The article reviews major US stories of 2025, including devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, a series of tragic plane crashes, the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, significant legal cases like Karen Read’s trial and Bryan Kohberger’s guilty plea, Sean Combs’ conviction, a manhunt for Travis Decker, and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife by their son, highlighting a year marked by tragedy, legal battles, and notable events.
In 2025, Asia faced a tumultuous year with a surge in cyber scams from Southeast Asia, devastating natural disasters, mixed political protests led by Gen Z, but also demonstrated resilience through economic strategies and rising Chinese soft power, making it a year of significant challenges and notable achievements.
A series of three earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.9, 2.8, and 3.0 struck San Ramon in the Bay Area on Saturday evening, felt in Oakland and San Francisco, but caused no injuries or damages. This follows a recent cluster of seismic activity in the area earlier in the week.
UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi expressed concern over reports that the Trump administration might dismantle NSF NCAR, emphasizing the importance of its research for national safety, economy, and security, and stating readiness to collaborate with the administration to protect these interests.
Super typhoon Fung-wong hit the Philippines, causing at least six deaths, widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages, just days after a previous storm and amid ongoing recovery from recent disasters, highlighting escalating climate and seismic risks in vulnerable nations.
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake off the coast of Mindanao, Philippines, has triggered tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in the region, with authorities warning of potentially destructive waves up to 3 meters high. Indonesia has also issued tsunami alerts, urging calm and safety precautions. The Philippines is still recovering from recent natural disasters, including earthquakes and typhoons.
The Houston Texans held a broad moment of silence before their game to honor victims of violence and natural disasters, following league guidelines that allowed home teams to choose whether to acknowledge specific recent tragedies, with some teams mentioning Charlie Kirk's assassination and others opting for a general tribute.
The First Lady emphasizes the importance of disaster preparedness during National Preparedness Month, highlighting recent natural disasters, criticizing previous government responses, and outlining efforts to improve federal emergency response and support for communities.
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, many displaced residents like Alex Webber still feel a strong emotional connection to New Orleans, despite having built new lives elsewhere, demonstrating resilience and enduring bonds with the city.
A strong magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean near San Salvador, El Salvador, on August 23, 2025, with widespread reports of shaking but minimal damage and low risk of fatalities, according to USGS estimates.
An ancient tree has revealed evidence of a catastrophic solar storm that occurred thousands of years ago, providing new insights into historical solar activity and its potential impact on Earth.
Researchers warn that melting glaciers due to climate change could trigger dormant volcanoes to erupt, posing significant risks to nearby communities and ecosystems, as the reduction in ice weight releases pressure on magma chambers, similar to opening a soda bottle. This phenomenon has been observed in the Chilean Andes and is expected to occur in other regions like Alaska, Iceland, and Antarctica, emphasizing the need for improved monitoring and proactive measures to mitigate potential disasters.
Global insured losses in the first half of 2025 reached $84 billion, the highest since 2011, driven by severe weather events and wildfires, with projections indicating annual losses could surpass $100 billion, reflecting increasing costs due to climate-related disasters and rising housing expenses.
The first half of 2025 saw a record $126 billion in U.S. economic losses due to natural disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, and floods, driven by increasingly extreme weather linked to climate change, with global losses reaching $162 billion. The year has also seen significant disasters worldwide, including droughts, windstorms, and earthquakes. Despite these losses, Aon stock is rated a moderate buy with a potential 16% upside.
Experts warn that climate change-induced extreme weather events are causing a home insurance crisis, with rising premiums and insurers withdrawing from high-risk areas, potentially leading to widespread uninsurability, economic decline, and community destabilization if unaddressed.
