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A war in Europe, the death of the Queen, record heatwaves and flooding, protests around the world and three prime ministers… it’s been quite a year.

Photographers have documented the huge news events of 2022 with striking images capturing key moments in history.

This is the year in pictures:

Ukrainians huddle under a destroyed bridge as they try to flee by crossing the Irpin River on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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March 5: Ukrainians huddle under a destroyed bridge as they try to flee by crossing the Irpin River on the outskirts of Kyiv. Pic: AP/Emilio Morenatti
Will Smith hits Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony
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March 27: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony. Pic: Reuters/Brian Snyder
A woman carries her cat as she walks past buildings that were destroyed by Russian shelling, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Borodyanka, in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, April 5, 2022.        REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo        TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY        SEARCH "GLOBAL POY" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "REUTERS POY" FOR ALL BEST OF 2022 PACKAGES.
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April 5: A woman carries her cat as she walks past buildings destroyed by Russian shelling in Borodyanka. Pic: Reuters/Zohra Bensemra
 Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear have cream tea at Buckingham Palace, in London, taken from a film that was shown at the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace  Heyday Films via AP)
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June 4: The Queen has tea with Paddington Bear during Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Pic: Buckingham Palace/Heyday Films
People in the US protest against the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade
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June 24: Protests against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. Pic: Sky News
Boris Johnson
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July 7: Boris Johnson is comforted by his family as he departs Downing Street. Pic: Tim Hammond/No 10 Downing Street
Demonstrators protest inside the President's House, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 9, 2022.        REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte/File Photo        TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY        SEARCH "POY STORIES 2022" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "REUTERS POY" FOR ALL BEST OF 2022 PACKAGES
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July 9: Demonstrators protest after storming the president’s house in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in July. Pic: Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte
First image from James Webb Space Telescope
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July 11: First image from James Webb Space Telescope. Pic: NASA
Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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July 23: Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in California in July. Pic: AP/Noah Berger
Aerials of the fire in Wennington
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July 19: Aerial images show homes on fire in Wennington on hottest day on record in the UK. Pic: Sky News
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - Final - England v Germany - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 31, 2022.
England's Chloe Kelly celebrates scoring their second goal with Jill Scott and Lauren Hemp.        REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo        TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY        SEARCH "GLOBAL POY" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "REUTERS POY" FOR ALL BEST OF 2022 PACKAGES.
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July 31: England’s Chloe Kelly celebrates scoring as the Lionesses become European champions. Pic: Reuters/Lisi Niesner
An aerial view shows a branch of the Loire River as historical drought hits France, in Loireauxence, France, August 16, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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August 16: A branch of the Loire River in France as historical drought hits France amid record temperatures across Europe. Pic: Reuters/Stephane Mahe
A boy crosses a flooded street, with the help of a wire fastened on both ends, following rains and floods during the monsoon season in Charsadda, Pakistan August 27, 2022. REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz
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August 27: A boy clings on to a rope as he crosses a flooded street during devastating floods in Charsadda, Pakistan. Pic: Reuters/Fayaz Aziz
Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture date: Thursday September 15, 2022.
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September 15: Members of the public pay respects as the Queen’s coffin lay in state in Westminster Hall. Pic: PA
Britain's King Charles salutes as he departs Wellington Arch on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain, September 19, 2022 REUTERS/Toby Melville.
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September 19: A teary King Charles salutes on the day of the Queen’s funeral. Pic: Reuters/Toby Melville.
An aerial view of a partially collapsed Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Sanibel Island, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
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September 29: A partially collapsed Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Florida. Pic: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
Iranians protests the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Tehran on 1 October (file pic)
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October 1: Iranians protests the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Tehran. :Pic: AP
A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain, October 15, 2022.        REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo        TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY        SEARCH "POY STORIES 2022" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "REUTERS POY" FOR ALL BEST OF 2022 PACKAGES
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October 15: A ‘Just Stop Oil’ activist is dragged away after blocking the road in Central London. Pic: Reuters/Henry Nicholls
Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss addresses the media in Downing Street in London, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. Truss says she resigns as leader of UK Conservative Party. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
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October 20: Liz Truss resigns after just 44 days as prime minister. Pic AP/Alberto Pezzali
The clerk of a shop situated on the site where a stampede happened during Halloween festivities pays respects in the middle of the site, in Seoul, South Korea October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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October 31: A man pays respects at the site of a crush during Halloween festivities in Seoul. Pic: Reuters/Kim Hong-J
Sky’s International Correspondent Alex Rossi and team witnessed scenes of jubilation in Kherson following the city’s recent liberation.
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November 12: Scenes of jubilation in Kherson as Ukraine regains control of the city. Pic: Sky News
NASA's next-generation moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion crew capsule, lifts off from launch complex 39-B on the unmanned Artemis 1 mission to the moon, seen from Sebastian, Florida, U.S. November 16, 2022. REUTERS/Joe Rimkus Jr.     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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November 16: The view from Florida as NASA’s Artemis mission to the moon takes off. Pic: Reuters/Joe Rimkus Jr
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with fans and fellow players after receiving the World Cup trophy
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December 18: Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with fans and players after winning the World Cup. Pic: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

