On a cold December night in 1991, the red flag of the Soviet Union was lowered over the Kremlin for the last time. 
 On this day, Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union, resigned and signed away the USSR. Seventy years of communist rule ended, leaving behind only the remnants of an empire and an uncertain future. 
Throughout several decades, the Soviet Union stood as a global superpower, holding immense control and shaping the course of history. However, before this communist rule, Russia was governed by autocratic rule, a system characterized by inefficiency, inequality, centralized power, and the lack of essential freedoms. For centuries, this rigid structure left the majority of the Russian population in poverty and discontent, and so the insatisfaction exploded, and in 1917, there was the momentous Russian revolution.  
The Tsar family was brutally murdered, autocracy was abolished, and the long-lasting Romanov rule came to an end. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew the provisional Russian government and established a communist regime. By 1922, the USSR was formed to unite territories and ethnic groups under a single socialist state that eventually grew to encompass 15 different republics. 
The Soviet Union became one of the most influential states of the 20th century, having a profound impact on international relations, scientific advancements, communism, and countless other things. However, despite having such a significant presence globally, the Soviet Union faced several systematic problems that eventually led to its downfall.  
The USSR had many flaws, including its oppressive nature, human rights abuses, and aggressive foreign policy. By the 1980s, these issues reached a breaking point. The USSR faced economic stagnation, international pressure, political unrest, and growing demands for independence from the republics (E.g., Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, etc.). In an attempt to recover from this crisis and modernize the USSR, Gorbachev introduced reforms such as Glasnost and Perestroika, but instead of helping, the reforms accelerated its decline. 
After a series of pivotal events, in 1991, the Soviet Union was crumbling. On the 25th of December 1991, Gorbachev transmitted his resignation speech to the world, a symbol of the collapse of this superpower. In his speech, the leader acknowledged the failures of the Soviet system and his own attempts to reform it, stating that Russia “was suffocating in the shackles of the bureaucratic command system” and how all his reforms “fell through, one after another.” 
The end of the Soviet Union marked an extremely significant moment in modern history. It signalled the end of the Cold War and a wave of changes for Russia and the world. For many, it represented hope for a new era of peace and democracy; for others, it signalled the loss of an ideological dream. 
Gorbachev, the 8th and last leader of the Soviet Union, is remembered as a great peacemaker. In 1990, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his pivotal role in promoting and maintaining world peace. His decision to give up his power, admit failure, and prioritize Russia’s future over his own position was a remarkable act of humanity.  
And so, as the Soviet flag was lowered and replaced by the Russian flag, Gorbachev’s final words echoed a message of hope:   
"I am positive that sooner or later, some day our common efforts will bear fruit, and our nations will live in a prosperous, democratic society." ​

The closure of the Mendendez Brothers case was extremely controversial in the 1990s and still to this day, as two opposing opinions on whether their crime was justified or not continues to fuel public debate.
In the summer of 1989, the Menendez brothers burst into their family's den, shooting both their parents – Jose and Kitty Menendez - in their home in Beverly Hills. At first, the brothers came out to the public claiming it had been the Mafia who had shot their parents, due to some business their father had been up to. However, shortly after, Erik Menendez came clean to the brother's psychologist – Dr. Jerome Ozeil – telling him everything that had happened, their lie was short-lived, coming to an end as Dr. Ozeil exposed the brother's crime. On March 1990, the brothers were arrested, and three years later, what seemed like an endless trial began…
The trial revealed the dark secrets of what was going on in the Menendez household, such as abuse and other horrible things. Supporters of the brothers claim they are victims who suffered abuse their entire lives, and that their action although extreme was a traumatic response from believing that their parents were going to kill them. However, the trial also illustrated a cold and stereotypical side of the brothers; one where they were spoiled, rich, greedy boys who killed their parents for the family fortune.
Despite this, it is important to keep in mind that in those days, it was practically impossible to believe that 2 boys had been abused their whole lives by their father – who was very successful and wealthy at that time. Having said that, alongside with the lack of concrete proof showing the brothers had been abused, there was a lot of hesitation from the public in believing the story the brothers and the defense were telling. But it wasn’t all looking bad for the brothers, they had gained millions of peoples empathy and sympathy, and even had psychologists and family members supporting and testifying for them.
In the first trial, the judges didn’t come to a conclusion, and therefore decided to hold a re-trial. However, unfortunately for the brothers, the defense led by Lesli Abramson, could not defend themselves with the abuse allegations.
After another long trial, the prosecutions closing statements argued – with evidence supporting their claim - that the Menendez brothers killed their parents in cold blood for financial gain and that their crime was premeditated and not the result of long-term abuse. While the defense closed the trial stating that the brothers had been sexually and physically abused by their father since they were 6 years old, and that the murder was a the result of years of trauma and fear; portraying a story that was one of retaliation and survival.
Ultimately, after the retrial, the Menendez brothers were accused of second-degree murder, with both being sentenced life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Recently, new evidence has been released which proves that Jose Menendez had in fact abused Erik and Lyle Menendez. Was that really the closing statement of the Menendez brothers case? Or was it just the beginning? What do you think will happen next?

