2020 - the year in pictures

Major events of 2020

Coronavirus

A novel strain of the coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, after an outbreak of pneumonia without any cause. The virus has now spread over 200 countries around the globe and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Asymptomatic patients who show no symptoms have become the country's chief concern. PHOTO: REUTERS

A healthcare worker checks a woman’s temperature during a Covid-19 campaign at a slum area in Mumbai, India. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

PHOTO: REUTERS

Black Lives Matter protest

The Black Lives Matter protest started after the death of George Floyd. He died during a police arrest in the US. After his death, millions protested across the country demanding justice for George Floyd and the black community in general who are racially profiled and mitreated by police officials.

PHOTO: REUTERS

People protesting against racism. PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO: REUTERS

Beirut blast

A powerful blast inside a port warehouse storing highly explosive material, located near central Beirut, killed 78 people and injured nearly 4,000, sending seismic shockwaves that shattered windows, smashed masonry and shook the ground across the Lebanese capital.

Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Beirut's port area, as pictured from Ashrafieh, Lebanon September 10, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO: REUTERS

The huge blast revived memories of the 1975-90 civil war and its aftermath. PHOTO: REUTERS

Stock market crash 2020

The stock market crash, also known as the Corona Crash, happened in February 2020. The coronavirus pandemic triggered a global recession as many countries around the world went into lockdown. It was history’s largest point plunge for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) up to that date.

PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO: REUTERS

Australia Bushfire

Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia. The fire affected more over 11 million hectares of bush and forest land, destroying more than 2,000 houses and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere.

PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO:REUTERS

Animals running for their lives. PHOTO: REUTERS

United States elections 2020

Biden defeated Trump by winning a series of battleground states that the Republican incumbent had won in 2016. The Democratic former vice president also won the national popular vote by more than 5.5 million votes or 3.6 percentage points. Biden has won 306 votes in the state-by-state Electoral College system that determines the presidential winner.

PHOTO: REUTERS

 

An Indian art school teacher paints an image of Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden next to the image of US President Donald Trump ahead of the US elections, outside an art school in Mumbai. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

PHOTO: REUTERS

Brexit

The term Brexit refers to the separation of the United Kingdom and European Union. Brexit was originally due to happen in 2019 but it happened this year. The EU and the UK agreed to new rules for how to live, work and trade together.

PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO: REUTERS

PHOTO: REUTERS

Harry and Meghan exit royal family

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their formal exit as Britain’s frontline royals in March 2020.

PHOTO: REUTERS