2005 may go down as the year of the natural disaster: at the end of it, south Asia was still rebuilding from the tsunami that killed tens of thousands on Dec. 26, 2004. New Orleans and parts of Alabama were picking up the pieces from the worst Atlantic hurricane season on record.
At home, Paul Martin's minority government lost the confidence of the House of Commons, plunging the country into its first winter election since 1980.
In April, the world watched as life slipped from one of the most influential Popes ever.
In Business, some big trouble for some big names in 2005. An ongoing investigation into the dealings of Conrad Black led to charges against the one-time media mogul. Earlier, his long-time partner - David Radler - agreed to plead guilty and testify against Black.
Former rivals Falconbridge and Noranda became one. Discount carrier Jetsgo became none, as it suddently ceased operations, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
Through it all, stocks, energy prices and the dollar continued to rise.
In Science and Technology, A walk in space to repair a damaged shuttle riveted the world in early August.
In April, the arthritis drug Bextra was withdrawn from the market in Canada and the U.S.
And in December, three scientists shared the Nobel prize in chemistry for their work in a process that is used daily in "green chemistry." It allows smarter, more efficient production, reducing potentially hazardous waste. It is used often in pharmaceutical and plastics development.
In Entertainment news, Some big names in the world of entertainment passed away in 2005 - from TV legend Johnny Carson to Patrick Doohan, the Canadian actor who portrayed Scotty on Star Trek.
Bono continued to press developing countries to come up with more foreign aid, at one point expressing his frustration with Prime Minister Martin.
And Sir Elton John took advantage of a change in British law to enter into a civil partnership with long-time partner David Furnish.
