Here's what's ahead for 2016, in 20 pictures
Americans will vote for a new president on November 8, as Barack Obama prepares to head out of the White House.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, seen here mocking opponent Jeb Bush, could shake up the party convention in July.
The sci-fi epic "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" made history as it broke box-office records. Will it also break Oscar records when the Academy hands out awards on February 28?
The countdown is on for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to be ready for the Summer Olympics starting August 5. The venue has been a hot topic this year, as concerns continue to rise over its water quality.
London will vote for a new mayor to replace Boris Johnson (front) on May 5.
A telescope under construction in the mountains of China's Pingtang county is set to become the largest in the world when it reaches completion in September.
Coalition forces are expected to intensify their fight against the militant group ISIS, but questions remain over using ground troops.
In the wake of the scandal that brought down FIFA President Sepp Blatter, soccer's governing body will elect a new president in February.
Drones are slated to take off as the next big thing. Their demand continues to increase, with China leading the way on their development.
After the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, security will continue to be taken up a notch at major events and locations.
Following a five-year trip, NASA's Juno spacecraft is expected to reach and orbit Jupiter by July 2016.
Conflict in Syria and Iraq will likely force more refugees to test Germany's controversial open-door policy.
The story of actor and comedian Bill Cosby, who was arrested on charges of aggravated indecent assault, will continue to unfold throughout 2016.
China's decade-old commodity boom spiraled downhill and came to an end in 2015. The outlook for 2016 does not seem to be much better.
The pay gap is set to be a hot topic throughout 2016, with British Prime Minister David Cameron announcing plans to have companies publish the difference between the average pay of their male and female employees.
At the global climate summit in Paris this December, 195 countries agreed to a historic plan to fight climate change by curbing their greenhouse-gas emissions. In 2016, we'll see if those commitments stick.
The year 2016 will commemorate 400 years since the death of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare. Events will be held around the world to mark the special anniversary.
Though the timeline is up in the air, the US and Cuba have agreed to restore commercial flights between the two countries.
Police officer Caesar Goodson will face a trial over the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore this January, which could stimulate the Black Lives Matter movement in 2016.
The effects of the interest-rate hike by the US Federal Reserve — the first raise in nine years — is bound to be scrutinized in the year to come.
Popular Right Now
Advertisement