The joy of being there, of prayer and play, a dance in a bomb shelter, a kiss in a flood and a hug in the mud, kids rolling tires and scooting among the ruins of Gaza are among the defining images of 2025 as people found happiness despite adversity and enjoyed the simple things of life.

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From front-page news to powerful moments you may have missed, this gallery showcases today’s top photos chosen by Associated Press photo editors.

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Jennifer Shah, a former star on “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” has been moved from a federal prison into a community confinement program after serving less than half of her sentence for defrauding thousands of people

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The youngest is 16

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Five people who became stars in 2025 have been named The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is weighing whether to release the full video of an attack on an alleged drug boat that legal experts said may have been a war crime or murder, awakening the Republican-controlled Congress to its oversight role

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