New Delhi, India
The year 2024 was marked by a surprisingly high number of natural disasters that underscored the growing devastating effect of climate change on planet Earth.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
From catastrophic flooding to disastrous storms, these are the five biggest disasters of 2024.
<h2>Afghanistan&ndash;Pakistan floods</h2>
<img alt="Afghan floods" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a172edeb-2f56-44a5-af69-10fe3d1aaeef" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-24T141351.649.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
Between March and August 2024, unseasonably heavy rains and subsequent flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan claimed the lives of 1084 people, while over 2000 were injured.
<h2>Typhoon Yagi</h2>
<img alt="Typhoon Yagi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42498da3-8b5b-4ead-9c37-b21d629a9621" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-24T141656.752.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
Typhoon Yagi (known as Severe Tropical Storm Enteng in the Philippines), was a tropical storm in September 2024 in Southeast Asia and South China.
Yagi was the first super typhoon&mdash;classified as category 5&mdash;of the annual typhoon season and was the most powerful storm ever to hit Northern Vietnam. It was also the strongest typhoon to batter Hainan during the meteorological autumn, surpassing all others since the devastating Rammasun in 2014.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-tragedy-to-triumph-five-personalities-who-defined-2024-785783">From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024</a>
The toll from Yagi was staggering. As per official records, 844 lives were lost, 2,279 people were injured, and 129 others were reported missing. Additionally, the storm, as per reports, caused damages of over $16.7 billion. This makes Yagi the third-costliest Pacific typhoon on record.&nbsp;
<h2>Enga landslide</h2>
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(Image courtesy: AFP)
On May 24, 2024, a devastating landslide struck Papua New Guinea's Mulitaka. The massive landslide buried thousands under the debris. While the official death toll stands at 640, estimates suggest that there might actually have been over 2,000 fatalities.&nbsp;
The landslide, as per some theories, was caused by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 18, 2024. However, the Red Cross blamed gold mining or heavy rainfall in the region for the disaster.
<h2>Wayanad landslides</h2>
<img alt="Wayanad landslides" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ded522a6-28af-4a54-a9ed-3c7bcaf0546b" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-24T142042.407.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
In India's Kerala, a series of landslides on July 30, 2024, killed 254 people, and injured 397, while 254 went missing.&nbsp;
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/rewind-2024-a-reminder-climate-change-is-impacting-us-more-than-we-think-785892">2024 was a reminder that climate change impacts us more than we think</a>
The landslides were caused by heavy rains that led to the collapse of hillsides. They affected&nbsp;Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district.
It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history.
<h2>Hurricane Helene</h2>
<img alt="Hurricane Helene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6825e893-3312-427b-a39f-54abadd050c4" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-24T142204.833.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
The devastating Hurricane Helene hit the Southeast United States in September 2024. The tropical cyclone was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland US since Katrina in 2005.
Helene caused 235 deaths and total damage of around $124 billion.
(With inputs from agencies)

A recap of atastrophic events of 2024, including the Afghanistan-Pakistan floods and Typhoon Yagi, emphasising the severe consequences of climate change worldwide.

New Delhi, India The year 2024 was marked by a surprisingly high number of natural disasters that underscored the growing devastating effect of climate change on planet Earth. From catastrophic flooding to disastrous storms, these are the five biggest disasters of 2024. Afghanistan–Pakistan floods (Image courtesy: AFP) Between March and August 2024, unseasonably heavy rains and subsequent flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan claimed the lives of 1084 people, while over 2000 were injured. Typhoon Yagi (Image courtesy: AFP) Typhoon Yagi (known as Severe Tropical Storm Enteng in the Philippines), was a tropical storm in September 2024 in Southeast Asia and South China. Yagi was the first super typhoon—classified as category 5—of the annual typhoon season and was the most powerful storm ever to hit Northern Vietnam. It was also the strongest typhoon to batter Hainan during the meteorological autumn, surpassing all others since the devastating Rammasun in 2014. Also read | From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024 The toll from Yagi was staggering. As per official records, 844 lives were lost, 2,279 people were injured, and 129 others were reported missing. Additionally, the storm, as per reports, caused damages of over $16.7 billion. This makes Yagi the third-costliest Pacific typhoon on record. Enga landslide (Image courtesy: AFP) On May 24, 2024, a devastating landslide struck Papua New Guinea's Mulitaka. The massive landslide buried thousands under the debris. While the official death toll stands at 640, estimates suggest that there might actually have been over 2,000 fatalities. The landslide, as per some theories, was caused by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 18, 2024. However, the Red Cross blamed gold mining or heavy rainfall in the region for the disaster. Wayanad landslides (Image courtesy: AFP) In India's Kerala, a series of landslides on July 30, 2024, killed 254 people, and injured 397, while 254 went missing. Also read | 2024 was a reminder that climate change impacts us more than we think The landslides were caused by heavy rains that led to the collapse of hillsides. They affected Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history. Hurricane Helene (Image courtesy: AFP) The devastating Hurricane Helene hit the Southeast United States in September 2024. The tropical cyclone was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland US since Katrina in 2005. Helene caused 235 deaths and total damage of around $124 billion. (With inputs from agencies)

Year in review: From floods in Afghanistan to Typhoon Yagi, the deadliest natural disasters in 2024

