Gwynne Dyer looks back at 2011's global events, from the Arab Spring to the euro crisis and climate change.

Earthquake linked us with Japan in a year of loss but the scale of the destruction on March 11 was overwhelming

The widening gap between rich and poor can't be justified and can't continue, says Tim Hazledine.

NZ is very exposed with its high level of external borrowing, says Aaron Hing

Fears over North Korea's nuclear bomb hide a deeper truth, writes Jared Genser.

Bank economists fear as many as one in 10 Christchurch residents will leave the region if major aftershocks continue in coming months.

Health, (just) enough wealth and the support of friends and family mean most New Zealanders are satisfied with their lives.

At some point today, a child will be born who will bring the world's population to seven billion.

The world's seven billionth person will be born on October the 31, but what number are you?

Asia and Africa will determine future global population growth, writes The Independent's Hamish McRae.