2024 Recap | Top 10 international news in eyes of overseas Chinese
In 2024, the world continues to experience turbulence and unrest, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict unresolved and fires of war erupting in the Middle East. At the same time, technology advances rapidly and many Global South countries unite and cooperate. Let us review the top ten international news in the eyes of overseas Chinese in 2024.
- Greater BRICS Cooperation leads Global South solidarity
Starting Jan. 1, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia became members of BRICS. From Oct. 22 to 24, the first BRICS summit after the expansion was held in Kazan, Russia, attracting significant attention from the international community.
During the meeting, President Xi Jinping deeply articulated China's proposals for promoting high-quality development of "greater BRICS cooperation", emphasizing the need for BRICS countries to strive to build a BRICS that is committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice, and closer people-to-people exchanges.
Greater BRICS spearheads Global South cooperation as leaders meet in Kazan
China-Africa cooperation forum to point way for Global South
- Rapid development: Global attention on AI security issues
Following ChatGPT, OpenAI launched a new generative AI model "Sora" in February, capable of transforming text descriptions into high-quality videos lasting up to 60 seconds. From daily life to healthcare and military applications, AI technology is changing the way human society operates.
However, the rapid development and application of generative AI and embodied intelligence have raised global concerns about potential risks, including ethical issues, privacy breaches, and job displacement.
OpenAI announces GPT-4o model with ability to handle text, speech, video
OpenAI allows integration of ChatGPT into apps, faster and more resistant than existing GPT-3.5
- Cybersecurity breach: Microsoft's blue screen affects the world
On July 19, a major malfunction in Microsoft's Windows operating system, caused by a technical update error from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, led to widespread blue screen crashes (Blue Screen of Death, BSOD) on approximately 8.5 million Windows devices globally. Office programs and Azure cloud services were rendered unusable.
The incident disrupted air and rail transport, paralyzed the banking industry, interrupted financial systems, and caused significant inconvenience to individuals, resulting in a "digital disaster".
Microsoft says early June service outages were cyberattacks
Hackers compromise FBI email system, send thousands of messages
- Global spotlight: Paris Olympics brings new vitality
From July 26 to Aug. 11, the highly anticipated 33rd Summer Olympic Games took place in Paris, France, marking a return of the Summer Olympics to France after a century. Paris became the second city, after London, to host the Summer Olympics three times.
The centenary return of the Olympics to Paris showcased its unique romance: this edition integrated various sports events with urban landscapes, and the opening ceremony broke tradition by featuring an outdoor parade where athletes entered by boat on the Seine River.
Watch this | 2024 Paris Olympic Games Mainland Olympians delegation
Warm welcome: Paris Olympic national team's whirlwind visit to HK
- Ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict: Thousands displaced daily
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict entered its third year in 2024, the U.S., France, and the UK authorized Ukraine to use weapons provided by the three countries to strike Russian territory, provoking a strong response from Russia.
Russia's first intercontinental ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine
Russian refinery on fire after drone attack by Ukraine
- Escalating conflict in the Middle East: On the brink of catastrophe
In 2024, the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified, resulting in nearly 42,000 deaths, over 97,000 injuries, and approximately 1.9 million people displaced—90% of the local population—exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conflict expanded as Israel shifted its focus to Hezbollah, extending attacks into Lebanon and Syria.
Israeli security cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Hezbollah
Israeli army announces killing of Hezbollah leader in Beirut airstrikes
- Trump returns to the White House
After four years, Trump won the U.S. presidential election again in November, set to return to the White House on Jan. 20, 2025.
Photos | World watches closely as Trump secures second term in US presidential election
- Martial Law: A major political shock in South Korea
On Dec. 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly declared a state of emergency, which he lifted six hours later. Six opposition parties immediately initiated impeachment motions against Yoon.
S. Korea's parliament fails to pass impeachment motion against President Yoon
- Assad government overthrown: Israel aims to annex the Golan Heights
On Dec. 8, the prolonged 13-year civil war in Syria saw a dramatic shift in the situation as opposition forces rapidly captured several key cities within 12 days and entered the capital, Damascus, overthrowing the Assad government. On Dec. 10, Israel launched intense airstrikes on Syria, encroaching on the military buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
Israeli army attacks Syria with about 250 air strikes in 48 hours
Massive explosions caused by Israeli airstrikes on Syria's capital
- Lowest interest rates in two years: Fed cuts rates three times by 100 basis points
On Dec. 18, the Federal Reserve lowered the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to "4.25%-4.5%", which marks the third rate cut since September, totaling a reduction of 100 basis points, the lowest level in two years.
Watch This | US Fed slashes interest rates by 25 bps amid weakening labor market
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