In pictures: The week that was

 | Updated: Jan 20, 2019, 06:11 PM IST

Here are some of the highlights of events that happened around the world this week. 

DR Congo

DR Congo's constitutional court confirmed Felix Tshisekedi's presidential election win on January 20, dismissing a challenge from another opposition leader who rejected the court's decision and declared himself president.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Shutdown

The longest US government shutdown in history reached its 30th day on January 20, with most of the 800,000 employees who have been furloughed or are working without pay having missed their first paychecks last week.

Cultural institutions from Massachusetts to Oregon are moving to help unpaid federal workers spend some of their otherwise idle hours with loved ones enjoying art, science history or music.

(Photograph:AFP)

Mexico blast

At least 73 people were killed after a pipeline ruptured by suspected fuel thieves exploded in central Mexico, authorities said on January 19, as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended the army despite its failure to clear the site before the blast.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans protested against President Emmerson Mnangagwa after fuel prices doubled. They claimed the president has not delivered on pre-election pledges to kick-start growth after the exit of Robert Mugabe.

Hundreds of protestors were detained on public order charges on January 18, as the United Nations urged an end to a security crackdown and an internet blackout.

Later, the public workers rejected a second offer to raise their salaries and demanded to be paid in dollars.

(Photograph:AFP)
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Theresa May

British Prime Minister Theresa May made no change to her demands in talks with European Union leaders despite her Brexit plan being defeated by British lawmakers.

May's deal for Britain to leave the EU was defeated January 15 by 230 votes. She has appealed to lawmakers to come together to try to break the impasse.

(Photograph:AFP)

Kenya

Fifteen people died in a hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya on January 16, in an attack claimed by the Al-Shabaab.

As the explosion and gunfire rang out in the leafy Westlands suburb, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while some fled.

CCTV footage broadcast on television showed four attackers, clad all in black and heavily armed. Nineteen people remained unaccounted for two days.

(Photograph:AFP)

Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump laid out a White House feast fit for a government shutdown calling it 'great American food' with silver platters heaped high with McDonald's quarter pounders and the red-and-white burger wrappers of Wendy's.

White House chefs normally would serve much fancier fare underneath the stern gaze of the portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the State Dining Room. 

(Photograph:AFP)

Kumbh Mela

The mega Kumbh Mela, which began on January 15 and will continue till March 4, is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh.

Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature, the economic activities associated with it generate employment for over six lakh workers across various sectors.

(Photograph:AFP)