40,800

Stanley Ho

Casino magnate sues several of his children, two wives and long-time banker over control of company shares. He drops lawsuit three days later

Arab spring

Protests erupt around the Arab world, with demonstrators demanding the overthrow of dictators and democratic and economic reform

20,473

Tunisia revolt

Riots begin in December 2010 after the self-immolation of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, and lead to the ousting of long-time President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January

173,918

Egypt

Mass demonstrations erupt in January, inspired by events in Tunisia. President Hosni Mubarak resigns in February, and is replaced by a military junta

370,222

Libya

Protests in Benghazi escalate into civil war when Nato begins a bombing campaign. Rebels claim victory in August when they capture Tripoli, with dictator Muammar Gaddafi fleeing the capita

Libya story hits the headlines again as Muammar Gaddafi is killed on October 20

85,900

Jasmine rallies in China

Chinese authorities prevent rallies calling for democratic and political reform, after online calls for such demonstrations inspired by the Arab revolutions

526,786

Japan disaster

Magnitude 9 earthquake on March 11 causes tsunami that devastates northeast coast, destroying thousands of homes and triggering the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl

151,222

Death of Osama bin Laden

Leader of al-Qaeda is killed by US forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan, ending a 10-year manhunt that began with the September 11 attacks

108,575

South China Sea dispute

Tensions rise as Beijing, Hanoi, Manila and other governments lay conflicting claims over parts of the strategic body of water rich in oil and gas

63,714

Ai Weiwei

Chinese artist is released after nearly three months in jail. The central government accused him of tax evasion

371,033

European debt crisis

The euro zone?s sovereign debt crisis that began in 2009 spirals out of control in 2011

79,896

1911 anniversary

China marks the 100th year since the revolution that brought down the Qing dynasty

219,271

Chief executive race

Election campaigns officially kick off after former chief secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen and Leung Chunying announce bids for the top job

32,462

Fa Yuen Street fire

Mong Kok blaze kills nine people and leads to citywide examinations of hawker stalls and building safety

19,054

Death of Kim Jong-il

The North Korean dictator dies at the age of 69, sparking scenes of intense mourning across the communist hermit state. Kim?s son and anointed heir, Kim Jong-un, is expected to assume power

*Excludes magazines, tabloids, letters and Young Post. Word counts up to December 25.