spain is reportedly at a record high January 4 U.S. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney wins the 2012 Iowa Caucus by 8 votes over Rick Santorum January 4 Vice-President of Argentina Amado Boudou assumes temporary power as President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has surgery for thyroid cancer January 5 The U.K. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague, begins a two day tour of Myanmar January 5 U.S. President Barack Obama announces plans to dramatically cut defense spending January 6 45,000 Facebook logins and passwords are stolen by the Ramnit worm January 6 Jamaica's new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announces the country will become a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state January 7 Eleven people are killed when their hot air balloon collides with a power line and crashes near Carterton, New Zealand January 7 Funding disputes lead several of Bosnia's cultural institutions to close January 8 After a year of being held hostage by pirates, 15 Georgian soldiers are released through efforts of the Somalian government January 9 A referendum on Scottish independence causes a clash between the United Kingdom's Westminster and Scottish governments January 9 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez meets with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the first stop of Ahmadinejad's Latin American tour January 10 Justine Greening, the U.K. Secretary of State for Transport approves the HS2, a high-speed rail line that will link major cities in the U.K. to London January 10 U.S. 2012 Presidential contender Mitt Romney wins the New Hampshire Republican primary; Ron Paul places second, Jon Huntsman places third January 11 A mortar in Horns, Syria, kills a friend journalist along with eight others January 11 According to Israel's military chief, the country is preparing for a increase of Syrian refugees into Golan Heights January 12 A ceasefire is signed between the Burmese government and the Karen rebels January 12 A law banning Palestinians who marry Israeli's from gaining citizenship is upheld by Israel's Supreme Court January 13 With over 42% of the vote, the island nation of Kiribati re-elects President Anote Tong to a third and final term January 14 Millions are left without power when a trasformer malfunctions in Bursa, Turkey January 14 Two survivors are found trapped inside the capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the coast of Tuscany January 13 January 15 2012 Republican Party Presidential primary candidate Jon Huntsman drops out of the race, endorsing Mitt Romney January 15 Facing fuel shortages after a fall storm, preparations are made for the US Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Healy to accompany Russian tanker Renda to deliver fuel January 16 Customers of online shoe retailer Zappos must change their passwords after Zappos reports hackers accessed up to 24 million customer accounts January 16 The English Wikipedia protests anti-piracy legislation proposed by the U.S. Congress by shutting down its website January 17 Co-founder of Yahoo!, Jerry Yang, resigns from the position of chief executive officer January 17 India and China agree to build a functional plan to address border issues January 18 An amateur astronomer in Peterborough, England, discovers a new, Neptune-sized exoplanet January 18 Sunken cruise ship captain Francesco Schettino admits to navigational errors that caused the Costa Concordia to capsize January 19 The famous film and camera company Kodak, files for bankruptcy protection January 20 fter three years in exile, Madagascar's President, Marc Ravalomanana announces he will return to the country January 20 Nearly 2,000 Malawi women protest against attacks on women wearing trousers by unemployed youths and street vendors January 21 Fears over bioterrorism cause top international virologists agree to halt work on a more virulent strain of H5N1 influenza virus January 22 An EU Accession referendum is taken in Croatia; 66% vote to join the EU, and 33% vote against joining January 22 Finland holds the first round of its Presidential election January 23 Responding to Iran's nuclear program, more sanctions are imposed upon Iran's banking and oil industries by the European Union January 24 Apple, Inc. reports over 37 million iPhones and over 15 million iPads were sold during the 2011 fourth quarter; the company generated over $127 billion in revenue January 24 The 2012 State of the Union Address is delivered by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Congress January 25 In Egypt, protesters commemorate the first anniversary of the revolution January 25 Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, announces that Iran is willing to discuss its nuclear program with other leaders January 26 A U.S. gene sequencing company, Illumina, adopts a poison pill strategy, fighting against a hostile big by Roche Holding January 26 On Australia Day nearly 200 indigenous protesters surround a restaurant in Canberra, trapping Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, opposition leader inside January 27 For the first time in nearly 17 years, Spain's unemployment number passes five million January 27 The main opposition leader of the Democratic Republic of the congo condemns parliamentary election as rigged; he calls for a strike in protest of his house arrest January 28 A German government plan proposing that a eurozone 'budget commissioner' take control of Greece's economic affairs is leaked January 28 Protests run by Occupy Oakland in Oakland City, California turn violent; approximately 300 people are arrested January 29 French President Nicolas Sarkozy presents an economic reform package that increases taxes and proposes a new tax on financial transactions January 29 The 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards takes place in Los Angeles, California January 30 In Lahore, Pakistan, a fake medicine crisis at a cardiology hospital leads to 112 fatalities, and rising January 30 In the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C., Occupy DC activists are prohibited from camping in Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square January 31 China tightens its control of monasteries following deadly protests in Tibet January 31 Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the Cabinet of Japan approves a bill placing a 40-year cap on the life of nuclear reactors February 1 American Airlines' parent company announces it will cut 13,000 jobs or 15% of its workforce February 1 In the state of Washington, the State Senate passes legislation allowing same sex marriage February 2 A serious cold snap across Europe causes 110 deaths February 2 In Kuwait, voters go to the polls for a parliamentary election February 3 Colorado closes its highways, including the I-70, due to heavy snowfall February 3 The U.S. unemployment rate drops to 8.3%, the lowest in three years after employers added 240,000 jobs in January February 4 Florence Green, the last known veteran from World War I, dies in the United Kingdom at the age of 110 February 4 Iran initiates new military exercises as tensions rise over the country's nuclear program February 5 In the Finnish Presidential election, conservative candidate Sauli Niinisto wins in a landslide February 5 Josefina Vazquez Mota is the first woman ever endorsed by a major Mexican party to run for President of Mexico February 6 Queen Elizabeth II marks her 60th anniversary of becoming monarch of the U.K and seven sovereign states in the Commonwealth of Nations February 6 Romania's Prime Minister Emil Boc and his entire cabinet resign due to major social and political unrest in the country February 7 California's Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in that state was overturned by the U.S. States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit February 7 The U.S. Congress passes legislation to expand the use of drone aircraft in the country February 8 Elizabeth Taylor's collection of artworks by Vincent Van Gogh, Camille Pissarro and Edgar Degas sell for over 13.7 million pounds at Christie's in London February 8 Europe's cold wave continues, with over 400 dead; the Danube River freezes over for 170 km February 9 As a cost-saving measure during bankcruptcy, Eastman Kodak Co. reports they will no longer make digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames February 9 The U.S. Department of Defense produces new guidelines that remove restrictions on the use of women in combat February 10 A children's story by James Joyce is published for the first time in Dublin; the story, 'The Cats of Copenhagen' is called an 'outrage' February 10 The Guardian proclaims 'The Guard' has won its first annual film award February 11 American singer and actress Whitney Houston dies suddenly at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California at age 48 February 11 Hundreds of thousands of people protest against austerity measures in Portugal's capital of Lisbon February 12 At the Grammy Awards, Adele, a British singer, wins awards for the Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year February 12 Los Angeles, California's Staples Center hosts the 54th Grammy Awards February 13 Moody's Investor's Service issues a negative outlook for the credit ratings for Austria, France and the United Kingdom February 13 The credit ratings of European Union members including Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain are downgraded by Moody's Investors Service February 14 A new statue of Kim Jong-il, North Korea's late leader is unveiled in the capital of Pyongyang February 14 Love letters written between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning are published online by Wellesley College and Baylor University February 15 A painting by Francis Bacon sells at Christies for 21.3 million pounds; 'The Portrait of Henrietta Moraes' is the second most valuable post-war contemporary art sold at the auction house February 15 Procter & Gamble sells Pringles to the Kellogg Company for $2.7 billion February 16 Anthony Shadid, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and the Middle East correspondent for the New York Times, dies at 43 of an acute asthma attack February 16 Australia's Qantas airlines announces its plan to cut 500 jobs February 17 Between 60 to 70 artifacts of the ancient Olympic games are stolen by thieves who broke into the Archaeological Museum of Olympia in Greece February 17 The Dow Jones Industrial Average achieves its highest level at closing since May 2008 February 18 In Seville, Prime Minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy is reelected head of the Popular Party February 18 Pope Benedict XVI announces seven new saints - including American saint Kateri Tekakwitha - and appoints 22 new cardinals February 19 In a retaliatory move against E.U. sanctions, Iran stops all exports to France and the United Kingdom February 19 In Rio de Janeiro, a record 2.2 million people attend the Bola Preta street party during Rio's carnival February 20 IAEA nuclear inspectors hold discussions about Iran's nuclear program in Tehran February 20 Scientists regenerated specimens from Silene stenophylla, a 31,800 year old piece of fruit, substantially surpassing previous records for the oldest plant regenerated February 21 Adele, One Direction, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran are among the winners at the 2012 BRIT Awards for British popular music February 21 Euro zone finance ministers agree on a second bailout for Greece February 22 In New Zealand's city of Christchurch, thousands of people commemorate the first anniversary of the earthquake where 185 people died last year February 22 The IAEA announces that Iran has denied access to the Parchin military complex where they believe suspicious nuclear activities are taking place February 23 Ahead of court martial, suspect U.S. Army Private Bradley Manning is formally charged with turning over a massive cache of classified documents to Wikileaks February 23 The State Senate of Maryland approves a bill allowing same-sex marriage in the state February 24 After a power struggle within his government, Haiti's prime minister Garry Conille resigns February 24 The IAEA reports that Iran has been expanding its nuclear activities February 25 The film 'The Artist', wins four awards at the Spirit Awards which honors independent films February 25 Treasure from Spain's Navy frigate Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes is returned to Spain after it was recovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration in 2007 February 26 New Corporation announces its launch of 'The Sun on Sunday' to replace 'News of the World' which shut down due to a phone hacking controversy February 26 Senegalese voters go to the polls for Senegal's presidential election, which has been marked by controversy and violence February 27 Following an engine room fire, the cruise ship costa Allegra is left adrift in the Indian Ocean near the Seychelles February 27 Wikileaks begins releasing 5 million emails from Stratfor, a private intelligence company February 28 IBM announces it is on the cusp of creating the world's first quantum computer February 28 Scientists discover two new species of prehistoric penguins, Kairuku waitaki and Kairuku grebneffi, which stood over five feet tall February 29 President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez recovers after a tumor is removed from his pelvis February 29 The midwestern United States is hit by tornadoes, killing 12 people March 1 After losing power three days ago due to an engine room fire, the Costa Allegra cruise ship arrives at the Seychelles March 1 The Euro zone experiences the highest unemployment level in its history: 10.7 per cent March 2 Marysville, Indiana and Henryville, Indiana experience widespread damage from tornadoes that hit the midwestern and southern United States March 2 The United States space agency NASA reveals it had its security compromised by hackers 13 times in the past year March 3 Australia's Nepean-Hawkesbury River system floods after the Warragamba Dam overflows, causing evacuations in the Sydney suburbs Richmond, Pitt Town and Grono Point March 3 U.S. