NATIONAL: 2025: A Year of Tumult and Transformation
Political Shifts and Leadership Changes
On January 6, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation amid waning support from allies like the NDP, effective upon his successor’s appointment.
On January 20, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th U.S. President, issuing sweeping executive orders, including a controversial exit from the World Health Organization.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol faced arrest on January 15 for imposing emergency rule to dodge corruption allegations.
Natural Disasters Devastate Regions
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet, Nepal, and China on January 7, claiming 126 lives, while a wildfire in Los Angeles’ Palisades destroyed 13,000 homes and killed 29.
On March 28, another 7.7-magnitude quake hit Thailand and Myanmar, with over 3,000 deaths reported in Myanmar alone, though military rule obscured full casualty figures. These events underscored the growing impact of natural calamities.
Technological Breakthroughs and Market Shocks
China’s DeepSeek chatbot, launched on January 27, outperformed Open AI, triggering a 17% ($600 billion) collapse in Nvidia’s shares, a historic low for a U.S. firm.
On March 2, Firefly Aerospace’s BlueGhost mission achieved a successful lunar landing, marking a milestone for private U.S. space exploration. These advancements highlighted the rapid pace of technological innovation.
Middle East Tensions and Military Actions
On February 4, Trump announced U.S. control over Gaza for reconstruction, igniting regional tensions.
Israel’s Operation Rising Lion on June 12 targeted Iranian military commanders, followed by U.S. B-2 Spirit strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 22 under Operation Midnight Hammer. Iran’s retaliatory attack on a U.S. base in Qatar prompted Trump to broker a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Diplomatic Milestones and Conflicts
A historic Hamas-Israel ceasefire on January 15 facilitated hostage releases and aid to Palestine.
On February 18, the U.S. and Russia restored diplomatic ties after a Saudi Arabia meeting. However, a February 28 White House meeting saw Ukrainian President Zelensky clash publicly with Trump and Vice President JD Vance over a Russia peace deal, leading to Ukraine’s concession on military aid.
Tragic Incidents and Regional Unrest
A U.S. Black Hawk helicopter collided with a Bombardier jet near the Potomac River on January 29, killing 64 near the White House.
On March 11, the Balochistan Liberation Army hijacked Pakistan’s Zafar Express, holding 450 hostages, including soldiers, before their release by Pakistani forces.
A Syrian attack on Alawite regions on March 8 killed over 1,000, marking a brutal escalation.
Leadership Transitions and Global Losses
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, a day after delivering an Easter message, with Louis XIV elected as the first North American Pope on May 7-8.
Germany’s Friedrich Merz became Chancellor on May 6 after the Social Democrats’ electoral defeat. South Korea elected Lee Jae-myung as president on June 3, signaling further political realignments.
Economic Policies and Social Unrest
Trump’s April 2 imposition of a 10% tariff on imports from multiple nations sparked global trade concerns. Protests erupted in Los Angeles on June 6 against Trump’s immigration policies, reflecting domestic unrest.
An April 26 explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajai and Bandar Abbas ports, linked to missile fuel storage, killed 70 and injured 1,200, underscoring regional volatility.
Ukraine’s Strategic Drone Offensive
Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, launched on June 1, targeted four Russian airbases with drones, destroying 40 strategic bombers in a meticulously planned assault. This operation, prepared over a year, highlighted Ukraine’s shift toward advanced drone warfare. The attack drew global attention for its precision and impact on Russian military assets.