Year in Review 2025: News

Contention emerged over Buddhist spiritual leadership in July of 2025, when the 14th Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism, confirmed his lineage would continue through a reincarnated successor. The declaration was immediately rejected by Chinese officials, who publicly countered that the next Dalai Lama must be born in China and be officially approved by their government.

After what was planned as a short, eight-day mission, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore became stranded aboard the International Space Station following their arrival in June 2024. Persistent safety issues with their return spacecraft led to multiple postponements of their journey home. The two astronauts finally completed their unexpectedly long mission, returning safely to Earth on March 18, 2025.

On February 2, Beyoncé extended her record as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, bringing home her first-ever Album of the Year award for “Cowboy Carter” (2024). She also became the first Black woman to win Country Album of the Year.

Upon taking office, President Donald Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), appointing Elon Musk to lead an aggressive effort to cut federal spending. By mid-2025, the department had enacted over 300,000 layoffs and firings.

While the administration claimed savings of $180 billion, the figures and the long-term consequences of the cuts were met with considerable skepticism from outside analysts.

Following the passing of Pope Francis in April 2025, a papal conclave convened at the Vatican to elect his successor. On May 8, the cardinals chose American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, who took the papal name Leo XIV.

His election marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church as he became the first pope from North America.