The most powerful news photos of the year

Mortar platoon soldiers endured temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius while holding their positions.

Mahmoud Al-Durra and his children were displaced from Gaza City amid the Israel-Hamas war.

The elections were held two years after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote.

The event marked 20 years since the first same-sex marriages in San Francisco.

On February 4, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties after heavy rainfall caused flooding and mudslides.

According to data released by the UK’s Home Office, 33,684 migrants arrived in the UK on small boats in 2024 as of December 1.

Six maintenance workers died as a result of the bridge collapse.

Many traveled to watch the solar eclipse in the “path of totality” in parts of the US, Mexico, and Canada.

In April, Columbia University’s then-president Nemat Minouche Shafik announced that the institution would not divest from Israel and said students remaining in a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus would be suspended. Student protesters then barricaded themselves inside the university’s Hamilton Hall, resulting in 300 arrests.

Temperatures in the Philippines hit 53 degrees Celsius, or around 127 degrees Fahrenheit.

Raisi died in a helicopter crash in the mountains near the border with Azerbaijan. Iran’s foreign minister and a provincial governor also died in the crash.

Iowa experienced a record-high number of 122 tornadoes in 2024.

Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon was evacuated ahead of the eruption.

The Normandy British Memorial hosted an installation titled “Standing with Giants” as part of the official D-Day commemoration.

The presidential debate proved disastrous for Biden. His poor performance panicked Democrats, ultimately leading to his withdrawal from the 2024 election.

Photographers on the campaign trail captured images of Trump’s bloodied face as he held a fist in the air, which quickly became iconic photos.

The oil tanker was carrying 1.4 million liters, or around 400,000 gallons, of fuel when it sank during Typhoon Gaemi.

The Maui wildfires killed 102 people.

The Park Fire, the fourth-largest fire in California’s history, burned over 400,000 acres.

Biden endorsed Harris after he dropped out of the race.

In his speech at the Democratic National Convention, Biden spoke highly of Harris, saying that choosing her as his vice president was “the best decision” he’s made in his career.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you,” he said in his speech.

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, left 3 million homes in five states without power and caused widespread flooding and damage.

Around 60 hostages remain in Gaza, though it is unknown how many are still alive.

Israel’s counteroffensive airstrikes and military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 45,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to figures provided to the United Nations by the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces reported that 17,000 of these fatalities were Hamas militants.

Hurricane Milton slammed into southwest Florida with winds of up to 120 mph and left 3.3 million homes and businesses without power.

Pennsylvania was a crucial battleground state in the 2024 election where both Harris and Trump campaigned heavily.

Mount Fuji’s snowless top raised concerns about the impact of the climate crisis on weather patterns.

Trump won 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226. Republicans also won majorities in the House and the Senate.

“In our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party but to the Constitution of the United States,” Harris said in her speech. “And loyalty to our conscience and to our God. My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.”

Members of South Korea’s Parliament convened for an emergency vote to reverse Yoon’s declaration, barricading themselves inside the National Assembly as soldiers forced their way in.

Lawmakers voted to end martial law, and Yoon relented after six hours of chaos.

Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania and agreed to be transferred to New York, where he faces federal charges of stalking, murder through the use of a firearm, and a related gun charge.

Assad fled Syria and has reportedly taken refuge in Moscow.