Top Major News, Sports, and Entertainment Highlights

As 2025 draws to a close, the final full week of December delivered a mix of high-stakes diplomacy, intense NFL action, holiday bowl games, and streaming hits that kept audiences engaged through the festive period. From U.S.-led international developments to thrilling on-field moments and blockbuster streaming releases, here’s a comprehensive recap of the biggest stories that dominated headlines.

Global News and Politics: Diplomatic Breakthroughs and Escalating Conflicts

The week featured significant geopolitical shifts, headlined by U.S. President Donald Trump‘s high-profile meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Mar-a-Lago on December 28. The leaders discussed progress toward a Ukraine peace deal, with Trump stating they were “95% of the way” to security guarantees and Zelenskiy confirming an agreement on key terms. The talks came amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities over the weekend, underscoring the urgency of negotiations.

Elsewhere, the U.S. Coast Guard seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, escalating tensions with the Maduro regime following a similar action the prior week. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw long-range strategic cruise missile launches on December 28, highlighting ongoing military posturing on the Korean Peninsula.

In other developments, winter storms and flooding impacted regions like Gaza camps, while U.S. and Jordanian airstrikes targeted over 70 Islamic State positions in Syria in retaliation for earlier attacks. These stories reflected a volatile end to a year marked by conflict and diplomatic maneuvering.

Sports: NFL Week 17 Thrillers and Bowl Season Kickoff

The NFL’s Week 17 slate (December 25-28) provided playoff-shaking drama in a holiday-shortened schedule. Standout moments included:

• A wild Sunday Night Football shootout where the San Francisco 49ers edged the Chicago Bears 42-38 in a high-scoring affair featuring Brock Purdy’s five-touchdown performance (three passing, two rushing).
• The Philadelphia Eagles narrowly defeated the Buffalo Bills 13-12, with key defensive stops and a failed two-point conversion sealing the win.
• The New England Patriots clinched a playoff spot with a victory over the New York Jets, highlighted by Drake Maye’s touchdown connections.
• Other notable results: Seattle Seahawks dominated the Carolina Panthers 27-10, and various bowl games like the Pinstripe Bowl (Penn State over Clemson) and Military Bowl kicked off college football’s postseason.

These games reshaped the playoff picture, with teams like the Seahawks holding the NFC’s No. 1 seed and several divisions still in play heading into Week 18.

Entertainment and Movies: Streaming Dominance and Holiday Releases

Streaming platforms lit up the week with fresh content perfect for holiday viewing. Netflix led with strong performers like The Great Flood (a Korean disaster film topping non-English charts with massive views) and continued buzz around Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Emily in Paris Season 5 and other series kept viewers hooked, while holiday specials and new arrivals dominated discussions.

In theaters and on-demand, late-December releases included anticipated titles like Marty Supreme (featuring Timothée Chalamet, drawing big box office attention), Avatar: Fire and Ash (continuing its billion-dollar run), and family-friendly options. The week also saw buzz around upcoming 2025 wrap-ups, with critics highlighting standout films from the year in year-end lists.

As families gathered for the holidays, these stories—from peace talks that could reshape global alliances to edge-of-your-seat NFL finishes and cozy streaming binges—captured the week’s pulse.