World 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Jul
23
Technology / Science

The China National Space Administration successfully launches Tianwen-1, China's first independent interplanetary mission to Mars, from Wenchang Spacecraft Laun

The China National Space Administration successfully launches Tianwen-1, China's first independent interplanetary mission to Mars, from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan. The mission includes an orbiter, lander and rover, which will search for evidence of both current and past life on the planet. (NBC News)

Jul
26
Technology / Science

2020 Thai protests An event called "Let's run, Hamtaro" is organised at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

2020 Thai protests An event called "Let's run, Hamtaro" is organised at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. It was initially an online activism, later spread via Twitter, and eventually gathered around 3,000 people. The event consisted of running around the monument whilst singing a jingle from Hamtaro, a famous Japanese cartoon, with some amendments to the lyrics as a satire to political corruption. The well-known lyrics from Hamtaro; "the most yummy things of all are... sunflower seeds!", was amended into a satire "the most yummy things of all are... citizens' taxes!". (Thairath) (Reuters)

Jul
27
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgium announces the unveiling of drastic social distancing measures aimed at avoiding a new lockdown.

COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgium announces the unveiling of drastic social distancing measures aimed at avoiding a new lockdown. These measures include restricting social contact outside every household to five people over the next four weeks and limiting crowds at public events to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. This measure will take effect next Wednesday. (France24) Antwerp imposes a curfew from 11.30 p.m. to 6 a.m and the mandatory wearing of face masks in public spaces should a distance of 1.5 meters between individuals not be observed. (The Washington Post)

Aug
01
Technology / Science

2020 Khabarovsk Krai protests Protests in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, Russia continue for the fourth consecutive weekend.

2020 Khabarovsk Krai protests Protests in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, Russia continue for the fourth consecutive weekend. Protesters demand the release of regional governor Sergei Furgal, who was arrested on charges of murder, which he denies. Thousands of people reportedly join the protest. (Reuters)

Aug
13
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports 2,935 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which is the highest number of new cases since the lockdown was lifted i

COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports 2,935 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which is the highest number of new cases since the lockdown was lifted in June. (Reuters) Galicia bans smoking in public places over concerns that it increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission. (BBC News) The Canary Islands also intend to ban outdoor smoking when social distancing cannot be guaranteed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The smoking ban will take effect tomorrow, and wearing face masks will be mandatory in all public spaces. (RTÉ)

Aug
15
Technology / Science

Thai King Vajiralongkorn commutes the death sentence of two Burmese nationals convicted of the rape and murder of two British backpackers in 2014 in Ko Tao.

Thai King Vajiralongkorn commutes the death sentence of two Burmese nationals convicted of the rape and murder of two British backpackers in 2014 in Ko Tao. The royal decree was issued to commemorate the birthday of the King, on July 28, to "illustrate the king's clemency". The pair now serve life in prison. (BBC News)

Aug
24
Technology / Science

Austria expels a Russian diplomat following a report accusing the envoy of being involved in economic espionage after an Austrian who works in a technology comp

Austria expels a Russian diplomat following a report accusing the envoy of being involved in economic espionage after an Austrian who works in a technology company confessed that he carried out espionage for years on behalf of the Russian, who was his intelligence handler. (Al Jazeera)

Aug
24
Technology / Science

Austria–Russia relations Austria expels a Russian diplomat following a report accusing the envoy of being involved in economic espionage after an Austrian who w

Austria–Russia relations Austria expels a Russian diplomat following a report accusing the envoy of being involved in economic espionage after an Austrian who works in a technology company confessed that he carried out espionage for years on behalf of the Russian, who was his intelligence handler. (Al Jazeera)

Sep
03
Technology / Science

Bahrain–United Arab Emirates relations Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs grants first freedom rights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), allowing flights between

Bahrain–United Arab Emirates relations Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs grants first freedom rights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), allowing flights between the UAE and any country to enter Bahraini airspace. Bahrain follows Saudi Arabia in granting such rights to the UAE, which the latter did two days prior following the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE. Like Saudi Arabia and most Arab states, Bahrain currently does not maintain any official relations with Israel nor recognises it. (Arab News) (Reuters)

Sep
03
Technology / Science

Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs grants first freedom rights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), allowing flights between the UAE and any country to enter Bahrai

Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs grants first freedom rights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), allowing flights between the UAE and any country to enter Bahraini airspace. Bahrain follows Saudi Arabia in granting such rights to the UAE, which the latter did two days prior following the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE. Like Saudi Arabia and most Arab states, Bahrain currently does not maintain any official relations with Israel nor recognises it. (Arab News) (Reuters)

Sep
11
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California It is announced that schools in Los Angeles County wil

COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California It is announced that schools in Los Angeles County will remain closed until the winter. (Patch.com) COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado Governor Jared Polis says that the state might extend its mask mandate in indoor public spaces for another 30 days. (The Denver Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan records 1,313 new cases, its highest single-day total since April 24. (MLive.com)

Sep
11
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California It is announced that schools in Los Angeles County will remain closed until the winter.

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California It is announced that schools in Los Angeles County will remain closed until the winter. (Patch.com) COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado Governor Jared Polis says that the state might extend its mask mandate in indoor public spaces for another 30 days. (The Denver Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan records 1,313 new cases, its highest single-day total since April 24. (MLive.com)

Sep
14
Technology / Science

Climate change in the Arctic Satellite imagery shows that a big chunk of ice shattered into many small pieces from the last remaining ice shelf in Nioghalvfjerd

Climate change in the Arctic Satellite imagery shows that a big chunk of ice shattered into many small pieces from the last remaining ice shelf in Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden, Greenland. (BBC) The discovery of the perfectly preserved remains of a cave bear, believed to be 22,000 to 39,500 years old (Late Pleistocene), is made in Lyakhovsky Islands, Siberia in the thawing permafrost. (AP)

Oct
13
Technology / Science

Exploration of the Moon The U.S.-led Artemis Accords are signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the U

Exploration of the Moon The U.S.-led Artemis Accords are signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. According to NASA, the Accords aim to establish norms of behavior between countries regarding lunar resource extraction and exploration, outline "safety zones" on the lunar surface where other countries should not interfere, and protect heritage sites on the lunar surface such as the Apollo landing sites. Successive signatories since then have been announced. (Reuters) (The Verge)

Oct
13
Technology / Science

The U.S.-led Artemis Accords are signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S.-led Artemis Accords are signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. According to NASA, the Accords aim to establish norms of behavior between countries regarding lunar resource extraction and exploration, outline "safety zones" on the lunar surface where other countries should not interfere, and protect heritage sites on the lunar surface such as the Apollo landing sites. Successive signatories since then have been announced. (Reuters) (The Verge)

Oct
15
Technology / Science

2020 in paleontology Researchers announce the fossil discoveries of Triassic drepanosaur Skybalonyx skapter at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

2020 in paleontology Researchers announce the fossil discoveries of Triassic drepanosaur Skybalonyx skapter at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. (Los Angeles Times) A boy discovers a fossilized hadrosaur skeleton at the Horseshoe Canyon in Alberta, Canada, dating back 69 million years. (BBC News) (Global News)

Oct
19
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Israel Institute for Biological Research announces that its COVID-19 va

COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Israel Institute for Biological Research announces that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate will be named as Brilife, with phase 1 human trails expected to start during the end of the month. (The Jerusalem Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports 337 new deaths in the previous 24 hours, a new record of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, pushing the death toll in the country to 30,712. (CNA)

Oct
19
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Israel Institute for Biological Research announces that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate will be na

COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel The Israel Institute for Biological Research announces that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate will be named as Brilife, with phase 1 human trails expected to start during the end of the month. (The Jerusalem Post)

Oct
19
Technology / Science

COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac appears to be safe in providing protection against COVID-19, as preliminary results of

COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac appears to be safe in providing protection against COVID-19, as preliminary results of Phase III clinical trial in Brazil show. São Paulo's Instituto Butantan, one of Brazil's leading biomedical research centres carrying out the trials, says CoronaVac proved to be safe after its two doses were applied to 9,000 volunteers, but said data on how effective it is in protecting people against COVID-19 will not be released until it has been tested on all 15,000 volunteers in newly expanded trials. (South China Morning Post)

Oct
19
Technology / Science

Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac appears to be safe in providing protection against COVID-19, as preliminary results of Phase III clinical trial in Brazil show.

Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac appears to be safe in providing protection against COVID-19, as preliminary results of Phase III clinical trial in Brazil show. São Paulo's Instituto Butantan, one of Brazil's leading biomedical research centres carrying out the trials, says CoronaVac proved to be safe after its two doses were applied to 9,000 volunteers, but said data on how effective it is in protecting people against COVID-19 will not be released until it has been tested on all 15,000 volunteers in newly expanded trials. (South China Morning Post)

Oct
26
Technology / Science

Chinese financial technology firm Ant Group debuts on the Hong Kong and Shanghai Stock Exchanges, with its IPO worth up to US$34.4 billion.

Chinese financial technology firm Ant Group debuts on the Hong Kong and Shanghai Stock Exchanges, with its IPO worth up to US$34.4 billion. This surpasses Saudi Aramco, whose IPO was worth US$29.4 billion, as the strongest debut on a stock exchange. Jack Ma, whose company Alibaba Group is backing the debut, is expected to become the richest man in China as a result. (BBC News)

Nov
03
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain; COVID-19 vaccine Bahrain grants emergency use approval for a vaccine candidate produced in a partnership between Sinopharm and Abu

COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain; COVID-19 vaccine Bahrain grants emergency use approval for a vaccine candidate produced in a partnership between Sinopharm and Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company Group 42 on frontline workers. (Reuters)

Nov
15
Technology / Science

SpaceX Crew-1, Expedition 64 SpaceX successfully launches its Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying three NASA astronauts, Michael S.

SpaceX Crew-1, Expedition 64 SpaceX successfully launches its Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying three NASA astronauts, Michael S. Hopkins, Victor J. Glover, Shannon Walker and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the International Space Station. It is the first crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft and the first night launch in the United States since STS-130. (BBC News)

Nov
15
Technology / Science

SpaceX successfully launches its Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying three NASA astronauts, Michael S.

SpaceX successfully launches its Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying three NASA astronauts, Michael S. Hopkins, Victor J. Glover, Shannon Walker and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the International Space Station. It is the first crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft and the first night launch in the United States since STS-130. (BBC News)

Nov
19
Technology / Science

Citing safety concerns, the National Science Foundation announces that the 57-year-old Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will be decommissioned.

Citing safety concerns, the National Science Foundation announces that the 57-year-old Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will be decommissioned. Earlier this month, a second cable supporting the 900-ton instrument platform snapped. The platform is suspended 450 feet (137 meters) above the fixed radio dish, which is 1,000 feet (305 meters) in diameter. (NSF)

Nov
20
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issues a new public health order that requires people aged five or older to wear a face mask when they are in

COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issues a new public health order that requires people aged five or older to wear a face mask when they are indoors or in an enclosed space with anyone outside their household or living unit. The mandate is effective immediately and will expire after 60 days. (WAOW-TV)

Nov
20
Technology / Science

Governor Tony Evers issues a new public health order that requires people aged five or older to wear a face mask when they are indoors or in an enclosed space w

Governor Tony Evers issues a new public health order that requires people aged five or older to wear a face mask when they are indoors or in an enclosed space with anyone outside their household or living unit. The mandate is effective immediately and will expire after 60 days. (WAOW-TV)

Nov
21
Technology / Science

Copernicus Programme SpaceX successfully launches the European Space Agency's satellite altimeter Copernicus Sentinel-6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Copernicus Programme SpaceX successfully launches the European Space Agency's satellite altimeter Copernicus Sentinel-6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The satellite will monitor global sea levels with high accuracy, enhance weather forecasting, and provide detailed information on ocean currents to support ship navigation near coastlines. (NASA.gov)

Nov
21
Technology / Science

SpaceX successfully launches the European Space Agency's satellite altimeter Copernicus Sentinel-6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

SpaceX successfully launches the European Space Agency's satellite altimeter Copernicus Sentinel-6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The satellite will monitor global sea levels with high accuracy, enhance weather forecasting, and provide detailed information on ocean currents to support ship navigation near coastlines. (NASA.gov)

Nov
22
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, COVID-19 testing The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) begins to introduce saliva tests to detect active COVID-19 infe

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, COVID-19 testing The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) begins to introduce saliva tests to detect active COVID-19 infections in children between the ages of 3 and 16 in all DHA facilities and DHA-run screening centers across Dubai. These tests are more than 90% accurate, making them a viable alternative to nasal swab tests which are uncomfortable and harder to use to test children. (Gulf News)

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