As the world bids farewell to 2024, a year marked by climate disasters, political upheaval, and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, many hope for a brighter 2025. The year saw record heat and devastating events from the Middle East to Europe. The Paris Olympics briefly united nations, while elections in over 60 countries brought changes, including Trump’s comeback. In the Middle East, ongoing conflicts worsened the humanitarian crisis, and Ukraine continued to resist Russian aggression. Despite uncertainty, the world looks to 2025 with cautious optimism for climate action and global events like the Kumbh Mela festival.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has pledged full support to the family of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 killing of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mehdi. Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi confirmed the death penalty on December 31, 2024. Priya’s execution is scheduled within a month, unless the victim's family grants forgiveness or accepts blood money. Efforts to negotiate the release were stalled due to delayed payments to her lawyer. Priya's mother has been in Yemen since April 2024 seeking her daughter's release.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have officially finalized their divorce, ending a lengthy eight-year legal battle. Jolie’s lawyer, James Simon, expressed that the actress is relieved yet exhausted by the process, which began in 2016. While the divorce paperwork is settled, the former couple remains entangled in a legal dispute over the Chateau Miraval vineyard in France. Jolie’s lawyer emphasized her focus on healing and protecting their children. Despite the challenges, Jolie has maintained dignity and avoided speaking ill of Pitt, as her children encouraged her to focus on advocating for change rather than public stories.

India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has openly criticized Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their poor performances in Australia, which has left India trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s footwork was specifically called out for repeated dismissals, while Gavaskar stressed the lack of contributions from senior players in the top order. Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar urged the BCCI selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, to reassess the future of the seniors, saying their failure has put India in a difficult position. He emphasized that the top-order's lack of runs has been the main issue.

A Chinese state-sponsored hacker breached the US Treasury Department’s systems in early December, accessing employee workstations and unclassified documents, US officials confirmed. The breach, described as a “major incident,” exploited a key from a third-party service provider, BeyondTrust, which has since been taken offline. The Treasury, FBI, and cybersecurity agencies are investigating the incident, believed to be the work of a China-based Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor. The Chinese embassy in Washington DC denied the allegations, calling them part of a smear campaign. A detailed report will be sent to lawmakers within 30 days.

In a New Year’s gift for the poor, the Modi government has initiated a survey to provide 2 crore additional houses under the PM Awas Yojana. This fulfills a key 2024 election promise. The survey will use the Awaas+ 2024 mobile app for identification and self-surveys, with citizens performing Aadhaar-based eKYC. The process, which started for 1 crore houses under the urban scheme, will complete by March 31, 2025. The BJP's manifesto also pledged 3 crore more houses by 2029, with a focus on rural areas.

Former India pacer Atul Wassan has called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to have an "exit plan" for Virat Kohli, as the 36-year-old’s poor form continues in Tests. Kohli, who has struggled with his shot selection, has only 67 runs in six innings (excluding a century in Perth). Wassan emphasized the need for clarity in team management, suggesting a succession plan to prevent pressure on Kohli and the team. The player’s poor 2024 Test average of just over 24 has sparked debate about his future in the team.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to further strengthen his country’s strategic partnership with Russia in a New Year letter to President Vladimir Putin. Kim sent his greetings to Putin and all Russians, including their military personnel, expressing his desire to deepen bilateral ties through new projects. Kim also wished 2025 to be a year of victory, hoping Russia’s army would triumph over neo-Nazism. The letter comes after Kim and Putin signed a mutual defense treaty in June, which commits both nations to assist each other in case of an attack.

A heart-wrenching final photo has emerged of a three-year-old boy, the youngest victim of the South Korean plane crash that killed 179 people on Sunday. The child, on his first overseas trip to Thailand with his parents, was captured gazing out of a plane window moments before the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed. The family, including Kang Ko, 43, and his wife Jin Lee Seon, 37, died in the tragedy during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport. Only two flight attendants survived. Authorities are investigating the cause, considering factors like weather and mechanical failure.

Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, 36, faces execution in Yemen after President Rashad al-Alimi approved her death sentence. Convicted for murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, her execution is scheduled within a month unless the victim’s family pardons her. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated, "We are extending all possible help" to explore options to save Priya. Her mother, Prema Kumari, is negotiating with the victim’s family in Sana’a, assisted by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council. India is focusing on diplomatic and legal efforts to secure her life.