In Sydney Harbor and many other places around the world, which have already welcomed 2025, many of those present were happy to leave the last twelve months behind and with hope for what comes next.
With fireworks or champagne, the world began to celebrate, this Tuesday (31), the arrival of 2025 and to say goodbye to a year marked by hostilities in the Middle East, the political return of Donald Trump and the Paris Olympic Games.
Many of those present were happy to put the last twelve months behind them. The self-proclaimed “world capital” launched nine tonnes of fireworks from the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge, the heart of the bay, at midnight. Also in Asia, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taipei have already welcomed the new year with a countdown and fireworks.
Milestones of the year
Among other milestones, 2024 will be the hottest year on record, with natural disasters caused by climate change wreaking devastation across the planet, from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil to the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
Joys of the year
But not everything was disasters and conflicts. In 2024, Taylor Swift ended her successful Eras tour, Lionel Messi’s Argentina extended its winning streak by winning the Copa América, and a Spain full of young talents, such as teenager Lamine Yamal, won the Eurocup.
On the sporting front, the Paris Olympic Games captured the world’s attention during two weeks in July and August, with swimmers competing in the Seine, athletes running in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and equestrians riding their horses in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles.
Elections and wars
2024 was an election year, with millions of people going to the polls in more than 60 countries. Mexico elected Claudia Sheinbaum as the country’s first female president, and Venezuelans experienced yet another controversial election, which resulted in the re-election of Nicolás Maduro.
But no vote generated as much attention as the November 5 presidential election in the United States, in which Donald Trump secured his return to the White House.
Although he will only be sworn in on January 20, his victory has already had repercussions across the planet. The president-elect promised tariffs on products from Mexico and China and said he would end the war in Ukraine in just 24 hours.
After almost three years of war, Ukrainians fear a decrease in US military aid under Trump, which could worsen their situation on the eastern front, where Russian troops, better armed and numerous, are gradually advancing.
Unrest in the Middle East has intensified, with direct attacks between Iran and Israel, Israeli incursions and bombings of Lebanon in its war against Hezbollah, and the fall of the Syrian government of Bashar Al Assad.
In Damascus, the new Syrian leader, Ahmed Al Sharaa, met with representatives of the clergy of the Christian community, in a context of concern among the country’s minorities. In the Vatican, Pope Francis celebrated New Year’s Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica. The humanitarian crisis has worsened in Gaza, with the continuation of the war between Israel and Hamas and shortages of food, shelter and medicine.
Returns, more football and heat
It’s difficult to predict what 2025 holds, although experts predict further advances in artificial intelligence technologies and a slowdown in inflation in recent years.
It will also be the year of the return of the British band Oasis, after the apparent reconciliation of the explosive Gallagher brothers, and the megastars of the Korean pop group BTS, who return to the stage after completing military service.
In a year without major national team tournaments, football fans will be able to satisfy their longing for summer matches in the northern hemisphere with the new format of the Club World Cup, which will be played in the United States between 32 teams. Where no major changes are expected is in thermometers. The United Kingdom’s meteorological service predicts another year marked by heat, probably one of the hottest on record.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Carolina Ferreira
