2025’s top moments: Trump’s inauguration, India’s space milestones, Coldplay’s viral ‘kiss cam’ and more

Blue Origin’s controversial celebrity space flight

A star-studded Blue Origin flight featuring Katy Perry and Gayle King ignited fierce backlash as critics labelled it luxury space tourism for the ultra-rich. The viral reaction overshadowed the mission itself and became a flashpoint in debates about privilege and purpose in the space race.

Coldplay’s viral ‘kiss cam’ scandal

A concert in Boston turned into the internet’s favourite drama when a couple caught on Coldplay’s kiss cam ducked in panic, prompting Chris Martin’s now-legendary quip: “Either they’re having an affair — or they’re very shy.” The clip exploded online, cost two tech executives their jobs, and became the most meme-able moment of the year.

Putin–Modi–Xi at China: A strategic show of unity on world stage

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emerged as one of the year’s most closely watched diplomatic moments, signalling a coordinated pushback against Western pressure and shifting global power equations.

Held on the sidelines of the SCO summit, the trilateral engagement highlighted growing convergence between Moscow and Beijing, with India positioning itself as a rational partner navigating energy, security and economic interests.

India’s historic step into space

India claimed the spotlight when Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station. His Ax-4 mission was celebrated across the country, from school assemblies to street parades as India signalled its arrival as a serious space power.

His message from orbit, “India looks fearless and ambitious from space” became one of the year’s most uplifting quotes.

Bangladesh political shifts & public tension

Bangladesh spent much of 2025 under intense global scrutiny as political unrest, leadership disputes and protest crackdowns dominated headlines.

Public frustration spilt onto the streets, sharpening debates over governance, media freedoms and economic pressures, and placing Bangladesh firmly in the regional spotlight.

Gaza ceasefires & hostage–prisoner exchanges

After years of devastating images from Gaza, October brought rare scenes of relief and reunion as a US-brokered ceasefire enabled the release of remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

Crowds on both sides waited anxiously as names were read and families embraced a moment of fragile hope in a conflict still defined by mistrust and tension.

The Louvre Heist reality meets heist cinema

Armed suspects used a mechanical lift to break into the Louvre and escape with £76 million in jewels despite security warnings years earlier identifying the exact weak point.

Police later arrested all four suspects but the treasure remains missing, cementing the heist as a real-life ‘Ocean’s 11’ moment.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po tower fire

A catastrophic blaze tore through residential towers in Tai Po, killing more than 160 people and triggering an urgent investigation into building safety and emergency response failures one of Asia’s most shocking urban disasters in years.

Nepal’s Gen-Z uprising

The Nepal Gen Z protest was a massive youth-led movement that rocked the country in September 2025. It began as a response to the government’s ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, citing regulatory issues.

However, the protests quickly escalated into a broader demand for accountability, transparency, and an end to corruption and nepotism.