Major Events and Tributes of 2024

The year 2024 has been an arduous journey on the global stage, characterized by escalating conflicts and mounting tensions. Yet, moments of unity and inspiration emerged, exemplified by the Paris Summer Olympics and Paralympics, where the world came together to celebrate excellence and resilience. Before we embark on 2025, let’s examine the pivotal events of 2024 that will resonate far into the future.

Humanity’s Reach into Space: Progress Amid Rivalry

The race to explore the cosmos thrived in 2024, blending scientific ambition with geopolitical competition. Japan’s SLIM lander achieved a successful touchdown on a lunar crater, while China’s groundbreaking mission retrieved soil samples from the moon’s far side. NASA’s Perseverance rover uncovered potential evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars, and a joint EU-Japan mission captured detailed images of Mercury’s south pole. On the technological frontier, SpaceX debuted its innovative booster recovery system using “chopstick arms.”

However, space was not free from discord. Accusations surfaced as the U.S. alleged Russia deployed a nuclear anti-satellite weapon, and China expanded its military satellite network. Despite 52 nations endorsing the Artemis Accords to keep space exploration peaceful, major powers like China and Russia remain absent, signaling a challenging path ahead for cooperation in space.

The Economic Ripples of China Shock 2.0

China’s pivot back to export-driven growth amid a sputtering domestic economy evoked memories of its earlier rise as a global manufacturing hub. Heavily subsidized Chinese goods, from solar panels to electric vehicles, flooded international markets, accelerating the green transition but threatening local industries worldwide. Countries like the United States, India, and Brazil enacted protective tariffs to counter the influx.

While these measures sought to safeguard domestic manufacturing, they risk exacerbating trade tensions. As 2025 approaches, the world braces for either heightened economic confrontation or a potential negotiated resolution.

Sudan’s Ongoing Civil War: A Nation in Turmoil

The brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ravaged Sudan throughout 2024. Stemming from a power struggle between former allies, the violence decimated cities like Khartoum and escalated humanitarian crises in Darfur. With over 60,000 lives lost and millions displaced, famine and war crimes have become grim realities.

International mediation efforts have yielded little progress, as external powers fuel the conflict. For Sudan’s beleaguered population, the prospect of peace remains distant.

Artificial Intelligence: Unprecedented Progress, Unyielding Concerns

Artificial intelligence (AI) advanced rapidly, blending promise and peril. Breakthroughs in healthcare, manufacturing, and genetics garnered accolades, including Nobel Prizes for foundational AI research and its application to protein structure prediction. Yet, challenges persist. While the U.S. maintains a lead in AI innovation, countries like China dominate academic research, signaling fierce competition.