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Striking news photos from around the world in 2020

A selection of some of the best photographs taken by news agency photographers around the world this year.

A volunteer attends to the burnt paw of a brushtail possum in Merimbula, Australia. From July 2019 to March 2020, bushfires swept across 24 million hectares of the country, killing and injuring people and destroying homes - and killing or displacing nearly three billion animals.

Tracey Nearmy / Reuters A burnt paw of a brushtail possum is pictured as it is nursed by volunteers in Merimbula, Australia, 9 January 2020 — A volunteer attends to the burnt paw of a brushtail possum in Merimbula, Australia. From July 2019 to March 2020, bushfires swept across 24 million hectares of the country, killing and injuring people and destroying homes - and killing or displacing nearly three billion animals.

Harvey Weinstein arrives at New York Criminal Court, in January, to face charges of rape and sexual assault. Once one of Hollywood's most powerful figures, the film producer was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Brendan McDermid / Reuters Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at New York Criminal Court for his sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City, on 9 January 2020 — Harvey Weinstein arrives at New York Criminal Court, in January, to face charges of rape and sexual assault. Once one of Hollywood's most powerful figures, the film producer was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Members of the Italian Alpine Rescue Service climb a frozen waterfall in Malga Ciapela, Italy, in February.

Yara Nardi / Reuters Italian alpine rescuers climb a frozen waterfall in Malga Ciapela, Italy, 11 February 2020 — Members of the Italian Alpine Rescue Service climb a frozen waterfall in Malga Ciapela, Italy, in February.

Medical workers attend to Covid-19 patients at an intensive care unit in Wuhan, China, in February. The virus, thought to have originated at an animal market in the city, subsequently led to a pandemic that rocked the world.

China Daily via Reuters Medical workers in protective suits attend to Covid-19 patients at an intensive care unit in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, 6 February 2020 — Medical workers attend to Covid-19 patients at an intensive care unit in Wuhan, China, in February. The virus, thought to have originated at an animal market in the city, subsequently led to a pandemic that rocked the world.

In Brussels, an intensive care nurse takes a break amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Stephanie Lecocq / EPA-EFE An intensive care nurse takes a break in Brussels, Belgium, 24 April 2020 — In Brussels, an intensive care nurse takes a break amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A coffin is brought into a cemetery complex for coronavirus victims in Jakarta, Indonesia. In late April, Johns Hopkins University reported that the global death toll had passed 200,000 people.

Willy Kurniawan / Reuters Workers carry a coffin in a cemetery complex for coronavirus victims in Jakarta, Indonesia, 22 April 2020 — A coffin is brought into a cemetery complex for coronavirus victims in Jakarta, Indonesia. In late April, Johns Hopkins University reported that the global death toll had passed 200,000 people.

A mother and daughter embrace through a plastic sheet, intended to protect them from Covid-19, in Wantagh, New York. Countries around the world introduced lockdowns and social-distancing measures to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Al Bello / Getty Images A mother and daughter embrace through a plastic sheet in Wantagh, New York, on 24 May 2020 — A mother and daughter embrace through a plastic sheet, intended to protect them from Covid-19, in Wantagh, New York. Countries around the world introduced lockdowns and social-distancing measures to help prevent the spread of the disease.

A man chases a swarm of desert locusts in Samburu County, Kenya, in May. Billions of the insects destroyed crops across East Africa, after higher than average rainfall resulted in favourable breeding conditions.

Fredrik Lerneryd / Getty Images A man chases a swarm of desert locusts in Samburu County, Kenya, on 21 May 2020 — A man chases a swarm of desert locusts in Samburu County, Kenya, in May. Billions of the insects destroyed crops across East Africa, after higher than average rainfall resulted in favourable breeding conditions.

A man kneels in front of a memorial and mural for George Floyd in Houston, Texas. Mr Floyd died in May, in Minneapolis, when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, sparking nationwide protests.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images A man kneels in front of a memorial and mural for George Floyd — A man kneels in front of a memorial and mural for George Floyd in Houston, Texas. Mr Floyd died in May, in Minneapolis, when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, sparking nationwide protests.

A competitor dives from Stari Most, also known as Old Bridge, during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Damir Sagolj / Getty Images A competitor dives from Stari Most, also known as Old Bridge, on 26 July 2020, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — A competitor dives from Stari Most, also known as Old Bridge, during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Men approach law enforcement with their hands up, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Protests erupted in August after police shot a black man, Jacob Blake, multiple times while responding to what they said was a domestic incident.

Brandon Bell / Getty Images Men walk towards law enforcement with their hands up on 24 August 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin — Men approach law enforcement with their hands up, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Protests erupted in August after police shot a black man, Jacob Blake, multiple times while responding to what they said was a domestic incident.

A member of the Lebanese army walks past the remains of a grain silo following a deadly blast in Beirut's port area. A warehouse containing nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was blamed for the explosion that killed more than 200 people and injured about 5,000 others on 4 August.

Mohamed Azakir / Reuters A member of the Lebanese army walks past a wrecked grain silo at the site of a deadly blast in Beirut's port area, on 7 August 2020 — A member of the Lebanese army walks past the remains of a grain silo following a deadly blast in Beirut's port area. A warehouse containing nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was blamed for the explosion that killed more than 200 people and injured about 5,000 others on 4 August.

A woman embraces a member of the Belarusian interior forces during a demonstration in Minsk. Mass protests were triggered by a disputed presidential election on 9 August that saw long-time authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko re-elected despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging.

Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters A woman embraces a member of the Belarusian interior troop near the Government House in Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus, 14 August 2020 — A woman embraces a member of the Belarusian interior forces during a demonstration in Minsk. Mass protests were triggered by a disputed presidential election on 9 August that saw long-time authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko re-elected despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging.

In September, wildfire smoke blanketed San Francisco in an orange glow. Fires have burned millions of acres in the state of California this year, killing at least eight people.

Philip Pacheco / Getty Images A woman takes in the view from the Embarcadero as smoke from various wildfires blankets San Francisco in darkness and an orange glow on 9 September 2020 — In September, wildfire smoke blanketed San Francisco in an orange glow. Fires have burned millions of acres in the state of California this year, killing at least eight people.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a presidential election campaign rally in Jacksonville, Florida. A month before millions of Americans went to the polls, Mr Trump revealed that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus.

Tom Brenner / Reuters US President Donald Trump speaks, with a flag behind him, during a campaign rally at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, on 24 September 2020 — US President Donald Trump speaks during a presidential election campaign rally in Jacksonville, Florida. A month before millions of Americans went to the polls, Mr Trump revealed that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus.

Students in Peshawar, Pakistan, have their temperatures checked before entering a class, after the government allowed the reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Fayaz Aziz / Reuters Students wear protective face masks as they have their temperature checked before entering a class in Peshawar, Pakistan 23 September 2020 — Students in Peshawar, Pakistan, have their temperatures checked before entering a class, after the government allowed the reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Fire rages at the Moria camp, on the island of Lesbos. The blaze destroyed Greece's largest migrant camp, leaving thousands of people without shelter.

Byron Smith / Getty Images Fires rage at the Moria migrant camp on 9 September 2020, in Lesbos, Greece — Fire rages at the Moria camp, on the island of Lesbos. The blaze destroyed Greece's largest migrant camp, leaving thousands of people without shelter.

A woman takes a selfie in a pink muhly grass field in Hanam, South Korea, in October.

Kim Hong-Ji / Reuters A woman takes a selfie as her friend adjusts her makeup in a pink muhly grass field in Hanam, South Korea, 13 October 2020 — A woman takes a selfie in a pink muhly grass field in Hanam, South Korea, in October.

US presidential nominee Joe Biden reacts at a rally in Wilmington, Delaware, after news media announced his triumph in the 2020 presidential election. The Democrat won November's contest with 306 electoral college votes to Republican Donald Trump's 232.

Jim Bourg / Reuters US presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife Jill, and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her husband Doug, in Wilmington, Delaware, 7 November 2020 — US presidential nominee Joe Biden reacts at a rally in Wilmington, Delaware, after news media announced his triumph in the 2020 presidential election. The Democrat won November's contest with 306 electoral college votes to Republican Donald Trump's 232.

A metro train in the city of Spijkenisse, in the Netherlands, rests precariously on an art installation of a whale after crashing through a barrier at the end of the tracks. The sculpture stopped the train from plummeting 10m (32ft) into water below, and the driver walked away uninjured.

Eva Plevier / Reuters A metro train rests precariously on an art installation of a whale in Spijkenisse, near Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2 November 2020 — A metro train in the city of Spijkenisse, in the Netherlands, rests precariously on an art installation of a whale after crashing through a barrier at the end of the tracks. The sculpture stopped the train from plummeting 10m (32ft) into water below, and the driver walked away uninjured.

A man takes a break from cleaning his house after flooding caused by Typhoon Vamco, in San Mateo, Philippines. November's typhoon was the 21st storm to hit the country this year and left dozens dead.

Eloisa Lopez / Reuters A man covered in mud in San Mateo, Rizal province, Philippines, 13 November 2020 — A man takes a break from cleaning his house after flooding caused by Typhoon Vamco, in San Mateo, Philippines. November's typhoon was the 21st storm to hit the country this year and left dozens dead.

A demonstrator paints the helmet visor of a riot police officer in Mexico City, during a protest against gender-based violence in the country.

Toya Sarno Jordan / Reuters A demonstrator paints the helmet visor of a riot police officer, in Mexico City, Mexico, 11 November 2020 — A demonstrator paints the helmet visor of a riot police officer in Mexico City, during a protest against gender-based violence in the country.

Refugees from the Tigray region of Ethiopia wait to be transferred to a camp in neighbouring Sudan. Since 4 November, hundreds of people are thought to have been killed in fighting between Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), while about 50,000 have fled to Sudan.

Byron Smith / Getty Images Refugees from the Tigray region of Ethiopia wait to be transferred to a camp — Refugees from the Tigray region of Ethiopia wait to be transferred to a camp in neighbouring Sudan. Since 4 November, hundreds of people are thought to have been killed in fighting between Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), while about 50,000 have fled to Sudan.

The capsule from Japan's Hayabusa-2 space probe streaks through the sky before parachuting down near Woomera in South Australia. The spacecraft collected the first significant quantity of rock from an asteroid before returning the sample to Earth in December.

Morgan Sette / AFP A capsule from Japan's Hayabusa-2 space probe streaks through the night sky — The capsule from Japan's Hayabusa-2 space probe streaks through the sky before parachuting down near Woomera in South Australia. The spacecraft collected the first significant quantity of rock from an asteroid before returning the sample to Earth in December.

All photographs subject to copyright.