Men from Morocco and Bangladesh react as they sit in an overcrowded wooden boat, as aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms approach them in the Mediterranean Sea on January 10, 2020. AP Photo
Men from Morocco and Bangladesh react as they sit in an overcrowded wooden boat, as aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms approach them in the Mediterranean Sea on January 10, 2020. AP Photo
Soldiers march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2020. AFP
Soldiers march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2020. AFP
South Sudanese traditional wrestlers Dengic Parrach from Yirol is tackled by Ekuach Ladu from Terekeka dressed in a leopard skin as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan on February 1, 2020. Reuters
South Sudanese traditional wrestlers Dengic Parrach from Yirol is tackled by Ekuach Ladu from Terekeka dressed in a leopard skin as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan on February 1, 2020. Reuters
Iraqi boys play with snow in the holy Shiite city of Karbala on February 11, 2020. Mohammed Sawaf / AFP
Iraqi boys play with snow in the holy Shiite city of Karbala on February 11, 2020. Mohammed Sawaf / AFP
A worker with sanitizing equipment crosses the road in front of a hospital in Yichang city of Hubei, China on February 12, 2020. China Daily via Reuters
A worker with sanitizing equipment crosses the road in front of a hospital in Yichang city of Hubei, China on February 12, 2020. China Daily via Reuters
The newly opened dropin slide at Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta, Dubai, 21st February 2020. Leslie Pableo for The National
The newly opened dropin slide at Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta, Dubai, 21st February 2020. Leslie Pableo for The National
An aerial picture taken by a drone shows Iraqi protesters at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, on March 1, 2020. EPA
An aerial picture taken by a drone shows Iraqi protesters at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, on March 1, 2020. EPA
Students take part in a cultural procession to celebrate Holi in Kolkata on March 9, 2020. Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP
Students take part in a cultural procession to celebrate Holi in Kolkata on March 9, 2020. Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP
Armed forces from the UAE and the United States strengthen military ties in a major training exercise taking place in Abu Dhabi, 19th March 2020. WAM
Armed forces from the UAE and the United States strengthen military ties in a major training exercise taking place in Abu Dhabi, 19th March 2020. WAM
The Aerial picture shows boatmen waiting for passengers docked on the bank of a river in Dhaka on March 28, 2020. Munir uz Zaman / AFP
The Aerial picture shows boatmen waiting for passengers docked on the bank of a river in Dhaka on March 28, 2020. Munir uz Zaman / AFP
Finland's freediver Kristian Maki-Jussila, 37, swims under the ice in a frozen lake on April 1st 2020. Olivier Morin / AFP
Finland's freediver Kristian Maki-Jussila, 37, swims under the ice in a frozen lake on April 1st 2020. Olivier Morin / AFP
People stand on the lines drawn to maintain safe distance in Chennai, 3rd April 2020. P Ravikumar / Reuters
People stand on the lines drawn to maintain safe distance in Chennai, 3rd April 2020. P Ravikumar / Reuters
This picture taken on April 14, 2020 shows the Paris' Cathedral Notre Dame at the sunrise on the eve of the anniversary of the violent fire who destroyed a large part of the building in 2019. Thomas Coex / AFP
This picture taken on April 14, 2020 shows the Paris' Cathedral Notre Dame at the sunrise on the eve of the anniversary of the violent fire who destroyed a large part of the building in 2019. Thomas Coex / AFP
Multiple exposures were combined to produce this image during the Lyrids meteor shower over the Abu Dhabi desert 22nd April. The National
Multiple exposures were combined to produce this image during the Lyrids meteor shower over the Abu Dhabi desert 22nd April. The National
Mandy Alison poses with a selection of over 125,000 birthday cards sent to Captain Tom Moore, for his 100th birthday on April 30. Justin Tallis / AFP
Mandy Alison poses with a selection of over 125,000 birthday cards sent to Captain Tom Moore, for his 100th birthday on April 30. Justin Tallis / AFP
Anti-lockdown protesters are arrested by police officers as they gather outside New Scotland Yard in Victoria, London on May 2, 2020. Justin Tallis / AFP
Anti-lockdown protesters are arrested by police officers as they gather outside New Scotland Yard in Victoria, London on May 2, 2020. Justin Tallis / AFP
A canon is fired at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to mark the beginning of iftar on May 6. Victor Besa / The National
A canon is fired at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to mark the beginning of iftar on May 6. Victor Besa / The National
