Daily News Summary – 2025-12-05 – en

Rwandan and Congolese presidents signed a peace deal in Washington, but fighting continues in eastern Congo, with economic interests in rare earth minerals playing a key role.

The U.S. military conducted its 22nd strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel, killing four, amid bipartisan criticism over potential war crimes from a previous incident.

Another strike on a drug trafficking vessel killed four, escalating controversy over a September incident that has drawn accusations of potential war crimes.

Netflix has emerged as the frontrunner in bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery assets, potentially creating an unprecedented media colossus amid antitrust scrutiny.

Russian authorities blocked Snapchat and FaceTime, citing terrorist activities, as part of a broader crackdown on foreign technology platforms to promote state-controlled alternatives.

Comprehensive public health emergency exercises were conducted nationwide to test coordination and logistics, following global standards and lessons from recent crises.

Hospitals across Europe are expanding a cross-border telemedicine pilot, enabled by a recent EU ruling, to provide remote specialist consultations and improve healthcare integration.

Blockchain technology is being piloted in cities like Singapore and Miami to secure transit payments, reduce fraud, and create interoperable systems for public transportation.

AI is revolutionizing drug discovery by repurposing existing medications for new diseases, accelerating treatment development and reducing costs compared to traditional methods.

Cross-regional free trade negotiations have resumed with a focus on digital trade frameworks, tariff reductions, and regulatory alignment amid shifting global dynamics.

The EU is seeking a role in Ukraine peace negotiations while debating the use of frozen Russian assets for financing, facing internal divisions and Russian threats.

The EU may delay its 2035 combustion engine phase-out proposal due to German pressure for a more flexible approach, balancing climate goals with industry competitiveness.

The U.S.-China chip war has escalated in 2025, with both sides deploying massive investments and export controls, reshaping global semiconductor supply chains.

EU lawmakers strengthened consumer protections for package holiday travelers, including full refunds for cancellations due to emergencies and enhanced transparency requirements.

The Netherlands joined Spain and Ireland in boycotting Eurovision 2026 over Israel's participation, marking the largest coordinated boycott in the contest's history.

New Zealand police recovered a valuable Fabergé pendant after a suspect swallowed it, waiting six days for it to pass through his digestive system naturally.

An 88-year-old Army veteran will retire after a viral fundraiser raised over $1.7 million, highlighting retirement insecurity and the power of social media kindness.

A raccoon broke into a Virginia liquor store, drank spirits, and passed out intoxicated, causing damage before being captured and released by animal control.

Berlin rapper Ikkimel performed in Utrecht, promoting feminist themes through provocative music and reclaiming derogatory language as empowerment.

Lando Norris led the second practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, outpacing Max Verstappen by 0.363 seconds ahead of the championship-deciding race.

IndiGo cancelled over 1,000 flights due to new pilot rest rules, causing chaos at airports and prompting government intervention and an apology from the CEO.

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev was removed from a SpaceX mission after allegedly photographing sensitive technology, violating U.S. export control regulations.

A Belgian delivery driver was arrested for stealing hundreds of packages worth up to €80,000 and selling them online, highlighting the growing issue of package theft.

Frank Gehry, the renowned architect known for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, died at 96, leaving a legacy of transformative and sculptural buildings worldwide.

The EU fined X €120 million for deceptive blue checkmarks and other violations under the Digital Services Act, marking a major enforcement action against the platform.