Recent developments you might have overlooked:
In the year that has passed, the world has witnessed a series of significant political, economic, and technological events. Here's a recap of the key developments that shaped 2025.
Political Events
The year kicked off with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. President, marking the beginning of his second term. His presidency influenced both domestic and international politics, with a push for a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy amid ongoing conflicts, public engagement with Zelenskyy, and discussions on National Guard policies and controversies about policing in Washington D.C. [1][2][3]
The U.S. government took executive actions affecting immigration, including suspending the Refugee Admissions Program and ending diversity hiring efforts in federal agencies. These actions had notable impacts on Black American communities and civil rights. [2]
Political tensions persisted, with issues such as D.C. suing the Trump administration over police oversight and the increase of elected officials who deny election results. [4]
Economic Events
The year also saw a U.S.-Canada trade war, with Trump imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. This move led to retaliatory Canadian tariffs and increased market volatility. The S&P 500 faced sharp declines and a near bear market in April 2025 amid trade war concerns. [5]
Trump extended a tariff truce with China by 90 days, highlighting the continuation of a tense but transactional U.S.-China economic relationship, characterized by tariffs and sanctions in efforts to gain economic leverage. [3]
The economic stress was also reflected in Spirit Airlines' financial troubles. [1]
The S&P 500 and global markets experienced significant downturns in April 2025 due to uncertainty over trade disputes and tariffs, which also weakened the U.S. dollar. [5]
Technological Events
On the technological front, OpenAI publicly released ChatGPT-5, marking a significant advancement in AI technology in 2025. [1]
Political and economic clashes involved tech figures and companies; Elon Musk's criticism of Trump led to threats against his companies SpaceX and Tesla, illustrating the intersection of politics, technology, and federal contracts. [4]
Other Developments
Moscow responded to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat from Estonia. [6]
The Foreign Ministry decided not to discuss the status of new territories at the summit of Putin and Trump. [7]
The court recovered approximately 85 billion rubles from the charterer and owner of the Volgoneft tankers. [8]
Roskomnadzor partially restricted calls to Telegram and WhatsApp. [9]
The White House has officially nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. [10]
The Ministry of Transport expanded the program of preferential air transportation. [11]
These combined political, economic, and technological developments reflect a year marked by aggressive U.S. trade policies, politically charged domestic actions, strained international relations, and notable advancements in AI technology. [1][2][3][4][5]
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
