2012 was a year full of turmoil. From global events such as the London Summer Olympics and the U.S. presidential race, to regional conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. Repercussions from last year’s Arab spring that rocked the status quo of the past 40 years still heavily affect Syria and Egypt; and the painful recovery from the latest global economic crisis brought tough austerity measures to Europe, causing widespread protests and riots. Collected here is Part 1 of a three-part summary of 2012 in photos, covering the first four months. Be sure to see Part 2.
25| A man rides a horse through a bonfire In honor of San Anton, January 16
In the small village of San Bartolome de Pinares, Spain, in honor of San Anton, the patron saint of animals, horses are ridden through the bonfires on the night before the official day of honoring animals in Spain. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
24| Floodwaters reach up to windows in Dordrecht, Netherlands, January 5
A Dutch resident stands in his house as high floodwaters reach up to his window, in Dordrecht, Netherlands, on January 5, 2012. Gale force winds reaching up to 110 kph (about 70 mph) as well as heavy rains hit along the Dutch coast. About a quarter of the country sits below sea level. (Robin Utrecht/AFP/Getty Images)
23| The Costa Concordia, keeled over off the Isola del Giglio, January 14
32 passengers and crew members were killed after the Italian ship with some 4,200 people on board ran aground. The Costa Concordia was on a trip around the Mediterranean when it apparently hit a reef near the island of Giglio on Friday, only a few hours into its voyage, as passengers were sitting down for dinner. Captain Francesco Schettino, who reportedly abandoned the ship shortly after it sank, lost his job and still potentially faces manslaughter charges. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images)
22| A leopard attacks and wounds Pintu Dey, in Guwahati, India, on January 7
Three people were seriously injured in the leopard attack before the cat was tranquilized and taken to Assam state zoo. Pintu Dey, in his 40s, recovered completely, the leopard was reportedly tranquilized and released into a wildlife sanctuary.(AFP/Getty Images)
21| Lampposts in ice in the Adriatic coastal town of Senj, Croatia, February 7
Europeans across the continent battled weeks of extreme winter weather, with thousands trapped by snow in remote, mountain villages in the Balkans.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
20| Angelina Jolie strikes a pose in Hollywood, California, on February 26
Angelina Jolie strikes a pose for photographers as she arrives before the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, on February 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
19| The final prayer ceremony of Bishwa Ijtema, Bangladesh, on January 15
Overcrowded trains prepare to leave for the city after the final prayer ceremony of Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on January 15, 2012. Thousands of Muslims joined the Akheri Munajat, the final supplication as the first phase of the Muslims congregation concluded by seeking forgiveness and blessings for mankind on Sunday, according to local media. (Reuters/Andrew Biraj)
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