America has a new president, and Angela Merkel remains German Chancellor. Earthquakes shake Italy and Indonesia, and forest fires devastate parts of Greece. In Iran, Ahmadinejad holds on to power by force, and the fight against the Taliban costs more and more strength. Usain Bolt is astonishing and skeptical the sports world, and the German women footballers are once again European champions. The Winnenden rampage shakes the country, and swine flu unsettles the population. Dominic Brunner pays for his moral courage with his life, and the "King of Pop" steps down for good.