Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
The continued rise of Islamic State is perhaps the single most dominant story of the last 12 months. ISIS' reign of terror in Syria and Iraq helped trigger the greatest refugee crisis since the end of the World War II.
In the fight to oppose ISIS and restore peace in Syria, tensions between Russia and the West reached a level of tension comparable with the height of the Cold War.
In entertainment, Taylor Swift solidified her place as one of the most successful, and highest earning, entertainers on the planet, as well as picking a fight with Apple. While at the other end of the scale the scandal surrounding Bill Cosby refused to die.
The sporting world was rocked by the corruption crisis in FIFA, which ultimately resulted in Sepp Blatter being forced to declare his intention to stand down, and the Russian doping scandal athletics once again dragged into the mire.
We rounded up the 42 most memorable names from the biggest stories of the last year.