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney wins the caucus in Washington state March 4 In 2012, the People's Republic of China will increase its defense spending by 11.2 per cent March 4 Tornadoes that struck the midwestern and southern United States claimed 39 lives March 5 The animated film, 'The Lorax' earns $70.7 million dollars at the box office, the fifth highest returns ever for an animated film March 5 The U.S. requests New Zealand extradite Kim Dotcom and three of his MegaUpload associates, forcing them to face charges for breaching copyright March 6 Lehman Brothers exits its bankruptcy protection, making it free to sell remaining assets and distribute its funds to creditors March 6 The President of France, Niclas Sarkozy, announces a plan to cut immigration to France by 50 per cent March 7 Sweden's media reports the country is helping Saudi Arabia plan the construction of a weapons factory March 7 The largest solar flare in five years, occurring March 6, 2012, nears the Earth, threatening to disrupt airline flights, GPS systems and power grids March 8 Scientists claim a recent study suggests that donor stem cells may prevent organ rejection in cases of imperfectly matched transplants March 8 The first comprehensive map of the debris field of the RMS Titanic is revealed March 9 Author JK Rowling announces that the Pottermore website, her version of the Harry Potter universe will launch in early April, 2012 March 9 The world's oldest Charles Dickens film, dating from 1901, featuring a depiction of a Bleak House character, is rediscovered by the British Film Institute March 10 French comic artist Jean Giraud, creator of 'Blueberry' and numerous influential science-fiction comics, dies at 73 March 10 U.S. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney wins caucuses in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam and Wyoming March 11 Krasna Horka, a historic Slovakian castle, is heavily damaged in a fire March 11 Russians stage protests in response to last week's election of Vladimir Putin as President for a third term March 12 A section of China's high-speed railway collapses after it underwent test runs; the collapse may have resulted from heavy rains March 12 The U.S. Census Bureau reports the world now has 7 billion people March 13 A Harvard Medical School study claims that red meat increases the risk of death and has additional negative health implications March 13 Twenty-five year old Alaskan, Dallas Seavey becomes the youngest winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race March 14 A 6.8 magnitude earthquake causes a small tsunami to hit the coast of Aomori prefecture on the Japanese island of Hokkaido March 14 Britain has 2.67 million people unemployed, its highest unemployment rate since 1995 March 15 China's Premier Wen Jiabao blames the Dalai Lama for ongoing self-immolations by Tibetan monks March 15 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returns home after a three-week recovery from cancer surgery March 16 After three years without an elected head of state, Nicolae Timofti is named President of Moldova March 16 In a gesture to honor North Korean founder Kim II-Sung's birthday in April, North Korea plans to launch a new satellite that reportedly will be used to study crops and natural resources March 17 An internal investigation is launched by Pope Benedict XVI involving leaks of confidential documents that allege corruption, financial mismanagement and power struggles among senior church officials March 17 Despite being under house arrest in the United Kingdom, Julian Assange announces his plan to run for the Senate of Australia March 18 Footballer Fabrice Muamba is critically ill and in a London hospital intensive care unit after undergoing cardiac arrest on live television during the 41st minute of the FA cup quarter final March 18 Germany's Federal Assembly elects Joachim Gauck President of the Federal Republic of Germany March 19 After two decades of being closed due to civil war, the Somali National Theater reopens in Mogadishu March 19 Wendy's overtakes Burger King as the second best-selling hamburger chain in the USA March 20 A 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes near the border of Mexico's states Guerrero and Oaxaca March 20 The movie 'John Carter' becomes one of the biggest losses in film history; Disney takes a $200 million writedown on the film March 21 Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne reveals the 2012 British budget which cuts the top rate of income tax March 21 The Parliament of Greece votes in favor of an international bailout deal March 22 In Montreal, Canada, over 200,000 people march to protest against post-secondary education tuition hikes March 22 In Portugal, trade unions hold a 24-hour strike to protest austerity measures March 23 In Mexico, thousands in Guanajuato, come out to greet Pope Benedict XVI at the start of his first visit to Spanish-speaking Latin America March 23 Pope Benedict XVI says Cuba needs to find ways to move away from Communism, and that he will help them find a peaceful way to make the transition March 24 China announces its plan to phase-out the practice of taking and selling organs from executed prisoners March 24 U.S. Presidential candidate Rick Santorum wins the caucuses in the state of Louisiana March 25 In Orlando, Golf pro Tiger Woods wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational tournament; this is his first PGA Tour victory since 2009 March 25 U.S. President Barack Obama begins a three-day visit to South Korea, as tensions rise over North Korea's proposed missile tests March 26 Following a landslide victory, Campbell Newman is sworn in as Australia's new Premier of Queensland March 26 London-based Tullow Oil discovers oil in Kenya March 27 Libya's National Transitional Council admits it faces a national crisis amidst and escalation of violence and militia rule March 27 World leaders discuss nuclear security during a summit in Seoul, South Korea March 28 The Government of Fiji takes over controlling interest in Australia's Qantas airline subsidiary Air Pacific March 28 The Mega Millions jackpot in the U.S. reaches a world record in lottery history - $500 million dollars March 29 In New Delhi, India, leaders of Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India meet for the 2012 BRICS summit March 29 U. K. government officials announce that Viaspan, a solution used to preserve some donor organs, could be contaminated with bacteria after tests identified Bacillus cereus was present in the solution used to test Viaspan's sterility March 30 Evidence of citrus greening, a disease that has killed millions of citrus trees in Brazil and Florida, is found in a residential area of Los Angeles County, California March 30 VISA and MasterCard warn banks that a security breach has compromised over 10 million credit card numbers March 31 In the U.S., the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists merge to create the SAG-AFTRA union March 31 Progress is made on the U.K. and European Union's tallest building when the spire of the Shard London Bridge is put in place April 1 Eli Young Band wins song of the year for 'Crazy Girl' and Taylor Swift wins 'Entertainer of the Year' at the 2012 Academy of Country Music awards April 1 In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood nominates chairman Khairat El-Shater as a candidate for the May 2012 presidential elections April 2 Data from the 1940 U.S. census is released including information on 132 million people April 2 Three widows and two daughters of Osama bin Laden were charged with illegally living in Pakistan; they were sentenced with 45 days in jail and fined $114 each April 3 Following the News International phone hacking scandal, James Murdock resigns as Chairman of BskyB April 3 Part of the April 3, 2012 tornado outbreak, tornadoes impact the Dallas, Texas area April 4 A power blackout in Northern England causes as many as 50,000 homes to have a power blackout after heavy winds, snow and ice bring down electricity cables April 4 The first deployment of U.S. Marines arrives in Australia's city of Darwin in the Northern Territory April 5 As part of a continued tightening on world sanctions on Iran, a Chinese company that insures ships will stop indemnifying tankers carrying Iranian oil April 5 SkyNews admits it illegally hacked emails that belonged to members of the public on two separate occasions April 6 In England, lawmakers ban the display of tobacco products, hoping the move will lead to a reduction in the number of youths who smoke April 6 In the U.S. city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a U.S. Navy FA-18 Superhornet crashes into an apartment complex April 7 Following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda becomes President of Malawi April 7 The Anonymous computer hacking group is credited with launching an attack on the United Kingdom Home Office April 8 German poet, Gunter Grass, awarded the 1999 Nobel Prize in Literature, is declared a persona non grata by the Internal Affairs Minister of Israel, over his poem, 'What Must Be Said.' April 8 U.S. golfer Bubba Watson defeats Louis Oosthuizen at the 2012 Masters Tournament in a sudden-death playoff April 9 Facebook purchases Instagram, a photo sharing application, for $1 billion April 9 The broadway show, 'The Lion King', becomes the highest grossing show of all time, overtaking 'Phantom of the Opera' April 10 One of the heroes of the French Resistance, Raymond Aubrac, dies at the age of 97 April 10 The American company Apple, Inc. announces it is worth over $600 billion dollars, making the technology company the largest in the world by market capitalization April 11 Greece Prime Minister Lucas Papademos resigns, calling for a new election within a month April 11 The North Korean Workers party names Kin Jong Un First Secretary, with his father, Kim Jong IL delcared as the party's 'eternal' General Secretary April 12 Mali swears in Dioncounda Traore, an interim president, marking the country's transition back to civilian rule following last month's coup April 12 U.S. company Google, Inc., announces its 2012 first quarter earnings rose by more than 24%, and net profits increased to $8.14 billion April 13 Indian actor Shahrukh Khan is detained by the U.S. at a New York airport for 90 minutes, angering S. M. Krishna, India's External Affairs Minister April 13 Owner of the New Orleans Saints, Tom Benson, agrees to purchase the New Orleans Hornets from the National Basketball Association for an estimated $338 million April 14 In Ireland, anti-austerity protesters use a coffin draped in the Irish tricolor April 14 The U.S., Russia and China, begin talks about Iran's nuclear program April 15 Ceremonies and special events marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic are help around the world April 15 China allows the yuan to fluctuate up to 1% from 0.5%, in trading against the U.S. dollar April 16 Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of Argentina, introduces a bill to nationalize 51% of YPF, the Argentine oil company, to Congress April 16 Following political reforms in Myanmar, Australia relaxes sanctions on the country, including by-elections