The world rang out 2025 on Wednesday night, bidding farewell to a year defined by economic shocks, fragile ceasefires, extreme weather, and lingering conflicts—from Gaza to Ukraine.
As New Year’s Eve celebrations unfolded across time zones, revellers reflected on 12 turbulent months marked by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policies, a tenuous truce in Gaza, and dashed hopes for peace in Eastern Europe.
The year was also one of the warmest on record, with relentless heat fueling wildfires across Europe, droughts in parts of Africa, and deadly flooding in Southeast Asia—underscoring the growing toll of climate change.
Sydney Celebrates Amid Somber Reflection
In Sydney, Australia’s self-styled “New Year’s capital of the world,” festivities carried a somber undertone. Barely two weeks earlier, the nation was shaken by its deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, after a gun attack at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach claimed 15 lives.
As part of the evening’s commemorations, celebrations paused for a minute’s silence at 11:00 pm local time, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge illuminated in white to symbolise peace.
“It has been a difficult year for so many people,” said Steph Grant, a 32-year-old advertising professional. “Here’s hoping the world looks brighter in 2026.”
Despite the sombre mood, hundreds of thousands of spectators were expected to line Sydney’s foreshore as nine tonnes of fireworks lit up the sky at midnight. Security was notably heightened, with heavily armed police patrolling the crowds.
From Sydney, celebrations rolled westward—through Asia, Europe, and Africa—culminating in iconic gatherings from New York’s Times Square to Scotland’s Hogmanay festival. In Brazil, more than two million people were expected to throng Copacabana Beach for what authorities billed as the world’s largest New Year’s Eve party.
A Year of Truces, Tariffs, and Turning Points
Beyond the headlines of conflict, 2025 was marked by striking contrasts. Labubu dolls became a global craze, thieves carried out a daring heist at the Louvre, and K-pop superstars BTS made their long-awaited return.
The year also saw the death of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, the election of a new pope at the Vatican, and the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk—an event that laid bare deep political divisions in the United States.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January triggered a global economic ripple effect, as aggressive tariff measures sent markets into turmoil. Amid slipping approval ratings ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Trump lashed out on his Truth Social platform.
“The polls are rigged,” he wrote without evidence, while insisting the United States was “hotter than ever” economically.
Yet for many around the world, optimism remained elusive.
“The economic situation is very dire, and I’m afraid I’ll be left without income,” said Ines Rodriguez, a merchant in Mexico City.
“All our colleagues are in the same situation—very little work and very low profits,” added Buenos Aires business owner Fernando Selvaggi.
Fragile Peace, Lingering Wars
In October, after two years of devastating war, U.S. pressure helped broker a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But mutual accusations of violations have cast doubt on how long the truce will hold.
The conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed over 70,000 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry—a figure the United Nations considers credible.
Meanwhile, hopes for progress in Ukraine faded as Russia dismissed proposals for even a temporary ceasefire in the closing days of 2025. As the war nears its fourth anniversary in February, a core impasse remains: Ukraine refuses to cede territory, while Russia shows no willingness to relinquish gains.
World leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, exchanged New Year greetings, highlighting what both governments describe as close bilateral ties. Xi said he was ready to deepen cooperation with Putin to advance shared strategic goals.
Looking Ahead: Sport, Space, and AI in 2026
As 2026 dawns, the year ahead promises major milestones in sport, space exploration, and technology.
More than half a century after the last Apollo mission, humanity is preparing to return to the moon. NASA’s Artemis II mission aims to send a crewed spacecraft on a 10-day lunar flyby, marking a critical step toward sustained lunar exploration.
Artificial intelligence—once greeted with unrestrained enthusiasm—is also facing growing scrutiny, as investors question whether the long-running AI boom may be nearing a bubble.
In sport, athletes will converge on Italy’s Dolomites for the Winter Olympics, while football fans worldwide prepare for the largest World Cup ever staged. For the first time, 48 teams will compete across venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
From Brazil’s beaches to New Zealand’s farthest shores, millions are expected to unite in celebration—closing the door on a turbulent year and stepping cautiously into the promise of 2026.
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