2025: a year of impactful events

2025 has been marked by significant global events. Social, political and environmental issues have shaped the 12 months now drawing to a close. Looking back over the year helps to better understand recent developments that have had a considerable impact across the world. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the most important events of 2025.

6 January 2025 – Indonesia joins the BRICS

The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) began 2025 with a major new addition: on 6 January, Indonesia officially became a member. With over 270 million inhabitants and steady economic growth, Jakarta strengthens an alliance increasingly determined to influence global balances. In 2025, the BRICS present themselves as an expanded bloc, aiming to challenge Western influence in trade, finance and international diplomacy. Indonesia’s accession confirms the group’s growing appeal to countries in the Global South.

13 January 2025 – Wildfires devastate Los Angeles

Apocalyptic scenes emerged from California: massive wildfires engulfed the Los Angeles area, driven by strong winds and drought. Within days, the flames, fuelled by the Santa Ana winds, destroyed over 12,000 buildings and forced thousands to flee. The death toll rose dramatically, with authorities confirming at least 24 fatalities and a dozen missing. Once again, the disaster reignited debates on climate change and the vulnerability of major American cities.

29 January 2025 – Ahmed al-Sharaa becomes head of Syria

Just over a month after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria took a formal step towards a new political phase. On 29 January, Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed transitional president, a role he had already effectively held since the regime’s collapse in December 2024. His task was to form a temporary legislative council and represent the country in international forums. Simultaneously, the provisional government dissolved the Baath Party (in power for over 60 years) and the old parliament. His appointment marked the start of a challenging process of institutional reconstruction in a country devastated by more than a decade of war, with security, internal reconciliation and international relations remaining major uncertainties.

18 February 2025 – Tomb of pharaoh Thutmose II discovered

A team of Anglo-Egyptian archaeologists announced the discovery of Pharaoh Thutmose II’s tomb a few kilometres from Luxor. This is the first royal tomb found since 1922 (the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb) and the last known tomb of a ruler from the Eighteenth Dynasty. Inside, fragments of the royal sarcophagus, wall decorations with ritual inscriptions and funerary objects intended for the afterlife were found. Despite partial damage caused by ancient floods, the pharaoh was identified through cartouches and dynastic symbols.

23 February 2025 – Germany: CDU-CSU victory under Friedrich Merz

The German federal elections reshaped the country’s political landscape. On 23 February, the conservative CDU-CSU coalition secured a relative majority, bringing the centre-right back to the political forefront. Friedrich Merz now leads Germany in facing complex economic, social and European challenges. The CDU received 28.5% of the vote, the SPD dropped to 16.4%, and the far-right AfD reached almost 21%, marking the worst result ever for the traditional parties.

2 March 2025 – Private mission reaches the moon

On 2 March, the Moon was no longer the preserve of major space agencies. The Blue Ghost 1 lander from the American company Firefly Aerospace touched down on the lunar surface, becoming the first fully successful lunar landing by a private company. Funded partly by NASA, the mission delivered scientific experiments to the Moon and opened the door to a future in which private companies participate in space exploration, including for commercial purposes. A small step for a lander, but a giant leap towards a new space race.

28 March 2025 – Devastating earthquake in Myanmar

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Sagaing region on 28 March, causing destruction in an area already ravaged by internal conflict. Entire villages were flattened: official data report over 5,000 deaths (more than 100 in Thailand) and over 11,400 injured. The ongoing civil war made relief operations particularly difficult.

15 April 2025 – Sudan’s civil war enters its third year

On 15 April, Sudan entered the third year of civil war, which began in 2023 between the regular army (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Two years in, the country was profoundly devastated. In 2025, the conflict escalated dramatically, particularly in Darfur and major urban areas. Civilian populations suffered massacres, sieges and attacks on hospitals and humanitarian convoys. Millions were displaced, while sporadic international mediation efforts remained largely ineffective. Sudan remained one of the bloodiest and most neglected conflicts on the global stage.

