05 December 2025 – Short News

The president and his FIFA friend – a scene that says it all!!

Trump used the stage of the Congo Rwanda agreement to celebrate Gianni Infantino like an old ally. A quick glance, a smile, a line about a “great gentleman” – and the president pushed world politics aside in favor of a personal show. When he casually renamed the Kennedy Center the “Trump Kennedy Center” and then “corrected” himself, it felt like a test of how far he can stretch the boundaries of self staging. The message was clear: this World Cup belongs to him as much as the stage he stands on. That he boasted about record numbers at the same time, saying the United States had sold more tickets than any other country, fit perfectly into this picture. Infantino smiled, Trump beamed – and the room understood that this was a duo bound by more than sports.

Infantino traveled to Washington for the draw, but Trump had already turned the event into his personal platform. He praised the upcoming games, spoke of unprecedented sales, and framed the World Cup as a personal triumph. Nearly two million tickets had already been sold, he said, and he repeated with audible pride that the United States was in the lead. Beneath it all lay a tone that has remained unchanged since the beginning of his presidency: sports serve as a backdrop to underscore political dominance, economic strength, and personal significance. The “Trump Kennedy Center,” as he called it, was less a slip and more a statement. His words carried the conviction that this World Cup is meant to be a showcase of his power – and Infantino seemed to understand exactly what price is paid for that stage.

A bundle of failures – and Navy reports that expose a system

New investigations show how heavily the Navy was overburdened by the campaign against the Houthi rebels. An aircraft carrier dealing with missile attacks, a friendly fire incident that downed a U.S. jet, a collision with a merchant vessel, two more lost aircraft. The tally: more than 100 million dollars in damages and injured crew members. The report shows soldiers and ships pushed to the limit – not because of one mistake, but because of a policy that values operational tempo over safety. A warning that is hard to ignore.

Miami, December 4 – A Meeting Without Promises

South of Miami, two delegations sat across from each other that evening, bound by the need to negotiate but carrying entirely different weight in these talks. On one side was Steve Witkoff, Washington’s new envoy, freshly returned from Moscow. On the other side was the Ukrainian chief negotiator, determined to understand what Putin had really said in his hours-long meeting and, above all, what he had not said. Ukraine was represented by the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, as well as by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Andriy Hnatov.

Witkoff did not arrive with a package but with a report. The meeting served to tell Ukraine why nothing had moved forward in the Kremlin talks. No agreement on territory, no commitment on security guarantees, no indication that Russia was willing to shift even a millimeter from its position. The Ukrainian side listened, asked pressing questions and made clear that a frozen war cannot be an acceptable outcome. It was a sober meeting, free of grand statements. No one spoke of a breakthrough, no one tried to sell hope without substance. The American delegation outlined the state of play, and the Ukrainian delegation marked red lines that neither Moscow nor Washington can ignore. In the end, there was no result, only the sobering realization that Miami is merely a waypoint in a long sequence of talks. Yet one thing was unmistakable: Ukraine wanted clarity, not embellishment. And Witkoff had to admit that the Kremlin had given him neither guarantees nor clues for a realistic compromise. That is why this evening remained, despite all urgency, above all one thing so far – a definition of positions after a failed attempt in Moscow.

The closed-door negotiations between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations have concluded.

Grand jury says no – another attempt fails

The federal government tried to have Letitia James indicted a second time after the first attempt collapsed due to the use of an illegally appointed federal prosecutor. But the new grand jury in Virginia rejected the indictment as well. A setback for those who wanted James and even James Comey in court. Although the Justice Department could theoretically try a third time, this day shows how thin the basis of many politically motivated cases has become – and how difficult it is to force legal reality into alignment with political desires.

Christmas tree, spotlights – and a guest list that looks like a campaign show

At the National Christmas Tree Lighting, the Beach Boys perform, alongside country stars and Christian singers. But the real message lies in the seating: JD Vance with his family, joined by the heads of the major departments. A festive evening that reads like a public display of loyalty. While the music plays and cameras sweep across the scene, the administration showcases unity – on a day when it is under heavy pressure elsewhere.

The world’s most famous Christmas tree has a surprisingly simple origin. The first Rockefeller Christmas Tree was put up in 1931 – a roughly six meter tall tree bought with pooled money from the workers who were building Rockefeller Center. In the depths of the Great Depression, they raised it, decorated it with handmade garlands, and started a tradition that would later grow into a global symbol.

Since 1923, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree has been one of Washington’s long standing traditions. Back then, President Calvin Coolidge lit a 15 meter spruce on the Ellipse next to the White House – an event meant as a gesture of national unity that quickly became a fixed date in the political calendar. Over the decades, the ceremony remained a public and often highly political ritual: presidents used it at times for self promotion, at other times for messages of unity. It is still celebrated today on the same grounds south of the White House, accompanied by music, television cameras, and the symbolic expectation that the political leadership will offer at least the appearance of warmth and calm on this night.

