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Zelensky Signals Openness to US Plan for Ending Ukraine War

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is prepared to work with the United States on what he called “their vision” for ending the war with Russia, following reports of a leaked draft peace proposal shaped during meetings between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev. The plan, which has drawn global attention, suggests Ukraine would cede parts of the Donetsk region still under its control, reduce the size of its military, and commit not to join NATO—terms Kyiv has previously rejected.

The White House insists Ukraine has been included in discussions, pushing back against criticism that negotiations happened behind its back. The draft emerged as Russia reported small territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and as Zelensky faces a domestic political crisis linked to a $100 million corruption scandal. In a televised address, Zelensky confirmed that US military officials had presented points of a peace proposal in Kyiv, stressing that Ukraine seeks a “real peace… one that will not be broken by a third invasion.”

The plan has triggered concern among European leaders, who say they were excluded from early talks. Germany’s foreign minister described the US proposal as only a “list of topics and options” rather than a complete agreement. While Washington claims the draft is balanced and acceptable to both sides, Kyiv maintains that any peace must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity. The debate unfolds as fighting continues, including recent deadly Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia and Ternopil, and as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches.

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German Business Growth Slows in November as Manufacturing Contracts: PMI

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Germany’s private sector lost momentum in November, with manufacturing unexpectedly contracting and the services sector expanding at a slower pace, according to the latest HCOB flash composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by S&P Global. The index slipped to 52.1 from 53.9 in October, marking a two-month low. Despite the decline, the reading stayed above the 50-point threshold for the sixth consecutive month, signaling continued but weakening growth.

The manufacturing PMI fell deeper into contraction territory at 48.4, compared with 49.6 in October and below expectations for a slight improvement. The sector saw sharp drops in new orders, particularly export sales, which experienced their fastest decline since January. The downturn led to falling backlogs and a rise in job losses. Meanwhile, the services PMI also weakened to 52.7 from 54.6, missing forecasts and contributing to a subdued overall outlook.

“This is a major setback for Germany,” said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, noting that hopes for stronger service sector expansion have faded. He warned that the economy is “limping towards marginal growth” in the fourth quarter. While government investment in defence and civil engineering has boosted optimism for future output, the finance ministry recently stated that only a moderate recovery is likely by year-end.

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Spain Continues Franco-Era Exhumations as Families Seek Closure

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Spain has exhumed remains from a mass grave in Vegas de Matute as part of the country’s ongoing effort to recover victims executed during the Franco dictatorship. Forensic teams uncovered the body of a man believed to be either Luis Garcia Hernandez, a teacher and union member, or Julio Maroto Ortega, a road worker, both executed in 1936 by fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War. The discovery was observed by relatives and activists from the Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, who have been pushing for justice and recognition since 2000.

The exhumation is one of many initiatives supported by Spain’s Socialist-led government since 2018, aimed at confronting the legacy of dictator Francisco Franco and offering dignity to thousands buried in unmarked graves. Local resident Jose Luis Cubo, 83, recounted how his grandfather had witnessed the execution and helped bury the bodies at night, calling the farmland area a long-feared “death zone.” Even decades later, he said, crops grew differently above what locals believed to be the burial site.

Spain remains deeply divided over Franco’s legacy, 50 years after his death ended four decades of dictatorship and paved the way for democracy and entry into the EU and NATO. Authorities estimate that around 114,000 people disappeared during the conflict and subsequent regime, though only 20,000 are likely recoverable today. With 9,000 bodies already found and 700 identified, the government expects the remaining graves to be uncovered within four years. Officials say each recovery helps restore historical truth, even if the remains cannot be individually named.

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Vilnius Airport Briefly Shut After Smugglers’ Balloons Trigger Airspace Alert

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Lithuania’s Vilnius Airport was forced to halt operations for over an hour on Thursday evening after balloons used by smugglers once again appeared on radar systems, triggering an airspace safety alert. The National Crisis Management Centre confirmed that flights resumed shortly after the objects cleared the area. This comes just hours after Lithuania reopened its border crossings with Belarus, which were earlier shut due to repeated airspace disruptions.

