Ukraine and US agree ‘essence’ of peace deal as Trump says ‘we’re getting very close’
But any deal would still require agreement from Russia

© AFP/Getty
But any deal would still require agreement from Russia

© AFP/Getty

© LaPresse
The latest round of talks about peace may be drifting Ukraine’s way but it’s a carousel of chaos, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

© AFP/Getty


WARSAW, Poland — The European Space Agency and Lithuanian space startup Astrolight are building the first optical ground station (OGS) in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland as a way to bolster ground communications and to help protect against signal interference or piracy. Based on laser technology, the station is to provide greater space-to-ground connectivity than radio frequency (RF), […]
The post Lithuanian space company Astrolight launches Greenland optical ground station project appeared first on SpaceNews.

The US president told reporters negotiators are ‘getting very close’ to a deal

© AP

Ukrainian official cites ‘common understanding’, but no sign territorial concessions or security guarantees are agreed
The White House trumpeted “tremendous progress” in peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, but as discussions between US, Russian and Ukrainian officials continued in Abu Dhabi there was little sign of progress on core sticking points that have prevented a deal taking shape so far.
The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, put an optimistic spin on the talks. Writing on X, however, she conceded there were “a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details” that needed to be ironed out and which would require further talks. Donald Trump said he believed a deal was close. He told a White House event: “We’re going to get there.”
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© Photograph: Maxym Marusenko/EPA

© Photograph: Maxym Marusenko/EPA

© Photograph: Maxym Marusenko/EPA

Man from Borgo Virgilio investigated for benefit fraud and hiding body since woman’s death in 2022
An Italian man is under investigation for benefit fraud and hiding a body after allegedly dressing up as his dead mother – including mimicking her hairstyle with a wig and wearing makeup and jewellery – in order to claim her pension.
The man, from Borgo Virgilio close to the northern Italian city of Mantua, allegedly claimed thousands of euros in pension payments after the death of his mother in 2022. Instead of reporting her death, he allegedly hid her body in his home.
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© Composite: Facebook

© Composite: Facebook

© Composite: Facebook
French media say those held include alleged final member of four-person gang who broke into museum
French authorities have arrested four more people in connection with last month’s spectacular heist of an estimated €88m (£77m) worth of crown jewels from the Louvre, the Paris prosecutor has said.
“They are two men aged 38 and 39, and two women aged 31 and 40, all from the Paris region,” Laure Beccuau said. French media said the arrests included the last remaining alleged member of the four-person gang who broke into the museum.
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© Photograph: Thomas Padilla/AP

© Photograph: Thomas Padilla/AP

© Photograph: Thomas Padilla/AP
The question of how to better enforce the Church's teachings on marriage was previously debated

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Shein has already disabled its marketplace in France since 5 November

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Official tells Reuters news agency sensitive issues still to be discussed between Zelenskyy and Trump
In other EU related news, a top European court on Tuesday ruled that an EU nation had to recognise a gay marriage recorded in another member state, after a complaint by two Poles married in Germany.
The couple, one of whom also has German nationality, were living there and married in Berlin in 2018, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The spouses in question, as EU citizens, enjoy the freedom to move and reside within the territory of the member states and the right to lead a normal family life when exercising that freedom and upon returning to their member state of origin.
“Sweden’s defence needs to be strengthened against threats such as robots, drones and helicopters. The best way to guarantee peace and freedom is to invest in defence. The orders also contribute to growth, jobs and security of supply. It also improves the possibilities of increasing production capacity in the defence industry.”
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© Photograph: Sergey Kozlov/EPA

© Photograph: Sergey Kozlov/EPA

© Photograph: Sergey Kozlov/EPA