In Pictures

Photos: Global stories of 2025 in pictures

A powerful visual timeline showcasing the pivotal events that reshaped our global landscape throughout the year.

People fleeing arrive by boat. — People fleeing M-23 rebel advances arrive by boat in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on January 22, 2025 [Moses Sawasawa/AP Photo]

From Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war to devastating global weather events – including floods, storms and earthquakes – this year was defined by turmoil and humanitarian crises.

Prolonged violence in Sudan, marked by attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), added to the mounting civilian toll and displacement across the country.

The year also saw heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, a deadly blaze in Hong Kong, United States and Israeli attacks on Iran, revelations from the Epstein files, and waves of “Gen Z” protest movements across multiple regions.

Together, these developments dominated international headlines, reflecting deepening political instability, social unrest and growing humanitarian needs worldwide.

View the gallery below for powerful photographs that documented and encapsulated these pivotal 12 months.

Photos: Global stories of 2025 in pictures — A motorcyclist halts to observe a home engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena region of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. [Josh Edelson/AFP]

Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif poses for a photo with his children. Al-Sharif was killed in a targeted Israeli attack on August 10, 2025. The year 2025 became the deadliest conflict for journalists on record, with more than 300 journalists and media workers killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. [Al Jazeera]