The year 2025 was marked by significant global events, including Donald Trump's return to the White House, a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, and an unprecedented boom in Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment and associated concerns.

• Donald Trump, after his return to the White House, immediately commenced a protectionist offensive, mass deportations, and diplomatic efforts with mixed results, leading to increasing American voter dissatisfaction over economic issues.
• A US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza allowed for the return of most hostages and Palestinian prisoners, but humanitarian aid remains insufficient, and regional violence persists, including Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and Iran's nuclear facilities.
• The AI boom saw spending reach an estimated $1.5 trillion in 2025, driving Nvidia's valuation past $5 trillion, but also raised concerns about misinformation, copyright lawsuits, and mass layoffs.
• The election of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on May 8 marked a historic moment as the first American pope, while global Gen Z uprisings against poor living conditions led to political changes in countries like Nepal and Madagascar.
• Washington's military presence off Latin America, officially for drug interdiction, has sparked outrage, especially in Venezuela, following US strikes and a "total blockade" against sanctioned oil tankers.
• Extreme weather events, including Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean and severe typhoons in Southeast Asia, caused widespread devastation, reflecting the increasing impact of climate change with a record amount of land burnt in Europe due to wildfires.