Looking back on world events in 2025 — and ahead at 2026

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published December 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM EST

President Donald Trump dominated the news in 2025 and is expected to do the same next year.

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist and editor of its annual The World Ahead issue, about some world events from 2025 and where things are heading in 2026.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Related Content

Who's piloting the drug boats the Trump administration is bombing?

Here & Now Newsroom

The traffickers who transport cocaine to the U.S. from Colombia in high-speed boats can make up to $100,000 a day.
Greetings from Jaffa, Israel, where a salon is a welcoming space for Palestinians and Jews

Hadeel Al-Shalchi

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
In the snow, these salamanders get supercool

Nell Greenfieldboyce

Blue spotted salamanders have been seen walking across snow and new research suggests how they get by in the cold.
When porch pirates steal medicine instead of holiday gifts

Sydney Lupkin

Mail theft can happen around the holidays, but sometimes, instead of getting a new iPad, the thief swipes a mail order medicine. Here's what to do about it.
New Epstein files mention Trump. And, SCOTUS rules on National Guard in Chicago

Suzanne Nuyen

The DOJ released tens of thousands of new documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. And, the Supreme Court ruled that the National Guard must stay out of Chicago.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.