First Thing: Zelenskyy to meet European leaders in London for talks on ending Ukraine war
Zelenskyy to meet UK, France and Germany in London to discuss a US-authored peace proposal.
SUMMARY
Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet UK, French and German leaders in London to discuss a US-authored peace proposal for ending the war in Ukraine; US–Ukraine talks showed no breakthrough. The article also reports concerns about Israeli surveillance at a US base, GOP reactions to Trump noted by Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump commenting on the Netflix–Warner deal, CDC website changes reflecting Robert F Kennedy Jr's vaccine-autism belief and autism advocates' response, economic concerns of millennials and Gen Z, the destructive Pacific Palisades fire, and a celebrity post confirming Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's romance.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Zelenskyy to meet UK, France and Germany in London over US-authored peace proposal.
- US–Ukraine negotiations ended without breakthrough; Zelenskyy called talks "constructive, although not easy".
- Concerns raised about Israeli surveillance at a US Civil-Military Coordination Center prompting a confrontation.
- CDC website altered in line with Robert F Kennedy Jr's vaccine-autism belief; autism advocates mobilised.
- Other items: GOP dynamics around Trump, Netflix-Warner takeover scrutiny, Pacific Palisades fires, Perry-Trudeau Instagram post.
CORE SUBJECT
US-authored peace proposal for Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in London today to discuss the latest US-authored peace proposal aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine.
Days of negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials ended on Saturday without an apparent breakthrough. The Ukrainian president called the discussions "constructive, although not easy".
Following the Trump-backed Gaza ceasefire, the US has been working to push through a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. US officials claim they are in the final stage of reaching an agreement but there is little sign that either Ukraine or Russia is willing to sign the framework deal drawn up by Trump's negotiating team.
Israeli operatives are conducting widespread surveillance of US forces and allies stationed at a new US base in the country's south, according to sources briefed on disputes about open and covert recordings of meetings and discussions.
The scale of intelligence gathering at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) prompted the US commander of the base, Lt Gen Patrick Frank, to summon an Israeli counterpart for a meeting to tell him that "recording has to stop here".
Staff and visitors from other countries have also raised concerns about Israel recording inside the CMCC. Some have been told to avoid sharing sensitive information because of the risk it could be collected and exploited.
Republicans in Congress privately made fun of Donald Trump only to come around to support him when he won their party's 2024 White House nomination, outgoing GOP House member Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Sunday.
"I watched many of my colleagues go from making fun of him, making fun of how he talks, making fun of me constantly for supporting him, to when he won the primary in 2024, they all started - excuse my language, Lesley - kissing his ass," Greene, a Georgia Republican, said in a clip of an interview that is set to air on Sunday on CBS's 60 Minutes program.
The US president has said there could be competition problems around Netflix's $83bn (£62bn) deal to buy Warner Brothers' movie studio and streaming networks. Speaking at an event in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump confirmed he would be involved personally in the decision about whether the government would approve the takeover.
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) altered its website last month to reflect the belief of the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, in a causal link between vaccines and autism - a claim that has been debunked by dozens of scientific studies - autism advocates sprang into action. They want public health officials to listen to autistic voices, and have been raising money to fight misinformation.
"I am a millennial who came of age during a financial crisis, global recession and pandemic. No, most millennials and gen Zers are not starving to death. But our adult lives have been marked by stagnant wages, inflation, broken political institutions and a sense of national decline," writes J Oliver Conroy.
Now, with millennials and Gen Z shut out of home ownership and saddled with ever-rising costs, he asks experts what can be done to help younger Americans enjoy a fraction of the economic security of previous generations.
The Pacific Palisades fire was the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, destroying 6,800 structures; another 9,400 were destroyed across Altadena and neighboring Pasadena and Sierra Madre. For the thousands of Angelenos displaced by January's devastating wildfires - many of whom are still in temporary accommodation - this holiday season will look markedly different.
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau have launched their relationship on Instagram, after the singer posted a photo of the pair smiling cheek to cheek and a video of them eating sushi together while in Japan. Perry's post appeared to confirm the months of speculation about a romance between her and the former Canadian prime minister.
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KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 24
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
👤 Person_MalePresident of Ukraine, meeting European leaders in London over a US-authored peace proposal
UK
📍 Location_CountryUnited Kingdom; one of the countries whose leaders will meet Zelenskyy in London
France
📍 Location_CountryFrance; one of the countries whose leaders will meet Zelenskyy in London
Germany
📍 Location_CountryGermany; one of the countries whose leaders will meet Zelenskyy in London
United States
📍 Location_CountryCountry behind the authored peace proposal and actor in negotiations
Russia
📍 Location_CountryBelligerent in the war in Ukraine; party to proposed peace framework
Kyiv
📍 Location_CityCapital of Ukraine; referenced as a negotiating party
Moscow
📍 Location_CityCapital of Russia; referenced as a negotiating party
Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC)
🏛️ OrganizationNew US base facility in southern Israel where concerns about Israeli surveillance were raised
Lt Gen Patrick Frank
👤 Person_MaleUS commander of the base who confronted an Israeli counterpart about recordings
Israeli operatives
OtherReportedly conducting surveillance and recordings at the CMCC
Marjorie Taylor Greene
👤 Person_FemaleOutgoing Republican House member who commented on GOP reactions to Donald Trump
Donald Trump
👤 Person_MaleFormer US president and 2024 Republican nominee; discussed in context of GOP support and Netflix–Warner deal involvement
Netflix
BrandStreaming company whose proposed $83bn acquisition of Warner Brothers is under scrutiny
Warner Brothers
BrandMovie studio and networks subject to a proposed acquisition by Netflix
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
🏛️ OrganizationUS public health agency that altered its website regarding vaccine-autism claims
Robert F Kennedy Jr
👤 Person_MaleUS health secretary mentioned for his belief in a causal link between vaccines and autism
autism advocates
OtherGroups and individuals mobilising to fight misinformation after CDC website changes
J Oliver Conroy
👤 Person_MaleOpinion writer quoted about millennials and Gen Z economic challenges
Pacific Palisades fire
EventDevastating wildfire in Los Angeles described as the most destructive in the city's history
Katy Perry
👤 Person_FemaleSinger who posted photos suggesting a relationship with Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
👤 Person_MaleFormer Canadian prime minister featured in Katy Perry's Instagram post
The Guardian
🏛️ OrganizationSource publication of the article and operator of the 'First Thing' newsletter
CBS's 60 Minutes
🏛️ OrganizationTelevision program referenced as the source of the Marjorie Taylor Greene interview clip
NOTABLE QUOTES 3
"constructive, although not easy"
Context: Zelenskyy describing recent negotiations with US officials
"recording has to stop here"
Context: US base commander telling an Israeli counterpart to cease recordings at the CMCC
"I watched many of my colleagues go from making fun of him, making fun of how he talks, making fun of me constantly for supporting him, to when he won the primary in 2024, they all started - excuse my language, Lesley - kissing his ass"
Context: Greene commenting on Republicans' private and public reactions to Donald Trump
FACTUAL CLAIMS 2
US officials claim they are in the final stage of reaching an agreement on a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
The CDC altered its website to reflect Robert F Kennedy Jr's belief in a causal link between vaccines and autism.