December 5, 2005

The 23rd Southeast Asian Games officially closes with Philippines gaining the top medal ranking for the first time. (Manila Bulletin)
An earthquake strikes the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). Many people are feared dead after an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Lake Tanganyika near the town of Kalemie. (TimesOnLine) (News24) (The Independent) (BBC)
Civil Partnership Act 2004: The United Kingdom begins registration of civil unions for same-sex couples. (BBC)
2005 Kashmir earthquake: Pakistan renews SOS Children's Villages role as custodian of all orphans and unaccompanied children following the earthquake. (SOS)
Israeli-Palestinian conflict: A suicide bomb attack kills at least five people in Netanya, north-western Israel. The attack follows confirmation from Shaul Mofaz that Israel will resume its policy of "targeted killings". (Ynetnews) (BBC)
Venezuelan parliamentary elections apparently result in Hugo Chávez's party and allies winning all 167 seats, as opposition parties boycott the election claiming election fraud. (BBC)