We are finally here. Today, we begin the countdown to another brand-new year.
As the sun sets, or as dark clouds slowly usher in nightfall, we will bid farewell to 2025 and begin the familiar wait for midnight, that moment when 2026 arrives with all its promise and uncertainty. So, what can we say about the year that was?
When we pause to reflect, we are reminded that 2025 was a year filled with emotion and experience. Some memories will be fond and uplifting, others will be bitter and confronting. This was a year defined by change, rapid, relentless and, at times, unsettling. That may well be how many of us choose to remember it.
On the international front, the world’s troubles were impossible to ignore. The war in Ukraine entered its fourth year, with Russia intensifying missile and drone attacks that repeatedly struck cities, devastated infrastructure and claimed countless civilian lives.
After two years of brutal fighting, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza in October, offering a fragile pause to a conflict that has exacted an enormous human toll.
Sudan’s three-year civil war, described by many as “hell on Earth”, continued to inflict suffering on millions.
This year also brought moments of global shock and transition. On April 21, the ailing Pope Francis died suddenly after suffering a stroke. The conclave later selected Cardinal Robert Prevost as his successor. Taking the name Leo XIV, he evoked Pope Leo XIII, whose 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum called for justice and dignity for working people, a reminder that moral leadership still matters in turbulent times.
In January, Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States, becoming only the second leader to serve two nonconsecutive terms and, at 78, the oldest person to win the office.
Tragedy struck in June when Air India flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, India, claiming all but one of the 242 lives on board.
Closer to home, Australia introduced a social media ban for those under 16 on December 10, reigniting debates around safety, freedom and responsibility in the digital age. Just days later, the nation was shaken by a horrific attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed and more than 40 injured.
If we ever believed we were far removed from the troubles of the world, 2025 shattered that illusion.
On the home front, however, there were also reasons for cautious optimism. We have found our voice, increasingly willing to express frustration over politics, governance and even sport, and that is a healthy sign of a functioning democracy. The challenge, as always, is how we translate that voice into meaningful participation and accountability.
We acknowledge those working quietly behind the scenes to keep our economy moving. The return of tourists has been encouraging, injecting much-needed revenue and restoring confidence to local businesses. On the sports field, there were moments of genuine pride, particularly in rugby union, where achievements in both 7s and 15s lifted spirits and united communities. Yet reflection also demands responsibility. Speeding remains a killer, and when alcohol is added to the mix, the consequences can be devastating. As celebrations unfold tonight and into tomorrow, safety must come first, on our roads, in our homes and within our communities.
As we turn the page, let us carry forward the lessons of the past year. Let us value life, protect our loved ones, and commit ourselves to working hard at whatever path we choose in 2026. Change will continue, but so too can resilience, compassion and hope.
On behalf of The Fiji Times, I wish you and your loved ones a very happy New Year. Stay well. Stay safe. And may 2026 be a year of renewal and possibility.
