Multimedia Facts Archive

Troops in Afghanistan

U.S. President Barack Obama announced a troop surge of 30,000 to speed up the battle against Taliban insurgents and train Afghan security forces and clear the way for the U.S. to begin to reduce forces in 18 months.  Factbox 

Hamid Karzai sworn in as Afghan president

Hamid Karzai is to be sworn in for a second term at a ceremony attended by international dignitaries looking for signs of Karzai’s commitment against corruption.   Timeline 

Political turmoil in Iran

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory against Mirhossein Mousavi sparked demonstrations and bloody street battles in Tehran after presidential elections.  Timeline 

Ups and Downs of Gordon Brown as PM

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government was routed in European and local elections after the fallout from a scandal over politicians' expenses.  Timeline 

Financial crisis in Britain

The global financial crisis is far-reaching. This interactive timeline examines some of the significant events in Britain as politicians and private sector confront economic challenges.  Timeline 

Political impact of credit crisis

The credit crisis has caused political and economic change across Europe, the Middle East and Africa this year. Here are some of the major changes.  Factbox 

Summit to Summit - the G8 in Italy

Italy has invited 40 nations and organisations, representing 90 percent of the world economy, to the annual G8 summit in the mountain city of L'Aquila.  Timeline 

Unity government in Zimbabwe

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe formed a unity government last February but problems remain over the power-sharing deal depriving the country of Western aid.   Factbox 

Casualties of expenses scandal in UK

MPs have received thousands of pounds of public money for claims leading to parliamentary suspensions and the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Commons.   Factbox 

Budget in Britain 2009

The British economy will shrink by 3.5 percent in 2009, Chancellor Alistair Darling said while delivering the annual budget amid record government borrowing levels.  Timeline 

Biggest corporate losses in Britain

The Royal Bank of Scotland reports Britain's biggest ever corporate loss of 24.1 billion pounds on Feb. 26, 2009. The loss reflects a 16.2 billion pound writedown against acquisitions.  Factbox 

Global disease outbreaks

Global economies face big challenges to manage and contain the spread of contagious diseases. This interactive timeline describes the human cost of some of the world's worst pandemics.  Factbox 

Global Water Supply - The facts

Water scarcity affects one in three people on every continent and is getting worse as water needs rise with population growth and increased usage by households and industry.  Factbox 

How Britain plans to reduce it's debt

Government and opposition are under pressure to spell out a credible debt-reduction strategy ahead of a parliamentary election that must be held by June 2010.  Factbox 

Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall

The 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall will be commemorated on Nov 9. The wall had split the city since it was put up by East German leader Walter Ulbricht in the summer of 1961.  Timeline 

THE 2009 NOBEL PRIZES

The 2009 Nobel season ended with Elinor Ostrom and Oliver Williamson winning the prize for Economics for their work in economic governance. Barack Obama won the Peace Prize and said he would accept the award as a "call to action".  Factbox 

The Ashes cricket test matches

Australia start their Ashes cricket series defence on July 8. The Australians won the last series in Australia in 2007 by five test matches to zero after losing the 2005 Ashes by two matches to one in England in 2005.  Factbox 

Conflict in Somalia

Western nations and Somalia's neighbours are worried that
if Islamist insurgents succeed in toppling the fragile government, the country will become a safe haven for al Qaeda training camps and hardline Islamists who will destabilise the region.  Factbox 

Poverty and anger in Nigeria

Mismanagement and graft over decades have imperilled Nigeria's development, deterred investment, undermined democracy and deepened conflicts both economic and religious..  Factbox 

Elections in Greece

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis launched a difficult election campaign on Sept. 3 after calling an early parliamentary vote for Oct. 4 to seek a new mandate and deal with a sharp economic crisis.  Factbox