Global Newsmakers of 2025: The People, Powers and Ideas That Defined a Tumultuous Year
The year 2025 will be remembered as one of accelerated change and sharpened contradictions. It was a year when wars refused to fade quietly, democracies were stress-tested at the ballot box, artificial intelligence seeped deeper into daily life, and new cultural and sporting icons rose with startling speed. Across continents, familiar figures retained their grip on the headlines, but equally striking were the new faces and forces that shaped narratives for better or worse.
From Washington to New Delhi, Rome to Gaza, and Silicon Valley to outer space, these are the people and entities that defined the global news cycle in 2025.
Donald Trump: Power, Polarisation and Persistence
Donald Trump remained the single most dominant political figure in global news through 2025. Whether as president, president-elect or political force, his influence extended far beyond US borders. Trump’s positions on Ukraine, Israel, NATO funding and China reshaped diplomatic calculations worldwide. His rhetoric continued to polarise American society, but his ability to command attention—both supportive and hostile—was unmatched. For allies and adversaries alike, Trump’s worldview became a variable that governments could no longer ignore.
Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy: A War Without Resolution
Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained central figures in a conflict that showed no sign of resolution. Putin’s hardened stance and continued militarisation contrasted sharply with Zelenskyy’s relentless diplomatic outreach, as Ukraine sought sustained Western backing. Reports of attacks near Russian leadership residences and escalating rhetoric ensured that the war stayed at the heart of global security concerns, reshaping defence policies from Europe to Asia.
Narendra Modi: India’s Global Pitchman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to position India as a stabilising global power. From diplomatic messaging on global conflicts to economic reform narratives shared on international platforms, Modi’s emphasis on India’s growth story found resonance abroad. In 2025, India was increasingly viewed as a geopolitical bridge—between the West and the Global South—while simultaneously asserting its own strategic autonomy.
Shubhanshu Shukla: India’s Leap into Human Spaceflight
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became a symbol of India’s scientific ambitions when he boarded the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission. His 18-day stay, involving experiments crucial to long-duration space travel, was not merely symbolic. It marked India’s serious entry into human spaceflight ahead of the Gaganyaan programme, placing the country firmly in conversations about the future of space exploration.
Zohran Mamdani: Redefining Urban Politics
Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City mayor sent ripples through global political circles. At 39, the democratic socialist’s grassroots victory challenged entrenched political orthodoxies. His campaign—focused on housing affordability, public transport and reimagining public safety—was studied closely in cities worldwide grappling with inequality and urban fatigue. Mamdani’s rise underscored a generational shift in political priorities.
Pope Leo XIV: A Historic Papacy Begins
The Catholic Church entered a new chapter with the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. As the first American pope in the Church’s two-millennia history, his ascent carried symbolic weight. His early emphasis on dialogue, peace and outreach—highlighted by visits to Turkey and Lebanon—signalled a papacy attentive to global fault lines in an increasingly polarised world.
The Resistance Front: Terror and Consequence
Among non-state actors, The Resistance Front emerged as one of the most consequential forces of 2025. The group’s deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir triggered regional instability and led to India’s Operation Sindoor, followed by a brief but intense military confrontation with Pakistan. The episode reshaped security discourse in South Asia and reinforced the global focus on proxy militant groups.
Gyanesh Kumar: Democracy Under the Microscope
As India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar operated under unprecedented scrutiny. Electoral roll revisions, allegations of bias, and the implementation of new legal frameworks kept the Election Commission in the spotlight. His tenure became emblematic of a global trend: democratic institutions facing intense pressure in an era of political distrust and hyper-partisanship.
Carlos Alcaraz: The New Face of Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz continued his ascent as tennis’s defining figure, blending athletic brilliance with charisma. In a sport transitioning from the era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, Alcaraz represented renewal. His performances in 2025 reinforced tennis’s global appeal and inspired a new generation of players across continents.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Cricket’s Teenage Disruptor
At just 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became one of the most talked-about names in world cricket. His IPL exploits—highlighted by a breathtaking 38-ball century—redefined conversations about youth, talent and readiness at the elite level. Suryavanshi’s rise symbolised India’s ever-expanding cricketing pipeline and the sport’s evolving dynamics.
Grok: AI Enters the Public Square
Artificial intelligence moved decisively into mainstream discourse in 2025, and Grok emerged as one of its most controversial avatars. Positioned by Elon Musk as a “truth-seeking” alternative, Grok’s rapid adoption reflected growing scepticism toward traditional media and search engines. Its rise sparked debates on misinformation, bias and the future of knowledge consumption.
Charlie Kirk: A Death That Sparked Debate
Charlie Kirk’s assassination during a university event in the US became a grim symbol of escalating political violence. His death intensified debates on free speech, radicalisation and the dangers of polarised discourse. The global reaction underscored how American culture wars increasingly resonate far beyond US borders.
Cultural Voices from India on the World Stage
Indian literature gained unprecedented global attention when writer Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi won the International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp. Their success spotlighted regional languages and women’s voices, reinforcing India’s cultural soft power at a time when global audiences are increasingly receptive to diverse narratives.
Leaders, Accountability and Controversy
From corporate boardrooms to political offices, accountability emerged as a defining theme. Figures like Bhavish Aggarwal of Ola faced intense scrutiny over governance and workplace practices, while political scandals involving leaders such as Prajwal Revanna highlighted institutional reckoning. These stories mirrored a global demand for transparency across power structures.
Women Breaking Barriers
2025 also saw women breaking new ground in governance and administration. Meenakshi Negi’s appointment as Karnataka’s forest chief and Rekha Gupta’s rise as Delhi’s Chief Minister reflected gradual but significant shifts in leadership landscapes, echoing global movements toward gender inclusion in public life.
Our Final Thoughts
The newsmakers of 2025 highlight how global events are increasingly shaped by a mix of political authority, public accountability and rapid change. Established leaders continued to influence international affairs through conflict, diplomacy and policy decisions, while new figures emerged across politics, sports, science and culture, altering public conversations.
The year underscored the impact of ongoing wars, electoral challenges and security concerns, reminding the world of persistent instability. At the same time, advances in space exploration, artificial intelligence and global cultural recognition pointed to progress beyond traditional power structures.
A noticeable theme in 2025 was heightened scrutiny of institutions and individuals in positions of influence. Governments, corporations and public bodies faced growing demands for transparency and responsibility. Meanwhile, younger leaders and rising talents reflected shifting priorities and aspirations, particularly among the next generation.
Together, these developments show a world in transition, where authority is being questioned, innovation is accelerating and public attention is increasingly global. The figures who defined 2025 did not just make headlines—they shaped the direction of debate and decision-making worldwide.
