The New York Times - Holiday Briefing: Welcome to 2025

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January 1, 2025

	By Gaya Gupta and Natasha Frost

Good morning, and happy new year. We’re covering what to expect from 2025 and U.S. strikes on the Houthi militia in Yemen.

Plus: You shared the New Year's resolutions that stuck.

May James/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Welcome to 2025

It’s been a year, hasn’t it? There was a lot to cover.

Donald Trump stormed back to the White House after his felony conviction. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine raged on. A.I. became an even bigger part of our lives. Evan Gershkovich, a journalist at The Wall Street Journal, was freed after being imprisoned by Russia. Paris made for a stunning backdrop for this year’s Olympic Games. And Charli XCX’s Brat album swept the internet, becoming the soundtrack of the summer.

With a new year upon us, we hope you’re able to take a moment to reflect not only on the big and difficult moments of this year, but also on small pockets of joy. However you chose to celebrate last night, we hope you closed out the year on a high note — or, at least, a calm one.

As we bid farewell to 2024, I have my own goodbye to say — this is my final edition of the Asia Morning Briefing. It has been a joy bringing you the news every morning and connecting with you all. Thank you for reading.

— Gaya

For a strong start to the year:

A cloud of smoke billowed on Tuesday after an airstrike on Yemen’s capital, Sana. Mohammed Huwais/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Sports

Our 2025 predictions

Photo illustration by Amy Li for The New York Times

We don’t have a crystal ball for the year ahead, but I did ask around the newsroom for some thoughts.

David Sanger, who covers the White House and foreign policy, said he would be watching for three major indicators of how Trump would handle a world on fire.

“The early test may be his approach to a weakened Iran: Strike the nuclear program or strike a deal?” he said. And the second, he continued, “is whether Trump tries to force a deal on Ukraine.”

“Then there is the biggest question of all,” he said. “Does Trump have a strategy to interfere with the Russia-China-Iran-North Korea partnership? That did not exist during his first term. It has the potential to define his second.”

Our food reporter, Kim Severson, shared some predictions, too: savory coffees, great convenience-store cuisine and sauces on everything. What about what we’ll wear, buy, believe, desire? Our Styles desk pulled together its annual list of predictions. Among them: Pandan will take the spotlight, plant-based skin care will have its moment and tartan will find new relevance.

And you told us about your resolutions

“Book the Trip” Natalie Grono for The New York Times

We asked readers to send us their most successful past resolutions and how they kept them. Here’s what they said:

To fill my life with more joyful activities, see more friends and get creative. I created a WhatsApp group with around 20 female friends, some of whom I hadn’t really seen since before COVID. We’re in our 40s and called it “Rage against the machine.” Since starting this, we’ve gone walking, camping, raving. I’ve reconnected with old friends and bought joy back into my life! — Debbie Clarke, Nottingham, UK

To be more present with myself and the people around me. When I was with friends, my phone stayed in my bag so as to avoid the distraction and so as to actively listen to what they are talking about. I tried to spend some time during the week in nature at the park. And every night before going to bed, I spent a minute or two either writing down what I’m grateful for or doing a mental body scan. — Stephania Xenophontos, Nicosia, Cyprus

To take that trip. In early 2024, you asked readers what was the best advice they’d ever received. One lady wrote, “Book the Trip.” That advice became my 2024 resolution. I booked a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, which had been on my bucket list for ages. Furthermore, I traveled solo. The entire experience was fantastic. My 2025 resolution is to keep traveling and book another trip! — Margaret Anne Breuer, Sarasota, Florida

To write a gratitude letter to someone every day. I kept the resolution by turning it into a simple, daily ritual. By the end of the year, I had written 365 letters to friends, family, teachers, mentors and even people I hadn’t spoken to in years. What surprised me most was how this resolution didn’t just impact the people receiving the letters — it also transformed the way I saw the world. By focusing on gratitude daily, I deepened my relationships, rekindled old ones and learned to find beauty in even the smallest moments of connection. — Joelle Roth, Makati, Philippines

To cut out caffeine. It was my sister’s New Year’s resolution. When she said she’d stop drinking coffee, I thought to myself: I should be able to do the same. The sheer competition kept me going. It took weeks of headaches, brain fog and other physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Months later, I triumphantly declared myself coffee free on the family WhatsApp channel — just for my sister to say that she actually never gave up coffee. — Teresa Olbert, Bijilo, The Gambia

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.

Armando Rafael for The New York Times.

Cook: This roasted salmon with miso cream would make an easy, but spectacular, New Year’s Day dish.

Improve: Want to feel more centered in your food choices this year? Sign up for Well’s 5-day challenge here, which starts next week.

Stream: Looking for a random but great movie? Check out Pluto TV.

Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.

That’s it for today’s briefing. Thanks for reading. — Gaya and Natasha

Reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.

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