earlier this month where opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi's party won more than a dozen seats April 17 Jose Garc�a-Margallo y Marfil, Spain's foreign minister, attacks Argentina's decision to nationalize the Argentine oil company YPF April 17 U.S. billionaire Warren Buffet discloses that he has prostate cancer April 18 Naples' Casoria Contemporary Art Museum begins burning its artworks to protest government budget cuts affecting cultural institutions April 18 The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission together complete rules to limit which firms are required to register with either or both agencies as 'swap dealers' April 19 After 70 years, two papers on Alan Turing's theory of code-breaking are released to the U.K.'s National Archives April 19 At the London Book Fair, Ma Jian, Chinese author of the banned novel 'Beijing Coma,' puts red paint over his face and calls Chinese publishers, 'the mouthpiece of the Chinese communist party' April 20 Less than three years after accepting the position of Chairman of Disney Studios, Rich Ross, resigns April 20 Tens of thousands of people demonstrate in Tahrir Square against continuing military rule in Egypt April 21 In the Philippines, four new species of freshwater crab are discovered; the crab are bright purple in color April 21 Playing against the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox pitcher, Philip Humber, pitches the 21st perfect game in MLB history and the third perfect game in team history April 22 Officals in Egypt reject a deeply unpopular agreement to supply Israel with natural gas; the agreement was made by former President of Egypt Hosni Mubarek April 22 The Vietnamese government asks for help from the World Health Organization after an outbreak of an unidentified fatal disease occurs in Quang Ngai Province April 23 Despite an initial ban on the film 'Borat,' Kazakhstan issues and official 'thank you' to actor Sacha Baron Cohen for his character, Borat Sagdiyev April 23 The trial over illegal use of campaign funds by U.S. Presidential candidate John Edwards begins in North Carolina April 24 Organizers of the London Marathon accidentally publish the home and email addresses of 38,000 entrants in the marathon on their website April 24 Scientists in Kamchatka, Russia, report sighting the first adult white orca to be seen in the wild April 25 After a case of mad cow disease is reported in South Korea, retailers cease selling U.S. beef April 25 In Illinois, a Cook County Circuit Court rules that the tax Amazon.com levied on Internet businesses by the U.S. state of Illinois is unconstitutional April 26 Argentina's Senate passes President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's bill to nationalize 51% of oil company YPF with overwhelming majority April 26 During the second day of evidence at the Leveson Inquiry, Rupert Murdock reveals there was a 'cover-up' at 'News of the World' but that he had no knowledge of it April 27 Barcelona's association football manager Josep Guardiola announces his resignation April 27 The wives and children of former Osama bin Laden are deported from Pakistan to Saudi Arabialo April 28 In recognition of democratic reforms, the European Union opens an office in Burma April 28 Syria accuses Ban Ki-moon, Secretary of the United Nations, of 'encouraging attacks on the government' April 29 Accused of spying, Sudan arrest four foreigners in the disputed border region with South Sudan April 29 The decision of the Economic Community of West African States to deploy troops to the country is rejected by Mali coup leader Amadou Haya Sanogo April 30 After Chen Guangcheng flees house arrest, U.S. President Barack Obama refuses to comment on the blind Chinese dissident who reportedly went to the U.S. embassy April 30 The nearly finished One World Trade Center overtakes the Empire State Building as the tallest building in New York City May 1 Japan's car sales soar significantly after last year's earthquake and tsunami, coming in at a 92% rise year-over-year May 1 Strong manufacturing figures and company earnings cause the Dow Jones Industrial Average to reach a four-year high May 2 2012 U.S. presidential candiate, Newt Gingrich suspends his campaign for the Republican nomination May 2 Leader of Burma's National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, is sworn in as a member of Pyithu Hluttaw, Burma's lower house of the parliament May 3 Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese dissident, requests help from the U.S. Congress in his attempt to flee China with his family May 3 New Delhi hosts the 59th National Film Awards; 'Deool' and 'Byari' win the Award for Best Feature Film May 4 A study finds that 90% of dropouts in Asia's major city schools suffer from myopia, or short-sightedness, with 10 - 20% having advanced, or high myopia, which can cause blindness May 4 The United Kingdom's government announces it will introduce a consultation process on internet measures which require online users to opt-in if they want to view adult content May 5 The last nuclear reactor in Japan is shut down, leaving the country without nuclear power since 1970 May 5 The moon forms a super moon as it gets the closest to the earth for the year May 6 In the second round of the French presidential election Francois Hollande is elected President of France May 6 More than 1,000 birds, mostly pelicans and hundreds of dolphins die off the coast in the north of Paru, under unexplained circumstances May 7 Romania's USL, or Social-Liberal Union Leader, Victor Ponta, becomes Prime Minister of Romania May 7 Russia swears in Vladimir Putin for his third, six-year term as President May 8 A Beijing court announces it will hear artist and dissident Ai Weiwei, held and gagged on tax evasion charges by the People's Republic of China May 8 The Polar Music Prize is awarded to Paul Simon and Yo-Yo Ma May 9 Imprisoned Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko is moved to a hospital after a political compromise, ending her hunger strike May 9 India puts an end to a plan to re-introduce cheetahs to the country with shipments from Africa May 10 More than 700 writers, academics and others send a letter to protest the planned spending of $300 million on the Fifth Avenue Branch of the New York Public Library May 10 Roy Lichtenstein's picture, 'Sleeping Girl', sells at auction for $44.9 million, a new record for Lichtenstein's artwork May 11 A memorial service is held for San Diego chargers' Junior Seau; his #55 will be retired by the team May 11 U.S. researchers report that preventable infections are the leading cause of the world's child mortality rate, where out of 7.6 million children who died before the age of 5 in 21010, 60% died of infections like pneumonia May 12 A missing piece of the Mayan calendar is discovered, proving the Maya didn't believe 2012 would be the end of the world May 12 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returns to his home after successfully completing radiotherapy treatments for cancer in Cuba May 13 In China, violent rainfalls and flooding in the Hunan Province destroy a bridge and 3,500 homes, causing Pinhjiang County to evacuate 28,000 people May 13 Scientists believe a link exists between the disappearance of endangered languages and cultures and a loss of biodiversity May 14 Scientists at Stanford University invent a working bionic eye the is powered only by focused light; the eye could eventually restore the sight of millions of people suffering from macular degeneration and retinal pigmentosa May 14 U.S. Presidential candidate Ron Paul announces he will end his campaign, but that he will still try to obtain delegates before the Republican National Convention in August May 15 France swears in Francois Hollande, the 24th President of France May 15 U.S. scientists develop a device that can generate electricity from genetically-engineered viruses; these piezoelectric materials are a step toward the development of personal power generators May 16 The black box is recovered from the Russian passenger jet that carried 44 passengers and crashed in the Indonesian province of West Java, leaving no survivors May 16 The China Central Television Headquarters, designed by the Officer for Metropolitan Architecture, a firm based in Rotterdam ten years ago, is finally completed in Beijing May 17 Security chief Zhou Yongkang is asked to be removed by a group of Chinese Communist Party veterans May 17 U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel B. Shapiro, says America 'is ready' to attack Iran to prevent them from developing nuclear weapons May 18 German opera singer and baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, dies age age 86 May 18 Sybrand van Haersma Buma becomes the top candidate for 2012's Dutch general election after being elected as the new party leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal May 19 Richard Dawkins, an atheist, ethologist and evolutionary biologist, approves of British education secretary Michael Gove's plan of sending free King James Bibles to every state school May 19 Robert Spitzer, a retired American psychiatrist, claims his 2001 study was 'fatally flawed'; the study falsely supported the myth that gay people could be 'cured' May 20 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Yukiya Amano, goes to Tehran to convince the Iran's government to co-operate with the IAEA May 20 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells his cabinet that Israel's identity is threatened by hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from Africa May 21 Dioncounda Traore, Acting President of Mali, requires hospitalization after encountering angry demonstrators who object to the 70-year old to hold the office for a year May 21 People in East Asia, the North Pacific and the Western United States have the opportunity today to view a rare annular solar eclipse May 22 Sarah West, a British naval officer Commander is appointed commander of HMS Portland, the Royal Navy frigate; she is the first female officer to take command of a major British warship May 22 Yahoo! sells off its stake in Alibaba Group for $7.1 billion May 23 Fifteen months after President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in Egypt by a revolution, voters go to the polls for a presidential election May 23 In the eleventh 'American Idol' finale, Philip Phillips is named winner of 'American Idol,' with Jessica Sanchez as the runner-up May 24 According to the U.S. Hurricane Center, Hurricane Bud has formed off of the Pacific Ocean's coast of Mexico, and has reached category two strength May 24 During the first three months of 2012, revised figures show that the U.K. economy shrunk by 0.3% May 25 The first commercial spacecraft, SpaceX Dragon, docks with the International Space Station when it completes docking at 12:02pm EDT May 25 The newly-elected President of France, Francois Hollande, makes a surprise visit to see the French troops in Afghanistan May 26 The Vatican confirms that Pope Benedict XVI's butler was arrested for allegedly leading confidential documents May 26 Voters in Lesotho, a landlocked country completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa, go to the polls for a general election May 27 At the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, screenwriter and filmmaker Michael Haneke wins the Palm D'Or for 'Love' May 27 Following some controversial remarks, Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, is accused of 'insulting the Greek people' May 28 A South African newspaper removes the controversial painting titled 'The Spear' by Brett Murray from its website May 28 'Time' magazine includes 'Awaara' on its list of All-Time 100 Greatest Films May 29 After thousands protest Brett Murray's controversial painting 'The Spear', the gallery that exhibited his painting agrees to take the image of the artwork down from its website May 29 Northern Italy, near Bologna, experiences a 5.8-magnitude earthquake; at least 24 people are killed May 30 After Simon Bolivar's U.K. concert, featuring Venezuela's premier youth orchestra sells out eight months in advance, it is announced that the concert will be live-streamed on June 23rd and 26th, 2012 May 30 Scientists successfully sequence the tomato genome, and announce that tastier, more pesticide-resistant tomato varieties can be engineered for use in the next five years May 31 Former Democratic Party candidate for the U.S. Presidency, John Edwards, is cleared on one count of corruption, with a mistrial declared on the other five counts May 31 In India, a nationwide strike against rising gas prices closes shops and interrupts public transport across the country June 1 In Tokyo, direct trading begins between the