On our first show in January, we look back at the big news of 2011. You’ve probably heard it all before – riots, revolutions, elections – but if you didn’t catch the show, you haven’t yet heard it from our perspective!

To get some perspective on the many, many surprising, shocking and absolutely weird American headlines of 2011, reporter Emily Williams picks the brain of a man in the know: Barry B. White, USA’s ambassador to Norway.

Over on “the Continent”, one particular German was making headlines all across the world all year long. Yes, we’re talking about dear ol’ Angie. Our German journalist and resident troubador Philipp Gehardy is so worked up about the Euro crisis and Angela Merkel that he has to put his feelings into a song.

To try to wrap our minds around the sheer scale of world-changing news events that occured in 2011—and also the inconsequential ones that nonetheless made the deadlines—host Edward Raison presents the rest of us in the studio with a list of the top newspaper headlines of 2011, and we give him our one-word (or one-grunt) response.

To hear what else you missed from the news of 2011, listen to the “reprise” from 15/01/2012.

On the following Sunday, we offer you some remedies for the “January blues.” Christmas and New Years are over, there are hardly any holidays to look forward to until April, and it’s still dark and cold. To add insult to injury, you’re probably a student with very little money and no prospects of getting any soon. But wait! You don’t need any money to take part in the activities we suggest for you on this show. We speak with two international students who teach capoeira and kayaking. And in this clip, Edward Raison explains the game he calls “Free Taxi”, which will end up, if you’re lucky, with you getting a free ride home from the city. Afterwards, you’ll hear from two Frenchmen who travelled to Oslo from Toulouse in southern France simply by leeching off the kindness of strangers. If you’re afraid that you’ll have to pay to use the toilet next time you travel with RyanAir, perhaps you’d like to give hitch-hiking and Couchsurfing a try.

To hear more about free and fun activities, listen to the “reprise” from 22/01/2012.

Know something else that’s free and fun? The Snakker Ikke Norsk Ping Pong Tournament (click for Facebook event) that’s being held this Monday at 6:00 PM / 18.00 in Chateau Neuf! Come join us!

Photo: Ping pong, Marzahn, Berlin/flikr, creative commons 2.0