On December 21, 2025, a tragic mass shooting occurred at the KwaNoxolo Tavern in Bekkersdal, South Africa, around 1 a.m. Approximately 12 unidentified gunmen arrived in a white minibus and a silver sedan, indiscriminately firing at patrons both inside and outside the tavern. The attack resulted in nine fatalities and at least ten injuries, including the death of a driver from an online car-hailing service who was outside the pub during the shooting.

The Trump administration announced an expansion of its travel ban to include five additional countries Syria, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger alongside individuals holding travel documents from the Palestinian Authority. This move doubles the number of nations subject to U.S. travel and immigration restrictions and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The administration justified this expansion by citing issues such as widespread corruption, fraudulent documentation, and insufficient civil record systems in the newly added countries, which impede effective vetting processes.

Soybean futures showcased a volatile trading session but ultimately closed higher, with the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) January soybean contract settling at $10.76¾ per bushel, a rise of 16¾ cents from the previous day. This increase was motivated by technical buying and renewed optimism surrounding export demand, particularly from China. Throughout the week, soybean prices exhibited fluctuations as market participants evaluated U.S.

Bihar is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for 12 districts due to extremely dense fog and harsh cold conditions. A yellow alert has been issued for 24 additional districts, including Patna, warning residents of cold-day conditions. The districts affected by the red alert are West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj.

The U.S. stock market recently experienced a substantial rally following the November 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which indicated a decline in inflation to 2.7%, down from 3.0% in September. This drop in inflation has led to heightened investor optimism, reflected in significant gains across major indices like the S&P 500, which closed at 6,834.50 points, along with notable increases in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite.

President Donald Trump aimed to reassure Americans about the economy amid concerns over inflation and job losses. He claimed that inflation had been reduced by more than half since the previous administration, highlighted declining gas prices, and noted that real wages were rising, suggesting improved purchasing power. "Wages are rising much faster than inflation for the first time in many years," he asserted.

The FBI has launched domestic terrorism investigations into anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities across at least 23 U.S. regions, as revealed in an internal document dated November 14, 2025. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address perceived threats against immigration enforcement, following a memorandum from former President Donald Trump in September 2025. Known as NSPM-7, this memo emerged after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and outlined a national approach to counter "violent and terroristic activities" linked to "anti-fascism," tagging protests against ICE in cities like Los Angeles and Portland as instances of "political violence."

Rory McIlroy has been awarded the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, a significant achievement in his distinguished career. At 36, the Northern Irish golfer became the first to receive this honor since Nick Faldo in 1989, winning the public vote. His remarkable year featured several accomplishments: he won The Masters in April, achieving a career Grand Slam, and led Team Europe to a historic Ryder Cup win in New York.

The Trump administration has expanded its travel ban to include 20 additional countries and the Palestinian Authority, effectively doubling the number of nations facing U.S. travel and immigration restrictions. This decision follows a previous announcement in June, which impacted 19 nations due to issues like widespread document fraud, corruption, high visa overstay rates, and national security concerns. The newly added countries include Syria, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, while 15 others like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Angola, and Zimbabwe will face partial travel restrictions.

TikTok announced a significant deal to create a U.S.-based joint venture aimed at ensuring its continued operations in the country amid rising national security concerns. The agreement involves notable American investors Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi's MGX who will collectively own 50% of the new venture. TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, will retain a 19.9% stake, while affiliates of existing investors will hold the remaining 30.1%.

On December 20, 2025, Scarlett Johansson returned to host "Saturday Night Live" for the third time, featuring musical guest Niall Horan. The episode highlighted Johansson's comedic skills through various sketches, including one where she played a high-powered executive tackling the chaos of a virtual holiday party, reflecting the humorous trials of remote work. In another memorable moment, she teamed up with cast member Cecily Strong for a parody of a popular holiday film, combining sharp wit with physical humor.

At the recent Russia-Africa partnership conference in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, urging an expanded African role in global decision-making. He highlighted Africa's demographic, economic, and political significance, asserting the continent deserves a more influential position in shaping international policies. El-Sissi reiterated the African Union's demand for two permanent, veto-wielding seats on the Security Council and advocated for similar reforms in international financial institutions to ensure fair representation for Africa.

