Year ender 2024: From P Diddy to Elon Musk, here are people who made the most headlines this year

The year 2024 has been a frenzy of events, with worldwide superstars stealing the spotlight. From Donald Trump to Narendra Modi, here are the people who dominated the news and captivated the world's attention.

Donald Trump

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Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States after winning the election on November 5. His victory has put him in the international spotlight, with countries such as China and Canada voicing alarm about prospective policy adjustments under his administration. His Cabinet appointments and outspoken utterances have made him one of the most talked-about figures in 2024.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk has never shied away from making provocative views or praising Donald Trump, and he has received a lot of attention this year. Following Trump's victory in the presidential election, Musk was assigned to lead the government efficiency push.

Sheikh Hasina

In 2024, Bangladesh experienced instability and uncertainty, and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the focus of controversy and chaos. Her suspected involvement in corruption and stance on anti-quota rallies sparked enormous outrage, causing her to escape the nation and seek sanctuary in India.

Joe Biden

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US President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential contest this year following a shaky performance in the debate, which sparked worries about his age and mental capacity. Following his departure, Biden encouraged Vice President Kamala Harris to run against Republican nominee Donald Trump. Biden is in the spotlight as he pushes his legislative agenda, including pardoning his son, before leaving office.

Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached for imposing a contentious martial law to combat anti-state activities. Faced with significant criticism, he repealed the bill just six hours later. Following days of political turbulence, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion. As a result, Yoon's presidential powers were withdrawn, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took over the presidency.

Imran Khan

Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has dominated headlines for much of the year. He was condemned to 14 years in prison on corruption allegations and forbidden from holding office for ten years. In response, his party, Tehreek-e-Insaaf, staged protests demanding his release, resulting in violent clashes with security authorities.

Narendra Modi

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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defeated the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in the Lok Sabha elections, allowing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to serve a historic third term. He also opened the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh in a historic event.

Kamala Harris

In the November 5 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris succeeded President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate. She ran against Republican candidate Donald Trump and was unsuccessful, but she garnered a lot of support from celebrities like Taylor Swift.

Vivek Ramaswamy

This Indian-American entrepreneur and politician made news this year, from his original presidential campaign to withdrawing his nomination after the Iowa caucuses and embracing Republican nominee Donald Trump. Following Trump's landslide victory in the election, Ramaswamy and Elon Musk were nominated to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo made waves earlier this year when he launched his YouTube channel, "UR-Cristiano." The channel broke records, gaining one million subscribers in 30 minutes and approaching 30 million within a few hours.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles, a gymnast from the United States, won four medals at the 2024 Olympics, including three golds and one silver. She cemented her reputation as one of the most decorated gymnasts in history.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal, a former tennis player, made headlines when he revealed that the Davis Cup would be the last competition of his 23-year professional career. The Spanish legend, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, is retiring after a long and successful career.

Imane Khelif

This Algerian boxer sparked a gender debate after defeating Italy's Angela Carini at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Following her gold medal victory, rumours circulated over Khelif's gender and eligibility to compete in the women's 66 kg boxing event.

Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan, the director of Oppenheimer, was recently knighted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for his important contributions to the cinema industry. Earlier this year, the British-American director won the Academy Award for Best Director for Oppenheimer.

P Diddy

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Sean "Diddy" Combs, a music tycoon, was arrested in New York on allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering, sparking a scandal. Despite his plea of 'not guilty,' federal investigators in the United States intensified their investigation, raiding his houses in Los Angeles and Miami.

Mukesh Ambani

Mukesh Ambani, an Indian billionaire, made news when his family threw pre-wedding celebrations for his son, Anant Ambani, and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The lavish wedding celebrations, which lasted over three months, drew both Indian and international media attention. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber were among the high-profile guests who helped make the event a global sensation.

Sunita Williams

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Sunita Williams, a NASA astronaut, made headlines when her tenure on the International Space Station was unexpectedly extended. Originally planned to last barely a week after launch in June, her stay was extended to eight months when a Starliner capsule returned empty in September. Williams is due to return to Earth in the spring, ten months after her launch into orbit.

Also read: Year Ender 2024: 7 job trends set to shape 2025, from agentic AI to hybrid work

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