The Goings-On: Early 2024 in the News

As we transition from the chilly beginning of 2024 into the spring, amidst stark global changes, we contemplate the occurrences of the last few months. Various nations have garnered attention with significant developments, each warranting acknowledgment.

Currently, the most pressing matter in world news is the ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict. In terms of the current situation, over 1,200 Israelis have been killed in strikes by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group. Hostages were taken, with some still being held by the militants. In retaliation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to further an on-going counterattack on Hamas-infiltrated areas in Palestine. So far, over 30,000 Palestinians have died, including over 13,000 children. According to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), this figure of child deaths in Palestine over the past four months is greater than the number of children killed in the past four years of global conflict. Now, several countries and aid agencies have been attempting to get aid into Gaza using different methods, such as land, air, and more recently, sea deliveries. Land deliveries have faced delays due to IDF pressure and many refugees being attacked when trying to access them. Air deliveries have malfunctioned, also resulting in civilian deaths. The first sea delivery left from Cyprus this week and the U.S. is currently planning on building a floating dock in order to receive more aid ships.

Now onto other regions of the world: In the United States, both President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, have met the delegate requirements to secure their respective parties’ nominations. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley has dropped out of the race, stating that Trump must now seek the votes of those in their party to prove himself.

In Europe, prominent Kremlin critic, Alexei Navalny, died at his Russian Arctic prison when he collapsed after a walk. His death sparked protests and a large funeral, as well as European nations adding more sanctions on Russia. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has called for more accountability against Putin’s regime and disruptions during Russia’s so-called “election.” 

Across Southern Africa, in countries such as Zambia, South Africa, the DRC, and more, over 188,000 people have contracted Cholera, with over 4,100 dead according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Researchers state that such simultaneous outbreaks in different nations are uncommon, but can be caused by a multitude of factors, including (but not limited to) transnational migration, poor sewage systems, worsening floods, and climate change.

In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has just won his second term as the new parliament elected him after a rigged general election involving many competitors, namely now-imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Now in Haiti, weeks of armed attacks by the nation’s gangs have ousted Prime Minister Ariel Henry, putting many civilians’ lives in jeopardy and leading to a shortage of all kinds of resources like petroleum and water.

Now finally, we have come to the end of the third edition of The Goings-On. I hope you enjoyed this informational piece, and please make sure to continue your knowledge of current affairs through verifiable sources.

Works Cited

Batrawy, Aya. “Gaza’s Death Toll Now Exceeds 30,000. Here’s Why It’s an Incomplete Count.” NPR, 29 Feb. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1234159514/gaza-death-toll-30000-palestinians-israel-hamas-war. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

Casey, Ian. “Gaza Aid Reaches Shore in First Sea Delivery.” BBC, 15 Mar. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68581090. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

Epstein, Kayla. “Biden and Trump Set for Election Rematch after Securing Party Nominations.” BBC, 13 Mar. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68550523. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

Gambino, Lauren, and Martin Pengelly. “‘I Have No Regrets’: Nikki Haley Drops out of Republican Presidential Race.” The Guardian, 6 Mar. 2024, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/06/nikki-haley-drops-out. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

“Gaza: Number of Children Killed Higher than from Four Years of World Conflict | United Nations in Türkiye.” Turkiye.un.org, 14 Mar. 2024, turkiye.un.org/en/263401-gaza-number-children-killed-higher-four-years-world-conflict. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

Lawal, Shola. “What’s Fuelling the Deadly Cholera Outbreak in Southern Africa?” Al Jazeera, 20 Feb. 2024, www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/20/whats-fuelling-the-deadly-cholera-outbreak-in-southern-africa. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

“Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif Wins Second Term as Prime Minister.” BBC, 3 Mar. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68462846. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

Völk, Kristina. “Haiti Violence: ‘We’re Living with Death on a Daily Basis.’” BBC, 13 Mar. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68555689. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.