Events pertaining to world affairs in 2020, national politics, public policy, government, world economics, and international business, that took place in various nations, regions, organizations, around the world in 2020.
All works published in 1924, except for some sound recordings, are now in the public domain in the United States. This is the first release of material to the public domain since 1978.[1]
Crowds of protesters breach the US embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, and then withdrew after US Marines fired tear gas. The unrest occurred in response to US airstrikes on pro-Iranian militias in Iraq.[2][3]
State laws on bail, the gig economy, minimum wages, data privacy, and red flag gun control take effect in several U.S. states, including California, New York, Colorado, Nevada, and Hawaii.[5]
Several new federal regulations take effect in the US as of this date, including new regulations on retirement funds, minimum wage rules, and overtime rules.[6]
The government of New South Wales, Australia, declares a State of emergency to take effect January 3 as bushfires rage, threatening human lives and property as well as wiping out as many as 500 million animals.[7]
750 US troops prepare to be deployed to Iraq to defend US Embassy in Baghdad.[8]
Turkey reports a new refugee influx and possible crisis, as 250,000 Syrians flee Syria for Turkey, due to Syrian government attacks on rebel groups around Idlib.[9]
Two U.S. military bases in Iraq are hit with a dozen missiles fired by Iran; no casualties or serious damage reported.[20] U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran "appears to be standing down" after the killing of Qasem Soleimani but announces new sanctions against Iran.[21]
As many as 25 Crore (250 million) people join a general strike in India in response to Bharat Bandh labor reforms.[22][23]
On January 11, 2020, Russia announced that a ceasefire had been agreed to in the area of Idlib and Northwest Syria, between Russia, Syria, Syrian rebels and Turkey. This was due to requests by Turkey for a ceasefire, in order to stop the flood of Syrian refugees into Turkey.[25][26][27] However, some regional news outlets reported that Syria launched further attacks near Idlib, in Maarat al-Numan district and the villages of Maar Shoreen, Talmenes, and Maar Shamshah, even after the ceasefire had officially begun.[28]
Iran takes responsibility for "unintentionally" shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 that killed 176 people on January 8. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demands "transparency and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims."[31]
British police say it was an "error of judgment" to label 'Extinction Rebellion' a terrorist group.[32]
January 12
13,000 participate in a "Run Against Dictatorship" in Bangkok, demanding that Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha step down.[33]
Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso is under fire for describing Japan as a single race and single language country, ignoring 200,000 indigenous Ainu people and 760,000 ethnic Koreans.[37]
New Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei takes office after a five-hour delay due to protests. Outgoing president Morales is pelted with eggs.[38]
January 15
The Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev announces that the entire Russian government will resign. This occurred due to a proposal from Putin for new laws and reforms that would vastly increase his power.[39]
Turkey lifts its ban on Wikipedia, due to a ruling by the Turkish High Constitutional Court.[42]
January 16
Pope Francis names Italian lawyer Francesca Di Giovanni as the under-secretary in the Section for Relations with States, the arm of the Catholic church that handles the foreign relations of the Holy See. She is the first woman appointed to a post at that level.[43]
Violence escalates in Beruit, Lebanon, with 377 protesters and 142 members of security forces injured during nine hours of clashes; 43 people were arrested and later released.[51]
January 23 – U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, 58, says Greta Thunberg, 17, should study economics if she wants to talk about climate change. Mnunchin has a bachelor's degree in economics.[54]
The US Senate voted on whether or not to convict the president on the charges and evidence as they were presented and debated upon.[63] The senators voted 52 to 48 to find President Trump not guilty on the charge of abuse of power (all 45 Democrats, independent senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King, and Republican senator Romney voted guilty). They voted 53 to 47, in a party line vote, to find him not guilty on the charge of obstruction of Congress [64]
Palestinians withdraw their request for the UN Security Council to discuss the proposed peace plan offered by the Trump Administration of the United States.[67]
President Trump submits a new federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It would increase defense spending and cut social programs.[68]
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticizes the United States for rejecting "even the idea of an international community." He also criticized Russia and China.[70]
The U.S. issues a travel ban against Sri Lanka general Shavendra Silva for human rights violations.[71]
Benjamin Griveaux, 42, French President Macron's preferred candidate for mayor of Paris, withdraws his candidacy after a sex video is leaked.[72]
Thousands protest in eastern Germany against the role Christian Democrats and the Free Democratic Party in supporting a far-right political party in Thuringia.[73]
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that a "reduction in violence" deal reached with the Taliban in Afghanistan "looks very promising." The agreement is expected to be formally announced on February 16 and to go into effect on February 17.[74]
Venezuela carries out military exercises and drills amidst growing tensions with the United States. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó returns after a three-week tour that included a visit with the U.S. president.[75]