Olympic and World Champion long distance runner Mo Farah exercises near deer in Richmond Park on May 12, 2020. Dylan Martinez / Reuters
Olympic and World Champion long distance runner Mo Farah exercises near deer in Richmond Park on May 12, 2020. Dylan Martinez / Reuters
A youth poses with fish in Iraq's southern port city of Al Faw, 90 kilometres south of Basra near the Shatt Al Arab and the Gulf, on May 18, 2020. Hussein Faleh / AFP
A youth poses with fish in Iraq's southern port city of Al Faw, 90 kilometres south of Basra near the Shatt Al Arab and the Gulf, on May 18, 2020. Hussein Faleh / AFP
Worshippers performing the Laylat Al Qadr prayer while maintaining social-distancing norms during Ramadan, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19, 2020. Saudi Press Agency / Reuters
Worshippers performing the Laylat Al Qadr prayer while maintaining social-distancing norms during Ramadan, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19, 2020. Saudi Press Agency / Reuters
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft is seen in this false color infrared exposure as it is launched on June 1, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Bill Ingalls / EPA
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft is seen in this false color infrared exposure as it is launched on June 1, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Bill Ingalls / EPA
In this undated handout picture taken from a drone and released to AFP by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Queensland Government shows Green turtles nesting on Raine Island, 11th June 2020. AFP
In this undated handout picture taken from a drone and released to AFP by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Queensland Government shows Green turtles nesting on Raine Island, 11th June 2020. AFP
Merlin Coles 3, watches the horse racing from Royal Ascot on TV at his home - Bere Regis, Britain on June 17, 2020. Reuters
Merlin Coles 3, watches the horse racing from Royal Ascot on TV at his home - Bere Regis, Britain on June 17, 2020. Reuters
Jordan domestic tourists ride donkeys as they visit the reopened Petra archeological site, in Petra, some 280 km south of Amman, Jordan, on June 20, 2020. EPA
Jordan domestic tourists ride donkeys as they visit the reopened Petra archeological site, in Petra, some 280 km south of Amman, Jordan, on June 20, 2020. EPA
Maestro Harout Fazlian conducts rehearsals ahead of the Sound of Resilience concert inside the Temple of Bacchus at the historic site of Baalbek in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, on July 4, 2020. AFP
Maestro Harout Fazlian conducts rehearsals ahead of the Sound of Resilience concert inside the Temple of Bacchus at the historic site of Baalbek in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, on July 4, 2020. AFP
A general view shows Tahrir Square, after its renovation in Cairo, Egypt July 13, 2020. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
A general view shows Tahrir Square, after its renovation in Cairo, Egypt July 13, 2020. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
Aram Vardazaryan walks inside his home which suffered of bombing attacks on July 18, 2020, in the village of Aygepar, Tavush region, recently damaged by shelling during armed clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Karen MINASYAN / AFP
Aram Vardazaryan walks inside his home which suffered of bombing attacks on July 18, 2020, in the village of Aygepar, Tavush region, recently damaged by shelling during armed clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Karen MINASYAN / AFP
The casket of civil rights pioneer and longtime US Representative John Lewis is placed by a US military honour guard at the center of the US Capitol Rotunda to lie in state in Washington on July 27, 2020. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
The casket of civil rights pioneer and longtime US Representative John Lewis is placed by a US military honour guard at the center of the US Capitol Rotunda to lie in state in Washington on July 27, 2020. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
A handout picture provided by Saudi Press Agency (SPA), on July 31, 2020, shows Muslim worshippers throwing pebbles at the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage. SPA / AFP
A handout picture provided by Saudi Press Agency (SPA), on July 31, 2020, shows Muslim worshippers throwing pebbles at the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage. SPA / AFP
A Sudanese man stands next to his furniture after torrential rain lead to landslides and flash floods in the town of Umm Dawan Ban, southeast of Khartoum on August 2, 2020. Ashraf Shazly / AFP
A Sudanese man stands next to his furniture after torrential rain lead to landslides and flash floods in the town of Umm Dawan Ban, southeast of Khartoum on August 2, 2020. Ashraf Shazly / AFP
