People worldwide are preparing to celebrate New Year's Eve 2025 after facing political, economic, and conflict turmoil, including the return of Donald Trump and record-breaking heatwaves that sparked wildfires, droughts, and severe floods. Many cities are holding events amid heightened security and an atmosphere of hope for 2026.
On Wednesday, 31 December 2025, New Year’s celebrations around the globe were vibrant yet mixed with hope and concern reflecting events of the past 12 months, remembered as a year of major change.
Sydney celebrates amid mourning and strict security: Sydney, Australia, known as the "New Year’s Eve capital of the world," prepared a grand fireworks display of over nine tons above the Harbor Bridge. However, this year's mood was subdued due to a shooting at Bondi Beach two weeks earlier that claimed 15 lives. A one-minute moment of silence was observed at 11:00 p.m. before midnight, with heavily armed police deployed throughout the area.
A year marked by global politics and economic unrest:
Trump’s return: 2025 began with Donald Trump’s reentry into the White House, where he imposed sudden tariff measures that severely impacted global markets. Toward year-end, Trump reaffirmed via Truth Social that the U.S. was stronger economically and in border security than before.
War and ceasefire: Although a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was reached in October, the situation remains fragile with over 700,000 deaths. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine, triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, approaches its four-year anniversary in February. There is hope for diplomatic progress this year, but Russia rejected a temporary ceasefire proposal late in 2025. Diplomats have traveled between Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv, yet key obstacles persist: Ukraine is unwilling to cede territory, and Russia refuses to return it.
Loss and global trends: The world mourned the pioneering zoologist Jane Goodall and witnessed the election of a new pope. In pop culture, Labubu dolls became a global craze, and BTS reunited after completing their national service.
World leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have exchanged New Year’s greetings. Both emphasized the close friendship between their leaders, with Putin honored as a special guest at China’s grand military parade in September.
Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported Xi Jinping stated he is "ready to maintain close exchanges with Putin to jointly promote continuous new progress in bilateral relations."
Natural crises and warnings from the future: 2025 was recorded as one of the "hottest years" in history, causing severe wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa, and heavy rains leading to massive flooding in Southeast Asia—a clear warning of the climate change crisis.
Looking ahead to 2026: sports, space, and AI: The coming year holds several major global events:
Space: NASA’s Artemis II mission, supported by Elon Musk, plans to send humans back to orbit the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.
Sports: Athletes will gather in Italy’s famed Dolomite Mountains for the Winter Olympics, and the major highlight will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June to July. For the first time, 48 teams will compete in the largest World Cup ever, held across venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Technology: After years of excitement, artificial intelligence is facing intensified scrutiny. Concerned investors are questioning whether the prolonged AI boom might be entering a bubble similar to stock market crashes.
Despite economic struggles in regions like Mexico and Argentina, where some citizens worry about income next year, the white lights on Sydney’s Harbor Bridge tonight remain a symbol of global prayers for a brighter, more peaceful 2026.
/sourceAFP