New Delhi, India
The year 2024 has been nothing short of eventful. From wars and disasters&nbsp;to amazing stories of resilience, this year had everything.&nbsp;
Here are five people who left their marks on history in 2024:&nbsp;
<h2>Gis&egrave;le Pelicot: "It's not us who should feel shame, but them"</h2>
<img alt="Gisele Pelicot" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a5c7a193-d968-44b0-9d4e-c3d9ec5acccf" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-21T135410.812.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
In 2024, Gis&egrave;le Pelicot became a hero and feminist icon for women everywhere. The 72-year-old French woman was at the centre of a mass rape trial in France. The horrific case had Gisele's ex-husband Dominique Pelicot as the perpetrator.
Waiving off her default right to anonymity, Gisele asked for the trial to be open to the public to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and drug-induced rape.&nbsp;
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-youll-die-alone-like-a-dog-daughter-caroline-tells-convicted-rapist-dominique-pelicot-785505">France mass rape: 'You&rsquo;ll die alone like a dog,' daughter Caroline tells convicted rapist Dominique P&eacute;licot</a>
For almost a decade starting in 2011, Dominique drugged his wife and recruited dozens of men online to have sex with her while unconscious.
On December 19, 2024, Dominique was handed the maximum term of 20 years in jail. Alongside him, 50 other men accused of raping Gisele were also convicted and handed terms of between three and 15 years.
<h2>Donald Trump: "Fight, fight, fight"</h2>
<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6793d99f-a228-4f21-acf7-db509e8b0d38" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-21T135400.543.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
2024 was the year Donald Trump made his comeback. The former president, on July 13, survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Escaping the attack relatively unscathed, he became the subject of an iconic image.
The photo from the incident shows Trump with blood streaking across his face as he pumped his fist in the air, appearing to mouth the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!".&nbsp;
Come November, Trump created history by becoming the only convicted felon to be elected president of the United States. He also became the second president in US history to win non-consecutive terms.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-trump-does-not-have-presidential-immunity-in-hush-money-case-rules-judge-784503">Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity in hush money case, rules judge</a>
<h2>Alexei Navalny</h2>
<img alt="Navalny" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bce767e-f906-49b7-9b10-4403475e8878" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-21T140720.698.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
A vociferous critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, 47-year-old Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024 in a desolate penal colony above the Arctic Circle. He had been serving sentences totalling more than 30 years on charges he said were rigged to silence his criticism of the Russian president.
Opposition leader Navalny, known as Putin's most vocal critic "felt bad after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness," as per Russia's federal penitentiary service.
They added that while medical staff arrived immediately and an ambulance team was called, resuscitation measures "did not yield positive results."
However, his wife Yulia Navalnaya insists that Navalny was murdered.
Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-murder-world-reacts-to-reports-of-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-death-690970" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-murder-world-reacts-to-reports-of-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-death-690970&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjD24Dhu7iKAxU3SGwGHWXwAnUQFnoECAIQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WB1kNq_RZTnFZVZWGa3Lt&amp;fexp=72801196,72801194,72801195" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-murder-world-reacts-to-reports-of-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-death-690970" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'Brutal murder': World reacts to reports of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's death</a>
<h2>Yulia Navalnaya</h2>
<img alt="Navalnaya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="043663a7-69b9-4eda-93ae-5edc65222530" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-21T140729.116.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
Following her husband Alexei Navalny's death, Yulia Navalnaya emerged as a strong Kremlin critic. Now blacklisted as a "terrorist and extremist" in Russia, 48-year-old Navalnaya, a trained economist, has vowed to continue her late husband's work.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rewind-2024-wion-yearender-a-year-of-shocking-defeats-and-historic-victories-elections-around-the-world-in-2024-8576088">Reigns lost, majorities gained: Major elections that shaped the world in 2024</a>
"My political opponent is Vladimir Putin...I will do everything to make his regime fall as soon as possible," she said in October.&nbsp;
She has vowed to stand for the Russian president once Putin is gone and has even lobbied against him internationally.
<h2>Taylor Swift</h2>
<img alt="Swift" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6ec791b8-fda4-4905-ad0c-4c585c72b582" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/sites/default/files/inline-images/New wion - 2024-12-21T140815.982.jpg">
(Image courtesy: AFP)
2024 was Taylor Swift's year. The popular American singer-songwriter made her mark this year with her record-breaking Eras Tour.
The music tour garnered over $2 billion, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time&mdash;this is almost double the gross ticket sales of any other concert tour in history.
Swift also re-released her 1989 album, solidifying herself as a music industry powerhouse.&nbsp;

Explore the inspiring journeys of five individuals who shaped 2024, from Gisèle Pelicot's fight for justice in France to Taylor Swift's record-breaking music tour success.

New Delhi, India The year 2024 has been nothing short of eventful. From wars and disasters to amazing stories of resilience, this year had everything. Here are five people who left their marks on history in 2024: Gisèle Pelicot: "It's not us who should feel shame, but them" (Image courtesy: AFP) In 2024, Gisèle Pelicot became a hero and feminist icon for women everywhere. The 72-year-old French woman was at the centre of a mass rape trial in France. The horrific case had Gisele's ex-husband Dominique Pelicot as the perpetrator. Waiving off her default right to anonymity, Gisele asked for the trial to be open to the public to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and drug-induced rape. Also read | France mass rape: 'You’ll die alone like a dog,' daughter Caroline tells convicted rapist Dominique Pélicot For almost a decade starting in 2011, Dominique drugged his wife and recruited dozens of men online to have sex with her while unconscious. On December 19, 2024, Dominique was handed the maximum term of 20 years in jail. Alongside him, 50 other men accused of raping Gisele were also convicted and handed terms of between three and 15 years. Donald Trump: "Fight, fight, fight" (Image courtesy: AFP) 2024 was the year Donald Trump made his comeback. The former president, on July 13, survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Escaping the attack relatively unscathed, he became the subject of an iconic image. The photo from the incident shows Trump with blood streaking across his face as he pumped his fist in the air, appearing to mouth the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!". Come November, Trump created history by becoming the only convicted felon to be elected president of the United States. He also became the second president in US history to win non-consecutive terms. Also read | Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity in hush money case, rules judge Alexei Navalny (Image courtesy: AFP) A vociferous critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, 47-year-old Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024 in a desolate penal colony above the Arctic Circle. He had been serving sentences totalling more than 30 years on charges he said were rigged to silence his criticism of the Russian president. Opposition leader Navalny, known as Putin's most vocal critic "felt bad after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness," as per Russia's federal penitentiary service. They added that while medical staff arrived immediately and an ambulance team was called, resuscitation measures "did not yield positive results." However, his wife Yulia Navalnaya insists that Navalny was murdered. Also read | 'Brutal murder': World reacts to reports of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's death Yulia Navalnaya (Image courtesy: AFP) Following her husband Alexei Navalny's death, Yulia Navalnaya emerged as a strong Kremlin critic. Now blacklisted as a "terrorist and extremist" in Russia, 48-year-old Navalnaya, a trained economist, has vowed to continue her late husband's work. Also read | Reigns lost, majorities gained: Major elections that shaped the world in 2024 "My political opponent is Vladimir Putin...I will do everything to make his regime fall as soon as possible," she said in October. She has vowed to stand for the Russian president once Putin is gone and has even lobbied against him internationally. Taylor Swift (Image courtesy: AFP) 2024 was Taylor Swift's year. The popular American singer-songwriter made her mark this year with her record-breaking Eras Tour. The music tour garnered over $2 billion, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time—this is almost double the gross ticket sales of any other concert tour in history. Swift also re-released her 1989 album, solidifying herself as a music industry powerhouse.

