It’s often said that an image is worth a thousand words, and we believe that’s true. That’s why, when faced with the difficult task of summarizing the year that’s coming to an end, we thought the best—and most direct—way to do it was through the photographs that documented it.
Shots we’ve seen that—throughout 2025—sometimes made us smile or breathe a sigh of relief, but far more often made us feel afraid and angry.

Devastating wildfires in California – January

During a public speech, Elon Musk repeatedly makes the Roman salute gesture – January

The official portrait for Trump’s second term – January

Meeting between Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office – February

Hundreds of Palestinians take part in a communal iftar among the rubble of Rafah, in the Gaza Strip – March

Social media fills up with photos in “Studio Ghibli style” – March

A protester during demonstrations against President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul – March

“Mahmoud Ajjour, Aged Nine” by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf wins the World Press Photo of the Year 2025 – April

Anish Kapoor and Greenpeace create a protest artwork against oil giants on an offshore platform in the North Sea – August

Banksy’s artwork on the wall of the Royal Courts of Justice in London is covered and placed under surveillance – September

Clashes between police and pro-Palestinian protesters at Milan Central Station – September

Dozens of delegates walk out during Netanyahu’s speech at the UN – September

A building on fire in Kathmandu during the “Gen Z protests” – September

Michelangelo’s Pietà is recreated with drones above the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican – September

Protesters supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla block Milan’s ring road – October

A giant inflatable Labubu floats in Hong Kong – October

The freight elevator used in the theft of Napoleon’s jewels at the Louvre – October

Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York – November

Beeple presents the artwork “Regular Animals” at Art Basel Miami – December

Time names the “Architects of AI” as Person of the Year 2025 – December