The World in Images – The year 2025

Moo Deng: does too cute go too far?

Star of social networks, the pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng captivates the whole world. Becoming famous thanks to TikTok videos, this endangered mammal has become a global mascot in just a few weeks. A phenomenon that questions the border between awareness and animal exploitation.

Grok: AI Out of Control

Kamala Harris in a communist military uniform: This image was generated by "Grok," an AI from the X platform. Elon Musk posted the image, sparking numerous reactions. The owner of X has no problem using uncensored AI to serve a political vision.

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South China Sea: Attack on the Open Sea

Another clash between a Chinese and a Philippine ship. For thirty years, the South China Sea has been the scene of intense tensions and a spectacular battle of public relations. But can mere images change the geopolitical landscape?

Ukraine: Pin-up Propaganda

The Third Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian army has caused a stir with its recruitment campaign: Glossy images of beautiful young people reminiscent of film poster art, where the brutal reality of war is sidelined.

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Missile Tests: France's Army Flexes Its Muscle

A clip circulating on social media shows the French army conducting a complex missile test firing to demonstrate its military power. The challenge with this new communication strategy lies in walking the fine line between visibility and military secrecy.

Jack Doherty: One Video Too Many?

When millionaire youtuber Jack Doherty posted a video of him crashing his expensive sports car on a busy dual carriageway in Florida, he may have expected sympathy. But when his followers shared the full video that showed him texting at the wheel, the buzz went bad.

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Kim Jong-un's Daughter

When pictures of Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae emerged, they caused a sensation amongst the North Korean public. Many young women began to imitate her hairstyle and outfit, a practice that was promptly banned by the totalitarian authorities.

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20 Years of YouTube

The video sharing platform was founded 20 years ago this year. The World in Images explores the productions of one of the most successful French youtubers: Ludoc has generated millions of video views with his engaging content.

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Greenland: Donald Trump Jr. on Holiday

Donald Trump Junior visited Greenland in January 2025, claiming to be an ordinary tourist. But since his father has repeatedly expressed his interest in acquiring the Danish autonomous territory for the USA, how should his highly public visit be understood in light of America's imperialist ambitions?

Ukraine: North Korean soldiers captured

By publishing a video of two captured North Korean soldiers, Volodymyr Zelenskyj wants to prove Pyongyang's involvement in the war. But what exactly is Ukraine aiming at by displaying these prisoners of war, and who are these images actually aimed at?

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Baltic States: Going Off-Grid

Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia disconnected themselves from the Russian electricity network on 9 February 2025 and joined the European grid. This real and symbolic move to energy independence from Russia was marked by a spectacular ceremony.

Assassin's Creed: Battle of the Black Samurai

The trailer for the video game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” sparked a real outcry: online attacks, petitions, calls for boycotts. In question? The presence of a black samurai. Deciphering a controversy which revives debates on representativeness in video games. On May 15, 2024, Ubisoft studios released the trailer for one of their most anticipated video games: Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This clip, which presents the fourteenth part of the cult saga, aroused very violent opposition. The reason: the character of Yasuke, a black samurai. However, far from being a pure marketing creation, Yasuke is a very real historical character. Executive producer of the Assassin’s Creed brand, Marc-Alexis Côté tells us about this anti-Yasuke revolt. The founder of the Afrogameuses association, Jennifer Lufau, traces the history of racialized characters in video games.

J.D.Vance: Oval Office Bruiser

It was a scene that shocked the world: Volodymyr Zelensky humiliated in the Oval Office by Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in front of the world’s media. But was this a planned ambush by the American administration? And what was the vice president’s role?

Musk: One greeting too many?

In January 2025, Elon Musk performed a controversial gesture in which many saw a Nazi salute. Quickly, activist artists hijacked it and projected it onto the Tesla mega-factory near Berlin. How do Elon Musk and the far right cultivate the ambivalence of certain symbols?