From tragedy to triumph: Five newsmaker personalities who defined 2024

This year, we saw a huge number of elections, so many that calling 2024 the 'year of the elections' would not be unmerited. From India's ruling party Bhartiya Janata Party barely managing to hang onto its reign to US President-elect Donald Trump's triumphant return to the White House, these are the most substantial elections the world witnessed in the year 2024.
<h2>India</h2>
In the world's largest democracy, elections are quite literally the festival of democracy.&nbsp;
2024 saw the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) humbled as the citizens of the nation made apparent their misgivings, forcing him to seek help from other parties and form a coalition, that too after two terms (or 10 years) of straight majorities.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/year-in-review-from-floods-in-afghanistan-to-typhoon-yagi-the-deadliest-natural-disasters-in-2024-786420" aria-label="Year in review: From floods in Afghanistan to Typhoon Yagi, the deadliest natural disasters in 2024">Year in review: From floods in Afghanistan to Typhoon Yagi, the deadliest natural disasters in 2024</a>
This year, Narendra Modi managed to hold on to his position as the Indian PM, albeit with some help. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won, but the BJP only contributed 44.20 per cent votes to the coalition, a far call from the absolute majorities it achieved in 2014 and 2019 General Elections.
<h2>United States</h2>
The United States this year saw an epic election race, full of twists and turns. The entertaining event had everything one can ask from an election: no hold-back presidential debates, controversial statements and one of the two main candidates &mdash; Joe Biden stepping down from the race, that too with the end of the race to the White House in sight. It even had straight out of the movies moments, with the hero (or the winner) of this story emerging bloody but victorious (literally! Remember the assassination attempt?).
At the end of it all, Republican Donald Trump (a convicted felon, no less), defeated the final Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris and won by 312 votes (he only needed 270 to win).
<h2>Pakistan</h2>
2024 was the year of turbulence for Pakistan. With the nation's popular leader, former prime minister Imran Khan lodged in jail, and barred from contesting, the nation held the 16th Pakistani General Elections, after almost two years of political unrest.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-tragedy-to-triumph-five-personalities-who-defined-2024-785783" aria-label="From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024">From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024</a>
The election result declaration was nothing short of controversial. Initial predictions by television channels showed Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in the lead in at least 127 of the 266 national seats. However, when the results were declared, independent candidates backed by PTI got 103 seats. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) or PML-N got 75 seats, which, along with 54 seats won by Pakistan's People's Party, gave it the majority needed to form a government. With the win, Shehbaz Sharif was established as the Pakistani Prime Minister, and Imran Khan stays in prison over 1.5 years since his arrest in May 2023.&nbsp;
<h2>United Kingdom</h2>
In the United Kingdom this year, after almost two decades in opposition, the Labour Party returned to power, and what a comeback it was. Defeating the Conservative Party (with its 14-years in power record), Keir Starmer in a landslide victory left Rishi Sunak in the dust. Starmer's party won a whopping 411 of 650 seats in the House of Commons.
To a certain extent, the Labour Party had conservatives to thank for this decisive win. From the Boris Johnson administration's record in (mis)handling the coronavirus pandemic to Liz Truss's embarrassingly short 49-day stint as the UK PM and finally Rishi Sunak's dipping popularity, all helped Starmer gain the resounding lead.&nbsp;

Discover how the elections reshaped global politics with pivotal shifts in India, the United States, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, marking a year of change.

This year, we saw a huge number of elections, so many that calling 2024 the 'year of the elections' would not be unmerited. From India's ruling party Bhartiya Janata Party barely managing to hang onto its reign to US President-elect Donald Trump's triumphant return to the White House, these are the most substantial elections the world witnessed in the year 2024. India In the world's largest democracy, elections are quite literally the festival of democracy. 2024 saw the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) humbled as the citizens of the nation made apparent their misgivings, forcing him to seek help from other parties and form a coalition, that too after two terms (or 10 years) of straight majorities. Also read | Year in review: From floods in Afghanistan to Typhoon Yagi, the deadliest natural disasters in 2024 This year, Narendra Modi managed to hold on to his position as the Indian PM, albeit with some help. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won, but the BJP only contributed 44.20 per cent votes to the coalition, a far call from the absolute majorities it achieved in 2014 and 2019 General Elections. United States The United States this year saw an epic election race, full of twists and turns. The entertaining event had everything one can ask from an election: no hold-back presidential debates, controversial statements and one of the two main candidates — Joe Biden stepping down from the race, that too with the end of the race to the White House in sight. It even had straight out of the movies moments, with the hero (or the winner) of this story emerging bloody but victorious (literally! Remember the assassination attempt?). At the end of it all, Republican Donald Trump (a convicted felon, no less), defeated the final Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris and won by 312 votes (he only needed 270 to win). Pakistan 2024 was the year of turbulence for Pakistan. With the nation's popular leader, former prime minister Imran Khan lodged in jail, and barred from contesting, the nation held the 16th Pakistani General Elections, after almost two years of political unrest. Also read | From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024 The election result declaration was nothing short of controversial. Initial predictions by television channels showed Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in the lead in at least 127 of the 266 national seats. However, when the results were declared, independent candidates backed by PTI got 103 seats. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) or PML-N got 75 seats, which, along with 54 seats won by Pakistan's People's Party, gave it the majority needed to form a government. With the win, Shehbaz Sharif was established as the Pakistani Prime Minister, and Imran Khan stays in prison over 1.5 years since his arrest in May 2023. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom this year, after almost two decades in opposition, the Labour Party returned to power, and what a comeback it was. Defeating the Conservative Party (with its 14-years in power record), Keir Starmer in a landslide victory left Rishi Sunak in the dust. Starmer's party won a whopping 411 of 650 seats in the House of Commons. To a certain extent, the Labour Party had conservatives to thank for this decisive win. From the Boris Johnson administration's record in (mis)handling the coronavirus pandemic to Liz Truss's embarrassingly short 49-day stint as the UK PM and finally Rishi Sunak's dipping popularity, all helped Starmer gain the resounding lead.

