2024 in rewind: Elections, conflicts, and space exploration

Donald Trump made history in 2024 by becoming the oldest person elected to the US presidency at 78, the first former president to return to the White House in over 130 years, and the first former US president to be convicted of a felony, with Kamala Harris also breaking barriers as the first woman of color to win a major party's nomination. (File Photo)

The al-Assad family's 53-year rule in Syria collapsed in 2024, marking a historic moment after nearly 14 years of civil war sparked by peaceful protests against the government's violent response. (Photo: AP)

In 2024, the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated significantly, with numerous airstrikes, rocket attacks, and ground offensives, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis, allegations of war crimes, and a significant international response . (File Photo)

Iran launched aerial attacks on Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, Syria on April 1, 2024. The Israeli strike killed at least 13 people, including two high-ranking members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. (AP/File Photo)

Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, fled to India on August 5, 2024, after resigning from her position amidst a massive mass uprising that sparked widespread violence and destruction. (File Photo)

In 2024, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and a major escalation of the ongoing conflict between the two nations. (AP)

Wayanad Landslides Highlights: Day 2 rescue operations underway after landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains, at Chooralmala in Wayanad dristrict. (PTI Photo)

A devastating plane crash in Nepal in 2024 claimed the lives of 18 people when a Saurya Airlines flight skidded off the runway at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. (PTI/File Photo)

Heavy rainfall in September 2024 caused severe flooding in eastern and southern Spain, resulting in widespread destruction, displacement, and significant economic losses, particularly in Valencia, Murcia, and Andalusia. (AP/File Photo

On July 2, 2024, a devastating stampede occurred in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, during a religious event organized by self-styled godman Suraj Pal, also known as Bhole Baba, resulting in 121 deaths and at least 150 injuries. (Photo: PTI)

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft launched on June 5, 2024, and docked with the ISS on June 6, but due to technical issues, it returned uncrewed on September 7, 2024, and astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams are scheduled to return to Earth on the SpaceX Crew-9 spacecraft in February 2025. (File Photo)

Vinesh Phogat made history in 2024 by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the finals at the Paris Olympics, although she was later disqualified, and subsequently retired from wrestling to venture into politics, winning the Julana seat in the 2024 Haryana elections. (Photo: PTI)

Liam Payne, a member of the British boy band One Direction, tragically passed away in 2024 at the age of 31. (File Photo)

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, in a televised address, accusing the opposition Democratic Party of being "anti-state" and trying to overthrow the government. However, the declaration was met with swift resistance, and the National Assembly voted unanimously to lift martial law just hours later, at 01:02 on December 4, 2024. (AP)

In 2024, the Gaza Strip faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with over 576,600 people at catastrophic starvation levels and the entire population of 2.2 million experiencing acute food insecurity due to the ongoing war. ( AP/File Photo)