The Lithuanian government has accused smugglers of flying balloons from Belarus carrying contraband cigarettes, describing the activity as a form of “hybrid attack” orchestrated by the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene’s office warned that if such incursions continue, Lithuania may be forced to close all border checkpoints again as a security measure.

Belarus has dismissed the allegations, with Lukashenko calling Lithuania’s response a “crazy scam” and accusing Western nations of waging hybrid warfare against Belarus and Russia. Authorities in Vilnius noted that air traffic disturbance reports had declined in recent weeks, but Thursday’s balloon-triggered closure marked a renewed incident amid ongoing regional tensions.

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Hamilton Defends Focus After Ferrari Chairman’s Criticism

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Lewis Hamilton has pushed back against Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s remarks suggesting he and Charles Leclerc should “focus on driving and talk less” following the team’s double retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Hamilton said his commitment has never been in doubt, insisting he wakes up and goes to sleep thinking about racing. He added that the 2024 season has been the busiest of his career, with extensive time spent at the factory as he adapts to life at Ferrari.

Despite Elkann’s comments dominating the Las Vegas GP press conference, Hamilton stressed there was no personal issue, noting that they speak regularly and share the same passion for improving the team. The seven-time world champion acknowledged the steep learning curve in his first season in red, saying the team’s struggles have felt like “climbing a mountain” only to slip back each race weekend. Still, he remains confident that once Ferrari gets things right, the results will be “amazing.”

Hamilton, who sits sixth in the standings and has yet to score a podium this year, said the challenges have reinforced his resilience and strengthened his belief in the team’s long-term direction. He still feels the excitement of racing for Ferrari and understands that transforming such a massive organisation takes time. Team-mate Leclerc added that Elkann had informed him in advance about the intended message, framing it as motivation for improvement rather than criticism.

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Ukrainian Teenagers Lured on Telegram to Commit Sabotage for Cash

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Ukrainian security officials report a disturbing rise in teenagers being recruited through Telegram and other online platforms to carry out sabotage attacks inside Ukraine. One such teen, identified as “Vlad,” travelled hundreds of miles to plant a bomb in a military conscription van after being promised $2,000. Like many others, he was approached anonymously online with offers of easy money and gradually coaxed into increasingly dangerous tasks. Ukrainian authorities say more than 800 people have been recruited in the past two years, including at least 240 minors — some as young as 11.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) says recruiters exploit vulnerable young people and motivate them with payments rather than political ideology. Many teenagers are instructed to collect explosives, commit arson, or conduct surveillance, often while being monitored by their handlers. Payments are frequently far less than promised, with many teens cheated or placed in life-threatening situations. Officials warn that some recruited minors have been killed during sabotage attempts, and in certain cases, devices were allegedly detonated remotely by handlers, knowing the teens would not survive.

Despite reporting numerous Telegram channels involved in recruitment, most remain active, continuing to post job-like ads disguised as “part-time work” or “quick money.” Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of orchestrating the operations, while Russia denies responsibility and counters with accusations of Ukrainian involvement in sabotage inside Russia. As dozens of young suspects await trial, Vlad warns others against falling for online recruiters, saying their promises lead only to prison, injury, or death.

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Albanian PM Accuses UK Home Secretary of “Ethnic Stereotyping” Over Asylum Remarks

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Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of engaging in “ethnic stereotyping” after she highlighted Albanian families while outlining major reforms to the UK asylum system. Mahmood told MPs that around 700 Albanian families were staying in taxpayer-funded accommodation despite having failed asylum claims — a figure Rama dismissed as insignificant compared with the UK’s wider post-Brexit challenges. He stressed that Albania has cooperated closely with the UK, noting that more than 13,000 people have been returned under a bilateral agreement since 2022.

