Ten world events that defined 2025
Donald Trump's return to power, a ceasefire in Gaza and massive investment in artificial intelligence: here are 10 events that defined 2025.
1. Trump returns
A protectionist offensive. Mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. The dismantling of entire sections of the federal government.
Since his return to the White House for a second term in January, Republican President Donald Trump has targeted adversaries, deployed the National Guard in Democrat-voting cities, moved to intimidate the media and fought against diversity and inclusion programmes.
He has also launched extensive diplomatic efforts, with mixed results.
READ: How to use the 2026 public holidays to get 51 days off
Polls suggest Americans are increasingly disgruntled about economic issues, particularly the cost of living.
Stinging defeats in local elections have left his party in a delicate position ahead of the midterms due next autumn
2. A ceasefire in Gaza
US pressure led to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, two years after a devastating war began in the Gaza Strip.
The truce enabled the return to Israel of the last surviving hostages and most of the bodies of the deceased in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
It also allowed an increased flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, although still nowhere near enough to meet the territory’s needs, according to the UN and humanitarian NGOs.
However, negotiating the next steps in Trump’s peace plan, particularly the disarmament of Hamas, has proved delicate.
Israel has carried out several deadly airstrikes in Gaza in recent weeks, which it claims were in retaliation for Hamas attacks.
Regional tensions also persist, with continuing Israeli strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.
Israel, with US assistance, also launched raids on Iran’s nuclear facilities during a 12-day war in June.
In September, Israel targeted Hamas officials in an unprecedented attack in Qatar.
3. Unsuccessful talks in Ukraine
Trump's arrival in the White House energised efforts to end the war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia's full invasion in 2022.
His sympathies have flipped repeatedly between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with Kyiv fearing it could be forced into a deal on Moscow’s terms.
READ: Prominent figures we lost in 2025
In February, Trump berated Zelensky in the Oval Office, accusing him of risking World War III and disrespecting the American people.
As direct Russia-Ukraine talks led nowhere, Trump in August hosted Putin for a high-stakes summit in Alaska that ended prematurely, with Washington accusing Moscow of not being serious about ending the war.
Trump later imposed his first major package of sanctions on Russia.
International negotiations took place in late November based on a draft US plan. However, the initial version was considered by Kyiv and its European allies to be largely favourable to Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russian forces slowly advanced at massive human and financial cost to both sides, bombarding Ukrainian cities with record numbers of missiles and drones.
4. Global trade war
Trump imposed waves of tariffs on imports and on entire industries deemed strategic, such as steel, aluminium and copper. This sparked a trade dispute that shook the global economy.
As targeted countries considered or implemented retaliatory measures, tough negotiations produced numerous deals, including with the European Union and China.
In North America, US officials are still negotiating with Mexico, but talks with Canada were suspended after a Canadian province funded an advert criticising the tariffs.
Under pressure to lower the cost of living for Americans, Trump decided in mid-November to cancel tariffs on some food products, such as imported coffee and beef.
5. A new pope
Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, became the first American pope on 8 May following the death of his predecessor, Francis, whom he had long advised.
White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel to announce the election of the 267th head of the Catholic Church after a conclave lasting less than 24 hours.
The Chicago-born clergyman, who spent nearly 20 years as a missionary in Peru and eventually acquired citizenship, took the name Leo XIV.
He has followed in the footsteps of his Argentine predecessor by focusing on the poor, migrants and the environment.
He has also offered reassurances to conservative circles by ruling out, at least in the short term, the ordination of women as deacons and the recognition of same-sex marriage.
6. Gen Z uprisings
Mass movements spearheaded by under-30s arose across Asia, Africa and Latin America to protest poor living standards, social media censorship and elite corruption.
They enjoyed mixed success. In Morocco, for example, the government promised social reforms, but more than 2,000 protesters now face prosecution.
In other countries, protests escalated into broader challenges to power after being violently repressed.
Nepal’s Maoist Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina were forced from office.
READ: Three new cars make Most Hijacked Vehicles of the Year list
Young people featured prominently in post-election protests in Tanzania, which were brutally suppressed.
The pirate flag from the manga One Piece, a skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat, is often displayed by protesters and has spread on social media to become a symbol of resistance to oppression across continents.
7. AI boom
Technology giants and investors have poured ever-increasing sums into financing the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI).
AI-related spending is expected to reach roughly US$1.5 trillion in 2025 and US$2 trillion next year, according to US advisory firm Gartner.
The market’s enthusiasm briefly pushed chip giant Nvidia’s valuation beyond US$5 trillion.
However, markets fear a speculative bubble around the technology, and there are broader concerns.
The technology stands accused of fuelling misinformation. Copyright lawsuits are mushrooming, and many companies have cited AI adoption as a factor in mass layoffs.
OpenAI faces a lawsuit from the parents of a California teenager who killed himself, alleging its chatbot, ChatGPT, offered advice on how to carry out his plan.
The company said it had strengthened parental controls, while California has enacted legislation regulating chatbots.
8. A spectacular Louvre heist
On 19 October, thieves dressed in workers' vests used a furniture ladder to enter the Louvre Museum in Paris.
They fled on scooters with Crown Jewels valued at €88 million, US$102 million, although they dropped a diamond-encrusted crown on the way.
The audacious heist made headlines worldwide and sparked debate over security at the world’s most-visited museum.
Three men suspected of involvement were charged and jailed, but the stolen treasures have not been recovered.
9. US strikes anger Venezuela
Washington has deployed a significant military presence off the coast of Latin America since August, officially to combat drug trafficking destined for the United States.
More than 20 strikes have been carried out in recent weeks in the Caribbean and the Pacific against vessels the US says were suspected of transporting drugs. These strikes left several dozen people dead.
READ: This is the Colour of the Year for 2026
The US Justice Department insists the strikes were lawful and rejected accusations by a senior UN official that they were extrajudicial.
The campaign has sharply escalated regional tensions, especially with Venezuela, which views the attacks as a pretext to topple President Nicolás Maduro and seize the country’s oil reserves.
Washington accuses Maduro of heading a cartel, and US authorities are offering a US$50 million reward for his capture.
10. Record-breaking weather
While Vietnam endured deadly floods, powerful storms battered the Caribbean and the Philippines.
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, more deadly and more destructive because of climate change fuelled by human activity, according to scientists.
Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful ever to hit the Caribbean, devastated entire regions of Jamaica and flooded Haiti and Cuba.
In Southeast Asia, the Philippines was struck by Typhoons Ragasa, Kalmaegi and Fung-wong within two months, while Vietnam was ravaged by storms, floods and landslides.
Temperatures soared and wildfires intensified in Europe, with a record number of hectares burnt during the summer.
The French Mediterranean coast experienced its worst fire in 50 years.
In the United States, lightning-caused fires led to the closure of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in mid-July for the remainder of the tourist season.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Images: iStock