From United States President Donald Trump’s dramatic return to the White House to a fragile Gaza ceasefire, a raging global trade war, and record-breaking climate disasters, 2025 unfolded as a year of geopolitical shocks, technological upheavals, and historic turning points.
1 – Trump’s Return To White House
US President Donald Trump returned to power on Monday, January 20, 2025, setting the tone for a turbulent year in global politics.
His administration embarked on what analysts described as a protectionist offensive, enforcing mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and dismantling sections of the federal government.
Trump also deployed the National Guard to Democrat-leaning cities, intensified pressure on the media, and halted diversity and inclusion programmes.
Though he launched diplomatic initiatives with mixed outcomes, polls indicated that Americans remained frustrated over rising living costs.
The Republican Party also suffered stinging defeats in local elections, raising concerns ahead of next autumn’s midterms.
2 – Ceasefire Reached in Gaza After US Pressure
Two years after the devastating war in Gaza, the United States facilitated a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The truce enabled the return of Israel’s last surviving hostages and most of the bodies of the dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. It also allowed more humanitarian aid into Gaza, though aid agencies said it still fell short of the territory’s needs.
However, Trump’s proposed peace roadmap, particularly the disarmament of Hamas, remains contentious. Israel has carried out several recent airstrikes in Gaza, insisting they were retaliation for Hamas attacks.
Regional tensions persist, with Israel continuing to strike Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The country also targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities during a 12-day war in June, and in September launched an unprecedented operation against Hamas officials in Qatar.
3 – Ukraine Peace Talks Stall Despite US Push
Naijaonpoint reports that US President Trump’s return renewed global efforts to end the war in Ukraine. But his inconsistent stance, oscillating between supporting President Volodymyr Zelensky and warming up to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, deepened concerns in Kyiv.
In February, Trump rebuked Zelensky in the Oval Office, accusing him of risking World War III. Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine produced no breakthrough.
Trump then hosted Putin for a high-stakes meeting in Alaska in August, but the summit collapsed early, with Washington accusing Moscow of insincerity.
He later imposed his first major round of sanctions on Russia. International negotiations finally resumed in November based on a US-drafted plan, though Kyiv and Europe warned it favoured Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their painful, incremental push, bombarding Ukrainian cities with record missile and drone attacks.
4 – Global Trade War Intensifies
Trump triggered a major global trade war, imposing waves of tariffs on imports and strategic industries such as steel, aluminium, and copper.
Affected countries responded with retaliatory measures. Extensive negotiations produced partial agreements with the EU and China. Talks with Mexico are ongoing, while discussions with Canada were suspended after a Canadian province funded an anti-tariff advertisement.
Amid mounting domestic pressure over inflation, Trump reversed some tariffs in November, lifting duties on imported food items like coffee and beef.
5 – A New Pope Emerges
On May 8, Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old American and former missionary in Peru, was elected the first American pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, following the death of Pope Francis.
The Chicago-born pontiff has continued Francis’ legacy of prioritising the poor, migrants, and environmental issues.
He has, however, reassured conservatives by maintaining a firm stance against the ordination of women as deacons and the recognition of same-sex marriage.
6 – Gen Z Movements Sweep Continents
Mass youth-led uprisings emerged across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, driven by frustration over poverty, censorship, and entrenched corruption.
In Morocco, protests prompted promises of reform, though more than 2,000 demonstrators now face prosecution.
Elsewhere, violent crackdowns escalated unrest, forcing leaders like Nepal’s KP Sharma Oli and Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina out of office.
The pirate flag from the manga One Piece became a global symbol of resistance, widely displayed by protesters across countries.
7- AI Investments Hit Record Highs
The world witnessed a massive AI boom, with tech giants and investors pouring unprecedented sums into artificial intelligence.
Spending surged to $1.5 trillion in 2025 and is projected to hit $2 trillion next year, according to Gartner.
Chipmaker Nvidia briefly crossed a $5 trillion valuation, highlighting the market’s enthusiasm and the fear of a looming bubble.
But the industry faced rising criticism. AI was blamed for job losses, misinformation, and a surge in copyright lawsuits.
OpenAI came under scrutiny after a California teenager’s parents sued the company, alleging its chatbot gave harmful advice. In response, the company tightened parental controls, while California enacted new chatbot regulations.
8 – Daring Louvre Heist Shocks the World
On October 19, Paris was stunned by a spectacular heist at the Louvre. Thieves disguised as workers used a furniture ladder to enter the museum and escape on scooters with €88 million worth of Crown Jewels.
They dropped a diamond-encrusted crown while fleeing.
The incident ignited a global debate about museum security. Three men suspected of involvement have been detained, but the stolen treasures remain missing.
9 – US Military Strikes Trigger Tensions in Venezuela
Since August, the US has ramped up military activity off the Latin American coast, citing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
More than 20 strikes were carried out in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing dozens. The US Justice Department defended the operations as lawful, rejecting UN accusations of extrajudicial killings.
The actions heightened tensions with Venezuela, which accused Washington of using the campaign as a pretext to topple President Nicolás Maduro and seize oil reserves.
The US maintains that Maduro heads a criminal cartel and has offered a $50 million reward for his capture.
10 – Extreme Weather Ravages the Globe
Climate change fuelled a series of record-breaking weather disasters in 2025. Vietnam experienced deadly floods, while powerful storms battered the Caribbean and the Philippines.
Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest ever recorded in the region, destroyed large areas of Jamaica and triggered flooding across Haiti and Cuba.
The Philippines endured three typhoons, Ragasa, Kalmaegi, and Fung-wong, within two months, while Vietnam suffered devastating floods, storms, and landslides.
Europe recorded its worst wildfire season in history, with the French Mediterranean coast suffering its worst blaze in 50 years. In the US, lightning-triggered fires forced the closure of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in July.
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