Japanese yuan and the Chinese yuan June 1 Madonna begins her MDNA Tour in Tel Aviv, Israel, the first of more than 65 cities she will perform at worldwide June 2 Camelot the horse, wins the Epsom Derby, the fourth Classic win for trainer Aidan O'Brien June 2 Egypt's former president, Hosni Mubarak is sentenced to life in prison, along with his former interior minister, Habib al-Adly, for being complicit in killing of demonstrators in the 2011 revolution June 3 A pageant on London's River Thames marks the highpoint of a series of events celebrating The Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II June 3 Cycling's Philadelphia International Championship is won by Alexander Serebryakov June 4 A pop concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee takes place at Buckingham Palace, featuring artists Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, among others June 4 On the 23rd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, China blocks internet access to terms related to the event June 5 The planet Venus makes its last transit of the 21st century beginning at 22:09 UTC June 5, and ending 4:49 UTC June 6 June 5 The Wisconsin Senate recall election is held, and Wisconsin voters re-elect incumbent governor Scott Walker June 6 A solar plane, called The Solar Impulse, lands in Morocco after completing the world's first intercontinental flight powered by the Sun June 6 In east London, archeologists find remains of the Curtain Theatre, which opened in 1577 and was where some of Shakespeare's plays were performed June 6 Ireland is struck by another earthquake off of the County Mayo coast June 7 Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of Argentina, announces she will switch her personal savings from the U.S. dollar to the Argentine peso June 7 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announces it will end talks with Iran; chief inspector Herman Nackaerts says there has been no progress June 8 In a third round of voting, the Parliament of Albania fails to elect the President of the Republic of Albania June 8 Pensacola, Florida and adjacent areas experience widespread flooding after over 12 inches of rain falls on the area June 9 Spain confirms its receipt of over 100 billion euros in loans to help manage the needs of its struggling banks June 10 Clashes between Buddhists and Muslims occurs in western Burma, causing the area to declare a state of emergency June 10 Twenty inches of rainfall in Escambia County, Florida damages roadways and bridges, and leaving parts of the Florida Panhandle and coastal Alabama under water June 11 Construction of The European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), the world's biggest optical telescope is approved June 11 Winds in southwestern Western Australia of up to 140km/h batter the area and leave more than 170,000 homes without power June 12 Ending an extensive study on the wooly mammoth, scientists conclude that they were wiped out by multiple things, including climate change, human hunters, and shifting habitats June 13 A letter written by Manal al Sharif, and signed by hundreds, urges Saudi King Abdullah to give women the right to drive June 13 Israel announces it is deporting its first planeload of South Sudanese illegal migrants June 14 Australia announces its plan to create the largest marine reserve in the world June 14 Swedish doctors perform the world's first stem cell assisted vein transplant on a 10-year old girl June 15 In Bulgaria, remains believed to be John the Baptist, are scientifically dated to be from the first century AD June 15 President Barack Obama states that the U.S. will stop deporting some illegal immigrants June 16 After a classified 469-day orbital mission, the U.S. air force's robotic Boeing X-37-B spaceplane returns to Earth June 16 Egypt's voters go to the polls for a second round of voting in their first presidential election June 17 In France, voters participate in a legislative election, with the Socialist Party winning a majority June 17 U.S. golfer Webb Simpson wins the U.S. Open June 18 Following the death of Crown Prince, Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz becomes Saudi Arabia's heir apparent June 18 Sequoia, IMB's Blue Gene/Q system installed at the Department of Energy becomes the world's fastest supercomputer June 19 In the Najran Province of Saudi Arabia, a man is beheaded on charges of sorcery and witchcraft June 19 While Greece struggles to overcome its economic crisis, Antonis Samaras, leader of Greece's New Democratic party, negotiates with political rivals to form a coalition government June 20 Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, reported to be in a coma, is removed from life support June 20 U.S. CEO of Oracle Corp, Larry Ellison, agrees to purchase 98 percent of Hawaii's island of Lanai June 21 In an attempt to restore profitability, Air France announces plans to cut over 5,000 jobs by the end of 2013 June 21 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo faces impeachment June 22 The Philippines lends $1 billion to the International Monetary Fund June 22 The Sudanese city of Khartoum requires security forces to break up anti-austerity protests June 23 As part of a build-up to the London 2012 Summer Olympics, 100,000 people attend a two-day music concert at Hackney Marshes June 23 During the U.S. selection trials, U.S. track and field athlete Ashton Eaton sets the new world record for the decathlon June 24 Fox News reporter and Opus Dei member Greg Burke is selected by Pope Benedict XVI as secretariat of state June 24 The last known Pinta Island Tortoise, Lonesome George, is found dead in the Galapagos Islands June 25 Elena Vesnina beats five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, in the first round at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships June 25 The U.S. Supreme Court rules that minor's cannot be automatically be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole June 26 In an attempt to encourage people to buy from their local bookstores, novelist and Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Russo boycotts e-books June 26 Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, the four thousand year-old ridge-top monastery in Bhutan catches fire and is destroyed; no relics were lost in the fire because the monastery was under renovation June 27 After mediation with creditors fails, the city of Stockton, California becomes the largest city in the U.S. to declare bankruptcy June 27 Greece appoints Yiannis Stournaras as its new finance minister June 28 South Korea announces that it plans to sign a pact with Japan that encourages the sharing of sensitive military intelligence June 28 The weight loss drug lorcaserin is approved by the FDA, the first weight loss drug to be approved since 1999 June 29 After five years of marriage, American actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announce their plans to divorce June 29 News that European Union members agree on a deal to help some struggling Eurozone members causes world stock markets to soar June 30 BMP7 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7), a potential therapeutic utility for recurrent metastatic disease, is announced as the Molecule of the Year 2011 June 30 Vano Merabishvili is appointed as the new Prime Minister of Georgia by the country's President, Mikheil Saakashvili July 1 Residents near Columbia's Nevado del Ruiz volcano are evacuated due to a possible eruption July 1 Soyuz, a spacecraft originally designed for the Soviet space program, lands safely in Kazakhstan, with Oleg Kononenko of Russia, Andre Kuipers of the Netherlands, and Don Pettit of the United States, onboard July 2 Airbus announces it's plan to invest $600 million to open an assembly plant in Mobile, Alabama July 2 The first space-bound Orion spacecraft is unveiled in Cape Canaveral, FloridaFlorida by NASA and Lockheed Martin July 3 After Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologized for a NATO airstrike that killed 26 Pakistani soldiers and officials, Pakistan reopens key NATO supply routes into Afghanistan July 3 New Zealand sustains a major earthquake, with minor damage reported July 4 A biblical picture of Samson and a Hebrew inscription is discovered in an ancient synagogue in the Galilee region of northern Israel July 4 Standard and Poor's credit rating agency increases the rating of the Philippines to BB+ July 5 At a meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Panama City, South Korea announces it's plans to begin 'scientific' whaling of minke whales July 5 Europe's tallest, habitable, free-standing structure, The Shard, which stands at 1,016 feet (309.6 metres) officially opens in London, England July 6 California's Senate holds a vote to approve the funding for a bullet train between Los Angeles and San Francisco July 6 Yahoo and Facebook agree to settle a patent dispute, dropping lawsuits against each other and now forming an advertising and content-sharing alliance that expands an existing partnership between the two companies July 7 Tennis pro Serena Williams beats Agnieszka Radwanska in the Women's Singles final at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships July 7 The brother of Columbian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 1982 Nobel Prize of Literature recipient, announces he suffers from Dementia and can no longer write July 8 Academy award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine, dies at the age of 95 July 8 At the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, tennis pro Roger Federer beats Andy Murray three sets to one at the Men's Singles final July 9 A temporary fix to the Internet Doomsday virus created by the Federal Bureau of Investigation expires, causing thousands of computer users across the globe to lose Internet access July 9 President Hugo Chavez, of Venezuela, announces he has recovered from pelvic cancer July 10 France O'Grady is appointed the first female General Secretary by Britain's Trade Union Congress July 10 Hearings are delayed for the U.S. extradition of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom over concerns about the search and seizure of documents July 11 Japan mourns the loss of a 6-day old rare giant panda, born naturally in captivity at a Tokyo zoo July 11 The discovery of the fifth moon of Pluto, S/2012 P 1, is announced by astronomers July 12 An estimated 90 - 115 people die when an oil tanker in Okobge, Rivers State Nigeria crashes and explodes July 12 The Rolling Stones, English rock band, celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its first performance at the Marquee Club in Oxford Street, London July 13 A drought spreading through the United States leads to over 1,000 counties declared natural disaster areas July 13 The People's Republic of China economic growth rate experiences to its lowest level in three years, 7.6 per cent July 14 Following an avalanche that swept away nine climbers, Italian and French rescue crews recover the bodies of two climbers on Mont Blanc in the Alps July 14 London's West End closes it's longest-run musical, 'Chicago' which ran for 15 years July 15 In Egypt, protesters throw tomatoes and shoes at U.S. Secretary of State's motorcade during her first visit to the country since President Mohamed Mursi was elected July 15 Saudi Arabia donates $100 million to the Palestinian Authority July 16 Jon Lord, an English composer and pianist and co-founder of the heavy rock group, Deep Purple, dies after suffering a pulmonary embolism July 16 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves of Truvada, the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection July 17 Astronauts, Sunita Williams of the United States, Yuri Malenchenko of Russia and Aki Hoshide of Japan, arrive at the International Space Station for a three-month long mission July 17 Top executive Marissa Mayer, leaves Google after being appointed Yahoo! Inc.'s new CEO July 18 King Jong-un, son of King Jong-il, is announced the official Supreme Leader of North Korea; he also now holds the rank of Marshal in the Korean People's Army July 18 The 'immediate and severe' fiscal emergency declared by the U.S. city San Bernardino, California, allows it to declare bankruptcy without negotiating with creditors July 19 David Cameron, Britain's Prime Minister, suggests government spending cuts will be required until the end of the decade July 19 The United Kingdom freezes 100 million pounds of assets of Syrian leaders July 20 A long-term deal made between Viacom and DirecTV allows DirecTV to carry Viacom channels July 20 In London, the Olympic Torch arrives, signaling the final stages of the U.K.