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
