White House urges Ukraine to accept peace plan as Zelenskyy weighs repercussions

US President Donald Trump has announced the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a decision that will involve critical components from Australia. This move raises concerns among experts regarding Australia's potential complicity in human rights violations associated with the Saudi regime.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman from Georgia, announced her resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026, citing a breakdown in loyalty with former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. She expressed her refusal to be a 'battered wife' following a public fallout with Trump, which has drawn mixed reactions from her colleagues.

Ukraine peace talks were a focal point at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where the absence of the United States, Russia, and China raised concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing diplomatic efforts. Carney highlighted that the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine requires significant revisions, with experts labeling it a 'disaster.'

President Donald Trump is advocating for a peace plan in Ukraine, drawing parallels to strategies used in Gaza, aiming to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The plan reportedly includes significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, which has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials regarding national sovereignty.

At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Western leaders expressed that the US peace plan for Ukraine requires significant revisions, with French President Macron warning that the G20 risks losing its relevance. The plan, which has been leaked, includes concessions to Russia, such as territorial claims in eastern Ukraine and limitations on Ukraine's military capabilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine risks losing US support due to a proposed peace plan from the White House. The plan, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested could serve as a basis for peace, requires significant territorial concessions from Ukraine. Zelensky's concerns highlight the delicate balance Ukraine must maintain in its international relations amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect, formed an unexpected alliance during their first face-to-face meeting at the White House. They agreed to collaborate on key issues such as housing, food prices, and cost-of-living concerns, which resonate with their working-class voter bases. Trump expressed surprise at their level of agreement, highlighting a shift in their previously contentious relationship.

In Nigeria, 215 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger state, marking the second mass kidnapping in a week. This incident occurred amid Donald Trump's threats to intervene militarily over alleged 'Christian genocide,' which the Nigerian government denies. The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria has seen a troubling rise in school abductions, raising concerns about the safety of students and the effectiveness of government responses.