-wide relay ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics July 21 Illegally excavated Buddhist relics that were recovered by Pakistani police were stolen from a police station in Karachi; the pieces date back to the Gandhara civilization which existed over 2,000 years ago in Pakistan July 21 In an apparent effort to keep his contract, a subcontractor at Japan's defunct Fukushima's nuclear power plant shielded dosimeters with lead plates to ensure they did not reach radiation limits, and workers to lie about possible high radiation exposure July 22 After placing first in the 2012 Tour de France, Bradley Wiggins becomes the first British cyclist to win the famous competition July 22 India elects Pranab Mukherjee as its new President July 23 America's first female astronaut, Sally Ride, dies of pancreatic cancer at age 61 July 23 Patent law disputes between Samsung and Apple deadlock as the dispute addresses valuation of each other's patents July 24 Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi appoints Hisham Qandil as Prime Minister, and asks him to form a new government July 24 Vice-President John Dramani Mahama becomes President of Ghana after President John Atta Mills, dies July 25 Ivica Dacic is officially sworn in as Prime Minister of Serbia July 25 The Egan-Jones Ratings Company projects Italy has a one-year default probability of 22%, downgrading the country to CCC+ from B+ July 26 President of France, Francois Holland finalizes a deal with Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara to forgive $4.7 billion dollars in debt incurred by the Ivory Coast when it was a French Colonial Power July 26 Tropical Storm Khanun left 16,000 people homeless in South Korea July 27 Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary-General, urges countries to work together to reach an agreement to control international arms sales; no agreement is reached July 27 Salvatore J. Cordileone is appointed the ninth Metropolitan Archbishop of San Francisco by Pope Benedict XVI July 28 A new Olympic Record in the men's 100m breaststroke is set at the 2012 Summer Olympics, by Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa July 28 The U-550, a sunken German U-Boat, is discovered off the cost of Massachusetts July 29 In China, thousands protest plans to introduce national patriotism lessons in Hong Kong school, labeling it Chines propaganda July 29 Scientists reveal new research identifying a mechanism by which Earth-warming carbon is pulled deep into the Southern Ocean, and locked away; scientists claim this process may be threatened by global warming July 30 A truth commission created by Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff convenes to investigate the country's military dictatorship July 30 Over 300 million people are left without power in Delhi, India, due to a power grid failure July 31 Deutsche Bank, the German global financial services company, announces plans to cut 1,900 jobs July 31 U.S. Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps wins a record 19th Olympic medal, with gold in the 4x200metres freestyle relay August 1 A poll by the British Film Institute's 'Sight and Sound' magazine lists Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 thriller 'Vertigo' as the greatest film of all time August 1 In India, an earlier blackout that left over 600 million people without power ends when power is restored August 2 Liliane Bettencourt, French L'Oreal heiress, sells D'Arros Island to pay tax bills for $60 million August 2 The Japanese press reveals that Sharp Corporation, an electronics company, will cut 5,000 jobs worldwide August 3 After last months extensive flooding, North Korea asks the United Nations for food aid August 3 At least one person is killed from an explosion in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya August 4 Britain has their greatest success in one day at an Olympics since 1908, winning six gold medals and a silver on Day Eight of the 2012 Summer Olympics August 4 South Africa's Oscar Pistorius becomes the first amputee to compete at the Olympic Games in the 400 meters August 5 A refugee camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo experiences an outbreak of cholera; thousands have fled there due to fighting between government troops and M23 rebels August 5 Britain tennis pro Andy Murray wins the16th gold medal for Britain during the 2012 Summer Olympics after defeating Roger Federer in the men's singles final August 6 After a century of silence, Mount Tongariro in New Zealand erupts, spreading volcanic ash across the country's central North Island and affecting airports August 6 The Curiosity rover controlled by NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, lands safely on the surface of Mars August 7 Australia's Sally Pearson sets a new Olympic record when she wins the 100 metres hurdles in 12.35 seconds at the 2012 Summer Olympics August 7 Typhoon Haikui, expected to make landfall in Zhejiang early tonight or early tomorrow, prompts the People's Republic of China to evacuate 200,000 people form Shanghai August 8 Archeologist excavating the Templo Mayor, one of the Aztec's main temples in their capital city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico city), make an unprecedented find - the skeleton of a young woman inside a burial, surrounded by piles of 1,789 human bones August 8 Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's President, signs a controversial law concerning the status of 18 languages as regional and minority languages; the law allows officials in Russian-speaking regions of the country to use Russian in documents and at public events August 9 David Rudisha of Kenya becomes the first athlete at the 2012 Summer Olympics to set a new world track record and secures the 800m gold medal August 9 Mexico's state, Veracruz, experiences a natural disaster when Hurricane Ernesto makes landfall, killing at least three people August 10 For the first time since the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the United States plans to help clean up herbicide Agent Orange from areas in Vietnam August 10 Ghana's state funeral, held in Accra for President John Atta Mills, attracts tens of thousands August 11 Jamaican runner Usain Bolt wins his third gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, anchors the sprint relay team to a world record; Bolt is 25 years old and now holds six Olympic gold medals August 11 The Republican party's presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney names Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Congressman, as the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate in the November 2012 presidential election August 12 The winner of U.S. PGA Championship at Kiawah Island is Northern Ireland's professional golfer, Rory McIlroy August 12 U.S. pastor Billy Graham is hospitalized for several days at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina due to bronchitis; he recently suffered pneumonia in November, 2011 August 13 Pope Benedict XVI's former butler receives orders from the Vatican to stand trial for his alleged involvement in leading allegations of corruption in the Holy See August 13 The editor-in-chief of 'Cosmopolitan' magazine and leader of the 1960's sexual revolution, Helen Gurley Brown, dies at age 90 in New York City August 14 An Egyptian lawyer, Mohamed Salem, files a lawsuit over the country's President Morsi removing Hussein Tantawi, former commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, and Sami Anan, former Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces August 14 Mexico's drug war continues in Monterey, when alleged members of the Gulf Cartel storm a bar in Monterey, killing 10 people August 15 A recurrence of a bladder infection causes Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to be taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure August 15 Australia's High Court upholds legislation providing for cigarettes to have plain packaging August 16 Dallas, Texas Mayor Mike Rawlings declares a state of emergency after an outbreak of West Nile Virus kills at least 17 people; the city plans to combat the mosquitoes with aerial spraying of pyrethroid insecticides August 16 The U.S. State Department states the U.N. Secretary-General's decision to attend the 120-member Non-Aligned Movement summit is 'strange' and 'not a good signal' August 17 The uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Jang Song-thank, meets Hu Jintao, the President of China August 17 Trogloraptor marchingtoni, an unusual spider discovered in 2010 is determined to be a new family of spiders previously unknown in the world of science; the new spider family has been named Trogloraptor, meaning 'cave robber' August 18 Egypt's state news organization states that their President, Mohammed Morsi is going to Iran at the end of August to attend the Non-Aligned Movement meeting August 18 The United Kingdom's Treasury Committee of the House of Commons releases the first of two volumes reporting on the LIBOR fixing scandal August 19 Japan wins their third title in the 2012 Women's Baseball World Cup August 19 The West coast of Washington state is hit by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake August 20 After not being seen for weeks, Ethiopia's long-term Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi dies of a mystery illness August 20 As part of ongoing political reforms in Myanmar, the country announces it will end media censorship August 21 A study describing the Big Bang, published in 'Physical Review', suggests it is actually a phase change ruled by event symmetry, a theory which best supports how spacetime could originate from original matter August 21 At least 20 people due from the Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo August 22 A proposal for a statue to George Orwell is flatly turned down by the BBC, who said Orwell resigned from the organization, 'because for some time past I have been conscious that I was wasting my time and the public money on doing work that produces no results.' August 22 The writer of 'Carrie's War,' Nina Bawden, who was shortlisted for the 1987 Booker Prize and the Lost Man Booker Prize in 2010, dies in London at age 87 August 23 In a letter on a controversy in Germany over circumcision, the President of Israel, Shimon Peres stresses that circumcision is at the core of Jewish identity August 23 Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, announces he will not contest the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency charges of doping, a result of which will include being stripped of all of his tour de France victories August 24 A California state jury rules that Samsung electronics owes Apple Inc. over $1 billion for patent infringement August 24 After his decision not to context charges of doping by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Lance Armstrong learns the organization has banned him for life and recommended he be stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles August 25 Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person on the Moon, dies at age 82 August 25 Australians in the country's Northern Territory elect the Country Liberal Party August 26 Lydia Ko, a 15-year old amateur golfer, wins the Canadian Women's Open; she is the youngest winner ever on the LPGA Tour and first amateur to win since JoAnne Carner in 1969 August 26 The Non-Aligned Movement begins their 16th Summit in Tehran, Iran August 27 Curiosity, the Mars rover, broadcasts its first audio recording of a human voice from the surface of another planet August 27 In a move to demonstrate promised reforms are taking place, Thein Sein, President of Burma, changes nine cabinet ministers August 28 At the National Convention in Tampa, Florida, the U.S. Republican Party nominates Mitt Romney as its candidate in the 2012 presidential election August 28 Typhoon Bolaven hits South Korea. leaving at least four Chinese fishermen dead and another twelve missing August 29 China's President, Hu Jintao, officially receives Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, who came to the country for cooperation talks and in-depth discussion August 29 London holds the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Paralympics August 30 A large crude deposit of oil is found by Permex, Mexico's state-owned oil company, in the northern state of Tamaulipas; deposits could contain 250 - 400 million barrels of oil August 30 A report on the nuclear program of Iran released by the IAEA, highlights concern over Iran's nuclear program as the country reportedly has doubled its number of centrifuges as the Fordow facility August 31 Angola holds Parliamentary elections August 31 The winner of Mexico's presidential elections is Enrique Pena Nieto, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party