The World

10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

By Harriet Barovick, Ishaan Tharoor, Alexandra Silver, Frances Romero and Kayla Webley Monday, Jan. 10, 2011

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    An estimated half of the state of Queensland was declared a disaster zone following torrential rains that arrived in the wake of a tropical cyclone. Swollen rivers flooded towns and farms. About 1,000 people were evacuated or forced to leave their homes as waters continued to rise. Queensland is known for its extreme weather, and parts of the state have been crippled by years of drought.

    6 | Estonia

    Euro Zone Expands

    Despite the worst economic crisis in its history, the euro continues to lure new adopters. On Jan. 1, the Baltic state of Estonia will become the 17th country in the euro zone. Other euro-using states suffered in 2010: Greece and Ireland required emergency bailouts to avoid bankruptcy. Estonian officials believe, though, that swapping the kroon for the euro will bring jobs and faster economic growth.

    7 | India

    SPACE-PROGRAM SETBACK

    The explosion of a communications satellite near the southern Indian city of Chennai marked the second setback in 2010 for the country's space program. The satellite was intentionally blown up after it veered from its path; in April, a rocket plunged into the Bay of Bengal after its rotor seized and turbine casing ruptured. The latest incident casts further doubt on plans for a manned space mission in 2016, which officials estimate will cost approximately $2.8 billion. India's space program, originally championed by the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, has long been a source of great national pride and receives lavish funding despite the nation's many social needs.

    8 | Beijing

    China Hails African Ties

    Beijing published its first ever policy paper outlining China's economic role in Africa, claiming that total bilateral trade between China and 45 African countries in the first 11 months of 2010 stood at $114.8 billion, eclipsing a record of $108 billion set in 2008. The report also indulged in a bit of self-congratulation, heralding China's efforts to bolster development in Africa (it is the continent's largest trading partner). Many observers, including some U.S. diplomats, have voiced concerns that China's Africa policy is motivated only by economic gain and has filled the coffers of more than a few dubious regimes.

    China's bilateral trade with Africa, then and now

    [The following text appears within a chart. Please see hardcopy or PDF for actual chart.]

    1950

    $12.4 MILLION

    2010

    $114.8 BILLION

    SOURCE: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL INFORMATION OFFICE

    9 | Buenos Aires

    Tension in the Capital

    Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, up for re-election this fall, faces a growing political crisis following several weeks of violent clashes between immigrant squatters (mostly Bolivians and Paraguayans) and residents of southern Buenos Aires. While politicians point fingers at one another, the social unrest--which has already resulted in the deployment of police--continues to rise, with the squatters showing no signs of budging from their locations.

    10 | Afghanistan

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