Morning Briefing: Dec. 5, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including the signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the withdrawals of several countries after Israel was cleared to compete in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, and the killing of the leader of an Israeli-backed militia in Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda sign ‘historic’ US-brokered peace deal

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a "historic" US-brokered peace and economic agreement seeking to end fighting in restive eastern Congo.

"Today, we commit to stopping decades of violence and bloodshed, and to begin a new era of harmony and cooperation between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda," said US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, welcomed the peace agreement, describing it as a significant milestone in the pursuit of lasting peace, security and stability in the Great Lakes region.

• Backlash grows after Israel cleared for Eurovision 2026, prompting several countries to withdraw

Confirmation of Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest drew an immediate backlash, with multiple national broadcasters announcing their withdrawal from the competition.

During the European Broadcasting Union General Assembly in Geneva, the majority of members voted to allow Israeli broadcaster KAN to compete in next year's contest, scheduled to be held in Vienna, Austria.

Following the decision, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia’s national broadcasters announced withdrawals from the competition.

• Israeli-backed militia confirms death of its leader in Gaza

An Israeli-backed militia confirmed the death of its leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, in tribal clashes in the Gaza Strip.

The Popular Forces militia said in a statement that Abu Shabab was shot while attempting to resolve a dispute between members of a Palestinian family.

Hamas called Abu Shabab’s death “the inevitable fate of anyone who betrayed his people and his country.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US military said it killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific.
• Türkiye summoned senior Ukrainian and Russian diplomats to the Foreign Ministry after attacks on ships sailing in international waters in the Black Sea.
• Kenya and the US signed a landmark health cooperation deal that will see Washington invest $1.6 billion in Kenya’s health sector over the next five years, an agreement that President William Ruto described as a major milestone in the country’s push toward universal health care coverage.
• The Israeli army shelled a Syrian town in the southern Daraa countryside amid daily violations of the country’s sovereignty.
• Nine civilians were killed and seven others injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in South Kordofan in southern Sudan, local medics said.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin began his first visit to India since 2021, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving him at the airport.
• China called for effectively implementing the ceasefire in Gaza as Israel continues its genocidal onslaught in the Palestinian coastal enclave.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Bayraktar TB3 UCAV conducts successful joint operation with Albatros-S kamikaze unmanned naval vessel

Turkish drone giant Baykar's new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Bayraktar TB3 and defense firm Aselsan's Albatros-S Kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) conducted a successful joint operation.

As part of the activity conducted off the coast of Antalya, two Bayraktar TB3 armed UAVs, which took off in a salvo from the UAV carrier TCG Anadolu for firing missions, arrived at their mission area.

• Pakistan says ready to provide landlocked Kyrgyzstan port access to regional, global markets

Pakistan said it was ready to provide landlocked Kyrgyzstan access to regional and global markets through its three seaports.

"Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country...Pakistan, as a gateway to the Indian Ocean, stands ready...to provide the Kyrgyz Republic access to regional and global markets through our ports of Karachi Port, Qasim Port and Gwadar Port," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced during a joint news conference with visiting Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov in the capital, Islamabad.