September 1 The 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran, Iran, closes with a 60-page final document focusing on Iran's nuclear energy program and the Palestinian issue, with no mention of the civil war in Syria September 1 U.S. National Park officials notify 3,100 recent visitors of an outbreak of Hantavirus sourced to tent cabins in Yosemite National Park September 2 Ending a 50-year ban on veiled female news presenters, Egypt's state television gives its female presenters a choice of wearing, or not wearing, a veil September 2 The Formula One Belgian Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps, is won by 32 year-old Jenson Button September 3 Lebanon passes a ban prohibiting smoking in closed public places September 3 Moody's credit rating agency lowers its outlook on the European Union's AAA long-term bond rating from stable to negative September 4 Ahead of his cabinet and his December 1st inauguration, Mexico's President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico names his 'transition team' September 4 Scientists create a 'magic carpet' using optical fibers to help prevent elderly people from falling by detecting when unusual footsteps are taken September 5 At the National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, the U.S. Democratic Party vote three separate times in order to approve putting the terms, 'God', 'Jerusalem', and 'Israel' back into the platform September 5 For the first time, a browsable, analysable overview of four million functional elements of the human genome discovered to date, are made available to the public in the 'Encyclopedia of DNA Elements' September 6 President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party's nomination as candiate for the 2102 Presidential election September 6 The United Communist Party of Nepal is removed from the U.S. terror list citing they have made a 'credible commitment to pursuing peace and reconciliation.' September 7 Investments to and from Pakistan are now permitted by the Reserve Bank of India September 7 The Pakistani government accuses the Save the Children NGO as being linked to a fake vaccination program used in the hunt for Osama bin Laden; Pakistan orders foreign nationals working for the organization to leave the country within four weeks September 8 After weeks of protests, the Hong Kong government backs down on its plans to introduce Chinese patriotism classes in its schools September 8 Pakistan and India plan to mutually ease visa requirements September 9 In crowded Ginowan, Okinawa, tens of thousands of Japanese people protest, demanding closure of the Futenma airbase (MCAS) and halting the deployment of twelve MV-22 Osprey aircraft September 9 Serbia says it is protecting a witness of organ harvesting on Serbian prisoners of the war in Kosovo September 10 At the 2012 U.S. Open, Andy Murray of the U.K. wins the Men's Singles, defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic; Murray becomes the first British player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry 76 years ago September 10 The U.S. Surgeon General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Army Secretary, release a new U.S. national strategy to prevent suicides; the strategy uses Facebook as a tactic September 11 The U.S. commemorates the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for the first time no special security alert is issued on the anniversary of the attacks September 11 The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is attacked by terrorists; U.S. Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed as well as three others; the Cairo embassy was also attacked September 12 The 'Lamb of God', the first panels of the Ghent Altarpiece are secretly moved from Saint Bavo Cathedral for a five-year restoration at the Ghent Museum of Fine Arts; the panels are likely the most frequently stolen artwork in history September 12 U.S. Presidential candiate Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama's reaction to the attacks on U.S. missions in Benghazi, Cairo and other U.S. embassy's was to 'sympathize' with the assailants; the President claimed the attacks were the result of protests to a movie released on YouTube months before that mocked Mohammed September 13 Jan van Eyck is credited as the painter of 'The three mary's at the tomb' a painting from the 1430's held in a Rotterdam museum September 13 Only two days after being named to his new post, Shinichi Nishimiya, the newly-appointed Japanese ambassador to China is hospitalized after collapsing in Tokyo September 14 Pope Benedict XVI visits Lebanon September 14 The Japanese Coast Guard reports six Chinese Marine Surveillance ships are sighted near the disputed Senkaku Islands; China claims the 'two surveillance ship fleets' are in waters around the islands for purposes of 'patrols and law enforcement' September 15 In Moscow, tens of thousands protest against Vladimir Putin, chanting, 'We are the power here!' and 'Russia without Putin!' September 15 Mass protests take place in Tamil Nadu, India, as opposition to the Kudankulam nuclear power project grows September 16 The expiration of a collective bargaining agreement causes the National Hockey League player lock out September 16 The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., announces a successful artificial insemination as Mei Xiang gives birth to her second giant panda cub September 17 In an effort to ease economic sanctions on Myanmar, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi embarks on a 17-day tour of the United States September 17 NASA reports its three-man crew of Joe Acaba and Russian colleagues Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin landed safely in the Russian-made Soyuz capsule after 123 days at the International Space Station September 18 The Chicago Public Schools reaches a deal with the Chicago Teachers Union to end an 8-day strike September 18 U.S. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney states the Palestinians are committed to destroying Israel September 19 The Chicago Teachers Union leadership votes to suspend the strike; teachers go back to school as union members review a tentative pact with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel September 19 The U.S. Justice Department's inspector general reports that Operation Fast and Furious created a 'significant danger to public safety''; the investigation states Attorney General Eric Holder had no prior knowledge of the operation September 20 A University of Nebraska-Lincoln communication specialist predicts that future use of unmanned aerial vehicles in journalism will become widespread September 20 Former U.S. Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty resigns from Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign, planning instead to work for the Financial Services Roundtable in Washington, D.C. September 21 A leadership ballot held by the Democratic Party of Japan is won by Japan's Prime Minster, Yoshihiko Noda September 21 Demonstrations by thousands of Libyan people cause Ansar al-Sharia Islamists evacuate their headquarters September 22 A new wing dedicated to Islamic art is opened at the Musee du Louvre in Paris, France; the area contains 3,000 from the seventh to the 19th century September 22 Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and the MEP for Belgium voice concerns that the Flemish N-VA party and the far right are 'the same'; N-VA responds by saying their criticism is 'gratuitous' September 23 Belarus holds parliamentary elections; the opposition boycotts the vote, claiming it is undemocratic September 23 Four genetically different types of breast cancer are identified by researchers; the study, part of the Cancer Genome Atlas, will help scientists understand how to cure breast cancer in the future September 24 Chinese bookstore suspend the sale of books by or about Japan, and all books by Japanese authors September 24 Vice foreign minister to Japan, Chikao Kawai, is sent to China to help improve the status of relations between the two countries September 25 A novel corona virus found in a Qatari man returning from Saudi Arabia is investigated by the World Health Organization, prompting the announcement of a global alert September 25 The Baja peninsula in California handles a 6.2-magnitude earthquake, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries September 26 In Greece, trade unions call a general strike as they continue their protest against austerity measures September 26 Japanese automakers announce plans to cut output in China; they announce plans to suspend operations in the country until after National Day September 27 A referee lockout that has taken place since June 2012 ends as an agreement is reached between the NFL and NFL Referees Association September 27 For the first time, Curiosity, the Mars rover, discovers what could be determined as direct evidence of a fast-moving stream bed, a prior watersource, on Mars September 28 The novel coronavirus alert is lifted by the World Health Organization after they determine the virus, which originated in Saudi Arabia, is not highly contagious September 28 The President of Germany's Social Democratic Party, Sigmar Gabriel recommends Peer Steinbruck as the party's Chancellor candidate for the 2012 German federal election September 29 After the U.S. delists the Mujahideen-e Khalq as a terrorist entity, Iran accuses the United States of having 'double standards' September 29 Unseasonal flooding in Morocco causes three people to drown September 30 Singer George Michael experiences 'major anxiety' and cancels the Australian leg of his tour; the singer resulted from life-threatening pneumonia in November 2011 September 30 Spain announces it expects its debt levels to increase in 2013 October 1 Japan appoints its new finance minister, Koriki Jojima, and Seiji Maehara as its new minister of national strategy and economic policy October 1 Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, Chairman of Libya's legislative authority, the General National Congress, says al-Qaeda elements who fought with rebels in Libya's civil war number "up to 200" in Libya October 2 A report from the European Commission on the need for increased safety at Europe's 134 power station nuclear reactors will cost 10 to 25 billion euros October 2 The parliamentary election in Georgia is determined to be 'fair and free' by the OSCE October 3 Inquiries into the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya increase as the only surviving witness of the attack, Walid Faraj, has yet to be interrogated October 3 Protestors in Iran clash with riot police during their demonstration against the collapse of the rial, the country's currency October 4 The Dutch non-profit organization's Women on Waves abortion rights activist ship, which provides abortions and related medical services to women from countries with restrictive abortion laws, was blocked from entering Morocco's port of Smir October 4 The FBI claim to have completed it's investigation into the terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya in one day October 5 After a strike over working conditions, the world's biggest platinum producer, Anglo Platinum Limited, fires 12,000 people in South Africa October 5 In the U.S., five people have died from fungal meningitis, and 47 are infected; all contracted fungal meningitis from contaminated medicine October 6 Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, says Islam should join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty October 6 John Hume, Ireland's former Social Democratic Party Leader, receives the papal knighthood at a special mass at St. Eugene's Cathedral in Derry October 7 Antisa Khvichava, a Georgian woman believed to be the oldest woman of all time, dies at age 132 October 7 Venezuelans go to the polls to vote in the country's presidential election; President Hugo Chavez competes against Henrique Capriles Radonski of the opposing Justice First party October 8 In Haiti, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe announced plans to pay for a new education fund with a new 'sin' tax on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling October 8 The Libyan parliament passes a vote of no confidence for Mustafa A.G. Abushagur, the first elected Prime Minister of Libya; Abdurrahim El-Keib again takes over the post October 9 As German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Greece, an estimated 25,000 protest in Athens October 9 The 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Serge Haroche and David Wineland for their work on quantum optics October 10 In the U.S., President Obama nominates John R. Allen as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), with