Two Women on the Ice

Two female ice-skaters taking to the ice together caused a media sensation: Gabriel Papadakis and Madison Hubbell challenged the heteronormative codes of figure skating when they performed as a couple at the Art on Ice show in Zurich in February 2025.

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When drugs become a sensation

Hundreds of confiscated cocaine packages are piled up on the floor, guarded by armed police: images like this are often spread in the media in the fight against drug trafficking.

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Advertising for TV series reinvents itself

Apple staged a surprise performance in New York's Grand Central Terminal to promote the second season of "Severance." Inside a glass cube, the actors slipped into their roles before astonished travelers. The images generated a colossal media response at the season's launch.

The Secrets of QR Codes

In just a few years the QR code has become ubiquitous in our everyday lives being used everywhere from restaurants to hospitals, to art exhibitions. But what do these little pixelated squares say about our digital civilisation?

A Gulf War on Google Maps

In Google Maps the Gulf of Mexico is now called the “Gulf of America”. The renaming decided by Donald Trump on the day he took office marks a new imperialist orientation for the USA and defies an international consensus that has existed for over four hundred years.

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Filming your daily grind, what a job!

Welcome to the everyday life of a typical anti-hero of the working world: TikTok influencer Connor Hubbard debunks the myth of hyper-productivity and posts his routine as an office worker. But why is he so successful with it? And what does this—very topical—ode to banality tell us?

War propaganda: China threatens Taiwan

A video shared on Chinese social media in March 2025 shows a special military landing craft used to transport troops and combat vehicles. The spectacular production fuels Chinese propaganda and makes the threat of a major Chinese attack on Taiwan more concrete than ever.

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An Underwater World

In October 2024 an extraordinary discovery was made in the South Pacific: The largest coral ever found on earth. Photographer and marine biologist Manu San Félix explains how they came across this wonder of the seabed and took the photograph.

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Iran: Inside the Underground Workshop of War

In March 2025, the Iranian army revealed in a video the existence of a vast underground military base containing hundreds of missiles. This show of force marks a significant new stage in the history of Iranian military deterrence.

Miyazaki, copied by an AI

In March 2025, millions of images generated by ChatGPT flooded social media, imitating the style of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli. This seemingly harmless trend is actually detrimental to artists and the environment.

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Video Games: In the World of Streamers

A French gamer broadcasts a video game session live on an online platform. "TheGuill894" is one of millions of so-called streamers who engage in this practice daily. Just as many people watch them and follow along with bated breath.

Livestreaming Loch Ness

Four webcams film Loch Ness constantly, looking for signs of the legendary monster that is supposed to lurk in the lake’s deep, cold waters. In the last 20 years, there have been many sightings. But do these images confirm the existence of the creature?

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Foodporn: The Very Dirty Kitchen

Smoldering glances and cream-filled doughnuts, powdered sugar and a simulated ejaculation. These baking and cooking videos from TikTokers like "Donut Daddy" falls into a very popular category on social media: foodporn, literally "food pornography." A look at a global phenomenon.

The "Karen" Phenomenon: Where Does All the Hate Come From?

In the US, "Karen" is a term used to describe white women who are prone to racism and believe that everything is going downhill. They have now become a symbol of the unfriendly USA. Numerous videos showing and mocking Karens have gone viral on social media – US criticism as a cultural phenomenon.

Dog Portraits

A photo with a wow factor: Two dogs pose like human models in Christian Vieler's studio. But in not all eras have four-legged friends been the focus of the image.

When a radar finds a lost city

This network of ancient cities, 2,500 years old, buried beneath the plateaus of the Ecuadorian Amazon, has been revealed thanks to a revolutionary archaeological technique. An image that questions the origins of our civilizations and fuels our fascination with “lost cities”.

The Surprise of the Rat's Eye

Vibrant colors and abundant detail. This photograph of a rat's eye taken under a microscope is not only visually appealing: it aims to provide us with crucial information in medicine. What can beauty do for scientific research?

