Yearender: Iconic World Events That Made 2024 Hit Different

Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony

On January 22, 2024, the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya was consecrated during a grand “Pran Pratishtha" ceremony. The idol, crafted by Mysuru’s Arun Yogiraj, stands 51 inches tall and depicts a five-year-old Lord Ram, capturing the devotion and hope of millions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ceremony in a complex teeming with over 8,000 invitees.

Though the Ram Temple is still under construction, the consecration ceremony allowed visitors to witness the historic opening on January 23, 2024. The construction began in 2020, following a Supreme Court verdict in 2019.

Israel’s war in Gaza

Israel’s war in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, injured hundreds of thousands of others and internally displaced the entire population. In December, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly called for an immediate ceasefire, condemning Israel’s actions. While the resolutions lack binding power, they reflect global sentiment as the situation worsened.

Ukraine conflict continues to rage

The war in Ukraine stretched into 2024, with no end in sight. Russia’s relentless airstrikes targeted cities like Kyiv and Dnipro, leaving much of the country in ruins. Over 50 per cent of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was obliterated, leading to constant blackouts and a heavy toll on civilians. Despite the destruction, Ukraine received air defence support from its Western allies, though Russia’s missile “swarms" continued to overwhelm defences.

On the frontlines, Russia made gradual but significant advances, causing continued suffering and hardship for the people of Ukraine.

US Presidential elections

The 2024 US presidential race became the stage for heated debates over democracy, populism and America’s global standing. Donald Trump emerged victorious in key battleground states like Florida, Georgia and Michigan, securing his position despite a fierce battle with Vice President Kamala Harris. The election underscored the deep divides in American politics, as the shadow of past controversies loomed large, making this race one of the most contentious in modern history.

Attempt on Donald Trump’s life

In a chilling event on July 13, 2024, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A 20-year-old gunman fired shots from an elevated position, injuring Trump and two others. Despite the attack, Trump resumed his campaign days later, but the incident prompted renewed concerns about security at political events.

Syrian civil war reaches a grim conclusion

In December, Syria’s long-running civil war concluded with the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country and sought refuge in Russia. After years of brutal fighting, Assad’s regime collapsed following a series of offensives by rebel factions. His departure marked the end of a devastating war that ravaged Syria for over 13 years.

Bangladesh faces chaos as Sheikh Hasina flees

In an unexpected turn of events on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid anti-government protests. The unrest, sparked by disputes over job quotas, escalated into clashes that claimed over 300 lives. In response, Hasina sought asylum in India, leaving behind a country in chaos.

The violence resulted in widespread destruction, including the storming of government buildings, and forced the army to announce the formation of an interim government. Bangladesh’s political future hung in the balance as the country struggled to recover from the social and economic fallout.

European Union takes action on artificial intelligence

In a landmark move, the European Union passed the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act in 2024, regulating AI technologies across the continent. This comprehensive framework introduced a classification system based on risk levels. Unacceptable risks, such as social scoring and facial recognition, were banned, while high-risk applications, including healthcare and law enforcement, must comply with strict guidelines to ensure transparency and safety.

The act aims to ensure that AI serves society while safeguarding privacy and human rights, setting a global precedent for the regulation of advanced technologies.

Iran’s attack on Israel escalates tensions

In October 2024, Iran launched a missile strike on Israel, targeting key military sites as retaliation for the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The missiles set off air raid sirens across Israel, though Israel’s defence systems intercepted many. In retaliation, Israel conducted its airstrikes on Iranian military sites in Syria and Lebanon, escalating the already high tensions between the two nations.

Hajj pilgrims face tragedy in extreme heat

The 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, one of the holiest events for Muslims worldwide, was overshadowed by a deadly heatwave in Saudi Arabia. With temperatures reaching a scorching 51°C, over 1,300 pilgrims reportedly lost their lives to heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke and dehydration. The tragedy highlighted the extreme conditions faced by pilgrims as they performed the religious rites under unbearable heat.

Julian Assange’s return to Australia

After years of legal battles and a strained exile in the UK, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returned to Australia in 2024. This followed a plea agreement with the US authorities, in which Assange pled guilty to charges related to his leaking of classified US documents. His arrival in Australia was a symbolic end to his long-running legal saga, raising questions about press freedom and government accountability.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s death

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi tragically died on January 12, 2024, in a helicopter crash during an official trip to the country’s northern region. Raisi had been a prominent figure in Iran’s conservative political landscape and his sudden death left the country grappling with political uncertainty. His leadership had been marked by a tough stance on international issues and a repressive domestic policy. His passing led to an immediate power vacuum, and many speculated about the future of Iran’s leadership, with speculation on whether his successor would continue his hardline policies or pursue reforms.

Imran Khan’s prison sentence

In March 2024, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to ten years in prison after being convicted of leaking state secrets. Khan’s trial was widely seen as politically motivated, with critics accusing the Pakistani government of using the legal system to silence its opposition. His conviction came shortly after the former Pakistani Cricket captain was ousted from office through a no-confidence vote in 2022. Following the sentencing, mass protests erupted across Pakistan, particularly among Khan’s supporters, who believed the charges were part of an effort to prevent him from running in the 2024 general elections.

Alexei Navalny’s death

Alexei Navalny, the prominent Russian opposition leader, died in prison in August 2024 under suspicious circumstances. Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, previously survived poisoning attacks in 2020 and was incarcerated on charges widely regarded as politically motivated. His sudden death while in custody led to widespread accusations of foul play and sparked protests in major cities across Russia. The global community condemned the event, with Western leaders calling it an assassination orchestrated by the Russian government to eliminate a key political opponent.

Iraq’s laws against same-sex relationships

In June 2024, Iraq’s parliament passed a controversial law criminalising same-sex relationships. The law, which was widely condemned by human rights organisations and the international community, intensified the already precarious situation for Iraq’s LGBTQ+ community. The legislation made same-sex relationships punishable by imprisonment, exacerbating the challenges faced by sexual minorities in a country where homosexuality had long been taboo. Protests against the law broke out in Iraq’s major cities, but the government stood firm in its support of the new legislation.

China’s Moon base setback

In September 2024, China’s ambitious plans for a permanent lunar base suffered a setback when a critical supply mission failed. The spacecraft carrying essential equipment and provisions for the Moon base malfunctioned, leading to its destruction during launch. This setback was a significant blow to China’s space program, as the lunar base had been a key part of its long-term goal to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon. Despite the failure, China’s space agency expressed its commitment to continuing its lunar exploration efforts and vowed to launch a replacement mission in the coming years.