A selection of compelling news photographs from around the globe and South Africa captures moments of celebration, conflict, and daily life. The images, captured between December 28 and 29, 2025, offer a visual narrative of recent events.
Waves hit the coast during a storm on the Baltic Sea in Kolobrzeg, northwestern Poland, 28 December 2025. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management issued a warning about strong winds along the entire Polish coast. Picture: EPA/PIOTR KOWALAA Bolero, a main character of Holy Innocents’ Day, poses for a portrait during the celebration in Caucagua, Miranda state, Venezuela on December 28, 2025. Picture: AFP/Federico PARRAA Ukrainian reacts near a grave at the Alley of Heroes at a military cemetery in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, 28 December 2025, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Russian troops entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Picture: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOVUkrainians sing Christmas carols during a parade in Lviv, western Ukraine, 28 December 2025, as part of the upcoming New Year’s celebrations, amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Picture: EPA/MYKOLA TYSBelarus’ Aryna Sabalenka interacts with her goddaughter Nicole following her exhibition tennis match against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai on December 28, 2025. Picture: POOL/AFP/Amr AlfikyA Taiwan Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet prepares for takeoff in Hsinchu, Taiwan, 29 December 2025. China announced live-fire drills around Taiwan on December 30. Picture: EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGOJohannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway competes during the Men’s Sprint Qualification Free race at the FIS Cross Country Skiing World Cup in Toblach, Italy, 28 December 2025. Picture: EPA/ANDREA SOLEROSupporters of the Vetevendosje (LVV) party celebrate in Pristina, Kosovo, 28 December 2025. Preliminary results indicated a strong performance for incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s party. Picture: EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKIPeople walk through a park amid dense smog in Lahore on December 29, 2025. Picture: AFP/Arif ALIA demonstrator bites a poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an anti-Israel protest in Mogadishu, Somalia, 28 December 2025. This followed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. Picture: EPA/Said Yusuf WarsamePeople participate in the Dance of the Fools in Fuente Carreteros, Cordoba, Andalusia, southern Spain, 28 December 2025. The dance dates back to 1765. Picture: EPA/SalasA person walks past a mural of Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela, 28 December 2025. Picture: EPA/RONALD PENA RAn Afghan balloon vendor walks through traffic in Kabul on December 29, 2025. Picture: AFP/Wakil KOHSAR
Fluent in English and Spanish, Natalie Ortiz guides Archyworldys’ global desk through elections, disasters, and UN climate summits. Her bilingual live blogs and data visualizations rank across Google Images, Video, and Top Stories. A Knight Science Journalism fellow and Tableau power user, Natalie trains reporters to transform raw data into highly shareable interactives that extend on-page time and social reach.