A Lion on the Prowl in town

Although it sounds unbelievable at first glance, a lion is indeed roaming through the affluent Italian town of Ladispoli. Footage of its escape immediately went viral on social media. An exploration of this extraordinary event, which explains quite a bit about our relationship with nature.

A Tunnel, a Synagogue, and the Mechanics of Conspiracy

Footage of a tunnel beneath a synagogue has sent conspiracy theorists into a frenzy. The mere recording of an argument over the expansion of a synagogue is enough to send people on the internet swarming with the most gruesome conspiracy theories about human trafficking and child sacrifice. How can this phenomenon of conspiracy delusion be explained?

Extraterrestrial mummies

Two small, unidentified bodies in a sarcophagus are presented before Congress in Mexico. The event unleashed the international press. But behind these images lies a story that fascinates humanity: that of the mystery surrounding the little green men.

Supermarket Haul: The Big Unboxing

A mother unpacks her shopping bags in front of a camera after a trip to the supermarket. In the YouTube video, the user with the nickname "MamanEconome" (frugal mom) talks about prices, product quality – and how she manages to make ends meet.

The bomb just before impact

The image heralds imminent disaster: In less than a second, an Israeli bomb will reduce a residential building in Beirut to rubble. Israel's pre-announced bombing raids serve not only as a demonstration of power but also transform the war into a spectacle.

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Swallowed by a Whale

A kayaker is swallowed whole by a whale before being immediately spat out again. The scene, which was filmed in February 2025 in Chilean Patagonia, went around the world. But why did this image go viral on social media?

The UN, the chessboard of international politics

On September 9, 2024, the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations opened. "With Open Eyes" examines a firmly established ritual of international diplomacy: the much-anticipated speeches of heads of state before the UN General Assembly.

AI: A Dead Man Speaks in Court

The man in question has been dead since 2021. Nevertheless, he was able to testify at his murderer's trial in 2025. This science fiction sequence was made possible thanks to artificial intelligence. A world premiere that raises the question of the use of such recordings in court proceedings.

Beach holidays and sunbathing in North Korea

Fancy a holiday in North Korea? The country has recently been promoting its idyllic beaches to attract foreign tourists. It's a charm offensive that is both political and strategic.

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Russia: A gas pipeline as a Trojan horse

In March 2025, Russian soldiers invaded the border town of Sudja through a disused gas pipeline in order to recapture it. Codenamed “Operation Stream,” the high-risk mission became the subject of intensive media propaganda.

An unknown people in the camera trap

This image is one of the very first visual proofs of the existence of an indigenous people of Brazil: the Massaco. Revealed by the press in 2024, this photo raises an ethical question: is such exposure a protection or a threat?

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Taylor Swift – a global brand

On August 13th, Taylor Swift unveiled the cover of her latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl." The brilliantly orchestrated event was a stroke of genius and demonstrated, not least, that the singer owes her success primarily to a perfect communication strategy.

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Shein: Fast Fashion Rebellion

Shein has rolled out three striking posters in France. The aim of this hard-hitting campaign is to whitewash Shein's image in the face of criticism of its business model and disastrous ecological impact.

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The President of Mexico Hosts Her Morning Show

Go behind the scenes of a unique communication exercise: every morning, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hosts "The People's Morning Show." More than just a televised event, this press conference shapes her political strategy and public image.

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Iran: AI, the new weapon in war

An Israeli bombing of an Iranian prison? An AI-generated video misled many media outlets and politicians in June 2025. Its success demonstrates that artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly significant role in disinformation during wars.

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K-Pop Band BTS: Comeback After Military Service

RM and V of the K-pop band BTS are returning to fans after completing their military service with an event organized by their label. The highly publicized announcement of their comeback underscores the economic and political importance of K-pop in South Korea.

Street View: The World as a Playground

GeoGuessr is an online game where players look at photos from Google Street View and guess where they were taken. Recognized as an e-sport, GeoGuessr has its own online competitions and professional players, such as Rainbolt.

