On March 7, 2024, Sweden officially became a part of NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality. This comes in the aftermath of Russian aggression in Europe having surged after Russia’s 2022 Ukraine’s invasion.
A statement delivered in Washington, DC after a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Unity and solidarity will be Sweden’s guiding lights as a NATO member.”
Two astronauts stuck in space
An exciting space exploration trip turned into a nightmare after two astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams got stuck in space.Due to be back after just a week when they left the ground in June, the two astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until February. Their stay was extended to February next year because of technical issues with the experimental spacecraft, Starliner, built by Boeing. The spacecraft was intended to return them to Earth. Boeing is working to resolve the problems affecting Starliner.
Recently, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the two astronauts, posed for a festive photograph before holidays in an Instagram post shared by NASA’s Johnson Space Center on Dec. 16.
Kamala Harris becomes the first woman of color to lead a major party’s ticket in US history
History was created after Kamala Harris secured the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first woman of color to lead a major party’s ticket in US history. This milestone reflected a pivotal milestone in American politics as Harris prepared to campaign for the presidency.
The Democratic National Committee confirmed Harris’s nomination post a decisive victory in the primaries. Her success marks a landmark moment, as she becomes the first African American and South Asian American woman to win a major party’s presidential ticket.
Joe Biden withdraws from re-election campaign
Hailed as an extraordinary decision that upended the dramatic race for the White House, US President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic candidate.
While announcing the decision, Biden, 81, stated that it was the “greatest honour” to serve but his withdrawal was “in the best interest of my party and the country”.
Donald Trump found guilty on 34 felonies
A jury found former President Donald Trump guilty in June 2024 of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This marks the first criminal conviction of a former or sitting U.S. president. The jury reached a unanimous verdict, concluding that Trump falsified records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Jurors determined this action was intended to influence the 2016 presidential election. The conviction relates to events leading up to the election.
Assassination bids on Trump
The most shocking incident was a major attempt to assassinate Trump at a campaign rally during the 2024 presidential election, which led to two deaths (including the would-be assassin) and an injury to Trump’s ear. Another assassination attempt took place in September 2024 at the Trump International Golf Club.
Donald Trump became the second US president to win non-sequential terms in office
Donald Trump scripted history by becoming only the second President to get elected for two non-consecutive terms. His victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris followed his defeat against Joe Biden in 2020.
In his first term in the White House, Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Before Trump, only Grover Cleveland was elected the US President for two non-consecutive terms.
Russia and Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This announcement preceded death and destruction in Ukraine. World leaders, including then-incoming US President Donald Trump, urged a ceasefire. Peace talks have yet to yield results.
