2025 in Photos: Wrapping Up the Year
In a world increasingly defined by turmoil and resilience, recent events have encapsulated the diverse struggles and achievements across the globe. On September 19, 2025, Curtis Evans, a Marine veteran, marched through tear gas at an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, waving an American flag. His presence at the protest against immigration policies reflects a broader discontent with governmental actions, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about immigration reform. This incident serves as a reminder of the long-standing tensions surrounding immigration in the U.S., where activists are often met with law enforcement’s heavy-handed tactics.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the start of the school year on September 2, 2025, was marred by air alerts that lasted over three hours, highlighting the challenges faced by children amid ongoing conflict. Students in Kyiv adapted to their new reality, often spending nights in shelters to ensure their safety. This juxtaposition of educational aspirations against the backdrop of war illustrates the resilience of Ukrainian families as they navigate a landscape of uncertainty. The situation in Ukraine is further complicated by the ongoing invasion, with images of protests and military commemorations emerging from various parts of the world, including the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender celebrated in Beijing on September 3, 2025.
Protests have erupted in other regions as well, notably in Kathmandu, Nepal, where anti-government demonstrations turned violent on September 9, 2025, resulting in the resignation of the Prime Minister. The unrest was sparked by public outcry against government corruption and a controversial social media ban. This series of events underscores a global pattern of civil disobedience and the demand for accountability, as seen in the widespread protests across the United States on October 18, 2025, where millions rallied against the policies of President Donald Trump. These protests reflect a growing sentiment among citizens seeking change in governance and policy, echoing the sentiments of those like Evans in Illinois.
As the world continues to grapple with complex social, political, and environmental challenges, the resilience of individuals and communities shines through. From the determination of Ukrainian students to the fervent protests in Nepal and the United States, these events illustrate a shared human experience of striving for justice and stability amidst chaos. As we reflect on these occurrences, it becomes evident that the fight for rights, safety, and a better future is a universal endeavor that transcends borders and cultures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjohM9hXdvQ
Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service / Getty
Curtis Evans, of Evanston, carries an American flag through gas that was deployed by federal officers as they cleared protesters from the entrance of the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on September 19, 2025. Evans said he was a Marine during President Ronald Reagan’s term.
Paula Bronstein / Getty
Students rest in a shelter at the Kyiv State Music Lyceum M.V Lysenko school on the second day of classes, during an air alert that lasted more than three hours on September 2, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. The start of a new school year for Ukrainian children during three years of war has meant dealing with the constant threat of attacks, and on some nights a lack of sleep in city shelters.
Andy Wong / AP
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, military personnel take part in a parade held in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025.
Sunil Pradhan / Anadolu / Getty
A protester carrying a Nepalese flag hangs a pirate flag as smoke and flames rise from the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 9, 2025. Anti-government protests the day before were met with deadly force by riot police. Reacting to that violence, demonstrators returned the next day, burned many government buildings, and forced the prime minister to resign.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
A protester wearing a flak jacket and carrying a shield snatched from a police officer shouts slogans at the Singha Durbar during a protest against a social-media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, on September 9, 2025.
Emilee Chinn / Getty
Geordie Beamish of Team New Zealand avoids the foot of Jean-Simon Desgagnes of Team Canada as he falls to the ground during the the men’s 3,000-meter Steeplechase heats on Day 1 of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 at National Stadium on September 13, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.
Michael Ciaglo / Getty
The day after the fatal shooting of the political activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University, crime-scene tape stretches in front of a 9/11 memorial on September 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah.
Eric Thayer / Getty
People attend a vigil for Charlie Kirk at Arizona State University on September 15, 2025, in Tempe, Arizona.
Alessandra Benedetti / Corbis / Getty
A drone display creates an image of the late Pope Francis while flying over St. Peter’s Square during the Grace for the World concert, on September 13, 2025, in Vatican City.
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty
A cameraman on a unicycle films athletes in action as they compete in the men’s 10,000-meter final during the World Athletics Championships Tokyo on September 14, 2025.
Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters
Bronze medalist Noah Lyles of the U.S. celebrates with Tara Davis-Woodhall of the U.S., gold medalist in the women’s long jump, at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, in Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, on September 14, 2025.
Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP / Getty
Migrants try to board smugglers’ boats in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, on September 27, 2025.
Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP
St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II scores against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco on September 23, 2025.
Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP / Getty
A vehicle on the edge of a huge hole in the ground after a road collapsed near a hospital in Bangkok on September 24, 2025
Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP / Getty
This photograph, taken on October 5, 2025, shows an archery target bearing the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Old Fortress in Kamianets-Podilskyi, in Ukraine’s Khmelnytsky region, amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Adam Pretty / Getty
Aelan Vaast of French Polynesia performs a layback hack during a private surf-training session at O2 Surftown MUC in Hallbergmoos, Germany, on October 7, 2025. Seven surfers from France and French Polynesia traveled to Munich for some intensive surf-training sessions at the Surftown MUC wave pool.
AFP / Getty
Drivers merge into expressway lanes after passing through the 36-lane Wuzhuang toll station at Chuzhou, in China’s Anhui province, as they make their way back home near the end of an eight-day National Day holiday, on October 7, 2025.
Gil Cohen-Magen / AFP / Getty
Family and friends of the Israeli hostage Eitan Horn react to the news of his release at their house in the central Israeli city of Rosh Haayin on October 13, 2025. Hamas handed over 20 surviving Israeli hostages on October 13 under a cease-fire agreement, with Israel set to return nearly 2,000 detainees held in its jails in exchange.
Alaska National Guard / Anadolu / Getty
The Alaska Air National Guard conducts a search-and-rescue mission following the remnants of Typhoon Halong that caused severe damage in Kipnuk, Alaska, on October 13, 2025. The storm caused major flooding and damage in several coastal Alaskan villages, and hundreds of residents were airlifted to safety.
Timothy A.Clary / AFP via Getty
A person dressed in a Statue of Liberty costume participates in a “No Kings” national day of protest, in New York on October 18, 2025. Organizers estimated that millions of Americans had attended rallies in cities and towns across America, protesting the policies and actions of President Donald Trump and his administration.
Amarjeet Kumar Singh / Anadolu / Getty
Silhouettes of people and monkeys make their way past India Gate amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi, India, on October 22, 2025. Thick smog blanketed the city as Delhi’s air-quality index dropped to 345, placing it in the “very poor” category.
Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty
Heavy machinery is used to tear down a section of the East Wing of the White House as construction began on President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom, in Washington, D.C., on October 22, 2025.
Sofiia Gatilova / Reuters
A car drives along a road covered with anti-drone netting, amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, near the town of Sloviansk, in Donetsk, Ukraine, on October 27, 2025.
Lt. Col. Mark Withee / U.S. Air Force / Getty
A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, flies into the eye of Hurricane Melissa on October 27, 2025, over the Caribbean Sea. The crew was making a pass through the storm to collect vital weather data for the National Hurricane Center.
Matias Delacroix / AP
An aerial view of Black River, Jamaica, on October 30, 2025, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa
Mike Segar / Reuters
Volunteers load boxes of food into cars during an event held by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in partnership with Bergen County to deliver emergency food relief to federal workers and SNAP recipients amid the U.S. government shutdown, in Leonia, New Jersey, on November 6, 2025.
Andrew Harnik / Getty
President Donald Trump stands by as attendees help a guest after he collapsed during an event on lowering drug prices, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 6, 2025.
Charlie Riedel / AP
A person poses for a photo in front of a maple tree displaying fall colors in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 7, 2025.
Owen Humphreys / PA Images / Getty
The northern lights glow in the sky over St. Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, England, on the North East coast, in the early hours of November 12, 2025.
Tony Karumba / AFP / Getty
An adult female Masai giraffe rears on its hind legs as it resists efforts by Kenya Wildlife Services rangers to guide it into a transportation crate during an exercise to translocate large herbivores from Kedong Ranch because of land subdivisions and corralling that have disrupted wildlife migratory routes in Naivasha, Kenya, on November 16, 2025.
Menahem Kahana / AFP / Getty
Israeli security forces clash with Hilltop Youth on an earth mover as they evacuate and demolish an illegal outpost built near the Jewish settlement of Metzad, east of the Palestinian city of Sa’ir, in the occupied West Bank, on November 17, 2025.
Chan Long Hei / AP
People look at flames engulfing a building after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong’s New Territories, on November 26 2025.
