Looking back at 2013: World events in pictures

Washington, Dec 27: The year 2013 was an eventful year. From bombings during the historic marathon in Boston which killed many to the death of iconic anti-Apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, there were a number of occasions that would make the thirteenth year of the 21st century. Here is a look at them.

Barack Obama takes oath as the President of the US for second term

Barack Obama takes oath as the President of the US for second term on January 21.

Nighclub fire in Brazil

Over 240 people were killed after a deadly fire broke out in the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria in Brazil on January 27. Nearly 170 people were injured.

Commercial building collapses in Bangladesh, over 1,100 killed

Over 1,100 people were killed after a commercial building collapsed in savar sub-district of Bangladesh on April 24.

Bombings at Boston marathon, 3 killed

Three persons, including a boy, were killed after two pressure-cooker bombs went off during the historic Boston marathon on April 15. Over 260 people were also injured in the terror attack.

Detroit goes bankrupt

The American city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy on July 18. It was the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in the US history by debt, estimated to be $18-20 billion.

Over 6,000 killed in deadly typhoon in Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan, an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone, devastated the Philippines in early November. Over 6,000 people were killed in the typhoon.

Nairobi shopping mall attack

Seventy-two people were killed after the famous Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi in Kenya was attacked by unidentified gunmen on September 21.

Pope Benedict XVI becomes 1st Pope to resign in 600 years

Eighty-five-year-old Pope Benedict XVI resigned on February 28 on ground of health, thus becoming the first Pope to resign since 1415. Jorge Mario Bergoglio succeeded him as the Pope in March.

Train crash in Spain

Seventy-nine people were killed while 140 were injured after a train overturned and got derailed due to over speeding. The tragedy occurred between Madrid and Ferrol on July 24.

Comet ISON's rendezvous with the sun

The sungrazing comet disintegrated after coming close to the sun on November 28.

Nelson Mandela dies at 95

On December 5, iconic anti-Apartheid leader Nelson Mandela passed away at his Johannesburg residence after a prolonged illness at the age of 95.

'Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher dies

The UK's former prime minister Margaret Thatcher passed away at Ritz Hotel in London on April 8. She was 87 and suffered a stroke.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies

An ailing Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, and a leader known for his leftist stand, passed away in Caracas on March 5. He was 59.

Shutdown in the US

The US federal government witnessed a shutdown and halted most of its routine operations after the Congress failed to enact a legislation to appropriate funds for the 2014 fiscal. The shutdown went on from October 1-16, causing major damage to the economy.

Egypt President Mohammed Morsi removed

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, who came to power in June 2012 after the fall of a long dictatorial regime, was ousted from power by the military on July 3.

Oklahoma Tornado

Twenty-four persons were killed while 377 were injured after a deadly tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma and other adjacent areas in the USA between on May 20.

Iran nuclear deal

Iran signed a crucial nuclear deal with the USA and five other world powers on November 24, marking it as a significant foreign policy achievement of the Barack Obama Presidency.

President Obama's controversial 'Syria decision'

As the world kept on expecting that the USA would launch a military strike against the tyrannical regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, President Obama did not give the final go-ahead signal to his forces despite putting them on high alert.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dies at 94

Former Russian general Mikhail Kalashnikov, who had developed the legendary AK-47 assault rifle, died in Udmurtia in Russia on December 23, at the age of 94.

12 killed in Washington Navy Yard shooting

On September 16, a gunman shot 12 people and injured three others in a mass shooting at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) headquarters inside the Washington Navy Yard in Southeast Washington DC.

Meteorite explodes in Russia, injures over 1,200

On February 16, a meteorite exploded over Chelyabinsk in Russia and rained fireballs over a vast area that damaged property and injured over 1,000 people.

US actor Paul Walker dies

US actor Paul Walker, 40, who acted in the Fast & Furious action films, was killed in a car crash in California on December 1.

Significant stem cells discovery

An important breakthrough in medical science was made this year when Dr Shoukhrat Mitalipov transformed human skin cells into embryonic stem cells using somatic cell nuclear transfer technique. The discovery could go a long way in treating Parkinson's disease, cardiac disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. (Picture is representational)

Nawaz Sharif becomes prime minister of Pakistan for thr 3rd time

PML(N) came to power in the general elections in Pakistan in May after the PPP-led government became the first in the country's history to complete five years in office. Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted by a coup in 1999 by Pervez Musharraf, became the premier for the third time. He took office on June 5. He also appointed Raheel Sharif as the new Army chief after General Ashfaq Kayani retired on November 29.

Malala Yousufzai remains in the headlines

Pakistan's teenage activist Malala Yousufzai stole the headlines throughout the year. On July 12, she spoke at the United Nations where she stressed access worldwide access to education. She also received various awards.

Hillary Clinton's term as US Secretary of State ends

The tenure of Hillary Clinton, wife of former US President Bill Clinton, as the US Secretary of State came to an end on February 1. She was succeeded by John Kerry. Clinton, sources said, is likely to be on the race for the US Presidency in 2016.

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