17 April 2025 – Possible sign of life beyond Earth

A team of astronomers from the University of Cambridge reported the detection of two compounds (dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b, 124 light-years from Earth. On Earth, these organic compounds are produced almost exclusively by living organisms (mostly phytoplankton), and on K2-18b they were present in concentrations thousands of times higher than on Earth. Scientists described the finding as “the most promising sign of life yet” from space, though verification at such distances remains extremely challenging.

21 April 2025 – Death of Pope Francis; election of Leo XIV

Pope Francis passed away after 12 years of pontificate, marked by reforms and strong moral positions. On 8 May, the conclave elected American Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first US citizen to lead the Catholic Church and the first former President of the Pontifical Council for Communication to become pope. In his acceptance speech, Leo XIV pledged to continue reforms and dialogue, reaffirming the principles of his predecessor.

28 April 2025 – Iberian Peninsula blackout

A massive power outage struck Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France. Public transport, metros and railways were paralysed, causing major disruption to millions. Authorities declared a state of emergency in some regions and launched investigations. The incident renewed debates on European grid security and the vulnerability of modern societies to large-scale power failures.

28 April 2025 – Canadian federal elections

Canadians returned to the polls, giving victory to the Liberal Party led by Mark Carney. The Liberals won approximately 44% of the vote, securing 169 seats in the House of Commons and achieving a fourth consecutive term, albeit as a minority government.

12 May 2025 – PKK ends armed struggle

After decades of conflict with Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced its dissolution and the official end of armed struggle, following a peace appeal by founder Abdullah Öcalan from prison.

22 July 2025 – Death of Ozzy Osbourne

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne died at 76. A founding member of Black Sabbath, he profoundly influenced the heavy metal genre. His passing marked the end of an era in global rock music.

23–28 July 2025 – Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia

A long-standing border dispute led to armed clashes, resulting in at least 38 deaths and 300,000 displaced, mainly civilians. Tensions eased on 28 July after a Malaysian-mediated ceasefire, though infrastructure damage and social strain remained.

15 August 2025 – Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on the Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska, for the first face-to-face meeting since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, aiming to initiate direct dialogue on ending the conflict. The summit was a symbolic moment of diplomatic efforts, though the situation on the ground remained intense, with continued fighting and civilian casualties.

31 August 2025 – Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, centred in Kunar province, killing at least 2,217 people and injuring over 4,000. Hundreds of homes and public buildings collapsed, exacerbating already precarious living conditions in remote mountain regions.

4 September 2025 – Death of Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani, 91, passed away in Milan. The legendary designer, founder of the eponymous fashion house, revolutionised modern menswear and womenswear, combining timeless elegance with minimalist style. Armani remained directly involved in his creations until the end, symbolising Italian fashion worldwide.

10 September 2025 – Assassination of Charlie Kirk

During a public debate at Utah Valley University, activist Charlie Kirk, 29, was shot dead. A prominent conservative media figure, his killing shocked the US, highlighting the growing threat of political violence.

9–12 September 2025 – Political crisis in Nepal; Generation Z protests

Young people protested against high living costs and corruption, setting government buildings ablaze. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on 12 September. President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Sushila Karki as interim PM, dissolved Parliament, and called early elections.

3 October 2025 – First female Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the position and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. King Charles III officially announced the appointment, celebrated as a historic moment.

12 October 2025 – Gaza Strip truce

A ceasefire came into effect after prolonged international mediation following years of violence. Key measures included the release of Israeli hostages. The truce was a first step towards peace but did not mark the end of the conflict; violations and humanitarian crises persisted, with civilians still facing shortages of food, medical care and security.

25 November 2025 – Jakarta surpasses Tokyo in population

A UN study showed Jakarta’s metropolitan area had become the world’s most populous, with around 42 million inhabitants, overtaking Tokyo (33 million). Nine of the ten largest cities were now in Asia, reflecting rapid urban growth in Southeast Asia.