Putin strikes conciliatory tone - then hardens it: Kremlin signals no breakthrough on US peace plan

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as the suspect in a targeted shooting incident that critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House in Washington, D.C. The CIA has confirmed that Lakanwal previously worked with agency-backed military units during the U.S. war in Afghanistan. The shooting occurred on November 26, 2025, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his demands for territorial concessions from Ukraine ahead of upcoming talks with the United States in Moscow, accusing Kyiv of being willing to fight 'to the last Ukrainian.' This statement underscores Russia's firm stance on its territorial claims amidst ongoing conflict.

The Louvre Museum in Paris announced a 45% increase in ticket prices for most non-EU visitors, raising the cost to $37. This decision aims to generate up to $23 million in additional revenue to fund structural improvements following a recent theft of valuable items from the museum.

A significant winter storm is forecasted to impact the US Midwest and Great Lakes region over the Thanksgiving holiday, with predictions of six to ten inches of snow in states like Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This storm coincides with an estimated 82 million Americans traveling for the holiday, leading to numerous flight delays, particularly in northern states.

Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that a U.S. peace plan could serve as a foundation for ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while emphasizing that Ukraine must surrender territory for any deal to be feasible. This statement comes amid ongoing discussions about peace negotiations and the role of NATO in the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that for any peace deal to be possible, Ukraine must surrender unspecified territories. He indicated that a draft peace plan discussed by the US and Ukraine could serve as a foundation for future negotiations, but emphasized the necessity of territorial concessions from Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has commented on the latest U.S. proposal for peace in Ukraine, describing it as a starting point that requires further work. He emphasized that the plan presents a series of questions that need to be addressed before any agreement can be reached.

Global Counsel, a lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, has signed a $3 million contract with the Chinese pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec to provide advisory services in Europe. This contract comes months after WuXi AppTec was implicated in a US national security crackdown due to alleged links with the Chinese military and human rights abuses in Xinjiang.