Hurricane Melissa slammed into Cuba, hours after causing devastation in neighboring Jamaica as the strongest-ever storm on record to hit that Caribbean island nation.

From the fires that devastated Los Angeles to deadly earthquakes in Myanmar and Afghanistan, a selection of photos recalls the tragic disasters that defined this year.

Muslim brides wait to take their wedding vows during a mass marriage ceremony of 200 couples on March 4, 2018, in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo: VCG) ...