Reigns lost, majorities gained: Major elections that shaped the world in 2024

The year 2024 not only saw some important elections, like those in the United States and India but also witnessed some unexpected turn of events in the tumultuous world of politics, like those in South Korea and Syria. The year was marked by major political uncertainty that flipped the power dynamics in some regions and forced certain world leaders to leave their spots.
Here are some nations that faced such fate in 2024:
<h2>South Korea: The dual impeachment</h2>
On the night of December 3, 2024, South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared martial law in the country for the first time in nearly 50 years, citing &ldquo;anti-state forces&rdquo; and threats from North Korea.&nbsp;
However, South Korean politicians, including his own conservative People's Power Party (PPP) leaders, called the law illegal and unconstitutional. Soon, citizens protested outside parliament as the MPs voted against it.
The opposition Democratic Party (DP) led by Lee Jae-myung filed a motion to impeach Yoon, which went through on December 14. Following this, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was named the acting president of South Korea.&nbsp;
Han&rsquo;s term, too, was short-lived after the country&rsquo;s legislative body voted to impeach him on December 27. This comes after he refused to appoint the three judges in the nine-member benched Constitutional Court of the country. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is the new acting president of South Korea.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rewind-2024-wion-yearender-a-year-of-shocking-defeats-and-historic-victories-elections-around-the-world-in-2024-8576088" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reigns lost, majorities gained: Major elections that shaped the world in 2024</a>
<h2>Syria: Fall of Assad</h2>
Syrian politics took a sharp turn when the rule of the Assad family came to an end after being in power for over 50 years.
Bashar al-Assad, who had taken up the post of president after the death of his father in 2000, ruled for almost three decades. During his rule in 2011, a civil war broke out that killed over half a million people while 12 million others fled their homes.
On November 27, 2024, &nbsp;the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied rebel groups launched an attack, capturing Syria&rsquo;s largest city, Aleppo. On December 8, The rebels took over the Syrian capital of Damascus, resulting in the collapse of the military forces, resulting in Assad to flee to Moscow and seek asylum.
Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the leader of HTS since 2017, is regarded as the de facto leader of the Syrian transitional government following the ouster of Assad.
<h2>Bangladesh: Deadly protests</h2>
Violent protests erupted in Bangladesh in July that killed over 600, following which Bangladesh&rsquo;s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country. An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus was formed on August 8, 2024, following President Mohammed Shahabuddin&rsquo;s order.
The protests began in July against the reinstation of a quota system that reserved 30 per cent of civil service jobs for the family members of freedom fighters and Bangladesh's 1971 Independence War veterans, which allegedly favoured Hasina's Awami League party.&nbsp;
The student-led protests resulted in vandalism of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s residence and the defacing of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman&rsquo;s statues. The demonstrations also resulted in attacks on minority communities like Hindus and their places of worship.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/rewind-2024-a-reminder-climate-change-is-impacting-us-more-than-we-think-785892" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">2024 was a reminder that climate change impacts us more than we think</a>
<h2>France: No-confidence motion ouster</h2>
France saw a political crisis in 2024 when Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted through a no-confidence motion in the Assembl&eacute;e Nationale just three months after his appointment.
President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections in the country after his party Renaissance faced significant loss in the June European Parliament elections. However, his gamble failed after the left-wing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire (New Popular Front or NFP) won the elections.
In September 2024, Barnier was appointed as the prime minister by Macron due to a fragmented Parliament. But soon Barnier&rsquo;s position was threatened after he faced strong opposition from both far-right and left-wing factions following his budget proposal that projected a six per cent increased deficit of gross domestic product (GDP). He invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to bypass Parliament, however, the National Assembly voted for a no-confidence motion, collapsing the government.&nbsp;
Democratic Movement leader Fran&ccedil;ois Ren&eacute; Jean Lucien Bayrou was appointed as the new Prime Minister by Macron on December 13.
<h2>Germany: Collapse of &lsquo;traffic light&rsquo;</h2>
Similar to France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in Parliament on December 16 amid the ongoing economic and security challenges across Europe.
Germany&rsquo;s &ldquo;traffic light&rdquo; coalition of centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), free-market liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens collapsed after a growing dispute over next year&rsquo;s budget. Previously on November 6, Scholz fired his Finance Minister Christian Lindner of FPD saying it &ldquo;was necessary to prevent harm to our country.&rdquo;
After calling a vote of confidence on December 16, Scholz lost his support. The country is expected to go to the polls on February 23, seven months before originally planned.

The year 2024 was marked by major political uncertainty that flipped the power dynamics in some regions and forced certain world leaders to leave their spots.

