_Article first published as Australian flooding causes mass evacuation, on Technorati

2011 became famous, or should that be infamous, for two things, protests and extreme weather. From the heavy prolonged snowfalls in the UK early in 2011, to earthquakes such as those in New Zealand and Japan, the Japanese Tsunami and flooding in Australia, severe weather was the order of the day.

If the first month or so of 2012 is anything to go by the weather could be problematic again. Currently fairly heavy snow in the UK is causing chaos but as it is still winter such weather is hardly out of the ordinary. Europe has seen much more prolonged snow and freezing cold temperatures resulting in many deaths and widespread disruption.

Across the World though, in the Antipodes, floodwater has been also causing major disruption. Parts of Australia suffered a great deal of flooding in 2011. The people's pioneer spirit rose to the fore and communities rallied to help each other. Flooding though does have an impact on one of Australia's best industries, that is tourism.

February 5, 2012, Australian people living in Queensland are being advised to evacuate the area, as a matter of urgency. Homes are having to be abandoned in order to protect life. Sadly one death has been recorded so far. A woman has been swept away after she managed to rescue her young son. As yet her body has not been recovered.

Queensland was hard hit by flooding in 2012. The area would have still been recovering from that disaster, when flooding struck again. Now the area and its people are facing yet more of the same, only this time the flooding is expected to be record breaking. The water levels should peak in a couple of days which means there is more of the same to come first.

Search and rescue teams are snatching people to safety when and where they can. Industries such as cotton farming have been badly hit already. Evacuations have been taking place on and off this week but now they have become imperative. Whether flood defenses can hold remains to be seen.

That was the week that was, Weekly News wrap.

It may have not been such a momentous week as the previous one but of course it would have been for some people. Last week the news ended up dominated by the death of Muammar Gaddafi and this week much of the news was dominated with natural disasters and in Europe the dismal economy.

As far as Libya goes Saif al Islam, the once heir apparent to Gaddafi, remains a free man, on the run. He is however in talks with the ICC, attempting to prove that he is innocent of charges of crimes against humanity. Saif is still at large with reports that he is trying to seek refuge in either Niger or Zimbabwe. In spite of pleas to NATO from the NTC of Libya to extend its mission, NATO is pulling out of Libya on October 31, 2011.

The ongoing violence in Syria continues although it has taken a back seat, as far as the media goes, recently. Now that the fight for a free Libya is almost over, worrying reports of violence in Syria are making headlines again. On Friday October 28, 2011, the Arab League sent an urgent message to Syria's President Assad, deploring the "continued killings of civilians"

Occupy protesters around the Wolrd continue to sit tight whilst authorities attempt to move them on. Protester and Iraq War veteran, Scott Olsen, suffered a fractured skull Tuesday night during a violent clash with police and Occupy Oakland protesters. Police officials will investigate claims of excessive force by their officers. His condition is now said to be fair. In London a legal challenge to evict those protesters who have set up camp outside of St Paul's Cathedral has now been instigated.

Europe has been dominated by its financial woes, attempts to get Europe back on track and in house fighting. With French President Sarzozy claiming Greece were not fiscally efficient enough to have joined the EU in the first place, and telling UK PM David Cameron to "shut up", all is not well. Many fear a Franco German alliance will grab both glory and power for these two countries and leave the rest out on a limb.

In the UK the people were not given the chance to decide on the EU.The so often promised referendum on EU membership is not to be. Parliament debated the issue and then in a "fixed" vote denied the people a referendum. Fixed vote, as all party whips had made sure the motion would not be carried.

Last weekend Turkey suffered a dreadful earthquake which has left an increasing death toll and many homeless people. As the winter weather begins to bite they will struggle to survive. Flash flooding in Ireland killed two people and left the cash strapped country facing a huge clear up bill. Parts of Italy were ravaged by flooding too. Worst hit by flooding it appears is Thailand. With a sustained period of flood waters rising another humitarian crisis is expected. The week ended with Peru facing a series of earthquakes causing more damage. The details of this event are still unfolding.

The UK will now see a first female child, of a royal heir ,having the right of succession to the throne, even if she has brothers. The Comonwealth nations agreed on this move but it will not be backdated. It is designed for the future children of Wills and Kate, and their contemporaries. One has to say about time but aren't there more pressing concerns for the UK government to be battling right now?

The first Arab Spring country, to hold a free elction, Tunisia, went to the polls this week. In its first election the Islamist Ennahada party was elected to office. Some protests followed and the new rulers used tear gas. And so on it goes.

On the homefront the news locally is not good. Hull, in the UK, as usual has been hit hard by the UKs financial woes. Job losses are rife and too many young people and adults are unable to find work. BAE sytems has been selected to champion the government's best of British Manufacturing, in spite of its recent job losses. The firm will be used to showcase the "Make it in Britain" campaign. Having axed 899 jobs locally workers and union representatives are spitting feathers. The latest localm economicm casulaties are employees at Ideal Heating which is cutting its final 57 jobs. The firm is moving its operations overseas and this has caused the closure, according to many people. The current site has been operating for 106 years.

The night of Saturday Ocotber 29, 2011, will be the end of British Summer Time in the UK. The clocks go back one hour tonight. Remember "Spring forward, Fall back" If at least one Tory MP has his way though this will be the last year for moving the clocks this way. He proposes a move forward which would change things in the future.