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.
![Here's what's ahead for 2016, in 20 pictures](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-50422837%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-1148073%2Famericans-will-vote-for-a-new-president-on-november-8-as-barack-obama-prepares-to-head-out-of-the-white-house-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, seen here mocking opponent Jeb Bush, could shake up the party convention in July.
![Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, seen here mocking opponent Jeb Bush, could shake up the party convention in July.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422838,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1189436/republican-presidential-candidate-donald-trump-seen-here-mocking-opponent-jeb-bush-could-shake-up-the-party-convention-in-july-.jpg)
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 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?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422840,width-700,height-525,imgsize-951267/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.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422842,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1098955/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-.jpg)
London will vote for a new mayor to replace Boris Johnson (front) on May 5.
![London will vote for a new mayor to replace Boris Johnson (front) on May 5.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422844,width-700,height-525,imgsize-943354/london-will-vote-for-a-new-mayor-to-replace-boris-johnson-front-on-may-5-.jpg)
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.
![A telescope under construction in the mountains of China](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422845,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1320500/a-telescope-under-construction-in-the-mountains-of-chinas-pingtang-county-is-set-to-become-the-largest-in-the-world-when-it-reaches-completion-in-september-.jpg)
Coalition forces are expected to intensify their fight against the militant group ISIS, but questions remain over using ground troops.
![Coalition forces are expected to intensify their fight against the militant group ISIS, but questions remain over using ground troops.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422847,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1000274/coalition-forces-are-expected-to-intensify-their-fight-against-the-militant-group-isis-but-questions-remain-over-using-ground-troops-.jpg)
In the wake of the scandal that brought down FIFA President Sepp Blatter, soccer's governing body will elect a new president in February.
![In the wake of the scandal that brought down FIFA President Sepp Blatter, soccer](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422849,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1355722/in-the-wake-of-the-scandal-that-brought-down-fifa-president-sepp-blatter-soccers-governing-body-will-elect-a-new-president-in-february-.jpg)
Drones are slated to take off as the next big thing. Their demand continues to increase, with China leading the way on their development.
![Drones are slated to take off as the next big thing. Their demand continues to increase, with China leading the way on their development.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422851,width-700,height-525,imgsize-870202/drones-are-slated-to-take-off-as-the-next-big-thing-their-demand-continues-to-increase-with-china-leading-the-way-on-their-development-.jpg)
After the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, security will continue to be taken up a notch at major events and locations.
![After the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, security will continue to be taken up a notch at major events and locations.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422853,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1148876/after-the-paris-and-san-bernardino-attacks-security-will-continue-to-be-taken-up-a-notch-at-major-events-and-locations-.jpg)
Following a five-year trip, NASA's Juno spacecraft is expected to reach and orbit Jupiter by July 2016.
![Following a five-year trip, NASA](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422855,width-700,height-525,imgsize-4015653/following-a-five-year-trip-nasas-juno-spacecraft-is-expected-to-reach-and-orbit-jupiter-by-july-2016-.jpg)
Conflict in Syria and Iraq will likely force more refugees to test Germany's controversial open-door policy.
![Conflict in Syria and Iraq will likely force more refugees to test Germany](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422856,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1054924/conflict-in-syria-and-iraq-will-likely-force-more-refugees-to-test-germanys-controversial-open-door-policy-.jpg)
The story of actor and comedian Bill Cosby, who was arrested on charges of aggravated indecent assault, will continue to unfold throughout 2016.
![The story of actor and comedian Bill Cosby, who was arrested on charges of aggravated indecent assault, will continue to unfold throughout 2016.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422858,width-700,height-525,imgsize-799944/the-story-of-actor-and-comedian-bill-cosby-who-was-arrested-on-charges-of-aggravated-indecent-assault-will-continue-to-unfold-throughout-2016-.jpg)
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.
![China](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422860,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1085791/chinas-decade-old-commodity-boom-spiraled-downhill-and-came-to-an-end-in-2015-the-outlook-for-2016-does-not-seem-to-be-much-better-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422861,width-700,height-525,imgsize-979468/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-.jpg)
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.
![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](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422865,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1207069/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-well-see-if-those-commitments-stick-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422867,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1189508/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-.jpg)
Though the timeline is up in the air, the US and Cuba have agreed to restore commercial flights between the two countries.
![Though the timeline is up in the air, the US and Cuba have agreed to restore commercial flights between the two countries.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422869,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1257948/though-the-timeline-is-up-in-the-air-the-us-and-cuba-have-agreed-to-restore-commercial-flights-between-the-two-countries-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422871,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1212276/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-.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-50422877,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1330423/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-.jpg)
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