PARIS, France – The world joyfully welcomed 2025 on Tuesday, saying farewell to a year marked by Olympic triumphs, political shakeups, and ongoing global crises. Celebrations around the globe reflected both hope for a brighter future and relief at leaving a tumultuous year behind.
2024: A Year of Extremes
2024 will likely go down in history as the hottest year ever recorded. Climate-driven disasters wreaked havoc, from the plains of Europe to the hills of Kathmandu. Wildfires, floods, and heatwaves tested the resilience of communities worldwide.
Sydney’s Dazzling New Year’s Show
Dubbed the “New Year’s capital of the world,” Sydney put on a breathtaking display of fireworks, launching nine tonnes of pyrotechnics from its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Retired nurse Ruth Rowse, 71, expressed her excitement:
“It’s amazing to be surrounded by so many people enjoying this beautiful moment.”
Many in the crowd, like 32-year-old insurance worker Stuart Edwards, were glad to leave the challenges of 2024 behind:
“It would be great if the world could just fix itself.”
Highlights of 2024
- Olympic Glory: The Paris Olympics brought nations together for a few weeks of unity and joy. Athletes swam in the Seine, ran under the Eiffel Tower, and competed in historic locations like Versailles.
- Taylor Swift’s Tour Finale: The global music icon wrapped up her sensational Eras Tour.
- Sports and Viral Moments: Spanish football prodigy Lamine Yamal led his country to victory in the Euros, and pygmy hippo Moo Deng stole hearts online.
Political Upheaval and Elections
The year was marked by elections in over 60 countries. Some key events:
- Russia: Vladimir Putin retained power amid accusations of election fraud.
- Bangladesh: A student-led uprising ousted the prime minister.
- United States: Donald Trump’s November 5th victory signaled his return to the White House, already stirring global reactions. He’s promised bold moves, from addressing the Ukraine conflict in “24 hours” to intensifying economic pressure on China.
Turmoil in the Middle East
The Middle East faced intense challenges:
- Syria: Bashar al-Assad fled the country, and ongoing unrest cast uncertainty over its future.
- Gaza: Civilians struggled with worsening humanitarian conditions as conflict dragged on.
- Israel: Escalating tensions saw military actions in southern Lebanon.
From Damascus, lawyer Maram Ayoub shared mixed emotions about the new year:
“We decided to face our fears and go out despite the risks.”
Ukraine’s Ongoing Struggle
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its third anniversary, challenges persist. Ukrainians are bracing for potential changes in U.S. military support under Trump’s leadership.
Teacher Kateryna Chemeryz from Kyiv expressed her hopes:
“We just want peace for Ukraine.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
While challenges remain, there’s much to look forward to:
- Music Comebacks: Oasis and BTS are set to reunite, thrilling fans worldwide.
- Football Extravaganza: The revamped 32-team Club World Cup will kick off in the U.S.
- Kumbh Mela: An estimated 400 million pilgrims will gather on India’s sacred riverbanks for one of the world’s largest religious events.
Progress and Challenges on Climate
Despite signs of progress, such as rising electric vehicle sales and renewable energy use, the UK weather service predicts another scorching year ahead.
Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay festival faced cancellations due to severe weather, while brave swimmers in France and Japan celebrated with icy plunges.
Economic Optimism
Wall Street and European markets ended 2024 with gains. Investors are now watching closely to see how Trump’s economic policies will shape the global landscape.
As 2025 begins, there’s a mix of hope, resilience, and determination to face whatever challenges lie ahead. The world looks forward to a year of progress, unity, and recovery.