2024 was a groundbreaking year for global democracy, as it was the largest election year in history. With 2 billion voters amongst 60 countries approximately a quarter of the world’s population. People from the US to India have exercised their democratic right.

Although 2024 could be seen as a celebration of the democratic form of rule, it was also widely viewed as the twilight of democracy; in many democratic countries people chose populist leaders such as: Donald Trump, Narendra Modi and Geert Wilders. All these leaders have attempted to overrule previous democratic elections and express admiration for autocrats such as: Vladmir Putin and Xi Jinping.

The biggest question facing the world’s democratic state is can their democratic systems hold up to modern challenges including social media eco chambers that spread unnuanced, unverified, unbelievably biased news. Trying to convince people that the election has been stolen as was the case in the United States of America, which is arguably the world’s most important democratic symbol, in 2020 election which Donald Trump has still refused to acknowledge as a victory for Joe Biden and 62% of US citizens believe was fraudulent. How can democratic institutions survive in a digital panopticon where people believe what they wish and prefer to live in an iron cage of fallacies instead of accepting the verified truth as presented by the institutions that are constitutionally responsible to uphold it?

Is the reelection of Donald Trump in 2024, despite the January the 6th 2021 riots, the democratic declaration that rejects democracy in favor of autocracy? Do the people of the modern world have the courage to trust democratic decisions in a world full of uncertainties? Only time will tell.

But it is important not to forget the last lesson of 2024. The lesson of Syria and the end of Bashar Al-Assad’s tyrannical dictatorship. That without democracy the transfer of power from one regime to the next will always be drenched in the blood of citizens.

As 2024 comes to an end, we tend to reflect on the past year. And, looking back now, we tend to forget what deeply influenced our year. This year has been a time of highs and lows for the fashion industry, ranging from the debate on sustainable production to the “glamour” leopard trend. As a whole, 2024 has been a fruitful year regarding fashionable declarations. So, looking back, what were some of the most important closing statements in the fashion world this year?

Trends which excelled this year:
Yearly, staple pieces are established and often leave a mark. The polo shirt, for example, has clearly made a comeback this year. Its versatility allows it to be formal or casual; a definite contributing factor to the comeback of the polo shirt has also been the trendy sportswear appearance, which turns up often. More specifically, the polo shirt has been often associated with sports like tennis, linking both sportswear and versatility.
Moreover, leopard prints have re-emerged, and definitively not only on social media. Large designer brands, which have been known to be a core part of fashion, have been taking their own spin on this trend. Ganni, Alaïa and Ferragamo are only a few of the brands which have took on this bold statement and turned it into astonishing pieces, ranging from shoes to bucket hats.

Lastly, one of the highly influential trends which have been extremely present in the past year are ballet flats. Being considered one of the “It-Shoes” by British Vogue, it can be styled in many ways, holding the power to look casual and chic. Variations of ballet flats are very present, being made of mesh, leather, being crystal-embellished or having buckles and bows.

