Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Putin and U.S. Envoy Witkoff Hold “Truly Friendly” Talks as Ukraine Peace Efforts Intensify 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Australia Imposes Sanctions on Taliban Officials Over Human Rights Abuses 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Appeals Court Rules Trump Can Remove Members of Key Federal Labor Boards 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Fighting intensified across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington. The leaders reaffirmed commitments to a U.S.-brokered agreement aimed at stabilizing the mineral-rich region and encouraging Western investment. Trump framed the deal as a major step toward ending decades of violence, emphasizing his administration’s role in mediating global conflicts.
Despite diplomatic efforts, clashes on the ground continued. The Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebel group—responsible for seizing major cities in eastern Congo earlier this year and not party to the Washington agreement—accused government forces of launching widespread attacks. The group claimed that shelling from Burundi struck villages in North and South Kivu for more than three days, killing civilians and damaging homes, schools, and health centers. Burundi, a Congolese ally, was also accused of coordinating drone and artillery strikes, though officials were unavailable for comment.
Congo’s military rejected allegations of targeting civilians, instead accusing Rwanda and M23 fighters of violating ceasefire commitments. The army reported neutralizing a drone that allegedly entered Congolese airspace from Rwanda. Conflicting reports emerged on casualties, with M23 claiming 23 deaths and the Congolese army reporting 11 civilian fatalities.
Analysts say U.S. diplomacy temporarily slowed escalation but failed to address core grievances between Congo and Rwanda, leading to continued displacement and humanitarian strain. Videos shared online showed families fleeing near Luvungi, although Reuters could not verify them.
Local officials reported ongoing clashes in South Kivu, with civilians caught in bombardments and forced to flee. The U.N. warned that intensified fighting since December 2 has left many wounded civilians unable to access medical care due to blocked roads. UNICEF expressed alarm after attacks on schools reportedly killed at least seven children, noting that 2025 has brought the worst violence the region has seen in years.