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COP29 strikes last ditch deal on funding for climate measures in vulnerable countries

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COP29 strikes last ditch deal on funding for climate measures in vulnerable countries

The COP29 climate talks have reached a last ditch deal on cash for developing countries, pulling the summit back from the brink of collapse after a group of countries stormed out of a negotiating room earlier.

The slew of deals finally signed off in the small hours of Sunday morning in Azerbaijan includes one that proved hardest of all – one about money.

Eventually the more than 190 countries in Baku agreed a target for richer polluting countries such as the UK, EU and Japan to drum up $300bn a year by 2035 to help poorer nations both curb and adapt to climate change.

It is a far cry from the $1.3trn experts say is needed, and from the $500bn that vulnerable countries like Uganda had said they would be willing to accept.

But in the end they were forced to, knowing they could not afford to live without it, nor wait until next year to try again, when a Donald Trump presidency would make things even harder.

Bolivia’s lead negotiator Diego Pacheco called it an “insult”, while the Marshall Islands’ Tina Stege said it was “not nearly enough, but it’s a start”.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell said: “This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity, amid worsening climate impacts hitting every country.

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“No country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work still to do. So this is no time for victory laps.”

The funding deal was clinched more than 24 hours into overtime, and against what felt like all the odds.

The talks were rocked from the start by the incoming presidency of climate denier Mr Trump, the moment Argentina’s team were recalled back to Buenos Aires by their right-wing president and a controversial letter that sent shockwaves through the United Nations.

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

The fraught two weeks of negotiations pitted the anger of developing countries who are footing the bill for more dangerous weather that they did little to cause, against the tight public finances of rich countries.

A relieved Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, climate envoy for Panama, said there is “light at the end of the tunnel”.

Just hours ago, the talks almost fell apart as furious vulnerable nations stormed out of negotiations in frustration over that elusive funding goal.

They were also angry with oil and gas producing countries, who stood accused of trying to dilute aspects of the deal on cutting fossil fuels.

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Climate-vulnerable nations storm out of talks

The UN talks work on consensus, meaning everyone has to agree for a deal to fly.

A row over how to follow up on last year’s pledge to “transition away from fossil fuels” was left unresolved and punted into next year, following objections from Chile and Switzerland for being too weak.

A draft deal simply “reaffirmed” the commitment but did not dial up the pressure in the way the UK, EU, island states and many others here wanted.

Saudi Arabia fought the hardest against any step forward on cutting fossil fuels, the primary cause of climate change that is intensifying floods, drought and fires around the world.

Governments did manage to strike a deal on carbon markets at COP29, which has been 10 years in the making and will allow countries to trade emissions cuts.

‘Not everything we wanted’

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The UK’s energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said the deal is “not everything we or others wanted”, but described it as a “step forward”.

“It’s a deal that will drive forward the clean energy transition, which is essential for jobs and growth in Britain and for protecting us all against the worsening climate crisis,” he added.

“Today’s agreement sends the signal that the clean energy transition is unstoppable.

“It is the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century and through our championing of it we can help crowd in private investment.”