In the rain-affected semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup on December 19, 2025, held at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, the India Under-19 cricket team achieved a decisive eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, advancing to face Pakistan in the final. The match format was altered from the traditional 50 overs to 20 overs per side due to weather conditions. India chose to bowl first after winning the toss and effectively restricted Sri Lanka to 138 runs for eight wickets in their full allocation.

Former Niger State Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu has voiced significant concerns about Nigeria's political landscape, warning that its democracy is gravitating towards a one-party state under the All Progressives Congress (APC). During an interactive session with the APC's National Working Committee and the Former Ministers' Forum, Aliyu highlighted the alarming decrease in the influence of opposition parties and the ruling party's aggressive strategies to solidify its power.

Kylie Jenner showcased a bold fashion statement at the Kylie Cosmetics holiday party on December 17, 2025, in Sherman Oaks, California. Instead of opting for conventional festive attire, she wore a striking pink backless gown from Conner Ives's Spring 2026 collection, adorned with dramatic feather embellishments around the neckline and hips. The gown, made from silk crepe and chiffon, featured a sultry halter neckline and a fully exposed back, lending a whimsical, fairy-like aesthetic to her look.

A suicide car bombing and armed assault targeted a military post in the Boya area of North Waziristan, Pakistan, leading to the deaths of four soldiers and injuries to at least 15 civilians, including women and children. This area has a history of being a stronghold for the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups. The assault commenced when militants attempted to breach the military post's perimeter, which soldiers successfully repelled initially.

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul were to finally meet in the ring, the outcome would be as dramatic as it is decisive. In this highly anticipated crossover bout, Joshua’s elite boxing pedigree proved too much, as the former two-time heavyweight world champion secured a sixth-round technical knockout victory over social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. From the opening bell, Joshua controlled the fight with calm authority.

President Donald Trump aimed to reassure Americans about the economy despite rising living costs. He noted a decrease in inflation to 2.7%, framing it as progress, though critics pointed out that it remained above the Federal Reserve's target, indicating ongoing economic struggles. Trump introduced a "warrior dividend," a $1,776 bonus for 1.45 million military personnel, partially funded by tariffs imposed earlier in the year.

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order designating December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 26 (the day after Christmas) as federal holidays for 2025. This decision allows federal employees to enjoy a five-day holiday break, which includes Christmas Day and the intervening weekend. The order mandates that all federal departments and agencies will close on these dates, excusing employees from duty; however, agency heads may keep certain offices operational for national security or other urgent needs.

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion ($105 billion) interest-free loan over the next two years to bolster its military and economic resilience amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. This agreement was reached during a summit in Brussels and will be funded through joint borrowing by EU member states, avoiding the contentious use of frozen Russian assets.

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will kick off in Morocco on December 21, 2025, with the nation striving to host a spectacular event that reflects its ambitions as a football powerhouse and co-host for the 2030 World Cup. The tournament will take place across nine venues in six cities, showcasing significant investment in sports infrastructure, including the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which can accommodate 69,500 spectators and will host the final on January 18, 2026. Twenty-four teams will compete, divided into six groups. Morocco is in Group A with Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while defending champions Ivory Coast plays in Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.

China and the United States are increasing diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire in the escalating conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, ahead of a special ASEAN meeting. This hostilities, which reignited on December 8 after a fragile ceasefire collapsed, have led to about 60 fatalities and displaced over half a million individuals. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reached out to Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, urging a de-escalation of tensions and adherence to the previous ceasefire agreement.

Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, a 42-year-old Venezuelan national, has been indicted in a New York federal court on multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy and providing support to terrorists. Authorities allege that he played a pivotal role in transforming the Tren de Aragua gang from a prison-based group into a significant transnational criminal organization. The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest.

North American sports showcased a fascinating mix of tradition and innovation as established teams retained dominance while new champions emerged. The Los Angeles Dodgers captured their second consecutive World Series title, bolstered by Shohei Ohtani's outstanding performance. Ohtani, who returned to the mound as a Dodger, achieved a .282 batting average, 55 home runs, and 102 RBIs, earning his fourth MVP award.

China has made a significant advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) chip technology with the development of a prototype extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine. This initiative is part of a covert, state-backed project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in the semiconductor sector, often likened to China’s "Manhattan Project." Completed in early 2025, the prototype was developed by former engineers from Dutch company ASML, who reverse-engineered existing technology.