The year 2024 not only saw some important elections, like those in the United States and India but also witnessed some unexpected turn of events in the tumultuous world of politics, like those in South Korea and Syria. The year was marked by major political uncertainty that flipped the power dynamics in some regions and forced certain world leaders to leave their spots. Here are some nations that faced such fate in 2024: South Korea: The dual impeachment On the night of December 3, 2024, South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared martial law in the country for the first time in nearly 50 years, citing “anti-state forces” and threats from North Korea. However, South Korean politicians, including his own conservative People's Power Party (PPP) leaders, called the law illegal and unconstitutional. Soon, citizens protested outside parliament as the MPs voted against it. The opposition Democratic Party (DP) led by Lee Jae-myung filed a motion to impeach Yoon, which went through on December 14. Following this, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was named the acting president of South Korea. Han’s term, too, was short-lived after the country’s legislative body voted to impeach him on December 27. This comes after he refused to appoint the three judges in the nine-member benched Constitutional Court of the country. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is the new acting president of South Korea. Also read | Reigns lost, majorities gained: Major elections that shaped the world in 2024 Syria: Fall of Assad Syrian politics took a sharp turn when the rule of the Assad family came to an end after being in power for over 50 years. Bashar al-Assad, who had taken up the post of president after the death of his father in 2000, ruled for almost three decades. During his rule in 2011, a civil war broke out that killed over half a million people while 12 million others fled their homes. On November 27, 2024, the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied rebel groups launched an attack, capturing Syria’s largest city, Aleppo. On December 8, The rebels took over the Syrian capital of Damascus, resulting in the collapse of the military forces, resulting in Assad to flee to Moscow and seek asylum. Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the leader of HTS since 2017, is regarded as the de facto leader of the Syrian transitional government following the ouster of Assad. Bangladesh: Deadly protests Violent protests erupted in Bangladesh in July that killed over 600, following which Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country. An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus was formed on August 8, 2024, following President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s order. The protests began in July against the reinstation of a quota system that reserved 30 per cent of civil service jobs for the family members of freedom fighters and Bangladesh's 1971 Independence War veterans, which allegedly favoured Hasina's Awami League party. The student-led protests resulted in vandalism of the Prime Minister’s residence and the defacing of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statues. The demonstrations also resulted in attacks on minority communities like Hindus and their places of worship. Also read | 2024 was a reminder that climate change impacts us more than we think France: No-confidence motion ouster France saw a political crisis in 2024 when Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted through a no-confidence motion in the Assemblée Nationale just three months after his appointment. President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections in the country after his party Renaissance faced significant loss in the June European Parliament elections. However, his gamble failed after the left-wing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire (New Popular Front or NFP) won the elections. In September 2024, Barnier was appointed as the prime minister by Macron due to a fragmented Parliament. But soon Barnier’s position was threatened after he faced strong opposition from both far-right and left-wing factions following his budget proposal that projected a six per cent increased deficit of gross domestic product (GDP). He invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to bypass Parliament, however, the National Assembly voted for a no-confidence motion, collapsing the government. Democratic Movement leader François René Jean Lucien Bayrou was appointed as the new Prime Minister by Macron on December 13. Germany: Collapse of ‘traffic light’ Similar to France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in Parliament on December 16 amid the ongoing economic and security challenges across Europe. Germany’s “traffic light” coalition of centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), free-market liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens collapsed after a growing dispute over next year’s budget. Previously on November 6, Scholz fired his Finance Minister Christian Lindner of FPD saying it “was necessary to prevent harm to our country.” After calling a vote of confidence on December 16, Scholz lost his support. The country is expected to go to the polls on February 23, seven months before originally planned.

2024: The year that witnessed major political upheavals

The year 2024 was marked by a surprisingly high number of natural disasters that underscored the growing devastating effect of climate change on planet Earth.&nbsp;

From catastrophic flooding to disastrous storms, these are the five biggest disasters of this year.

<h2>Afghanistan–Pakistan floods</h2>

<img alt="Afghan floods" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a172edeb-2f56-44a5-af69-10fe3d1aaeef" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-24T141351.649.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

Between March and August 2024, unseasonably heavy rains and subsequent flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan claimed the lives of 1084 people, while over 2000 were injured.

<h2>Typhoon Yagi</h2>

<img alt="Typhoon Yagi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42498da3-8b5b-4ead-9c37-b21d629a9621" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-24T141656.752.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

Typhoon Yagi (known as Severe Tropical Storm Enteng in the Philippines), was a tropical storm in September 2024 in Southeast Asia and South China.

Yagi was the first super typhoon—it was a category 5 typhoon—of the annual typhoon season and was the most powerful storm ever to hit Northern Vietnam. It was also the strongest typhoon to batter Hainan during the meteorological autumn, surpassing all others since the devastating Rammasun in 2014.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-tragedy-to-triumph-five-personalities-who-defined-2024-785783">From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024</a>

The toll from Yagi was staggering. As per official records, 844 lives were lost, 2,279 people were injured, and 129 others were reported missing. Additionally, the storm, as per reports, caused damages of over $16.7 billion. This makes Yagi the third-costliest Pacific typhoon on record.&nbsp;

<h2>Enga landslide</h2>

<img alt="Enga landslide" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73023189-c5b7-4778-8ee6-958faa76173f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-24T141912.206.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

On May 24, 2024, a devastating landslide struck Papua New Guinea's Mulitaka. The massive landslide buried thousands under the debris. While the official death toll stands at 640, estimates suggest that there might actually have been over 2,000 fatalities.&nbsp;

The landslide, as per some theories, was caused by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 18, 2024. However, the Red Cross blamed gold mining or heavy rainfall in the region for the disaster.

<h2>Wayanad landslides</h2>

<img alt="Wayanad landslides" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ded522a6-28af-4a54-a9ed-3c7bcaf0546b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-24T142042.407.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

In India's Kerala, a series of landslides on July 30, 2024, killed 254 people, and injured 397, while 254 went missing.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/rewind-2024-a-reminder-climate-change-is-impacting-us-more-than-we-think-785892">2024 was a reminder that climate change impacts us more than we think</a>

The landslides were caused by heavy rains that led to the collapse of hillsides. They affected&nbsp;Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district.

It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history.

<h2>Hurricane Helene</h2>

<img alt="Hurricane Helene" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6825e893-3312-427b-a39f-54abadd050c4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-24T142204.833.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

The devastating Hurricane Helene hit the Southeast United States in September 2024. The tropical cyclone was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland US since Katrina in 2005.

Helene caused 235 deaths and total damage of around $124 billion.

(With inputs from agencies)

The year 2024 was marked by a surprisingly high number of natural disasters that underscored the growing devastating effect of climate change on planet Earth. From catastrophic flooding to disastrous storms, these are the five biggest disasters of this year.

