Flashback 2016
The surprise election of Donald Trump in US, Britain's exit from the EU and terrorist attacks around the world were among the biggest news stories that made headlines in 2016. With deaths of so many towering figures and devastating natural disasters, many have dubbed 2016 as the worst ever year in recent memory.
Trump earthquake
Impulsive, immoderate and politically untested, Donald Trump did not exactly seem to fit the profile of a candidate for the most powerful job in the world. But with his boundless energy and outsized ego, the billionaire Republican has defied all predictions. On November 8, Trump, a 70-year-old populist with no political experience, wins the US presidential election against Hillary Clinton. He dominated the news in 2016 by breaking diplomatic taboos and unsettling America's friends and foes alike. Elsewhere in the world 2016 is also marked by a surge in populism. In Asia, firebrand Rodrigo Duterte overwhelmingly wins the Philippines' presidency in May, while in Europe, nationalist and far-right parties gain ground.
Horror in Syria's Aleppo
The ongoing Syrian civil war, which has resulted in the death of more than 400,000 people since 2011, reached a bloody climax this year as airstrikes from President Bashar-al Assad and Russia continued to pound rebel held positions throughout the country. Several ceasefires were nearly reached before falling apart as tens of thousands continued to die. By mid-December, government forces reclaimed the city of Aleppo from rebels and Islamist fighters. The United Nations, its credibility in question, called it a “meltdown of humanity” as civilians were reportedly killed trying to flee the city.
Attempted Turkey coup and purges
Overnight July 15-16 a rogue military faction tries unsuccessfully to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At least 290 people died and more than 1,400 were injured in the chaotic night of violence. The regime says exiled Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen is behind the putsch and tightens its grip on power. More than 37,000 people are arrested and tens of thousands more sacked in purges.
Brexit
On June 23, Britain's stunning vote to leave the European Union sent shockwaves around the world. Conservative prime minister David Cameron steps down, to be replaced in July by Theresa May. She promises by March 31, 2017 to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the first step in leaving the bloc.
Fidel Castro dies
On November 25, Fidel Castro, the father of the Cuban revolution and international communism's last great figure, dies aged 90, having been the counterpart to 11 US presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to Barack Obama
Migrants face barriers
From February, the "Balkan route" leading from Greece to Germany, and taken by hundreds of thousands of migrants the year before, is closed. In March, the EU and Turkey forge a deal for Ankara to halt the flow of migrants to Europe, an accord which is largely successful in reducing numbers crossing the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece. However the flow of migrants to Italy via the Mediterranean Sea reaches record levels and at least 4,700 people have died or are missing feared drowned this year while trying to cross the perilous sea. In France, the notorious "Jungle" migrant camp near the port of Calais is finally closed in October, and an estimated 7,000 migrants are evacuated.
Terror Strikes around the globe
As it continues to lose territory in Iraq, Syria and Libya, the jihadist Islamic State claims responsibility for, or inspires, deadly attacks around the world. Several western countries, including France, where 86 die in Nice, the United States (49 dead in Orlando), Belgium (32 dead in Brussels) and Germany are hit by attacks. Turkey is also targeted by several attacks blamed on the IS or on Kurdish guerrillas which leave dozens dead. Taliban and IS also hit Pakistan and Afghanistan with deadly attacks.
Indo-Pak tensions
After a series of infiltrations and attacks on military bases by alleged Pak-based militants in Kashmir region, India on 29 September claimed that it had conducted "surgical strikes" against militant launch pads across the Line of Control. Pakistan rejected the claim. The simmering tension peaked with the cancellation of Saarc summit. And Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to isolate Pakistan terming it as the 'mother state of terror'. Pakistan, on its part, tried to put pressure on India internationally by highlighting Kashmir issue where nearly 90 people died in protests.