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Zohran Mamdani: Conquering New York

Since he sensationally came from being a complete outsider to winning the Democratic nomination, Zohran Mamdani looks set to win the New York mayoralty. His campaign videos have been clever, dynamic, and rooted in New Yorkers’ everyday issues.

Gen Z Revolution in Nepal

What started as a viral post online turned into a violent revolution on the streets. In September 2025 a video highlighting corruption and inequality in Nepal was shared thousands of times and brought young people out onto the streets in unprecedented numbers for angry protests that brought down the government.

The Great Weather Map Show

To mark the 50th anniversary of the French broadcaster TF1, Évelyne Dhéliat presented the weather report in front of a map reminiscent of those from the past. This nostalgic look back highlighted just how much the daily weather forecast has changed over the decades.

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Thailand: The Great Conscription Lottery

In April 2025, videos of the Thai conscription lottery caused a sensation on social media. Between tears and outbursts of joy, these lighthearted scenes mask a country still ruled by a harsh military dictatorship.

China hosts first Robot World Championship

In Beijing, a striking image shows two robots facing off in a ring during the first World Games dedicated to humanoid robots. With this unprecedented competition, China is displaying its ambitions: to spark desire while asserting its dominance in the global robotics market.

The pirate flag, a new emblem of revolt

The pirate flag from the manga "One Piece" has emerged in recent months as the new banner of the revolt movements of Generation Z. From Indonesia to Madagascar, from Nepal to Morocco, this emblem has become the symbol of rebellion and the quest for freedom.

How the German Army Recruits Women

The German army took advantage of the Women's Euro football tournament to launch its new recruitment campaign. Faced with international tensions, Berlin aims to become the largest army in Europe and is relying on innovative communication tactics to achieve this.

Pandas: What is their power?

In Washington, D.C., Chinese pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao melted hearts online with their endearing videos. But behind this adorable facade, China is orchestrating a strategy where soft power, lucrative business, and diplomacy intertwine.

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IShowSpeed: China's New Sandwich Man

In April 2025, the American streamer IShowSpeed ​​traveled to Shenzhen and praised the country's futuristic achievements live on the internet. The coup was no accident: China is deliberately relying on globally renowned influencers to polish its international image.

Childbirth at sea!

In January 2024, a baby was born in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on an overcrowded dinghy. The image, taken by a Spanish sea rescuer, went viral and fueled the debate between proponents of refugee aid and opponents of illegal immigration.

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AI Brings the Bible to Life

This video, simply titled "What if there was a trailer for the Bible?", was produced by the Pray.com web team of the US Evangelical Church. For the digitally savvy evangelical church, generative AI opens up new possibilities for converting the masses.

YouTuber on vacation with the Taliban!

Is Afghanistan the new dream travel destination? That's precisely the impression some Western influencers give: They stage their stay in Afghanistan, shy away from no provocation, and accept becoming instruments of propaganda for the Taliban regime.

The Windsors and the Balcony of Power

Four generations of the Windsor family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in a strictly regulated ritual. This family photograph captures a moment where tradition and power collide. A look back at a skillfully staged scene.

Russia: Using Music to Fight Putin

In the streets of St. Petersburg, young people sing along to the songs of the band Stoptime – much to the regime's displeasure. Since any form of dissent is nipped in the bud in Putin's Russia, the band had to leave the country because of this video. Frontwoman Naoko became an icon of resistance.

How 'Slop' is poisoning the internet

Countless AI-generated videos are flooding the internet today. The phenomenon known as "slop" raises the question of whether the internet could collapse from such an overabundance of nonsensical images.

Sudan: Satellite images of a tragedy

For more than two years, Sudan has been the scene of a deadly conflict about which little information has been made available to the outside world. By analyzing satellite images, researchers at Yale University were able to make the extent of the tragedy in the country visible.