The year 2024 was marked by a surprisingly high number of natural disasters that underscored the growing devastating effect of climate change on planet Earth. From catastrophic flooding to disastrous storms, these are the five biggest disasters of this year. Afghanistan–Pakistan floods (Image courtesy: AFP) Between March and August 2024, unseasonably heavy rains and subsequent flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan claimed the lives of 1084 people, while over 2000 were injured. Typhoon Yagi (Image courtesy: AFP) Typhoon Yagi (known as Severe Tropical Storm Enteng in the Philippines), was a tropical storm in September 2024 in Southeast Asia and South China. Yagi was the first super typhoon—it was a category 5 typhoon—of the annual typhoon season and was the most powerful storm ever to hit Northern Vietnam. It was also the strongest typhoon to batter Hainan during the meteorological autumn, surpassing all others since the devastating Rammasun in 2014. Also read | From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024 The toll from Yagi was staggering. As per official records, 844 lives were lost, 2,279 people were injured, and 129 others were reported missing. Additionally, the storm, as per reports, caused damages of over $16.7 billion. This makes Yagi the third-costliest Pacific typhoon on record. Enga landslide (Image courtesy: AFP) On May 24, 2024, a devastating landslide struck Papua New Guinea's Mulitaka. The massive landslide buried thousands under the debris. While the official death toll stands at 640, estimates suggest that there might actually have been over 2,000 fatalities. The landslide, as per some theories, was caused by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 18, 2024. However, the Red Cross blamed gold mining or heavy rainfall in the region for the disaster. Wayanad landslides (Image courtesy: AFP) In India's Kerala, a series of landslides on July 30, 2024, killed 254 people, and injured 397, while 254 went missing. Also read | 2024 was a reminder that climate change impacts us more than we think The landslides were caused by heavy rains that led to the collapse of hillsides. They affected Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history. Hurricane Helene (Image courtesy: AFP) The devastating Hurricane Helene hit the Southeast United States in September 2024. The tropical cyclone was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland US since Katrina in 2005. Helene caused 235 deaths and total damage of around $124 billion. (With inputs from agencies)

The year 2024 has been nothing short of eventful. From wars and disasters&nbsp;to amazing stories of resilience, this year had everything.&nbsp;

Here are five people who left their marks on history in 2024:&nbsp;

<h2>Gisèle Pelicot: "It's not us who should feel shame, but them"</h2>

<img alt="Gisele Pelicot" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a5c7a193-d968-44b0-9d4e-c3d9ec5acccf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-21T135410.812.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

In 2024, Gisèle Pelicot became a hero and feminist icon for women everywhere. The 72-year-old French woman was at the centre of a mass rape trial in France. The horrific case had Gisele's ex-husband Dominique Pelicot as the perpetrator.

Waiving off her default right to anonymity, Gisele asked for the trial to be open to the public to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and drug-induced rape.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-youll-die-alone-like-a-dog-daughter-caroline-tells-convicted-rapist-dominique-pelicot-785505">France mass rape: 'You’ll die alone like a dog,' daughter Caroline tells convicted rapist Dominique Pélicot</a>

For almost a decade starting in 2011, Dominique drugged his wife and recruited dozens of men online to have sex with her while unconscious.

On December 19, 2024, Dominique was handed the maximum term of 20 years in jail. Alongside him, 50 other men accused of raping Gisele were also convicted and handed terms of between three and 15 years.

<h2>Donald Trump: "Fight, fight, fight"</h2>

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6793d99f-a228-4f21-acf7-db509e8b0d38" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-21T135400.543.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

2024 was the year Donald Trump made his comeback. The former president, on July 13, survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Escaping the attack relatively unscathed, he became the subject of an iconic image.

The photo from the incident shows Trump with blood streaking across his face as he pumped his fist in the air, appearing to mouth the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!".&nbsp;

Come November, Trump created history by becoming the only convicted felon to be elected president of the United States. He also became the second President in US history to win non-consecutive terms.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-trump-does-not-have-presidential-immunity-in-hush-money-case-rules-judge-784503">Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity in hush money case, rules judge</a>

<h2>Alexei Navalny</h2>

<img alt="Navalny" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bce767e-f906-49b7-9b10-4403475e8878" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-21T140720.698.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

A vociferous critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, 47-year-old Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024 in a desolate penal colony above the Arctic Circle. He had been serving sentences totalling more than 30 years on charges he said were rigged to silence his criticism of the Russian president.

Opposition leader Navalny, known as Putin's most vocal critic as per Russia's federal penitentiary service, "felt bad after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness."

They added that while medical staff arrived immediately and an ambulance team was called, resuscitation measures "did not yield positive results."

However, his wife Yulia Navalnaya insists that Navalny was murdered.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-murder-world-reacts-to-reports-of-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-death-690970" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-murder-world-reacts-to-reports-of-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-death-690970&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjD24Dhu7iKAxU3SGwGHWXwAnUQFnoECAIQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WB1kNq_RZTnFZVZWGa3Lt&amp;fexp=72801196,72801194,72801195" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brutal-murder-world-reacts-to-reports-of-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-death-690970" target="_blank">'Brutal murder': World reacts to reports of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's death</a>

<h2>Yulia Navalnaya</h2>

<img alt="Navalnaya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="043663a7-69b9-4eda-93ae-5edc65222530" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-21T140729.116.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

Following her husband Alexei Navalny's death, Yulia Navalnaya emerged as a strong Kremlin critic. Now blacklisted as a "terrorist and extremist" in Russia, 48-year-old Navalnaya, a trained economist, has vowed to continue her late husband's work.

"My political opponent is Vladimir Putin...I will do everything to make his regime fall as soon as possible," she said in October.&nbsp;

She has vowed to stand for the Russian president once Putin is gone and has even lobbied against him internationally.

<h2>Taylor Swift</h2>

<img alt="Swift" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6ec791b8-fda4-4905-ad0c-4c585c72b582" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20-%202024-12-21T140815.982.jpg" />

(Image courtesy: AFP)

2024 was Taylor Swift's year. The popular American singer-songwriter made her mark this year with her record-breaking Eras Tour.

The music tour grossed over $2 billion, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time—this is almost double the gross ticket sales of any other concert tour in history.

Swift also re-released her 1989 album, solidifying herself as a music industry powerhouse.&nbsp;

The year 2024 has been nothing short of eventful. From wars and disasters to amazing stories of resilience, this year had everything. Here are five people who left their marks on history in 2024: Gisèle Pelicot: "It's not us who should feel shame, but them" (Image courtesy: AFP) In 2024, Gisèle Pelicot became a hero and feminist icon for women everywhere.

