The ones to watch in 2020
They're charging onto or exiting the political stage, writing cinema history, breaking records and staging massive events. These are the people we will be talking about in 2020.
Mister Brexit
Boris Johnson will have to deliver the goods in 2020. The UK prime minister wants the country out of the EU on January 31 — as planned. Negotiations over future relations between the two parties will take place throughout the remainder of the transitional year, during which time the UK will remain in the EU customs union and its single market.
Is Carrie Lam teetering?
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam is under enormous pressure. For months now, hundreds of protesters have taken regularly to the streets to call for her resignation, among other things. Despite clear losses in local November elections, Lam has made no concessions. Lam is backed by the central government in Beijing, which has called on her to pacify the situation. 2020 will see if she keeps her job.
One more time?
On November 3, 2020, voters in the United States will elect a new president — or maybe an old one. When Donald Trump entered the political fray, few believed he could become president. That was until he beat Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016. It certainly isn't unimaginable that he will be elected to a second term.
Bye, bye Bond
Daniel Craig has chased evildoers across the silver screen as the embodiment of James Bond four times. Now, the 51-year-old actor is returning for one last Martini in the guise of secret agent 007. After "No Time to Die" premieres on April 2, 2020, in the UK and Germany, Craig says he will retire from the role.
Ode to Nike Wagner
2020 will be a special year for Nike Wagner, as it will be her last as director of the international Beethovenfest. Her departure coincides with a big anniversary, too — the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven. It will be celebrated around the world but nowhere more so than in Bonn, the city where he was born. There, concerts, dance projects and art exhibitions will pay tribute to the composer.
The 'Ghetto President'
Always in his trademark red beret, Bobi Wine — musician, actor and Ugandan parliamentarian — has been railing against political abuse in his country for years. In 2019, Wine registered as a candidate for Uganda's 2021 presidential election. That displeased Uganda's current president, longtime ruler Yoweri Museveni, who has had Wine arrested on several occasions since then.
In Love with Billie Eilish
Might there be even more awards ahead? Currently, 18-year-old singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is one of the most successful acts in the world of pop music. Her winning streak at music award shows will likely continue in 2020, perhaps at the Grammy in Los Angeles on January 26. She is already the youngest artist to have been nominated in the ceremony's four main categories in the same year.
European Cup hosts
For the first time in the history of soccer's European Championship, the event will be hosted not by one nation, but by 12. Some 24 national teams will vie for the coveted tournament trophy between June 12 and July 12, 2020. The whole event is organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which is led by its Slovenian president, Aleksander Ceferin (above).
Chess master Carlsen challenges all comers
Who is confident enough to take him on? In November 2020, Magnus Carlsen will defend his crown as World Chess Champion, and his challengers won’t easily take it from him. Currently, the 29-year-old Norwegian leads Russia’s Garry Kasparov at the top of the world’s highest-ranked players.
The men of heavy metal
Granted, few people will recognize the names Thomas Jensen (R) and Holger Hubner (L), but in 2020 they will write heavy metal history. Thirty years ago the two started the Wacken Open Air Festival, which attracts 85,000 metal fans to the German state of Schleswig-Holstein each year. Despite long-running success, Hubner's wish for this anniversary edition is humble: "Good weather, good festival."