Rama criticised the Home Secretary for echoing “far-right rhetoric” and argued that Albanians are net contributors to the British economy with comparatively low benefit usage. He warned that repeatedly singling out Albanians amounted to demagoguery rather than policy, adding that official decisions should not be shaped by ethnic generalisations. His comments come amid long-standing tensions with UK politicians over how Albanian nationals are portrayed in immigration debates.

Mahmood made the remarks while announcing sweeping changes to what she described as the UK’s “out of control and unfair” asylum system. Under the proposed reforms, refugee status would become temporary, the wait for permanent settlement would increase from five to twenty years, and families with no right to remain could be removed. The UK would also introduce capped legal migration routes while continuing to prioritise the removal of failed asylum seekers “regardless of who they are.”

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Paris Court Halts Auction of Historic 17th-Century Pascal Calculator

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A Paris court has temporarily blocked the auction of La Pascaline, one of the world’s earliest mechanical calculators, preventing its export from France. Auction house Christie’s, which had planned to sell the 1642 device for an estimated €2–3 million, confirmed it has suspended the sale. The calculator, developed by Blaise Pascal when he was just 19, is considered one of the most significant scientific instruments in history, with only nine known examples remaining.

The decision follows a legal appeal from scientists and heritage groups who argued that the machine should be designated a French “national treasure.” The court expressed “serious doubts” about the legality of the export certificate previously issued by the culture minister, which had been approved by experts including one from the Louvre. Until a final ruling is delivered, the export authorisation remains frozen.

La Pascaline had been showcased in New York and Hong Kong as part of Christie’s auction of collector Léon Parcé’s library, which also featured Pascal’s philosophical works. Heritage advocates welcomed the court’s move, noting the calculator’s immense historic value and its place as the first known attempt to mechanise human computation.

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Italy Approves Extradition of Ukrainian Nord Stream Suspect to Germany

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Italy’s top court has approved the extradition of a Ukrainian man, identified as Serhii K., to Germany, where he faces charges related to the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The suspect, a former Ukrainian military officer, has been contesting his transfer since being detained in Rimini, Italy, under a European arrest warrant in August. His lawyer expressed disappointment but remains hopeful for acquittal after the trial in Germany.

German prosecutors allege that Serhii K. was involved in planting explosive devices on the Nord Stream pipelines near Denmark’s Bornholm island, in acts described as sabotage that disrupted Russian gas transit to Europe and strained energy supplies across the continent. He faces charges including collusion to cause an explosion, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destruction of critical infrastructure.

The suspect has been held in a high-security Italian prison, where he reportedly staged a hunger strike to protest prison conditions. The court’s ruling comes amid contrasting decisions in the region, with a Polish court recently rejecting the extradition of another Ukrainian linked to the explosions, ordering his release.

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Poland Shuts Last Russian Consulate, Blames Moscow for Railway Sabotage

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Poland announced on Wednesday that it will close Russia’s last remaining consulate on its territory, escalating its response to a railway explosion that Warsaw has blamed on Moscow. The blast, which occurred over the weekend on the Warsaw-Lublin line leading to the Ukrainian border, was allegedly carried out by two Ukrainians working with Russian intelligence. Polish authorities say the suspects fled to Belarus, a close ally of Russia.

Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the closure of the Russian consulate in Gdansk is the first step, following earlier closures of Russian consulates in Krakow and Poznan in response to similar sabotage concerns. Calling the railway incident “an act of state terrorism,” Sikorski added that Poland would also pursue non-diplomatic measures. Moscow, which denies any involvement, accused Poland of “Russophobia” and indicated it would restrict Poland’s diplomatic presence in Russia.

Warsaw is now urging its EU partners to curb the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen zone, warning that further actions may follow. Poland and other EU states have repeatedly accused Russia and Belarus of destabilizing the region, including by fueling migration at the borders. Polish intelligence officials say several additional people have been detained in connection with the blast, amid a wider surge in sabotage, arson and cyberattacks across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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