The year 2024 has been nothing short of eventful. From wars and disasters to amazing stories of resilience, this year had everything. Here are five people who left their marks on history in 2024: Gisèle Pelicot: "It's not us who should feel shame, but them" (Image courtesy: AFP) In 2024, Gisèle Pelicot became a hero and feminist icon for women everywhere. The 72-year-old French woman was at the centre of a mass rape trial in France. The horrific case had Gisele's ex-husband Dominique Pelicot as the perpetrator. Waiving off her default right to anonymity, Gisele asked for the trial to be open to the public to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and drug-induced rape. Also read | France mass rape: 'You’ll die alone like a dog,' daughter Caroline tells convicted rapist Dominique Pélicot For almost a decade starting in 2011, Dominique drugged his wife and recruited dozens of men online to have sex with her while unconscious. On December 19, 2024, Dominique was handed the maximum term of 20 years in jail. Alongside him, 50 other men accused of raping Gisele were also convicted and handed terms of between three and 15 years. Donald Trump: "Fight, fight, fight" (Image courtesy: AFP) 2024 was the year Donald Trump made his comeback. The former president, on July 13, survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Escaping the attack relatively unscathed, he became the subject of an iconic image. The photo from the incident shows Trump with blood streaking across his face as he pumped his fist in the air, appearing to mouth the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!". Come November, Trump created history by becoming the only convicted felon to be elected president of the United States. He also became the second President in US history to win non-consecutive terms. Also read | Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity in hush money case, rules judge Alexei Navalny (Image courtesy: AFP) A vociferous critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, 47-year-old Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024 in a desolate penal colony above the Arctic Circle. He had been serving sentences totalling more than 30 years on charges he said were rigged to silence his criticism of the Russian president. Opposition leader Navalny, known as Putin's most vocal critic as per Russia's federal penitentiary service, "felt bad after a walk, almost immediately losing consciousness." They added that while medical staff arrived immediately and an ambulance team was called, resuscitation measures "did not yield positive results." However, his wife Yulia Navalnaya insists that Navalny was murdered. Also read | 'Brutal murder': World reacts to reports of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's death Yulia Navalnaya (Image courtesy: AFP) Following her husband Alexei Navalny's death, Yulia Navalnaya emerged as a strong Kremlin critic. Now blacklisted as a "terrorist and extremist" in Russia, 48-year-old Navalnaya, a trained economist, has vowed to continue her late husband's work. "My political opponent is Vladimir Putin...I will do everything to make his regime fall as soon as possible," she said in October. She has vowed to stand for the Russian president once Putin is gone and has even lobbied against him internationally. Taylor Swift (Image courtesy: AFP) 2024 was Taylor Swift's year. The popular American singer-songwriter made her mark this year with her record-breaking Eras Tour. The music tour grossed over $2 billion, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time—this is almost double the gross ticket sales of any other concert tour in history. Swift also re-released her 1989 album, solidifying herself as a music industry powerhouse.

From tragedy to triumph: Five personalities who defined 2024

2023 was a year of medical breakthroughs. As science progresses, scientists around the world are working hard to improve the quality of human life. This year, several notable, exciting medical advancements made headlines. From successful pig kidney transplant&nbsp;into humans to the world's first whole eye transplant, let's rewind to the year's most notable medical breakthroughs.

<h2>World's first whole eye transplant</h2>

In the United States, in November, surgeons performed the world's first transplant of an entire eye. The patient, a 46-year-old military veteran from Arkansas, had survived a work-related high-voltage electrical accident that destroyed the left side of his face, nose, mouth and left eye. In addition to the eye, a partial-face transplant was also done by the team from NYU Langone Health.&nbsp;

"The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about, but it's never been performed," the team lead Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, said at the time.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/bollywood/yearender-2023-actors-who-made-their-ott-debut-this-year-1701022719315" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/bollywood/yearender-2023-actors-who-made-their-ott-debut-this-year-1701022719315&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj0-N-S3omDAxUyR2wGHchDDjYQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3KT-rKPi5BeVr_3M1gLU7z" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/bollywood/yearender-2023-actors-who-made-their-ott-debut-this-year-1701022719315" target="_blank">Yearender 2023: Actors Who Made Their OTT Debut This Year</a>

<h2>First no-rejection kidney transplant</h2>

In September, in the United Kingdom, an eight-year-old Indian-origin girl, Aditi Shankar, became the first child to have gone through a special type of kidney transplant. The transplant was a breakthrough, as it didn't require the little girl&nbsp;to take long-term drugs to stop the potential rejection of the newly transplanted&nbsp;organ.&nbsp;

The little girl's immune system was reprogrammed using stem cells from the donor, Aditi's mother Divya.

<h2>Genetically modified pig kidney survives one month in human body</h2>

In the United States, in August, surgeons transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient. The organ worked for a record 32 days and could help bridge the significant organ donation gap.

<h2>A kill switch for cancer</h2>

Scientists from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento in California discovered a "kill switch" that could be used to trigger the death of cancer cells. It is called the CAR T-cell therapy, and it involves genetically modifying T cells collected from a patient's blood.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/sports/rewind-2023-top-5-sporting-moments-for-india-1701707420309" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/sports/rewind-2023-top-5-sporting-moments-for-india-1701707420309&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjs2aWK3omDAxWPbGwGHZ-6CKwQFnoECAcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2alTY_0bw9Qkoru4aDySRl" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/sports/rewind-2023-top-5-sporting-moments-for-india-1701707420309" target="_blank">Rewind 2023: Top 5 Sporting Moments For India</a>

The therapy showed promising results in leukaemia and other 'liquid' cancers, but showed "meagre" success against solid tumours, and breast, bowel, and lung cancers.

<h2>Blood test for detecting depression</h2>

A study by McGill University in Canada analysed blood samples from more than 60 teenagers to identify specific molecules which can be used as markers for depression. This can help in the early detection of teenagers at risk of psychological diseases like depression.