Mexico’s president travels for a talk about money and tariffs

Claudia Sheinbaum expects a brief meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the World Cup draw in Washington. She plans to address tariffs on steel, automobiles, and aluminum, while also continuing trilateral talks with Canada. It will be her first direct encounter with Trump. Sheinbaum emphasizes that she wants to “make progress in the negotiations,” yet Washington’s course is unpredictable. Mexico is feeling the economic consequences of the new U.S. trade policies acutely. The president is relying on dialogue as pressure on Mexican industries grows. That this meeting takes place at a soccer gala underscores how closely politics and staging intertwine at this moment. It is about billions – and about the relationship between two countries that need each other.

A president looks at raw materials – and calls it peace

Trump announced that the United States would heavily invest in the rare earths of Congo and Rwanda. He spoke of “major American companies” being sent into the region and said that “everyone will make a lot of money.” Behind the words lies a familiar logic: whoever controls critical minerals controls entire industries. The region is poor, rich in minerals, and scarred by decades of conflict. While Washington sells the new deal as a peace project, many observers see primarily economic interests. Rare earths are essential for jets, smartphones, and missiles. Trump is searching for ways to bypass China’s dominance, and this agreement opens doors for him. Peace is the frame – but behind it lies a hard power resource strategy.

Anger in New Orleans City Hall

In New Orleans, demonstrators made clear what they think of ICE operations when they entered the ongoing council meeting, while federal agents combed the region at the same time. The scene was tense – a public outcry against authorities that, in their view, cooperate far too willingly with ICE. Some shouted that the city was betraying its responsibilities, others held signs usually seen at major protests. Council members tried to resume the meeting later, until it became clear that no normal session would be possible that day. All across New Orleans, the protests are becoming louder and louder.

A new visa course – and a political filter

The U.S. government instructs embassies worldwide to prioritize visas for investors and visitors of upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and the Olympic Games. At the same time, it introduces a new criterion meant to bar certain applicants from entry: those allegedly involved in efforts to restrict American users on social media through moderation programs. This shifts immigration policy toward economic interests and political assessment. The directive has been sent as a diplomatic cable and is already causing unease because the criteria are difficult to verify. The administration aims to strengthen the United States as a destination for events and investment – and uses the opportunity to keep politically disfavored groups out.

A suspect in focus – and an office wrapped in police tape

In Fairfax, FBI teams stood outside an office labeled “Brian Cole Bail Bonds,” surrounded by yellow police tape. The building bears the same name as the man arrested in connection with the January 5, 2021 pipe bombs. Authorities remain silent on any connection, but public records show family links. Investigators from the Joint Terrorism Task Force searched the premises while officers guarded the entrance. The case dominated the day, as the suspect is seen as a potential key to an act that puzzled investigators for years. Authorities speak of precise investigative work and emphasize that further steps will follow. The sight of the small office in Virginia highlights how an ordinary place can suddenly become the center of a national investigation.

A win for Texas – and a setback for equal voting rights

The Supreme Court allows Texas to use its disputed congressional map for 2026, even though a lower court found it likely discriminatory. The map clearly favors Republicans and was pushed by Trump. Its continued use gives his party an advantage and deepens the national battle over fair representation. As courts continue deliberating, Texas solidifies political facts that may be difficult to reverse even with a later ruling.

An appeal from Kenya – and a war Washington prefers to ignore

At the Congo Rwanda signing, Kenya’s President William Ruto used the stage to remind listeners of something Washington rarely mentions: the war in Sudan. Ruto thanked Trump for the Central Africa engagement, but his closing words aimed clearly at a promise – that the world must not continue ignoring the continent’s largest humanitarian disaster. With more than 14 million displaced and tens of thousands killed, Sudan remains a test for any government that pledges peace while prioritizing issues guided more by political calculations.

New hurdles for those seeking protection

USCIS announces that work permits for refugees, asylum seekers, and people under deportation protection will now require renewal far more frequently – every 18 months instead of every five years. Officially, the move targets “enhanced vetting.” In reality, it makes life harder for those already under suspicion due to recent violence cases. A decision that creates more fear than security – and that hits exactly those who most depend on the state.

A new architect – and a ballroom with political overtones

The White House brings in a second architectural firm for the planned ballroom. Officially because the project is entering a new phase. Unofficially, many already discuss the ballroom as a prestige project – a monument for receptions, galas, and staging. While the government talks about budget cuts, a building is rising in the heart of Washington that no one really asked for but that everyone will pay for.

A vaccine committee hesitates – and public health holds its breath

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s committee postpones its decision on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. For decades, the dose given right after birth has been considered a public health success. Now the question arises whether the vaccine should only be given to infants whose mothers test positive. A rollback of more than thirty years – and a sign of how deeply ideology now penetrates even basic health standards. Friday’s vote could affect millions of families.