A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 5, 2020. Hussein Malla / AP Photo
A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 5, 2020. Hussein Malla / AP Photo
August 20 Big Pic Photos of the Beirut port blast survivor: (L-R Top) Angelique Sabounjian was at work when the explosion rocked the city, Shady Rizk, 32, a network engineer, was injured at his office, Yara Saeid, 4, was at her parents’ apartment, Hussein Haidar, 27, was working at his office. (L-R Bottom) Hassan Nabha, 27, a computer and communication engineer, was at his office, Clara Chammas, a psychologist and a health coach, was injured at her apartment, Tony Helou, 63, unemployed, was injured at his apartment and Rainier Jreissati, 63, a businessman, was at home when the blast struck. AP
August 20 Big Pic Photos of the Beirut port blast survivor: (L-R Top) Angelique Sabounjian was at work when the explosion rocked the city, Shady Rizk, 32, a network engineer, was injured at his office, Yara Saeid, 4, was at her parents’ apartment, Hussein Haidar, 27, was working at his office. (L-R Bottom) Hassan Nabha, 27, a computer and communication engineer, was at his office, Clara Chammas, a psychologist and a health coach, was injured at her apartment, Tony Helou, 63, unemployed, was injured at his apartment and Rainier Jreissati, 63, a businessman, was at home when the blast struck. AP
Jason Von Berg of The National scales the walls of Cymb Abu Dhabi which has just been recognised with two Guinness World Records for the largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel and the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, August 24, 2020. Victor Besa /The National
Jason Von Berg of The National scales the walls of Cymb Abu Dhabi which has just been recognised with two Guinness World Records for the largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel and the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, August 24, 2020. Victor Besa /The National
A right-wing protester shakes hands with a Black Lives Matter protester in front of the Louisville Metro Hall on September 5, 2020. Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
A right-wing protester shakes hands with a Black Lives Matter protester in front of the Louisville Metro Hall on September 5, 2020. Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
Workers working on the Museum of The Future on Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai on September 9, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
Workers working on the Museum of The Future on Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai on September 9, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
This September 12, 2020, image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows smoke from Oregon and California wildfires. NOAA / AFP
This September 12, 2020, image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows smoke from Oregon and California wildfires. NOAA / AFP
A handout photo made available by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences shows Jimmy Kimmel (C) hosting the 72nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on September 20 2020. EPA
A handout photo made available by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences shows Jimmy Kimmel (C) hosting the 72nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on September 20 2020. EPA
Five luxury cruise ships are seen being broken down for scrap at the Aliaga ship recycling port on October 02, 2020 in Izmir, Turkey. Chris McGrath / Getty Images
Five luxury cruise ships are seen being broken down for scrap at the Aliaga ship recycling port on October 02, 2020 in Izmir, Turkey. Chris McGrath / Getty Images
An aerial view taken on October 6, 2020, shows displaced Syrian youths standing in a queue ahead of classes at a camp for the internally displaced in the town Maarrat Misrin in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province. Omar Haj Kadour / AFP
An aerial view taken on October 6, 2020, shows displaced Syrian youths standing in a queue ahead of classes at a camp for the internally displaced in the town Maarrat Misrin in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province. Omar Haj Kadour / AFP
A visitor takes a selfie during the opening of Global Village in Dubai on October 25. The attraction is celebrating it’s 25th season this year. Reem Mohammed / The National
A visitor takes a selfie during the opening of Global Village in Dubai on October 25. The attraction is celebrating it’s 25th season this year. Reem Mohammed / The National
