Botswana The high court of Botswana overturns a customary law which prevented women from inheriting the family home.
Hillsborough disaster The UK's largest independent investigation into police wrongdoing will be conducted following a damning report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Recent allegations of sexual abuse The British government is dragged into the nationwide scandal surrounding former BBC presenter and DJ Jimmy Savile, who faces hundreds of allegations surrounding his conduct in the presence of teenage girls.
European Union The European Union wins the 2012 [[Nobel Peace Prize]; "for over six decades [having] contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe".
Standard & Poor's Standard & Poor's downgrades South Africa's long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating from 'BBB+' to 'BBB' and the long-term local currency rating from 'A' to 'A-'.
2012 Northern Mali conflict 2012 Northern Mali conflict: The United Nations Security Council unanimously passes a resolution approving an African-led force to assist the army of Mali in ousting Islamist militants who have seized the north of the country.
Arab Spring Egypt: Supporters and opponents of president Mohamed Morsi clash in Tahrir Square, leaving more than 100 people injured.
Bahraini uprising (2011–present): Police fire tear gas and stun grenades at anti-government protesters in the capital Manama.