World 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
May
31
Major Trends

Anglo-Australian mining corporation Rio Tinto admits blowing up the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves in Pilbara, Western Australia, on May 24.

Anglo-Australian mining corporation Rio Tinto admits blowing up the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves in Pilbara, Western Australia, on May 24. The firm issues an apology to Aboriginal Australians who are the traditional owners of the site, saying "We are sorry for the distress we have caused". (BBC News)

May
31
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwanda reports its first death from COVID-19, a 65-year-old who had severe respiratory complications and was being

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwanda reports its first death from COVID-19, a 65-year-old who had severe respiratory complications and was being treated at a specialised center. (Reuters) The number of worldwide confirmed cases of COVID-19 surpasses six million. The United States remains the global epicenter, accounting for approximately 29% of all reported and confirmed cases in the world. (CNN)

Jun
01
Major Trends

An independent autopsy concludes George Floyd died of "asphyxiation from sustained pressure" and that there was "neck and back compression that led to a lack of

An independent autopsy concludes George Floyd died of "asphyxiation from sustained pressure" and that there was "neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain" and that Floyd died at the scene of his arrest and not at the hospital, contradicting the Hennepin County, Minnesota coroner's report. (USA Today)

Jun
01
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, his wife and their four children test positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, his wife and their four children test positive for COVID-19. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong is banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COVID-19. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who organize the vigil, say the ban signals the end of Hong Kong's "one country, two systems". (BBC News)

Jun
01
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong is banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COV

COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong is banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COVID-19. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who organize the vigil, say the ban signals the end of Hong Kong's "one country, two systems". (BBC News)

Jun
01
Health / Disasters

The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong is banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COVID-19.

The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong is banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COVID-19. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who organize the vigil, say the ban signals the end of Hong Kong's "one country, two systems". (BBC News)

Jun
03
Health / Disasters

2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes A '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000004-QINU`"'Mw 5.5 aftershock to the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes of July 2019 takes place.

2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes A '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000004-QINU`"'Mw 5.5 aftershock to the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes of July 2019 takes place. It is the third-largest earthquake of the sequence, taking place only 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the Garlock Fault. (NBC Los Angeles) (The Los Angeles Times)

Jun
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

An administrative court in Jakarta rules that it was unlawful for the Government of Indonesia to shut down the internet in Papua and West Papua during heightene

An administrative court in Jakarta rules that it was unlawful for the Government of Indonesia to shut down the internet in Papua and West Papua during heightened security tensions caused by antiracism protests in the two provinces last year. (The Jakarta Post)

Jun
03
Politics / Government

Norilsk oil spill Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a state of emergency after 20,000 tons of oil leaked into the Ambarnaya River near the Siberian city

Norilsk oil spill Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a state of emergency after 20,000 tons of oil leaked into the Ambarnaya River near the Siberian city of Norilsk within the Arctic Circle on May 26, 2020. The spill happened when a fuel tank in a Nornickel NTEK power plant collapsed. Putin lambasted the company for not reporting the incident. The World Wildlife Fund said the accident is believed to be the second-largest in modern Russian history. (BBC News) (The Guardian)

Jun
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

Papua conflict, 2019 Papua protests An administrative court in Jakarta rules that it was unlawful for the Government of Indonesia to shut down the internet in P

Papua conflict, 2019 Papua protests An administrative court in Jakarta rules that it was unlawful for the Government of Indonesia to shut down the internet in Papua and West Papua during heightened security tensions caused by antiracism protests in the two provinces last year. (The Jakarta Post)

Jun
03
Politics / Government

Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a state of emergency after 20,000 tons of oil leaked into the Ambarnaya River near the Siberian city of Norilsk within

Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a state of emergency after 20,000 tons of oil leaked into the Ambarnaya River near the Siberian city of Norilsk within the Arctic Circle on May 26, 2020. The spill happened when a fuel tank in a Nornickel NTEK power plant collapsed. Putin lambasted the company for not reporting the incident. The World Wildlife Fund said the accident is believed to be the second-largest in modern Russian history. (BBC News) (The Guardian)

Jun
03
Health / Disasters

2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Cyclone Nisarga, COVID-19 pandemic in India Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga makes landfall south of Mumbai.

2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Cyclone Nisarga, COVID-19 pandemic in India Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga makes landfall south of Mumbai. This is the first time a tropical cyclone has targeted the megacity since 1891. About 100,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in the western Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, areas already hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. (NPR) (India Meteorological Department)

Jun
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

A court in France orders Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga to be handed over to a United Nations tribunal for trial.

