7 Big Events To Make Time for in 2012

1. Batman’s Final Flight
Next summer, The Dark Knight Rises, the final movie in Christopher Nolan’s wildly successful Batman series will be released. The last one, The Dark Knight, earned more than $1 billion, making it one of the greatest hits of all time, apart from being critically acclaimed as among the finest movies ever made. The next installment, which stars Christian Bale as Batman, is the most awaited movie of 2012.




2. Apple iPhone 5

This would be the first iPhone to be launched by post-Steve Jobs Apple. The 4S model has been yet another bestseller, although it is low on features. Samsung and HTC are fast catching up in terms of apps, features and user interface, so the competition is much tougher now. 2012 will tell if Apple can retain its edge and innovative streak?


3. Apocalypse 2012
In January, 433 Eros, the second-largest recorded near-Earth object (13 km x 13 km x 33 km) will pass within 17 million miles of Earth. If that was not enough, the Mayan calendar, a system of calendars and almanacs used in the Maya civilisation of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, completes its 5,125 year cycle and signifies the end of days. Is this just a coincidence?


4. London Olympics
After China put up a stellar show, the 2012 Olympics will be held in London, which is keen to get over the August riots. This will also be a test of whether London can match up to Beijing in medals. In 2008, China dominated the event, pushing mighty USA to second place. India needs to further improve its showing in boxing, shooting and wrestling, and make sure it qualifies in hockey.


5. 60 years of Queen Elizabeth

February 6 will mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne of England, following the death of her father King George VI in 1952. Massive celebrations have been planned in the UK, including declaring a public holiday to mark the event. She will be the second monarch after Queen Victoria to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.

 

6. US out of South Korea

In April, the US will cede wartime control of South Korea’s military and will dissolve the Combined Forces Command after 50 years. Things have been peaceful off late between the two Korean neighbours. But will the exit of the US give ideas to North Korea’s Kim Jong II?



7. The Earth Summit





It takes place in Rio next December, a week before the Kyoto Protocol, signed by 191 countries, expires on December 31, 2012. It will take some time for the new framework to come into effect as there is a lot of dispute over its objectives. It will also aim to include the US, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.



Images: 1. Warner Bros. Ent.; 2. Robert Galbraith / Reuters; 3. Emilio Flores / Corbis; 4. David Gray /
Reuters; 5. Paul Hackett / Reuters; 6. Jo Yong-Hak / Reuters; 7. Yiorgos Karahalis / Reuters;