2023 in Review: Arab states go to space, climate change and war dominate the news
(Combination image seen from top-left to right, then bottom-left to right) This picture taken on October 11, 2023 shows an aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City (AFP) + SpaceX's Starship rocket launches from Starbase during its second test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, on November 18, 2023 (AFP) + Ethnic Rohingya disembark from their boat upon landing in Ulee Madon, North Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 (AP) + A long exposure image shows the Eagle Bluffs Wildfire, which crossed the border from the US state of Washington, and prompted evacuation orders in Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada, July 30, 2023 (Reuters)
It was the year when the world saw an unprecedented war on multiple fronts. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continued into its second year, the world’s eyes turned to the Middle East amid the devastating Israel-Gaza conflict, with the two geographical turmoil dominating the headlines in 2023.
The past 12 months have also seen record-breaking weather events, a new UK King coronated, the first mugshot of a US President, devastating natural disasters – including floods and earthquakes – and a historic foray into space by Saudi Arabia garner global headlines.
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Qatar, a Gulf country at odds with its neighbors in the GCC until tensions cooled following the AlUla Declaration in 2021, has been working bilaterally through 2023 to restore ties and restart trade, travel and diplomatic missions.
Contrastingly, divisive actions like the burning of the Quran split opinion over freedom of speech versus Islamophobia, resulting in complex discussions around policy changes in Sweden and Denmark and protests by Muslim-majority nations.
In 2023, a record number of people were displaced from their homes and countries, which directly fueled migration – often in a dangerous and illegal manner.
Here are some of the biggest news stories – locally, regionally and internationally – that kept the tickers busy over the last 12 months.
January
On January 15, a plane carrying 72 passengers crashed in Nepal, killing 71 and leaving one missing who was presumed to be dead. The incident was live-streamed on Facebook by one of the passengers when, with no warning, the Yeti Airlines ATR 72 turboprop aircraft nosedived near the tourist city of Pokhara. In December 2023, a Nepalese investigation concluded that pilot error caused the crash.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made a shocking announcement that she had “no more in the tank” to continue leading the country, would step down and not seek re-election. Ardern said it had been a tough five-and-a-half years as prime minister and that she was only human and needed to take a step back.
On January 19, Saudi Arabia’s national women’s football team won its first-ever trophy after emerging victorious in a four-team tournament held in the Kingdom featuring Pakistan, Mauritius, and Comoros.
January witnessed the death of ‘Last of Us’ and ‘Star Trek’ actress Annie Wersching, who passed away on January 29 at 45 after battling cancer, and the passing of rally driver and stuntman Ken Block, who died in a snowmobile accident on January 2 at 55.