General Joseph Dunford positioned to succeed Allen in his previous post of commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan October 10 Pope Benedict XVI adds Arabic to the number of languages broadcasting the weekly Vatican address October 11 The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Chinese author Mo Yan, famous for the hallucinatory realism writing style October 11 The U.S. court ruling banning the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus is overturned, winning a round for Google's Android against Apple October 12 A customary law which prevented women from inheriting their family home, is overturned by the high court of Botswana October 12 The 2012 Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to the European Union for 'over six decades (having) contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe' October 13 Israel launches four airstrikes in response to multiple rockets being fired across the border. The airstrikes kill two Salafist jihadist militants and wound one other in the northern Gaza strip October 13 The U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavor inches through the streets of Los Angeles on a trolley, making its way to a museum October 14 Australian daredevil Felix Baumgartner breaks the world record for human ascent by balloon by space diving 128,100 feet out of the Red Bull Stratos helium-filled balloon over Roswell, New Mexico October 14 Sisters Eva Hoffe and Ruth Wiesler, who inherited valuable documents belonging to Franz Kafka and his colleague Max Brod are ordered to turn the documents over to the National Library in Tel Aviv October 15 Amidst protests against austerity, the Portuguese government announces details of its draft budget for 2013 October 15 The premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, announces his resignation October 16 An issue with airbag deployment causes U.S. automaker Ford to recall 154,000 Fiestas October 16 The United Kingdom reports its plan to close the U.K. Consulat in Basra, Iraq October 17 Amidst controversy over the anti-doping scandal, Lance Armstrong resigns as chairman of LIVESTRONG, his anti-cancer charity October 17 Astronomers have identified the nearest planet outside of our Solar System, Alpha Centauri B, which circles its star much closer than Mercury orbits our Sun October 18 Anti-austerity protests in Greece attract tens of thousands of workers October 18 The Golden Dagger award for best crime novel of the year is awarded to Irish writer, Gene Kerrigan, for 'The Rage' October 19 Andrew Mitchell, the Chief Whip of the British Conservative Party, resigns over remarks he made to police officers in Downing Street October 19 The 52-foot iconic statue known as Big Tex, is destroyed by fire during the final days of the 2012 State Fair of Texas October 20 Following severe floods in southern France, hundreds of pilgrims are evacuated from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes October 20 Noam Chomsky, a Jewish-American philosopher, linguist and human rights activist, visits Gaza for the first time, attending a seminar with Gazan thinkers and intellectuals October 21 Former U.S. Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern dies at age 90 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota October 21 Seven new saints are canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, including Anna Schaffer, Kateri Tekakwitha, Marianne Cope and Pedro Calungsod October 22 Former award-winning cyclist, American Lance Armstrong, is banned for life from participating in International Cycling Union-sanctioned events and stripped of his seven Tour de France titles based on the findings of a systematic doping investigation October 23 A debate among EU commissioners on a proposal to accept a 40 percent quota for women on corporate boards is delayed until November 2012 October 23 In London, the 23rd James Bond film, 'Skyfall' receives its Royal premiere at the Royal Albert Hall October 24 The British government grants Wales limited powers to borrow money for financing major projects October 24 The Republic of Ireland switches off its analog television service at 10:00am October 25 Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in Cuba and Jamaica and heads towards The Bahamas October 25 The 2012 Summer Olympics is credited with helping the UK economy emerge from recession; official GDP figures show 1 percent growth from July to September October 26 Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi receives a sentence of four years for fiscal fraud October 26 Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian leftist protest leader is charged with plotting 'mass disorder', facing a sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted October 27 Riot police are sent out to greet thousands of protesters in Madrid, Spain, who demand that the government quit October 27 The GAA names Karl Lacey of Donegal its All Stars Footballer of the Year October 28 Hackers replace the homepage of the Euromillions lottery website with a passage from the Quran condemning gambling October 28 The U.S. East Cost prepares for Hurricane Sandy, which caused damage throughout the Caribbean and resulted in 67 deaths October 29 Publishers Penguin and Random House merge to become Penguin Random House, the largest publisher in the world October 29 The governing Worker's Party takes control of Brazil's financial capital and largest city when Fernando Haddad is elected mayor of Sao Paulo October 30 Anglo-Irish poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis' archive, which inclues manuscripts and a letter from W. H. Auden are donated to Oxford University's Bodelian Library by Tamasin and Daniel Day-Lewis October 30 George Lucas sells Lucasfilm Ltd. to the Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion; the sale includes the rights to the 'Indiana Jones' and 'Star Wars' franchises October 31 In the U.S., over 60 people die in the Mid-Atlantic states as the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy leaves millions without electricity and cripples its mass transportation system October 31 The New York Stock Exchange is reopened after a two-day closure due to Hurricane Sandy; this was the market's first weather-related two-day closure since the late 19th century November 1 Half of the population of New York City, and millions of others in the Northeastern United States continue to deal with power outages, gas shortages and limited public transportation after Hurricane Sandy struck; the death toll rises to 90 November 1 Light from the first stars in the universe is detected by astronomers studying high-energy radiation data; the data suggests these stars existed as early as 500 million years after the 'big bang' November 2 New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces the cancellation of the New York City Marathon due to the damage and devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy November 2 Women-only literary prizes are launched by Canada and Australia; the prize, formerly known as the Orange continues its search for a sponsor November 3 Turin, Italy, is selected as the European Capital of Sport for 2015 November 4 A naval base located on the Strait of Hormuz, near Bandar Langeh, is established by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps November 4 The Coptic Orthodox Church selects Bishop Tawadros as their new 118th pope November 5 Amid tension with China, Keen Sword, the biennial naval training exercise between the United States and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, takes place off the shore of Okinawa November 5 Standard & Poor's credit rating agency receives a ruling by an Australian judge that they misled investors in their rating of two-pre-crisis issues of structured debt November 6 Britain's MP Nadine Dorries is suspended from the Conservative Party after deciding to become the first politician to appear on a reality TV series November 6 U.S. voters hold their 2012 presidential election, with Democratic President Barack Obama projected to defeat Republican opponent, Governor Mitt Romney November 7 The U.S. elections result in three states approving same-sex marriage: Maine, Maryland and Washington November 7 U.S. voters in the state of Massachusetts approve a referendum legalizing the use of medical marijuana; Colorado and Washington approve the legalization of recreational use of the drug November 8 2011 Tucson shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, is given 7 consecutive life sentences November 8 European Central Bank president, Mario Draghi, confirms the design overhaul of euro banknotes, beginning with the 5 euro note November 9 After a series of self-immolation by Tibetan monks, hundreds of Tibetan monks and students protest against education policies in China's western Qinghai Province November 9 Under intense media scrutiny for an extramarital affair, U.S. CIA Director David Petraeus submits his resignation to President Barack Obama November 10 The BBC's George Entwistle steps down as Director-General, with Tim Davie replacing him Acting Director General November 10 Votes in Florida are finalized, giving Barack Obama the winning number of electoral votes; this will be his second term as President of the United States November 11 After being convicted of corruption, Jordan's former spy chief, Mohammad al-Dahabi, is sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment November 11 In Tibet, a Tibetan teenager dies of self-immolation in Gansu, China; this is the seventh incident this week and the 70th self-immolation since 2009 November 12 The European Physical Society's annual Edison Volta Prize is awarded to CERN Director General, Rolf-Dieter Heuer November 12 Wade Davis' non-fiction book, 'Into the Silence', wins the 2012 Samuel Johnson Prize November 13 Medical textbooks require rewriting after 39-year-old Canadian Scott Routley becomes the first person believed to be in a vegetative state to tell scientists he isn't in any pain November 13 Parts of Australia and the South Pacific witness a total solar eclipse, with Cairns being the most populated city to experience this rare event November 14 Scientists discover the closest known rogue planet to Earth, known as CFBDSIR 2149-0403, the planet is about 100+ light years away November 14 Several European countries protest against unemployment and austerity measures; Spain and Portugal hold the largest protests, with Greece, Italy and Belgium holding smaller ones November 15 A Union Pacific train strikes a parade float in Midland, Teas, killing four people and injuring 17 others November 15 Prior to a visit from U.S. President Barack Obama, Myanmar's government pardons 452 prisoners under an amnesty as a goodwill gesture November 16 Hostess Brands reveals its plan to file for bankruptcy and liquidate its assets, claiming contract disputes from the bakery's union worker strike crippled its operations; about 18,500 workers will be laid off November 16 The U.S. House of Representatives votes to end the Jackson-Vanik amendment from 1974, which was intended to effect U.S. trade relations with Communist countries November 17 Egypt's minister of transport, Mohamed Rashad Al Matini, resigns after a school bus carrying 60 schoolchildren is hit by a train near Manfalut, 230 miles south of Cairo November 17 Rick Majerus, the head basketball coach at Saint Louis University, announces his retirement due to health issues November 18 A fire breaks out in the Tamweel Tower, one of about 80 towers built or still under construction in the Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai November 18 The film 'Chinese Zodiac' featuring martial arts star Jackie Chan, will be the last film made by the action star November 19 Burmese President Thein Sein and National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi meet U.S. President Barack Obama, the country's first visit from a sitting U.S. President November 19 Expedition 33 ends and Expedition 34 begins as astronauts Yuri Malenchenko, Sunita Williams, and Akihiko Hoshide return to Earth with spacecraft Soyuz TMA-05M November 20 According to the United Nations World Meterological Organisation, greenhouse gases reached record levels in 2011 November 20 British Prime Minister David Cameron announces Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland as the location for the 39th G8 summit in June 2013 November 21 For the second time in four months, New Zealand's Mount Tongariro volano erupts; the volcano is located on the country's North Island November 21 In Oklahoma, airport workers discover a painted golden object with a hole in the bottom in the luggage of musician Wayne Coyne; they mistake the object for a live grenade and