1) Triumph in Iowa
Donald Trump secured a decisive victory in the Iowa caucuses, securing 51% of the votes — a stark increase from his second-place finish at 24% during his initial 2016 campaign. His nearest rivals, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, garnered 21% and 19% respectively. Despite legal controversies, a significant majority of supporters believed in his suitability for presidency. Post-caucuses, Trump faced a trial in Manhattan to settle defamation damages to E. Jean Carroll.
2) A Hundred Days After
Commemorating 100 days post-Hamas attacks, Tel Aviv hosted a significant event. France and Qatar brokered a medical aid agreement for the hostages in Gaza, amidst escalating conflicts in southern Gaza. Jordan reported damages to its field hospital due to Israeli air strikes.
3) Defense at The Hague
Israel defended its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, countering South Africa's allegations of genocide. Israel maintained its right to self-defense, citing the events of October 7th and attributing the civilian casualties to Hamas.
4) Strikes on Houthi Targets
The US and UK conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, retaliating against two months of Red Sea commercial attacks. The continued Houthi assaults prompted further US military action, leading to their reclassification as a terrorist group.
5) Iran-Pakistan Tensions Escalate
Following a missile attack by Iran on Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan, tensions escalated with both nations accusing each other of sheltering insurgents. The conflict extended to strikes by Iran in Iraq and Syria.
6) Russian-Nigerien Military Pact
In the aftermath of a coup, Russia and Niger agreed to bolster military cooperation, strengthening ties between the two nations.
7) Continued Rule in Comoros
Azali Assoumani, initially seizing power through a coup, secured a fourth term as Comoros's president amidst accusations of electoral foul play by his adversaries.
8) UK’s Stand on Hizb ut-Tahrir
The UK's Home Secretary, James Cleverly, proposed a ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir under the Terrorism Act 2000, citing their support of the Hamas attacks as an endorsement of terrorism, which could lead to significant prison sentences.
9) Sunak's Stand
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced a rebellion over a new deportation law, which led to the resignation of three Conservative Party members who viewed the legislation as insufficient.
10) Political Friction in Poland
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk clashed with the previous ruling party, PiS, over judiciary control. The tension peaked with the arrest of a former deputy foreign minister over a visa scandal.
Donald Trump secured a decisive victory in the Iowa caucuses, securing 51% of the votes — a stark increase from his second-place finish at 24% during his initial 2016 campaign. His nearest rivals, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, garnered 21% and 19% respectively. Despite legal controversies, a significant majority of supporters believed in his suitability for presidency. Post-caucuses, Trump faced a trial in Manhattan to settle defamation damages to E. Jean Carroll.
2) A Hundred Days After
Commemorating 100 days post-Hamas attacks, Tel Aviv hosted a significant event. France and Qatar brokered a medical aid agreement for the hostages in Gaza, amidst escalating conflicts in southern Gaza. Jordan reported damages to its field hospital due to Israeli air strikes.
3) Defense at The Hague
Israel defended its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, countering South Africa's allegations of genocide. Israel maintained its right to self-defense, citing the events of October 7th and attributing the civilian casualties to Hamas.
4) Strikes on Houthi Targets
The US and UK conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, retaliating against two months of Red Sea commercial attacks. The continued Houthi assaults prompted further US military action, leading to their reclassification as a terrorist group.
5) Iran-Pakistan Tensions Escalate
Following a missile attack by Iran on Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan, tensions escalated with both nations accusing each other of sheltering insurgents. The conflict extended to strikes by Iran in Iraq and Syria.
6) Russian-Nigerien Military Pact
In the aftermath of a coup, Russia and Niger agreed to bolster military cooperation, strengthening ties between the two nations.
7) Continued Rule in Comoros
Azali Assoumani, initially seizing power through a coup, secured a fourth term as Comoros's president amidst accusations of electoral foul play by his adversaries.
8) UK’s Stand on Hizb ut-Tahrir
The UK's Home Secretary, James Cleverly, proposed a ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir under the Terrorism Act 2000, citing their support of the Hamas attacks as an endorsement of terrorism, which could lead to significant prison sentences.
9) Sunak's Stand
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced a rebellion over a new deportation law, which led to the resignation of three Conservative Party members who viewed the legislation as insufficient.
