Ulaanbaatar, December 29, 2024 /MONTSAME/. MONTSAME Mongolian National News Agency highlights the 2024 most totable events in the world.

1.  "Odysseus" Spacecraft Successfully Lands on the Moon (February 22)

The American company Intuitive Machines' "Nova-C," also known as "Odysseus," successfully landed near the Moon's south pole. This marked the first American spacecraft landing on the Moon since NASA's Apollo 17 in 1972 and the first private company to send a lander to the Moon.

 2.  Sweden Officially Joins NATO (March 7)

Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson handed over the relevant documents to United States Secretary of State Antony John Blinken, completing the two-year accession process. Sweden became the 32nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

3. Vladimir Putin Re-Elected as the President of the Russian Federation (March 15-17)

In the 2024 Russian Presidential Election held on March 15-17, 2024, Vladimir Putin collected 87.28 percent of the votes, securing his fifth term as the President of the Russian Federation. President Vladimir Putin was sworn into office on May 7, 2024.

4. Arrest Warrants Issued for Israeli and Hamas Leaders (May 21)

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) requested arrest warrants for Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes. Six months later, the ICC in the Hague accepted the request and issued the warrants.

5. The 33rd Summer Olympic Games Held in Paris (July 26 - August 11)

The Olympic flame illuminated the Parisian sky as the Games returned to the homeland of modern Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin after a century, marking the third time Paris hosting the event. For the first time in history, the Opening Ceremony was held along a river instead of a stadium. Athletes from 206 countries paraded on boats on the Seine.

6. Donald Trump Wins the U.S. Presidential Election (November 6)

Despite pre-election polls indicating a close race between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump secured 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win. Kamala Harris received 226 electoral votes. Trump became the second U.S. politician to be re-elected after a four-year hiatus.

7. COP29 UN Conference Agrees to Triple Climate Finance for Developing Countries (November 11-22)

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) convened in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme "In Solidarity for a Green World."

During the Conference of the Parties, developed countries pledged to provide a minimum of USD 300 billion annually to assist developing countries in the latters' efforts to combat climate change. This represents a threefold increase compared to the earlier commitment of USD 100 billion.

8. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Reopened (December 7)

After a five-year restoration following the April 2019 fire, Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened on December 7, 2024. Over 40 Heads of State attended the ceremony in Paris, France. The extensive restoration involved more than 1,000 artisans and garnered over USD 880 million in donations worldwide.

9. Syrian Opposition Overthrows Bashar al-Assad's Regime (December 8)

Within 11 days in November 2024, opposition forces captured Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and the capital Damascus, overthrowing Bashar al-Assad's regime. President Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow aboard an IL-76 aircraft. The opposition established a transitional government, ending the Assad family's 54-year rule.

10. South Korea’s Parliament Votes to Impeach President (December 14)

President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law in an unannounced televised address, citing opposition activities disrupting government functions. This was the first such declaration since the 1980 coup. The Parliament of South Korea convened to overturn the decision, and the President revoked the emergency order hours later. The Parliament, dominated by the opposition, promptly moved to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing abuse of power and unconstitutional actions. The impeachment motion passed with a significant majority, prompting the Constitutional Court to begin deliberations on whether to uphold the decision.