A court in France orders Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga to be handed over to a United Nations tribunal for trial. Kabuga's lawyers said that their client would not receive a fair trial at a UN tribunal and that his health was too fragile to be transferred amidst the pandemic. However, French justice said his transfer is "not incompatible" with the decision. (Reuters)

Jun
03
Health / Disasters

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga makes landfall south of Mumbai.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga makes landfall south of Mumbai. This is the first time a tropical cyclone has targeted the megacity since 1891. About 100,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in the western Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, areas already hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. (NPR) (India Meteorological Department)

Jun
04
Politics / Government

Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya campaign The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, aft

Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya campaign The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, retreat from the capital after months of intense clashes in the city. (Reuters) The GNA recaptures Tripoli International Airport on the outskirts of the capital following the withdrawal of LNA forces. (BBC News)

Jun
04
Politics / Government

2019–20 Western Libya campaign The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan

2019–20 Western Libya campaign The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, retreat from the capital after months of intense clashes in the city. (Reuters) The GNA recaptures Tripoli International Airport on the outskirts of the capital following the withdrawal of LNA forces. (BBC News)

Jun
04
Politics / Government

After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions.

After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions. Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye says the curfew will be shortened and inter-regional travel ban lifted. (Reuters)

Jun
04
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government an

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions. Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye says the curfew will be shortened and inter-regional travel ban lifted. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses Italy with the third-highest COVID-19 death toll. (The Guardian)

Jun
04
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "r

COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions. Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye says the curfew will be shortened and inter-regional travel ban lifted. (Reuters)

Jun
04
Politics / Government

The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to F

The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, retreat from the capital after months of intense clashes in the city. (Reuters)

Jun
04
Economy / Jobs / Business

Tens of thousands of people, in multiple locations across Hong Kong, defy the ban against gatherings to observe the anniversary, carrying lit candles and chanti

Tens of thousands of people, in multiple locations across Hong Kong, defy the ban against gatherings to observe the anniversary, carrying lit candles and chanting democracy slogans. The largest group, in Victoria Park, heard Lee Cheuk-yan, former Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, read the Alliance's manifesto and vow to return next year. (South China Morning Post) (International Business Times)

Jun
05
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo massacres The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, Michelle Bachelet, says that more than 1,300 civil

2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo massacres The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, Michelle Bachelet, says that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in recent months and half a million displaced in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo amid a resurgence of attacks on the civilian population by different armed groups. Bachelet says these attacks "may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes". (Al Jazeera)

Jun
05
War / Conflict / Security

The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, Michelle Bachelet, says that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in recent months and half

The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, Michelle Bachelet, says that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in recent months and half a million displaced in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo amid a resurgence of attacks on the civilian population by different armed groups. Bachelet says these attacks "may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes". (Al Jazeera)

Jun
05
Politics / Government

Mali War, Operation Barkhane The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly says that AQIM emir Abdelmalek Droukdel, along with members of his inner cir

Mali War, Operation Barkhane The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly says that AQIM emir Abdelmalek Droukdel, along with members of his inner circle, had been killed in northern Mali on 3 June 2020. She also says that French forces had also captured a senior AQIM commander in an operation in May. (BBC News)

Jun
05
Politics / Government

Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya campaign Turkish-backed GNA forces enter the strategic Libyan National Army-held town of Tarhuna, west of Tripoli.

Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya campaign Turkish-backed GNA forces enter the strategic Libyan National Army-held town of Tarhuna, west of Tripoli. The town is considered to be a stronghold for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The GNA operations room say its forces have reached the centre of the town. (Reuters)

Jun
05
Politics / Government

2019–20 Western Libya campaign Turkish-backed GNA forces enter the strategic Libyan National Army-held town of Tarhuna, west of Tripoli.

2019–20 Western Libya campaign Turkish-backed GNA forces enter the strategic Libyan National Army-held town of Tarhuna, west of Tripoli. The town is considered to be a stronghold for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The GNA operations room say its forces have reached the centre of the town. (Reuters)

Jun
05
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City reports its first day without COVID-19 deaths since Ma

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City reports its first day without COVID-19 deaths since March 11. (CNBC) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The COVID-19 death toll in the United Kingdom passes over 40,000. (The Independent)

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