As 2025 draws to a close on December 26, the year will be remembered for geopolitical upheaval, acts of extraordinary courage, cultural reckonings, and polarising leadership. From Sydney’s shoreline to New York City’s political halls, a handful of individuals dominated global headlines and shaped conversations far beyond their borders.
Here are the top five international newsmakers of 2025, whose stories captured the year’s defining moments.
1. Ahmed Al Ahmed – The Bondi Beach Hero
In one of the year’s most devastating tragedies, a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14 left 15 people dead and dozens injured. Amid the chaos, Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian-Australian fruit shop owner and father of two, emerged as an unlikely hero.
Al Ahmed tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen, suffering multiple gunshot wounds in the process and facing the possibility of losing his arm. His intervention is widely credited with saving countless lives.
Australia observed a National Day of Reflection, while a global wave of solidarity followed. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $2.6 million for his medical care, presented to him while he recovered in hospital. World leaders praised his bravery, and his story became a powerful symbol of immigrant contribution, civic courage, and community resilience.
Beyond personal heroism, the attack reignited debates on gun control, mental health services, and public safety, ensuring Al Ahmed’s legacy will extend far beyond Bondi’s sands.
2. Zohran Mamdani – The Mayor Reshaping New York
In November 2025, Zohran Mamdani made history by becoming New York City’s 111th mayor—the first openly socialist to hold the office. A Bowdoin College graduate and democratic socialist, Mamdani rode a wave of progressive momentum driven by voter anger over rising rents, transport costs, and corporate power.
His platform includes rent freezes, free public transport, and strict landlord enforcement, informed in part by advice from former FTC chair Lina Khan. His transition team raised a record $3.7 million, reflecting robust grassroots and donor support.
Internationally, Mamdani’s victory sparked debate in cities such as London and Toronto, where housing affordability and urban inequality dominate political agendas.
His January 1, 2026 swearing-in, planned as a public block party featuring figures like Ms. Rachel and Cynthia Nixon, underscores his populist style. While policies on policing, education, and cultural events have stirred controversy, Mamdani’s message—“have government do its job”—has positioned him as a global reference point for modern left-wing governance.
3. Donald Trump – The Tariff Warrior Returns
Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 ushered in one of the most turbulent years in modern U.S. politics. His administration launched sweeping tariff wars against major global economies, triggering trade disruptions and heightening geopolitical tensions.
Domestically, Trump issued executive orders reshaping immigration policy, energy deregulation, and border enforcement, while dramatically expanding deportations under DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. His cabinet’s lack of diversity and removal of senior Black officials drew fierce criticism.
On the global stage, Trump’s policies influenced a Gaza ceasefire, expanded U.S. military presence in the Western Hemisphere, and prioritised dominance in AI, space, and 6G technologies. Critics labelled his approach isolationist; supporters called it assertive nationalism.
Whether admired or condemned, Trump’s 2025 firmly re-established him as one of the most polarising and consequential figures in world politics.
4. Ms. Rachel – Advocate for Gaza’s Children
Children’s educator Rachel Griffin Accurso, known globally as Ms. Rachel, stepped far beyond entertainment in 2025, becoming a prominent humanitarian voice for children in Gaza.
Publicly stating she would forgo career opportunities with those silent on Palestinian suffering, Ms. Rachel used her platform to amplify children’s voices. At the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, she wore a dress decorated with artwork created by Gaza’s children—an image that went viral worldwide.
Despite backlash and accusations from pro-Israel critics, she persisted, raising funds for famine relief and sharing children’s art with millions on social media. Outlets including PBS and NPR praised her for centering child welfare amid war.
Her inclusion on Mayor-elect Mamdani’s inaugural committee symbolised the merging of culture, education, and political conscience, making her one of 2025’s most influential humanitarian newsmakers.
5. Prince Andrew – Scandal and the Shadow of Privileg
Prince Andrew’s troubled legacy deepened further in 2025 as renewed scrutiny of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein led to severe consequences. In October, he was stripped of remaining royal titles and evicted from his Windsor residence.
Resurfaced documents—including a 2011 email to Epstein—reignited allegations of sexual misconduct, which Andrew continues to deny. Though the death of accuser Virginia Giuffre complicated potential prosecutions, public outrage intensified.
Documentaries and investigative reports exposed what critics described as a decades-long pattern of protection and entitlement, prompting debates over royal accountability under King Charles’ reform agenda.
Andrew’s downfall became a global symbol of elite impunity challenged by persistence, cementing his place among the year’s most controversial figures.
A Year Defined by Extremes
The top five international newsmakers of 2025 reflect a world shaped by heroism amid tragedy, bold political shifts, moral advocacy, disruptive leadership, and long-delayed accountability. Their influence will continue to shape global narratives well into 2026 and beyond.
