News wire Agence France-Presse came up with a list of 10 events that defined 2025. Topping the list is Donald Trump’s return to power, the ceasefire in Gaza and massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI).

Trump returns

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, attacked the media and fought against diversity and inclusion programs. He also launched a protectionist offensive, ordered mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and dismantled entire sections of the United States federal government.

New pope

Robert Francis Prevost 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 less-than-24-hour conclave. The Chicago-born clergyman, who spent nearly 20 years as a missionary in Peru and eventually obtained citizenship, took the name Leo XIV.

Weather extremes

“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 the space of two months, while Vietnam was devastated by storms, floods and landslides.Tropical storms and monsoon rains pummelled Southeast and South Asia at the end of the year, destroying vast tracts of Sumatra.

Indonesia’s northwest island of Sumatra and displacing thousands of people in Sri Lanka.

Temperatures soared and wildfires intensified in Europe, with a record amount of land burnt during the summer. In the US, fires sparked by lightning led to the closure of the North Rim of the famous Grand Canyon in mid-July for the remainder of the tourist season.

Gaza ceasefire

US pressure led to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, two years after an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Israeli soil triggered a devastating war in the Gaza Strip.

The truce allowed for the return to Israel of the last surviving hostages and all of the bodies of the deceased, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

It also enabled an increased flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

, although still nowhere near enough to meet the territory’s needs, according to the United Nations and humanitarian NGOs.

Ukraine talks

Trump energized efforts to end the war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion.

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. There has been a flurry of international diplomacy to reach a truce based on a draft US plan floated in November, the initial version of which was considered by Ukraine and its European allies to be largely favorable to Russia

Gen Z uprisings

Mass movements spearheaded by the under-30s arose across Asia, Africa and Latin America to fight against poor living standards, social media censorship and elite corruption. 

They enjoyed mixed success. Morocco’s government promised social reforms, while Nepal’s Maoist Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina were forced from office. 

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 the fight against oppression across continents.

Louvre heist

On 19 October, thieves dressed in workers’ vests used a furniture ladder to get into the Louvre Museum in Paris. They fled on scooters with crown jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million), though they dropped a diamond-encrusted crown on the way. Four men suspected of being part of the raid were charged and jailed, but the stolen treasures have not been recovered.

Trade war

Trump imposed waves of tariffs on imports and entire industries deemed strategic — such as steel, aluminium and copper — sparking a trade dispute that shook the global economy. As targeted countries considered or implemented retaliatory measures, tough negotiations led to many deals, including with the European Union and China. But bilateral talks with Canada were suspended after a Canadian province funded an ad criticizing 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.

AI boom

Technology giants and investors have spent ever-increasing sums to finance the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI). AI-related spending is expected to reach roughly $1.5 trillion in 2025 and $2 trillion next year, according to US advisory firm Gartner. Meanwhile, AI stands accused of fueling misinformation, copyright lawsuits are mushrooming, and many companies have cited its adoption as an explanation for mass layoffs.

Boat strikes

Washington has deployed a significant military presence off the coast of Latin America since August, officially to combat drug trafficking bound for the United States. At least 100 people have been killed since September in US strikes on boats that Washington claims, without providing evidence, were ferrying drugs. The US Justice Department insists the strikes were “lawful” and rejected accusations by a senior United Nations official that they were “extrajudicial.” The campaign has drawn angry reactions in Latin America, especially Venezuela, which views the attacks as a pretext to topple President Nicolas Maduro and seize the country’s oil reserves. US authorities accuse Maduro of heading a cartel, and are offering a $50-million reward for his capture.