It’s the final #whatstrending for the year. Together we farewell the legendary Kobe, watch in horror at California’s mass shooting, and let our imagination run wild as the Pope steps foot in Africa.
#PopeBars
Earlier this week Pope Francis visited the Central African Republic as part of an African tour. Speaking from the capital Bangui, the Pope’s mission was to inspire peace among the city’s conflict areas.
God Bless Africa!
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 1, 2015
But after photos of Francis and his followers were posted online, Twitter imagined a different scenario.
Holding a microphone in one hand, and other hand held out horizontally, Pope Francis appeared as though he was about to bust a rhyme. Unified by the idea, the internet created #PopeBars.
So here’s how it goes: post the picture above to your social media platform of choice, accompanied by your holiest rap-flow. Add the hashtag #PopeBars and you’re part of the trend! Here’s some of our favourites:
You down with G-O-D? Yeah you know me #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/a9AqdAfSAT
— Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renireni) December 1, 2015
It was all a dream I used to read Luke 4:17 Virgin Mary and Moses looking over my papal mezzanine #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/YmNStFkA8N
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) December 1, 2015
"birthdays was the worst days now I sip Christ's blood when I'm thirst-ay" #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/HfXdkNliLL
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) November 30, 2015
Rhymes indeed divine.
Kobe Retires
NBA star Kobe Bryant has announced this season will be his last with plans to retire come seasons end. The 5x NBA champion and 17x NBA all star who is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, made the announcement via Twitter. The post featured a poetic tribute to basketball, which was published exclusively on the Players Tribune.
Dear Basketball: https://t.co/KDecft6BO2 #KB20
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 29, 2015
In the letter Bryant thanked basketball for a lifetime of memories and said that he is now ready to let go of the sport he’s loved since he was a six-year-old. While the now 37-year-old’s retirement announcement didn’t really come as a shock to anyone given his age, it has effected both fans and fellow players. Many of whom took to social media to express their gratitude towards the star for his career.
There’s no doubt there is a place waiting for Bryant in not only the NBA Hall of Fame, but possibly also the sporting Hall of Fame. After 20 seasons with the L.A lakers, he breaks the record for the longest time spent by one player at a single club, he also holds the clubs scoring record with over 30,000 points scored over the course of his career. So when the NBA season wraps up next May we will be farewelling this great champion and he will leave a huge hole in the sport. #ThankYouKobe.
Put your elves out
December is here and that can only mean one thing, the festive season has begun. It is the time of year when everyone seems to get just a little more jolly, and the time of the year when your bank balance is just a little lower. The Christmas spirit has spread all across the world, as people have begun a much loved holiday tradition.
The elf on the shelf is a children’s Christmas picture-book that was released in 2005 and started one of the biggest Christmas traditions. Elves just like the one from the picture book are available for purchase all across the world and the legend goes that the elves watch out for naughty kids for Santa. The elves sit on the shelf from the first of December, right up until Christmas Day.
If you ask me, this may just be a retailers’ scheme to swindle parents out of their money and a way for parents’ to trick their kids into behaving. Nevertheless the #elfontheshelf is trending on both Twitter and Facebook as parents began posting photo’s of their elves in various places.
#SanBernardino
Yesterday morning news broke from San Bernardino, California, of a mass shooting by three gunmen at a disability centre that resulted in 14 innocent people being killed and a further 17 people injured.
As news developed online, it was confirmed that two of the three suspects, one man and one woman, were shot dead in a police shoot out and another was taken into custody. The two dead suspects have been identified as married couple Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, who have a new-born daughter.
Police have said the attack was premeditated, but the motive remains unclear.
It’s been dubbed as the worst massacre in the United States since the Newtown elementary school shooting almost three years ago.
Strength and prayers to the victims and their families in the #SanBernardino shootings. Thank you first responders. Stay strong
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 3, 2015
Saddened by senseless loss of innocent lives today in #SanBernardino. My thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted.
— Norm Kelly (@norm) December 3, 2015
America is an extraordinary place. But these shootings make us stand out in the worst of ways. #SanBernardino pic.twitter.com/Jg5ZucSovO
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) December 3, 2015
Stars in Sydney
Move over Hollywood because Australia is playing host to big named guests right now.
Taylor Swift kicked off the last leg of her 1989 World Tour in Australia with her Sydney show drawing a crowd of 76,000 people at ANZ Stadium on November 28. She is currently holidaying with her family and tour crew on Hamilton Island preparing for her 26th birthday.
Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran are in Australia as well. Sam Smith has returned to complete his In The Lonely Hour Australian tour after having to cancel earlier this year due to a throat infection. The singer is performing around major cities from December 4 to December 12.
Ed Sheeran, after making an appearance at this year’s ARIA awards, has performed for his fans in Brisbane and Perth. He has three concerts remaining in Melbourne and Sydney until December 9.
And no the list doesn’t stop there – Oprah Winfrey is here as well. Yes Oprah!
She is down-under for her multi-city arena tour in Australia and then New Zealand, where she will be hosting motivational talks, sharing her life experiences and wisdom.
Not too shabby Australia.— By Xantre Macaraeg and Daniel Stringer.
Top photo from Kobe Bryant’s Facebook.
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