Here’s what’s driving the news tonight—from solemn moments at Dover to seismic shifts in Hollywood distribution and fresh jolts in global security and U.S. politics.

Dignified transfer for fallen U.S. service members
ABC News reports that former President Donald Trump attended a dignified transfer for U.S. soldiers killed in Syria, a somber ceremony honoring the fallen and their families as remains returned to American soil. Details were limited as the story developed late Wednesday. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

Russia-Ukraine: Deadly drone strike after peace talks
In Eastern Europe, at least one person was killed and 24 injured in a Russian drone attack that came on the heels of peace-related discussions—underscoring the fragility of any diplomatic openings amid ongoing strikes and counterstrikes. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

Jack Smith to testify privately before House panel
Special Counsel Jack Smith is set to testify privately before a House committee, according to ABC News. The closed-door setting adds intrigue to an already fraught standoff over prosecutorial independence and congressional oversight. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

Warner Bros. rebuffs Paramount bid
On the media front, Warner Bros.’ board has rejected a bid from Paramount, ABC News reports, signaling continued turbulence in the legacy studio landscape as companies weigh consolidation, streaming economics, and debt loads. The decision keeps Hollywood’s M&A chessboard in flux. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

Oscars headed to YouTube in 2029
The Academy Awards are slated to air on YouTube beginning in 2029, a tectonic distribution shift that acknowledges evolving audience habits and the scale of global streaming platforms. Expect ripple effects across awards campaigning, sponsorships, and live-event economics. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

Murder probe: Nuclear scientist slain; no suspects named
Authorities have yet to identify suspects or a motive in the killing of a nuclear scientist and MIT professor, ABC News reports. The lack of leads is heightening concern and urgency around the investigation. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

Providence police update in Brown University shooting case
Separately, Providence’s police chief provided an update on the search for a shooter connected to a Brown University case, underscoring the active, multi-agency nature of the investigation. (Source: ABC News Live Prime: Dec. 17, 2025 — https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/abc-news-live-prime-dec-17-2025-128502746)

The bottom line
A sober daybook: honor for the fallen, a grinding war that resists diplomacy, a special counsel behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, and a Hollywood reshaped by streaming and consolidation currents. We’ll continue tracking developments across these stories as more details emerge.