Ivanka Trump praises Saudi Arabia and other Mideast countries for the advances they have made on women's rights.[81]
French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn announces her candidacy for mayor of Paris, after Benjamin Griveaux drops out.[82]
Strikes among seasonal ski resort workers break out against unemployment reforms at 50 locations in France, from the Alps to the Pyrenees.[83]
February 17 – 3,000 interns in the public service sector of Spain protest against the lack of a permanent contract. 21.6% of Spanish government employees are considered "temporary."[84]
February 23 – Police in Haiti violently protest against money being spent on a carnaval celebrations instead of their salaries.[92]
February 24 – Seven people, including a police officer, are killed in protests against new immigration laws in New Delhi, India before a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump.[93]
March 1 – The Prime-Minister-designate of Iraq, Mohammed Allawi withdrew from his run for the post, accusing political parties of obstructing him, creating a domestic crisis and also a possible power vacuum. This decision occurred hours after the Iraqi parliament declined for the second time in a week to approve his cabinet. [98]
March 2
The U.N. envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, 69, steps down because of health concerns.[99] Peace efforts seem further off than ever.[100]
Chile – Between 190,000 and 300,000 people march in Santiago, Chile and 800,000 across the country.[109]
Other countries – Three masked men attack demonstrators in Kyrgyzstan. Hundreds protest in the Philippines. Marches in several countries are canceled or have lower attendance than in 2019 due to COVID-19.[110]
March 11 –Lawmakers in Russia approve legal changes that will allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in office until 2036. The changes still have to be approved the Constitutional Court and in a nation-wide referendum scheduled for April.[114]
March 15
Voters in France participate in local elections despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. A second round will be held on March 22.[115]
Pro-government protesters march across Brazil, ignoring social distancing recommendations.[117]
Saudi authorities detain 298 government employees, including members of the military, accusing them of abuse of power, bribery, money laundering, and corruption. 379 million riyals ($101 million) are involved.[118]
Anti-immigrant protests turn violent in Chios and Lesbos, Greece.[119]
King Felipe VI of Spain renounces the inheritance from his father, King Emerit Juan Carlos I, who is accused of receiving €88 million ($100 million) in Saudi Arabian kickbacks. King Felipe will also take away Juan Carlos's pension.[120]
March 16 – Governments across Latin America impose strict measures to control the coronavirus.[121]
Peru puts military personnel on the streets, blocking major roads and suspending freedom of assembly.
Colombia closes its maritime, river, and land borders but shares information with Venezuela, where there are 33 cases of coronavirus.
In Chile, at least six passengers from the cruise ship Silver Explorer are treated in hospitals in Patagonia after they tested positive for coronavirus.
Paraguay restricts crowds and enforces an 8 p.m. curfew.
China and the United States accuse one another of fear-mongering about the coronavirus. U.S. President Donald Trump calls COVID-19 "the Chinese virus" and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian suggested in a tweet that patient zero came from the U.S., not Wuhan.[122]
The United States continues its high-pressure sanctions against Iran despite the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Iran; the sanctions do not prohibit humanitarian aid.[128]
March 24 – A diplomatic dispute between China and Brazil ends when the former offers to help Brazil cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Brazil reports 1,891 cases and 34 deaths; São Paulo is on lockdown.[130]
March 25 – The Group of Seven cannot agree on a joint statement about the coronavirus pandemic because the United States Secretary of State insists on referring to it as the “Wuhan virus”.[131] At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, France proposes "general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all countries," including a 30-day pause in conflicts, to allow coronavirus-related supplies to flow. The United States insists that the resolution include a reference to the Wuhan, China, origin of the coronavirus. Russia insists that ambassadors vote in person.[132]
December 31 – If implemented, the Brexit transition period will expire.
History by world issue
Note: This section is provided for issue-based overviews in narrative format, if desired.
Climate change
In December 2019, the World Meteorological Organization released its annual climate report revealing that climate impacts are worsening.[146] They found the global sea temperatures are rising as well as land temperatures worldwide. 2019 is the last year in a decade that is the warmest on record.[147]
Global carbon emissions hit a record high in 2019, even though the rate of increase slowed somewhat, according to a report from Global Carbon Project.[148] The economic slowdown and the closure of factories related to the coronavirus pandemic brought a 6% decrease in emissions in February and March 2020.[149]
BlackRock global money management firm Chief Executive Larry Fink said in January 2020 that climate change "has become a defining factor in companies' long-term prospects... and I believe we are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance."[150]
Legislatures close, cities, regions, and entire countries are locked down, and borders close across the world in response to the pandemic. Elections are postponed. Governments rush to find funding to combat the virus, provide medical supplies and services, and to mitigate the economic slowdown.