Rahul Radhakrishnan

Look back at the biggest news stories of the year by dragging on this timeline and clicking on dates for more.

When troops crushed the Tamil Tigers, allegations of mass killings arose, but officials reject calls for an inquiry.

Marking 50 years since the death of two giants of literature, who died the day JFK was assassinated.

Transparency and accountability remain out of sight after four major reports question the legality of US drone strikes.

Al Jazeera speaks to two Pentagon lawyers representing detainees held at the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison.

In an attempt to democratise the Gulf state, the opposition says it is being muzzled by an unresponsive government.

The Liberal Party of Canada hopes to again challenge for power after a new leader takes the helm.

Critics say new law aimed at opening Turkmenistan’s media will do little to end some of the world’s worst censorship.

South African intelligence accuse Israel of “fuelling insurrection”, selling arms and “appropriating” African resources.

Flood of missives from foreign agencies warn of al-Qaeda peril to country, but its own spies see little direct threat.