shut down the Will Rogers World Airport November 22 A dense fog near Beaumont, Texas, causes a a 100-vehicle pileup , leaving 120 people injured and 2 killed; the incident forced the Interstate 10 in Southeast Texas to close in both directions November 22 Russia lifts a ban imposed in 1996 on the import of British beef and lamb; the ban, imposed when Britain suffered from mad cow disease (BSE) had been lifted worldwide in 2006 November 23 In Surrey, England, a message found on the leg of a pigeon from WWII stumps GCHQ code-breakers, who say the message hidden in the code may never be revealed November 23 President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi causes a call for large protests after he passed a degree giving himself sweeping new powers November 24 In Dublin, an estimated crowd of 10,000 protesters demonstrated against austerity and called for a general strike to shut down the country November 24 Palestinian officials plan to exhume the body of former leader Yasser Arafat to determine whether his death in Paris, 2004, was caused by poisoning November 25 Heavy rain and high winds across England and Wales kill two people and flood 800 homes November 26 Mikhail Korniyenko and Scott Kelly, veteran astronauts, are chosen to carry out the first year-long mission to the International Space Station in 2015 November 27 Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi and Thein Sein are listed first on 'Foreign Policy' magazine's 2012 Top 100 Global Thinkers November 27 The United Kingdom plans to create new private and public sector universities; these will be the first universities the country has created in decades November 28 Egyptian President Morsi plans to address the nation about the decree he enacted which greatly increases his powers November 28 In an effort to curb binge drinking and other alcohol related problems, the United Kingdom's Home Office begins a 10-week consultation on whether to introduce a minimum price on the sale of alcohol of 45p a unit November 29 A new species of freshwater fish are discovered; the new species of darter fish, Etheostoma obama, are named after U.S. President Barack Obama November 29 New findings from MESSENGER, NASA's space probe, indicate almost definitively, that the north pole of Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, has water ice buried beneath the surface November 30 NASA's Curiosity rover continues to make small discoveries as the organization works to discredit rumors of evidence of life on Mars November 30 Physics professor Enzo Di Fabrizio, of Magna Graecia University in Catanzaro, Italy, successfully takes the first direct photograph of DNA December 1 In ceremonies held at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, is officially inactivated after a 51-year U.S. Naval career December 1 Mexico swears in its new President, Enrique Pena Nieto, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party December 2 Ballerina Natalia Makarova, blues legend Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, American television host David Letterman, and surviving members of Led Zeppelin, receive 2012 Kennedy Center Honors for their contributions to American culture December 2 Italian voters select center-left candidate Pier Luigi Bersani as their new Prime Minister December 3 Following controversial elections, Ukraine's Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov and his government, resign en masse December 3 Vietnam accuses China of cutting seismic survey cables from territorial waters in the South China, disputed by Vietnam, the Philippines Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei December 4 All members of the Commonwealth of Nations, who have the British Monarch as their head of state, agree to the Succession of the Crown Bill, enabling a female child, for the first time, to become monarch December 4 In Egypt, one hundred thousand people gather around the Presidential palace to protest proposed constitutional changes by Mohamed Morsi, the President of Egypt December 5 Famous American pianist and jazz composer, Dave Brubeck, dies at the age of 91 December 5 Typhoon Bopha, striking New Bataan and parts of the southern Philippines, leads to the deaths of 283 people with 339 injured, over 300 missing, and over 87,000 evacuated from the area December 6 Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves the hospital after suffering from severe morning sickness December 6 The toll of those afflicted by Typhoon Bopha in the southern Philippines rises to 179,000 left homeless after the storm passed December 7 NASA reports its Twin GRAIL probes studying the surface of the Moon reveal unexpectedly-deep cracks, craters and tectonic structures December 7 Scientist in Tanzania discover the oldest-known dinosaur fossil - a 243-million-year-old fossil from the extinct reptile Nyasasaurus December 8 Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declares that proposed referendums on a new constitution will be enacted, but the decree he issued expanding his powers will be annulled December 8 Philippine President Benigno Aquino, announces a state of national calamity after Typhoon Bopha claims over 450 lives December 9 Chinese authorities arrest a Tibetan monk and his nephew in Sichuan province, for inciting 8 self-immolation protests against Chinese rule December 9 Vietnamese police break up anti-China protests over oil and gas claims in the disputed territorial waters of the South China Sea December 10 In Oslo, Norway, leaders of the European Union accept the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize December 10 U.S. Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, emboldened by the passage of a voter-approved amendment to the state constitution last month, declared marijuana legal for recreational use December 11 The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, undergoes surgery for cancer in Cuba December 11 Thousands of union employees protest outside of the capital building in Lansing, Michigan, as Michigan's government passes legislation, becoming the nation's 24th right-to-work state, and most highly unionized state in the U.S. to have such laws December 12 An asteroid named 4179 Toutatis, over 3 miles wide, passes within 4.3 million miles, or 18 lunar distances from Earth December 12 The U.N. condemns North Korea for launching a long-range Unha rocket; North Korea claims its purpose is to put its first satellite into space, but critics say the launch is a disguised ballistic missile test December 13 An early work by noted childhood fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, titled, 'The Tallow Candle", is found at the bottom of a filing box at the National Archives of Funen December 13 European Union Finance Ministers agree to give the European Central BAnk new powers to supervise euro zone banks December 14 In the U.S. state of Connecticut, a shooter kills 29 people, including 20 children, himself and his mother at Sandy Hook Elementary School December 14 The 2012 'World Soccer' Player of the Year award is given to Lionel Messi December 15 Egyptian voters go to the polls to vote on a highly protested referendum on a new constitution December 15 Hilary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State, fainted from dehydration and sustained a concussion after falling in her home December 16 Japan holds it's general election, with Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister and opposition Liberal Democratic Party leader, predicted as winner December 16 Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of South Africa, challenges party leadership by President Jacob Zuma at the opening of the African National Congress (ANC) December 17 Ceremonies commemorating the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il were held outside the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun mausoleum in Pyongyang; the nation observed three-minutes of silence to honor him December 17 Outgoing U.S. Senator Jim DeMint is replaced by GOP Congressman Tim Scott, the first black senator from the South since 1881 December 18 Prime Minister Victor Ponta, of the Social Liberal Union, is nominated by Romanian President, Traian Basescu, to form a new government after Romania holds its parliamentary election later this December December 18 United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II attends a meeting of the Cabinet for the first time, receiving a gift honoring her Diamond Jubilee; this was first time a Cabinet meeting was attended by a British monarch since the reign of Queen Victoria December 19 Russian spacecraft, Soyuz TMA-07M, is launched in Kazakhstan, with cosmonauts Roman Romanenko, Chris Hadfield and Thomas Marshburn for the ISS Expedition 34 and 35 crews December 19 UBS becomes the second bank after Barclays, to be fined for attempting to manipulate the Libor interbank lending rate; the company is fined $1.5 billion December 20 A tight race is expected in South Korea as voters choose between Moon Jae-in, of South Korea's Democratic United Party, and Park Geun-hye, of the conservative Saenuri Party December 20 Atlanta IntercontinentalExchange purchases the New York Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange in the world December 21 Scientists studying the Sutter's Mill meteorite, found near where the Sutter's Mill California Gold Rush site, determine it contains the oldest material in the Solar System December 21 Voters in Alexandria, Egypt clash during the evening of the second voting session on the highly charged constitutional referendum December 22 Christmas food parcels are distributed in the Republic of Ireland; hundreds of people line up to receive them December 22 Following the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano dissolves the Parliament December 23 The launch of a space satellite into space by North Korea is disputed by South Korean defense ministry, who claim it was a disguised test of a 10,000 km range missile December 23 Volcanic activity alerts are issued in Chile and Argentina, in areas near the Copahue volcano, after it started to spew ash December 24 A video of SpaceX's latest test of the company's Grasshopper rocket with vertical takeoff and vertical landing, is released; the rocket rose 131 feet, hovered and landed safely on the landing pad December 17, 2012 December 24 Pakistan's government announces it will accord recognition to the Republic of Kosovo December 25 At St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Rome, Pope Benedict XVI delivers the annual Christmas Message and holds traditional Mass at St. Peters Basilica December 25 Queen Elizabeth II shares her Christmas Message with her Commonwealth subjects, referencing the 'humbling' experience of her diamond jubilee celebrations and the 2012 Summer Olympics;the speech is the first to be broadcast in 3D December 26 A law banning Americans from adopting Russian children is approved by Russia's parliament; the action is a respons to the U.S. Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act December 26 Severe weather hits the U.S. on Christmas Day; more than 30 tornadoes are reported in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana December 27 In his first political speech, marking the five-year anniversary of his mother's death, ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, vows to maintain democracy and fight militancy December 27 Toyota Motor Corporation agrees to pay $1 billion to settle over a dozen lawsuits related to sudden acceleration December 28 At 115 years old and 266 days, Jiroemon Kimura of Japan becomes the world's oldest living person December 28 The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act is signed into law by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III December 29 Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, leaves the hospital after undergoing minor surgery to remove a tumor December 29 The Constitutional Council of France strikes down a plan to impose a 75 percent marginal income tax rate on the wealthy, calling the 'supertax' unconstitutional and unfair December 30 After suffering from a concussion caused by fainting from dehydration, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is hospitalized for a blood clot December 30 'Science' magazine names Higgs boson, the confirmation of the existence of a subatomic particle, as the 2012 Breakthrough of the Year December 31 A study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York, announces the a harmful type of space radiation may accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease December 31 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez recovers from a cancer operation; his Cabinet ministers get together to pray for his recovery