Clockwise: A person holds real life action figures depicting democratic US presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden and former U.S. President Barack Obama. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump are pictured at Rochester International Airport. Seven-year-old supporter Lexi Katzman draws campaign slogans on her father's car. A Biden supporter wearing a mask in Phoenix, Arizona. A child dressed up as U.S. President Donald Trump waves during his campaign event in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. Julian Rosales is dressed as an astronaut and accompanied by his mom Fidelina, as they show their support for Democrat Mark Kelly. 3rd November, 2020. Reuters/ AFP/ EPA
Clockwise: A person holds real life action figures depicting democratic US presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden and former U.S. President Barack Obama. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump are pictured at Rochester International Airport. Seven-year-old supporter Lexi Katzman draws campaign slogans on her father's car. A Biden supporter wearing a mask in Phoenix, Arizona. A child dressed up as U.S. President Donald Trump waves during his campaign event in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. Julian Rosales is dressed as an astronaut and accompanied by his mom Fidelina, as they show their support for Democrat Mark Kelly. 3rd November, 2020. Reuters/ AFP/ EPA
Members of rescue services watch and take photographs with their mobile phones, as colleagues and medics carry 4-year-old Ayda Gezgin, covered in a thermal blanket, after she was rescued in the debris of her collapsed building in Izmir, Turkey, on Nov 5th, 2020. Samet Dogru / IHA via AP
Members of rescue services watch and take photographs with their mobile phones, as colleagues and medics carry 4-year-old Ayda Gezgin, covered in a thermal blanket, after she was rescued in the debris of her collapsed building in Izmir, Turkey, on Nov 5th, 2020. Samet Dogru / IHA via AP
People look at ancient sarcophagi on display, discovered in a vast necropolis in Saqqara, Giza, Egypt, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Nariman El-Mofty / AP Photo
People look at ancient sarcophagi on display, discovered in a vast necropolis in Saqqara, Giza, Egypt, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Nariman El-Mofty / AP Photo
Crowds on the beach in Cape Canaveral, Florida, watch the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew Dragon on its Crew-1 mission carrying four astronauts on November 15, 2020. Malcolm Denemark / Florida Today via AP
Crowds on the beach in Cape Canaveral, Florida, watch the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew Dragon on its Crew-1 mission carrying four astronauts on November 15, 2020. Malcolm Denemark / Florida Today via AP
Pope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during a meeting following a consistory ceremony to install 13 new cardinals, at the Vatican, November 28, 2020. Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters
Pope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI during a meeting following a consistory ceremony to install 13 new cardinals, at the Vatican, November 28, 2020. Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters
An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier demonstrates his skills during a graduation a ceremony in a military base in the Guzara district of Herat province on December 2, 2020. Hoshang Hashimi / AFP
An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier demonstrates his skills during a graduation a ceremony in a military base in the Guzara district of Herat province on December 2, 2020. Hoshang Hashimi / AFP
Firefighters work next to a car surrounded by flames during a protest against the "Global Security Bill'' in Paris, France, December 5, 2020. Gonzalo Fuentes / Reuters
Firefighters work next to a car surrounded by flames during a protest against the "Global Security Bill'' in Paris, France, December 5, 2020. Gonzalo Fuentes / Reuters
A Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus walks along an almost deserted street in the occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem, ahead of Christmas, on December 23, 2020. Hazem Bader / AFP
A Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus walks along an almost deserted street in the occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem, ahead of Christmas, on December 23, 2020. Hazem Bader / AFP

World

The best of the Big Picture: Images of 2020

Here's a look at some of the best images featured in The National's Big Picture this year

The National

December 30, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Read more from 2020 in review:

Wuhan to the Beirut blast: 2020's biggest moments photographed from above

Women of the year: female forces that shaped 2020

How 16 events that were postponed in 2020 will be staged in 2021

10 really good things that happened in 2020

__________

Subscribe here to receive The National's daily newsletter

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

While you're here
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

On Women's Day
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

World