10 Moments That Made the World Stand Still in 2024

10 Moments That Made the World Stand Still in 2024

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the 2024 events that captured the attention of people all over the globe

Diddy Indictment

For nearly three decades, Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. Though he hadn’t completely skirted controversy over the years, it seemed as though his legacy would be mostly untarnished. That all changed in 2023, when singer Cassie, an ex of Combs, filed a lawsuit against him, detailing abuse she had experienced. This was later corroborated by hotel surveillance footage. In March, Combs' properties were raided by Homeland Security, leading to an extensive indictment in September. The disgraced mogul is currently incarcerated awaiting trial on numerous counts, including racketeering. He’s also been named in numerous lawsuits.

Typhoon Yagi[a]

In September, Southeast Asia and South China were devastated by the onslaught of Typhoon Yagi. This tropical cyclone impacted regions in numerous countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. At least 844 people were killed as a result of Yagi, as well as more than 2,000 injuries, and 129 cases of missing persons. It was also devastating to infrastructure, with more than 741,800 structures either damaged or permanently ruined. The total cost of all these damages was $16.6 billion. International assistance was promptly initiated to help with recovery. But the impact of Typhoon Yagi on this part of the world will likely be felt for generations.

Deaths of Boeing Whistleblowers

In January, an Alaska Airlines flight, traveling from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, had to make an emergency return landing after an improperly installed door plug was blown out after takeoff. The plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was missing four bolts essential to keeping the plug in place. And soon, the aviation giant’s questionable manufacturing practices weren’t such a secret. Two former Boeing employees, John Barnett and Joshua Dean, had spoken out against the company’s procedures, and both died within about a month of each other. Barnett had reportedly taken his own life, while Dean had contracted a sudden illness. However, the proximity of their deaths amidst the ongoing investigation, has led to some suspicions of a greater conspiracy at play.

Taylor Swift Concerts Cancelled in Vienna

While a pop star of Taylor Swift’s magnitude cancelling concerts is sure to draw headlines, this was a particularly harrowing scenario. Swift was set to perform three concerts in Vienna, Austria as part of her globe-spanning Eras Tour in August. However, the day before the first concert was scheduled, two teenagers were arrested for planning a terror plot against the concert, with a third arrested the following day. The shows were subsequently cancelled and tickets were refunded. Swifties, understandably disappointed, congregated in public squares and churches, and Swift’s Eras Tour concert film was broadcast by public broadcaster ORF. On August 22nd, Swift issued a statement expressing her sorrow as well as her gratitude to her fans and the authorities for their support.

Death of Alexei Navalny[b]

In February, the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was announced by the country's Federal Penitentiary Service. Navalny, 47, who was serving a 19-year sentence at a corrective colony at the time of his death, had reportedly fallen unconscious following a walk. The official cause ruled "combined disease" as the reason, a claim disputed by Navalny’s widow, Yulia. As one of the most prominent voices of dissent against Vladimir Putin’s government, Navalny’s death prompted much outcry internationally, with multiple world leaders holding Putin directly responsible. Thousands gathered in Moscow to pay their respects at Navalny's funeral, which was also streamed live.

Kate Middleton Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

In March, Catherine, Princess of Wales, commonly known as Kate Middleton, announced her cancer diagnosis via a video message. This had been detected following abdominal surgery she had received in January and had necessitated her stepping away from public life while she underwent preventative chemotherapy. Before her diagnosis was made public, conspiracy theories about her whereabouts were being spread widely. Middleton concluded her video by speaking words of encouragement to others with cancer. She wasn’t the only member of the British royal family to share serious health news. In February, Buckingham[c] Palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer.

Donald Trump Assassination Attempt

In July, a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally for former President, and current President-elect, Donald Trump, near Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump’s upper right ear was hit, while two other attendees were injured, and another, Corey Comperatore[d], a former volunteer fire chief, was killed. The culprit, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by a Secret Service counter sniper team just seconds later. A photo of Trump, with his fist raised shortly after being shot, was soon widely circulated. A motive for the shooting has yet to be determined. Trump went on to win the general election in November, and this was arguably the defining moment of his campaign.

Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon

In September, Israel launched airstrikes against Lebanon amidst the continuing Israel–Hezbollah conflict. In the first day of attacks, 558 people were killed, including 50 children and 94 women. This was the deadliest day in the country's history since the 2006 Lebanon War. It also occurred within days of electronic devices exploding in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least 42 people and injuring more than 3,500 others in an apparently coordinated attack. Some 90,000 Lebanese were displaced as a result, furthering the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. Things escalated further in September, with the assassination of Hezbollah[e] leader Hassan Nasrallah. A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah was reached in November. However, this was soon followed by further violence, with each side accusing the other of violating the terms of the agreement.

Joe Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race

In July, President Joe Biden announced that he would be withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race. This announcement came nearly a month after a debate performance against former President Donald Trump that was widely viewed as disastrous. This, along with concerns about Biden’s approval rating and fitness to serve a second term, led to widespread calls within the Democratic Party for him to step aside. Though Biden repeatedly denied that he would drop out of the race, that did little to quell the ongoing discontentment amongst his party. And so, the 46th President posted a letter to X, announcing his withdrawal from the race. That same day, he endorsed Vice President Kamala[f] Harris to take his place, and supporters quickly rallied around her. Though Harris ultimately lost the election, many believe Biden’s departure from the race greatly improved the Democrats’ overall chances.

Neuralink Demonstrates Brain Chip

The concept of being able to manipulate our surroundings purely through thought has been long seen as purely fantastical. And while full-on telepathy or telekinesis might not exist, that doesn’t make this any less of a technological breakthrough. In March, neurotechnology company Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk, first demonstrated a device they had successfully implanted into a human’s brain. This device, appropriately referred to as “Telepathy,” allowed Noland Arbaugh[g], a 29-year-old man with quadriplegia from a diving accident, to control a computer cursor via his thoughts. This was demonstrated via a livestream on X, in which the chip allowed Arbaugh to, among other things, play online chess. Since then, a second person has successfully tested this device, which could literally change the way we think.

What 2024 moment do you think impacted the world the most? Let us know in the comments

[a]YAW-ghee https://youtu.be/RQL5QKl42Fc?si=B-flQ2raFEe9I-QI&t=6

[b]uh-LECKSY nuh-VAWL-nee https://youtu.be/l4Lq7gaKW4A?si=Ps3BWffEitfMs20W&t=6
[c]bucking-um not bucking-ham
[d]CORE-ee COMPRA-dore https://youtu.be/2SNe7NnwVkE?si=foHZs_nzs2hPB_E_&t=7
[e]HEZZBA-luh https://youtu.be/Sldgx9VaRE0?si=bVTEI27jmZaPqm9D&t=39
HASS-san nuss-RULL-luh https://youtu.be/Sldgx9VaRE0?si=G2U7i-Ks-s9BKau9&t=36
[f]COMMA-luh (not kuh-MAW-luh) https://youtu.be/mf9jGS_zjhI?si=s33p9XDi2UZQ5ses&t=27
[g]NOH-lund ARR-baw https://youtu.be/tDTr252Xskg?si=W92MII57LjxxqzZV&t=35