Challenges in the fashion industry:
The fashion industry, regardless of its influence, is still responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. Investigated by multiple news agencies and websites, consumers tend to prefer brands which value sustainability and ensure their materials originated in an eco-friendly manner. This year, brands have had to tackle carbon emissions more than ever as the eco-friendly movement rises.
Textile waste has also been a major impact in today’s debates. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has stated that less than 1% of clothes are recycled. Nowadays, brands must ensure that clothes can be made into new garments to break the never-ending loop: buy, use, throw away, repeat.
Lastly, in the ever-changing fashion world, brands have to keep up with the latest trends to remain relevant – whether that means adapting or evolving. Influencers and new culture are all extremely important to keep track of if you’re a brand. Whether it’s for adverts or clothing lines, cultural relevancy may determine the brand’s future.

To conclude, a lot of fashion-related things happened this year – way too many to list in one single article. From brands which are currently on the rise, like Alaïa and Miu Miu, to those which have been culturally relevant for years and years, like Prada and Saint Laurent. Showstopping garments were also displayed in fashion weeks ranging from São Paulo to Copenhagen. Overall, this year surely was relevant and rocky for the fashion world – and it is certain that there is still a lot more to come.

2024 has definitely made a mark. Christmas season is the best time to reflect on achievements, challenges, and growth before starting fresh for the new year. Take a few minutes and think about where you were and what you were doing a year ago. It is proven that the brain continues to develop and refine itself throughout adolescence and even into adulthood,  so even if you think you haven’t changed, every year our minds go through the process of maturity.  
 
The end of the year, with the spirit of Christmas, naturally leads to a reflection of new beginnings and the renewal of hope which may inspire many to approach the coming year with optimism and resolve to carry forward the joy, forgiveness, and compassion that Christmas embodies.  A lot of us probably hear “we learn from our mistakes”, which can be hard to accept and digest but it is surprisingly true. Accepting mistakes and reflecting on them can be quite hard. It is for me as well. You just can’t help but think, 'what if the same actions had different outcomes now?'. When we commit an error for the second time, that is exactly when reality hits us and you realize you cannot just continue repeating your mistakes. An end of year reflection is the perfect time to acknowledge the things you aren’t proud of, but especially the small and big successes of the year. 
 
Everyone should believe that the end of year isn’t a “closing statement” but a pathway to new growth and development. So write your yearly resolutions, and say your final goodbyes to 2024, because 2025 awaits so many great opportunities if you have the right mindset and believe that nothing is a “closing statement”. ​

Elaborating the perfect ending to a book is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of writing. Authors ought to balance closure, emotional impact, and put together the pieces of the puzzle to leave readers satisfied and inspired. Thus, a question that remains is how do they manage to do all this? Well, here are some factors that impact on the author’s choices to plan their vision of an ideal ending:
1. Choosing the Right Type of Ending
Complete Endings:
In this model, writers tie the conclusion back to the beginning, providing a sense of cohesion.
Plot Twist Endings:
A sudden, unexpected, and shocking revelation can leave a lasting impression.
Open Endings:
On the other hand, in this model, readers are invited to speculate about unresolved elements, encouraging deeper thought and engagement.
However, deciding the right type of ending is only one part of an enormous planning and arrangement process. 
2. Emphasizing Emotional Shock
A strong ending evokes emotions such as joy, gratitude, sadness, despair or hope, leaving a lasting impression on readers. The goal should be to create something impactful that stays with the reader for days, weeks or even months. The challenge is to hook them from the beginning, so that they empathize with the story and by the end are shocked to the point of dropping their jaws, satisfied to the point of breaking into a beautiful smile, sad to the point of crying or speculating to the point of recommending it to several people.
3. Thematic Consistency and Avoiding Predictability
Endings should address major conflicts and character arcs, but they must do so while also aligning with the story’s themes. Of course, loose ends can be neatly tied up or left intentionally unresolved, depending on the tone of the narrative. In addition, foreshadowing can help bring previous elements into the present moment, creating a sense of cohesion and depth. However, readers appreciate originality, thus the foreshadowing needs to be implemented carefully, and must not be generic or predictable.
4. Refinement and Revision Many successful endings are not decided in one shot, they are the result of extensive revision. Authors often test their conclusions with "beta" readers and refine based on feedback to ensure clarity, emotional impact, and consistency. After combining these elements, from various reflections, analyses, many drafts, writing and reading, several mind-blowing endings emerge and thanks to this combination we have that desire to read one book after another.