From oil spills, wildfires, and floods to Victory Day and the World Cup, these photos tell the stories that defined 2010.
2010: The Year In Photos
43
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, speaks to the press in London on October 23 about the organization's release of classified U.S. military documents. In late November, WikiLeaks caused worldwide political furor when it began releasing a massive cache of secret U.S. diplomatic cables.
Photo by Leon Neal for AFP
Photo by Leon Neal for AFP
44
Iraqi security forces stand outside a Catholic church in central Baghdad on November 1 in the wake of a deadly attack claimed by an Al-Qaeda group. Seven security forces and 46 Christians were killed when U.S. and Iraqi forces stormed the cathedral to free dozens of hostages from the attackers.
Photo by Sabah Arar by AFP
Photo by Sabah Arar by AFP
45
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev takes pictures near Soviet-made defense turrets during his November 1 visit to Kunashiri Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan. A dispute over the islands has overshadowed Russian-Japanese relations for more than 60 years.
Photo by Mikhail Klimentyev for Reuters
Photo by Mikhail Klimentyev for Reuters
46
A supporter of the right-wing Tea Party faction is dressed as comic-book character Captain America near the U.S. Capitol on Election Day, November 2. The elections delivered wide-ranging victories to the Republican Party.
Photo by Rod Lamkey for Getty Images/AFP
Photo by Rod Lamkey for Getty Images/AFP