Saed News:The world witnessed significant developments in the year 1403, From Donald Trump's return to the White House and his challenge to U.S. policies to humanitarian and security crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, each of these events has brought fundamental changes to global dynamics.
According to the political news service of Saed News, as reported by Khorasan newspaper, the world witnessed major regional developments in 1403 (2024-2025), adding to global complexities. These included the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, explosions of pagers in Lebanon, and U.S. military strikes on Yemen. This report provides a look at the most significant and tense events of the year:
Donald Trump returned to the White House after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. He formed an administration composed of right-wing and conservative figures. With 312 electoral votes against Harris’s 226, Trump was elected as the 47th president of the United States. This victory marked a historic comeback after his 2020 defeat, making him the second U.S. president in history to serve non-consecutive terms. The Republican victory also secured control of the Senate and maintained the majority in the House of Representatives.
Trump’s campaign faced multiple challenges. During a speech in Pennsylvania, he survived an assassination attempt that left him injured in the ear. Before that, he had been convicted in a New York court on 34 counts of falsifying business records, becoming the first former U.S. president to be criminally convicted.
The war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, intensified in 1403, creating a massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israeli attacks led to the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, leading to a temporary truce and a prisoner exchange between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recognized as a war criminal, and his travels to certain countries were restricted. However, these measures did not stop Israeli attacks. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza reached unprecedented levels, presenting a serious challenge for the international community.
A series of explosions rocked Lebanon, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries. Hezbollah reported that its military and political members were among the casualties, but the incident did not weaken the movement’s strength or regional influence.
While Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog, denied any involvement, two retired Israeli intelligence officers revealed in a televised interview that the operation had been planned for over a decade. Despite these threats, Hezbollah remains a key player in Lebanon’s security and political landscape.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated by Israel on September 27, 1403 (October 6, 2024). Israel bombed a location in Dahiyeh, Beirut, where Nasrallah and other high-ranking Hezbollah officials were holding a meeting. Shortly after, Israel also assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza during a gathering with senior Hamas commanders. A viral image showed Sinwar throwing his cane at Israeli forces moments before his death.
Prior to these assassinations, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, had been assassinated in Iran. These events marked a turning point in the region's political and security dynamics.
After 24 years in power, Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus for Moscow as opposition forces rapidly took control of Syrian cities. Within two weeks, rebels reached the capital, but Assad was already gone. A transitional government was formed, with Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the former leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, emerging as a key figure in the new political order. Once a militant commander wearing a turban, Julani has since adopted a suit and tie, frequently altering his political stance in media interviews.
Germany’s coalition government collapsed due to economic disagreements, leading to early elections. With worsening financial conditions and political gridlock among ruling parties, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved the parliament. The crisis has severely impacted Germany’s political stability, forcing parties to form new alliances ahead of the elections.
The European Parliament elections, with 185 million voters across 27 EU countries, significantly shifted the balance of power. Right-wing and populist parties, critical of the EU’s current policies, gained influence, while traditional pro-EU parties lost seats.
Christian Democrats: 189 seats
Social Democrats: 135 seats
Pro-business "Renew" group: 83 seats
Greens: 53 seats
The rise of far-right parties across Europe reflects changing public sentiment on immigration, economic policies, and national sovereignty.
Winter wildfires in Los Angeles caused extensive damage, leaving thousands homeless. U.S. media reported dozens of deaths, while flames scorched over 200,000 hectares of residential and forested areas, causing $135 to $150 billion in damages. Insurance companies estimated $8 billion in losses, with more than 10,000 structures destroyed.
Investigators attributed the disaster to electrical failures during strong winds. The crisis triggered harsh criticism over poor natural resource management and government delays in response efforts. Trump blamed California’s governor for the catastrophe, criticizing the state’s environmental policies.
A recent White House meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky turned into a heated confrontation. Trump criticized Ukraine’s stance in the war and publicly humiliated Zelensky by canceling a key mineral trade deal, viewing it as a step toward a ceasefire with Russia.
During the meeting, Trump not only used U.S. aid as a political leverage but also accused Zelensky of disrespect for prolonging the war. Meanwhile, Trump displayed unprecedented support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Zelensky insisted on continuing the fight. These events indicate that the war is far from over, and Trump is pushing for negotiations and ceasefire proposals to end the conflict.
The recent U.S. airstrikes on Yemen marked Trump’s first military action since returning to the White House. The attacks, aimed at countering the growing influence of Ansar Allah (Houthis), were carried out with naval support from the USS Harry S. Truman. Bombs struck residential areas in Sana’a and Saada, killing and injuring dozens of civilians.
Yemen’s health ministry confirmed that the strikes targeted civilian infrastructure rather than military sites. In response, the Yemeni Supreme Political Council condemned the attacks and vowed retaliation. Experts believe Ansar Allah has the capability to target U.S. and Israeli assets in the Red Sea and beyond. These strikes may further escalate geopolitical tensions rather than deter Yemen’s resistance forces.
