The hottest month, the longest flight, the wildest auction prices... here is a look back at 10 new records in 2019:

Record temperatures: Temperatures in July 2019 were the hottest ever recorded globally at an average of 16.75 degrees Celsius for the planet, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced. A heatwave in Europe the same month reset several record highs: 42.6 degrees for Paris; 41.5 degrees for Germany; and 38.7 degrees in Britain. In December, it was Australia’s turn to set a record for its hottest day ever, with an average national maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.4 Fahrenheit) on December 19, while a scorching heatwave intensified bushfires.

Facebook fine: Facebook was in July slapped with the largest ever fine -- $5 billion -- imposed on any company for violating consumers’ privacy. Announcing the penalty, the Federal Trade Commission said it was also one of the largest ever issued by the US government for any violation.

Monster sale: Chinese consumers spent a record $38.3 billion on Alibaba platforms in the annual 24-hour “Singles’ Day” buying spree in November. It was a jump of 26 percent from the previous record high a year earlier, the e-commerce giant said.

Million-dollar parking: A parking space in Hong Kong’s The Center skyscraper sold in October for a whopping HK$7.6 million (more than $970,000, 882,000 euros), about the price of a one-bedroom apartment in London’s plush Chelsea.

Longest flight: Qantas completed the longest non-stop passenger flight in October, taking 19 hours and 16 minutes to test a direct route from New York to Sydney. Just 49 people travelled on the Boeing 787-9 to minimise the weight on board and give the plane sufficient fuel range to travel more than 16,000 kilometres (9,500 miles).

Summit speedster: Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purj summited all of the world’s 14 highest peaks in just six months and six days over April to October, smashing the previous record for the feat of almost eight years.


Art auction highs: Amid furious Brexit wrangling, Banksy’s “Devolved Parliament” painting depicting lawmakers as chimps was sold at auction in October for 11.1 million euros, a record for the British artist. A new auction record for a work by a living artist was set in May when Jeff Koons’ stainless steel “Rabbit” fetched $91.1 million.