<h2>World's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine</h2>

In May, the US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The medicine that took 60 years to develop can safeguard patients 60 years of age and older from lower respiratory tract sickness brought on by RSV.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/yearender-2023-the-fabulous-year-that-taylor-swift-has-had-667924">Yearender 2023: The fabulous year that Taylor Swift has had</a>

<h2>New plant toxin-based antibiotic</h2>

As the world grapples with antibiotic resistance, a group of British, German and Polish scientists discovered a plant toxin that has a unique method of attacking bacteria. The potential new antibiotic has been named albicidin and works differently than existing antibiotic medicines.

<h2>3D printing to rid of invasive surgeries</h2>

In March, researchers from Australia announced that they had invented a snake-like soft robot that can print living cells from the inside of a patient's body. 3D bio-printing is already used for medical procedures. However, this can help eliminate the need for invasive surgeries.

<h2>World's first Alzheimer's treatment</h2>

In June, the US FDA approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), a drug that significantly helped combat the progression of Alzheimer's during clinical trials. It is the first drug that targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, slowing down the disease's progress.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/your-anxiety-is-lying-to-you-saying-no-to-plans-isnt-all-that-bad-finds-study-668806">Your anxiety is lying to you! Saying 'no' to plans isn't all that bad, finds study</a>

<h2>CRISPR gene editing for sickle cell disease</h2>

The world's first CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease was given the green light in the UK (in November) and in the US (in December). The therapy called CASGEVY works by correcting faulty haemoglobin genes in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that they can produce normal, functioning HB cells.

<h2>Artificial liver</h2>

In September, China made the headlines for reportedly developing a stem-cell-based 'artificial liver' that can work outside the human body. A boon for thousands suffering from liver failure, the bio-artificial liver can perform functions such as detoxification and protein synthesis typically carried out by the liver.&nbsp;

<h2>Tiny robot surgeon</h2>

The University of Leeds has developed a tiny robot that can travel deep into the lungs and detect early signs of cancer. It is only 2 millimetres in diameter and is transported into the smallest bronchial tubes using magnets. As per researchers, during testing on a cadaver, the magnetic tentacle robot travelled 37 per cent deeper than standard equipment, that too with significantly less tissue damage.

In 2024, the global community looks forward to many more significant medical advancements, many of which are expected to involve Artificial Intelligence (AI).&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

2023 was a year of medical breakthroughs. As science progresses, scientists around the world are working hard to improve the quality of human life. This year, several notable, exciting medical advancements made headlines.

2023 was a year of medical breakthroughs. As science progresses, scientists around the world are working hard to improve the quality of human life. This year, several notable, exciting medical advancements made headlines. From successful pig kidney transplant into humans to the world's first whole eye transplant, let's rewind to the year's most notable medical breakthroughs. World's first whole eye transplant In the United States, in November, surgeons performed the world's first transplant of an entire eye. The patient, a 46-year-old military veteran from Arkansas, had survived a work-related high-voltage electrical accident that destroyed the left side of his face, nose, mouth and left eye. In addition to the eye, a partial-face transplant was also done by the team from NYU Langone Health. "The mere fact that we transplanted an eye is a huge step forward, something that for centuries has been thought about, but it's never been performed," the team lead Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, said at the time. Also read | Yearender 2023: Actors Who Made Their OTT Debut This Year First no-rejection kidney transplant In September, in the United Kingdom, an eight-year-old Indian-origin girl, Aditi Shankar, became the first child to have gone through a special type of kidney transplant. The transplant was a breakthrough, as it didn't require the little girl to take long-term drugs to stop the potential rejection of the newly transplanted organ. The little girl's immune system was reprogrammed using stem cells from the donor, Aditi's mother Divya. Genetically modified pig kidney survives one month in human body In the United States, in August, surgeons transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient. The organ worked for a record 32 days and could help bridge the significant organ donation gap. A kill switch for cancer Scientists from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento in California discovered a "kill switch" that could be used to trigger the death of cancer cells. It is called the CAR T-cell therapy, and it involves genetically modifying T cells collected from a patient's blood. Also read | Rewind 2023: Top 5 Sporting Moments For India The therapy showed promising results in leukaemia and other 'liquid' cancers, but showed "meagre" success against solid tumours, and breast, bowel, and lung cancers. Blood test for detecting depression A study by McGill University in Canada analysed blood samples from more than 60 teenagers to identify specific molecules which can be used as markers for depression. This can help in the early detection of teenagers at risk of psychological diseases like depression. World's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine In May, the US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world's first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The medicine that took 60 years to develop can safeguard patients 60 years of age and older from lower respiratory tract sickness brought on by RSV. Also read | Yearender 2023: The fabulous year that Taylor Swift has had New plant toxin-based antibiotic As the world grapples with antibiotic resistance, a group of British, German and Polish scientists discovered a plant toxin that has a unique method of attacking bacteria. The potential new antibiotic has been named albicidin and works differently than existing antibiotic medicines. 3D printing to rid of invasive surgeries In March, researchers from Australia announced that they had invented a snake-like soft robot that can print living cells from the inside of a patient's body. 3D bio-printing is already used for medical procedures. However, this can help eliminate the need for invasive surgeries. World's first Alzheimer's treatment In June, the US FDA approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), a drug that significantly helped combat the progression of Alzheimer's during clinical trials. It is the first drug that targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, slowing down the disease's progress. Also read | Your anxiety is lying to you! Saying 'no' to plans isn't all that bad, finds study CRISPR gene editing for sickle cell disease The world's first CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease was given the green light in the UK (in November) and in the US (in December). The therapy called CASGEVY works by correcting faulty haemoglobin genes in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that they can produce normal, functioning HB cells. Artificial liver In September, China made the headlines for reportedly developing a stem-cell-based 'artificial liver' that can work outside the human body. A boon for thousands suffering from liver failure, the bio-artificial liver can perform functions such as detoxification and protein synthesis typically carried out by the liver. Tiny robot surgeon The University of Leeds has developed a tiny robot that can travel deep into the lungs and detect early signs of cancer. It is only 2 millimetres in diameter and is transported into the smallest bronchial tubes using magnets. As per researchers, during testing on a cadaver, the magnetic tentacle robot travelled 37 per cent deeper than standard equipment, that too with significantly less tissue damage. In 2024, the global community looks forward to many more significant medical advancements, many of which are expected to involve Artificial Intelligence (AI). (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope

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Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope