It was a year of extremes, starting with the aftermath of the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto and ending with a global financial crisis that engulfed millions across the world, dpa reported.
The year 2008 saw the eruption of the war in Georgia just as the Olympics opened with a glittering ceremony in Beijing. It saw the 10- year death toll in the Democratic Republic of Congo's bloody war rise above 5 million. The UN claimed that for the first time fewer people were dying of AIDS - while US researchers shut down a major vaccine trial that had held out much hope.
And, of course, 2008 saw the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States - a vote that was hailed not only for bringing the first black person into the White House but also because it was seen as bringing new momentum in efforts to resolve international conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Marking the developments and looking ahead to the new year, dpa English Service is offering a comprehensive yearender production, including regional and thematic packages.