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From a headline-grabbing lawsuit over media power, to uneasy security talks on Ukraine, to Brussels rushing through rules that could reshape markets, today’s stories show how influence is increasingly exercised through courts, negotiations, and regulation—not just elections or battlefields.

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President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit seeking up to $10 billion, alleging deceptive editing in a documentary clip that used a January 6 speech segment. The complaint argues the broadcaster misrepresented his remarks and harmed his reputation.

The dispute follows an internal controversy at the broadcaster and a prior acknowledgment of an editing error. The case now moves into U.S. courts, where defamation standards are high and plaintiffs must clear steep hurdles.

Why it matters now: Beyond the legal merits, the suit underscores how cross-border media disputes can become domestic political battles—and how litigation is increasingly used to pressure news organizations.

U.S. and European negotiators said they are discussing NATO-style security guarantees for Kyiv in talks that have yet to resolve the hardest issue: territory. In Berlin, the security guarantee offer was framed as a backstop against future aggression, even as talks hit friction over what Ukraine might be asked to concede.

European leaders have publicly signaled they want a central role in any guarantees, wary of a deal that freezes the conflict without deterring a restart.

Why it matters now: Guarantees could be the hinge between a ceasefire that holds and one that merely pauses fighting, but they also raise immediate questions about enforcement, funding, and domestic politics in allied capitals.

The European Commission is moving quickly on a bundle of late-year proposals touching everything from the 2035 car target to biotech, housing affordability, and carbon tariffs on imports. The rush reflects both internal deadlines and external pressure to sharpen competitiveness as the EU tries to protect industry while keeping climate policy intact.

One flashpoint is the expansion of the carbon border mechanism, which could reshape trade flows for energy-intensive imports and force neighbors to adjust faster than planned.

Why it matters now: These rules are designed to steer investment for years, but the near-term effect is uncertainty—companies may delay decisions until they see what survives the political negotiations.

A new December PMI snapshot showed eurozone growth slowing more than expected as manufacturing weakness persisted and services cooled. The data adds pressure on policymakers trying to balance softening demand with inflation that has eased but remains sensitive to energy and wage dynamics.

Aid agencies warned that violence expanding into new regions is pushing Sudan deeper into catastrophe, with millions displaced and access constraints growing more severe amid the escalating conflict. Officials said humanitarian needs are now outpacing available resources.

India’s private-sector activity cooled sharply in December as new orders weakened and hiring slowed, signaling softer momentum heading into 2026 according to a closely watched business survey. Economists said the slowdown could influence upcoming policy decisions.

A cautious mood spread across markets as investors braced for delayed U.S. labor and inflation releases, with risk appetite fading ahead of central bank decisions. The setup raises the odds of bigger swings if the data surprise in either direction.

Gold slipped as traders repositioned before fresh U.S. jobs and inflation numbers, with prices near record territory. The next leg may hinge on whether markets expect faster cuts—or a longer hold—into early 2026.

Russia said it will fix damage at a Baikonur launch pad crucial to ISS missions by February, aiming to keep crewed and cargo schedules on track. The repair timeline matters for planning around limited alternative infrastructure.

Brent fell below $60 as oil markets weakened on expectations that supply is outpacing demand, with geopolitics also seen as less inflationary than earlier in the year. Lower energy prices could ease headline inflation while squeezing producer revenues.

U.S. stocks closed lower as investors positioned for jobs and inflation updates and tracked chatter about future monetary leadership. The near-term focus is less on one print and more on whether the trend confirms cooling without recession.

Fresh remarks from policymakers highlighted internal debate after the latest cut, with rate-setting tensions centered on balancing softer labor conditions against sticky inflation risks. That split matters because it shapes how quickly the committee will move if growth slows further.

A new global waste report tied solid-waste mismanagement to rising health harms and urged stronger systems for collection, disposal, and worker protection. The message is aimed at cities growing faster than infrastructure and regulation can keep up.

A breach at a dominant online platform exposed personal information at massive scale, intensifying scrutiny of identity controls and long-lived internal access. Even without payment data, the risk of targeted fraud can rise sharply when contact and address details spill.

Russia said work crews are moving quickly to restore the pad used for Soyuz missions, with testing planned before launches resume. The timeline matters because crew rotation and cargo cadence leave limited slack.

Pittsburgh eliminated Miami with a 28-15 win powered by two touchdown throws and a big night from the run game. The result tightened the AFC playoff picture as teams enter the final stretch.

Utah topped Dallas 140-133 in an OT thriller highlighted by a career night from a top rookie even in a losing effort. The game added to a run of high-scoring finishes around the league.

The tour will adopt a new extreme-heat policy tied to heat-stress thresholds, allowing cooling breaks and mandating suspensions at higher levels. The change reflects growing concern about player safety as weather volatility rises.

Festival organizers revealed the short film selections for next year, signaling early themes and emerging voices ahead of the main program. Shorts often function as a pipeline for directors who break out later in the season.

Studios and contenders escalated late-year pushes as guild events and screenings packed the calendar. Momentum now can shape nominations, especially in crowded acting and picture fields.

Europe is moving from documenting Ukraine’s war damage to building a process for turning those records into compensation claims. In The Hague, leaders launched an international body designed to evaluate and process claims tied to destruction, displacement, and alleged abuses since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, using the new claims commission as the next step in a larger reparations framework.

The concept is straightforward: create a standardized pipeline for individuals, companies, and public entities to file claims, and establish rules for what evidence counts and what losses qualify. In practice, it is complex. War damage ranges from destroyed homes and lost income to injuries, deaths, and alleged violations that may involve sensitive testimony and contested facts. A credible system needs both speed for victims and due process that can stand up to legal scrutiny.

The harder question is money. Estimating losses is one thing; paying them is another. European governments have long debated whether and how to use frozen Russian assets, and any payout plan would need to navigate national laws, international law, and potential knock-on effects for financial markets and future sanctions policy. The commission’s work does not automatically solve funding, but it can create a clearer ledger of liabilities that increases pressure for a mechanism to match claims with resources.

What to watch: whether more countries formally sign on to the convention underpinning the commission, how quickly claims processing can begin at scale, and whether policymakers converge on a legal pathway for financing—especially if ceasefire talks accelerate and the political window for a settlement opens wider.

Darts fans and competitors in colorful costumes created a festive, party-like scene at the World Darts Championships in London’s Alexandra Palace.

An interstellar comet known as 3I/ATLAS is making its closest pass by Earth this weekend, offering skywatchers a rare celestial show — safely distant but still noteworthy to astronomers.

An anonymous donor surprised a Twin Cities Toys for Tots drive by dropping off hundreds of Funko Pop collectibles, brightening holiday giving efforts.

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—The Five Minute Daily Team