Activists participate in a demonstration for climate finance at the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
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Protesters at the summit in Baku. Pic: AP

Read more:
Azerbaijan president hails oil and gas as ‘gift from God’
UN climate summits ‘no longer fit for purpose’

The Azerbaijan team leading COP29 said: “Every hour of the day, we have pulled people together. Every inch of the way, we have pushed for the highest common denominator.

“We have faced geopolitical headwinds and made every effort to be an honest broker for all sides.”

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At least 20 killed in Israeli strikes on central Beirut, Lebanese authorities say

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At least 20 killed in Israeli strikes on central Beirut, Lebanese authorities say

At least 20 people have been killed and 66 injured in Israeli strikes on central Beirut, Lebanese authorities have said.

Lebanon‘s health ministry said the death toll could rise as emergency workers dig through the rubble looking for survivors. DNA tests are being used to identify the victims, the ministry added.

The attack destroyed an eight-storey residential building and badly damaged several others around it in the Basta neighbourhood at 4am (2am UK time) on Saturday.

The central Basta neighbourhood in Beirut, where four people were killed in an Israeli airstrike
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The central Basta neighbourhood in Beirut

Map of Lebanon and Israel

The Israeli military did not warn residents to evacuate before the attack and has not commented on the casualties.

At least four bombs were dropped in the attack – the fourth targeting the city centre this week.

A separate drone strike in the southern port city of Tyre this morning killed two people and injured three, according to the state-run National News Agency.

The victims were Palestinian refugees from the nearby al Rashidieh camp who were out fishing, according to Mohammed Bikai, spokesperson for the Fatah Palestinian faction in the Tyre area.

Israel’s military warned residents today in parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs that they were near Hezbollah facilities, which the army would target in the near future. The warning, posted on X, told people to evacuate at least 500 metres away.

The army said that over the past day it had conducted intelligence-based strikes on Hezbollah targets in Dahiyeh, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. It said it hit several command centres and weapons storage facilities.

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Israel has killed several Hezbollah leaders in air strikes on the capital’s southern suburbs.

Heavy fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is ongoing in southern Lebanon, as Israeli forces push deeper into the country since launching a major offensive in September.

According to the Lebanese health ministry, at least 3,670 people have been killed in Israeli attacks there, with more than 15,400 wounded.

It has displaced about 1.2 million people – a quarter of Lebanon’s population – while Israel says about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed in northern Israel.

Read more:
No 10 indicates Netanyahu would be arrested
‘Dozens’ of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike

Meanwhile, six people, including three children and two women, were killed in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis.

Some 44,176 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostage.

US envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region this week to try to end more than 13 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, ignited last October by the war in Gaza.

Mr Hochstein indicated progress had been made after meetings in Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday, before going to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz.

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Mossad investigating disappearance of rabbi in Abu Dhabi in potential terror incident, Israeli PM’s office says

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Mossad investigating disappearance of rabbi in Abu Dhabi in potential terror incident, Israeli PM's office says

Israeli intelligence agency Mossad is investigating the disappearance of a rabbi in Abu Dhabi after receiving information indicating a “terrorist incident”, the Israeli prime minister’s office has said.

Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen, has been missing since Thursday.

Mr Kogan is the Chabad representative in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Israeli prime minister’s office said the country’s security and intelligence services have been investigating in Abu Dhabi.

It said: “Mossad has updated that since his disappearance, and given information indicating that this is a terrorist incident, an active investigation has been going on in the country.

“Israeli security and intelligence organisations, concerned for Kogan’s safety and wellbeing, have been working tirelessly on this case.”

In a travel advisory, it warned Israelis: “In major cities, or locations where demonstrations or protests are taking place, conceal anything that could identify you as Israeli or Jewish.”

Read more:
Hamas claims Israeli hostage killed in IDF attack on Gaza
No 10 indicates Netanyahu would be arrested

The Israeli government’s travel advisory service warns its citizens to “avoid unnecessary travel” to the UAE as “there is terrorist activity in the UAE, which constitutes a real risk to Israelis who are staying/visiting in the country”.

The UAE diplomatically recognised Israel in 2020, a deal it has honoured throughout the Israel-Hamas war and Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon.

The Chabad movement is a Hasidic branch of Judaism, according to Chabad Lubavitch UK.

The organisation describes the work of emissaries like Zvi Kogan as “explaining, shedding light, dispelling myths, countering stereotypes” about Judaism.

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