10) Political Friction in Poland
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk clashed with the previous ruling party, PiS, over judiciary control. The tension peaked with the arrest of a former deputy foreign minister over a visa scandal.
11) Easing the Blockade
Polish truck drivers lifted the blockade on Ukrainian borders following a settlement over driving permits, a move significant to Ukraine's economy and war effort.
12) Ukrainian Defense
Ukraine downed a Russian spy plane over the Sea of Azov, disrupting a significant surveillance asset that could track hundreds of targets for Russia.
13) Democratic Victory in Taiwan
William Lai Ching-te won Taiwan's presidential election, promising to uphold Taiwan's sovereignty without provoking China. Despite his victory, the Democratic Progressive Party saw a reduction in its parliamentary presence.
14) China's Warning
China responded sharply to Taiwan's election results, cautioning the Philippines and recalling its ambassador. The Pacific nation of Nauru shifted its allegiance to China, diminishing Taiwan's global recognition.
15) Maldives-India Relations
The Maldives requested the withdrawal of Indian troops, signaling a pivot towards closer ties with China and a shift from its traditional alliance with India.
16) North Korea's Isolationism
Kim Jong Un distanced North Korea from reunification efforts with South Korea, asserting a separate national identity and continuing arms support to Russia.
17) Myanmar Conflict Intensifies
Myanmar's ethnic rebel group, the Arakan Army, claimed control over the strategic town of Paletwa, intensifying the resistance against the military junta.
18) New Leader Amid Controversy
Guatemala welcomed Bernardo Arévalo as president after a contentious delay caused by political resistance, highlighting his upcoming battle against corruption.
19) Assassination in Ecuador
A leading prosecutor in Ecuador, César Suárez, was assassinated amidst investigations into a violent attack on a television station, marking a period of intense violence for the country.
20) Brazil's Environmental Shift
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest saw a significant decline, with the smallest area cleared since 2018, reflecting a shift from previous years' trends.
21) China's Economic Growth
China reported a 5.2% growth in its economy, narrowly surpassing governmental targets without resorting to significant stimulus measures, despite a decrease in population and investor confidence.
22) Germany's Economic Contraction
Germany's economy contracted slightly due to inflationary pressures, narrowly avoiding a recession, with the economy stagnating rather than shrinking in the latter part of the year, signaling a cautious period ahead for Europe's largest economy.
23) Inflation Spike in the UK
The UK faced an unexpected inflation jump to 4% in December, prompting investors to reassess their predictions about interest rate hikes, with the ECB indicating a cautious approach for the coming year.
24) Mixed Fortunes for US Banks
America's financial giants reported varied earnings, with Goldman Sachs exceeding expectations, while others like Morgan Stanley and Citigroup faced tougher times, citing job cuts and losses partly due to Russian sanctions.
25) BlackRock's Big Acquisition
In a significant expansion, BlackRock acquired Global Infrastructure Partners, marking its largest deal since the 2009 Barclays purchase, encompassing key transportation hubs like Gatwick Airport.
26) JetBlue-Spirit Merger Blocked
A US federal judge halted JetBlue's acquisition of Spirit Airlines, citing competition concerns, potentially derailing the consolidation of two major domestic carriers.
27) Supermarket Merger Scrutiny
Kroger and Albertsons aimed to finalize their merger amidst regulatory challenges, with concerns that the union could lead to increased consumer prices.
28) Shell's Nigerian Divestment
Shell parted with its longstanding onshore oil business in Nigeria, handing over operations to local firms amid environmental and infrastructure challenges. In parallel, BP appointed Murray Auchincloss as its new CEO.
29) Apple Leads Smartphone Market
Apple overtook Samsung in smartphone sales volume, becoming the top seller globally, while managing to grow its sales amidst a market decline.
30) Microsoft Tops Market Value
Microsoft edged out Apple in market valuation, boasting a staggering $2.9 trillion worth, highlighting the tech industry's colossal economic footprint.
31) Synopsys Acquires Ansys
In a major move in the tech sector, Synopsys agreed to acquire Ansys for $35 billion, combining strengths in chip design and engineering simulation software.
32) AI's Impact on Jobs
A PwC survey revealed that CEOs expect workforce reductions due to AI integration, with tech giants like Google and Amazon already announcing significant job cuts in response to AI advancements.