From the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the year 2025 was defined by political shifts, a change in the papacy, and climate-driven disasters.
North America
On January 20, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. His administration’s "protectionist" agenda immediately impacted global trade and security alliances.
In May, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV following the death of Pope Francis. He is the first person from the United States (and North America) to serve as Pope.
Following Justin Trudeau’s resignation in March, former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney became the Prime Minister of Canada, leading the Liberal Party to a minority government victory.
Europe
Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor of Germany in May, marking a major rightward shift in Europe’s largest economy.
Schengen Expansion: On January 1, Bulgaria and Romania officially completed their entry into the Schengen Area, fully lifting land border controls.
Asia
India-Pakistan Tensions: A sharp military escalation occurred in May following an attack on tourists in Kashmir. India responded with missile strikes on Pakistani bases before a ceasefire was reached on May 10.
Technological disruptions: The release of DeepSeek, a Chinese LLM, caused a significant drop in global tech shares in January as it emerged as a powerful competitor to Western AI models.
President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and removed from office following a period of intense internal crisis.
Natural Disasters: A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and parts of Southeast Asia, resulting in over 5,000 fatalities.
Africa
G20 in Africa: G20 in Africa: South Africa hosted the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in September, the first time the summit has been held on the African continent.
Sudanese Conflict: The civil war in Sudan continued to cause a massive humanitarian crisis, though the year saw renewed international pressure for a permanent ceasefire.
South America & Oceania
Australian Elections: The Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, won re-election in May, increasing its majority in Parliament.
New Zealand/Australia Sports: The region hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup, further elevating the profile of women's sports globally.
A "Turning Point" for the Planet
Despite the geopolitical friction, 2025 saw a major milestone in energy: for the first time, the combined global output of wind and solar power surpassed coal as the leading source of electricity.
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