In Short:
– Ukrainian President Zelenskyy offered a 20-point peace proposal to Russia to end the four-year war.
– The plan requires Russian troop withdrawal and includes NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine’s defence.

Ukraine has formally presented a US-backed 20-point peace proposal to Russia, offering a potential framework to end the nearly four-year war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled the revised plan on December 23 after weeks of negotiations with American officials and formally delivered it to the Kremlin on December 24. The proposal includes NATO-style security guarantees, demilitarized zones in eastern Ukraine, and other measures designed to secure Ukraine’s sovereignty while reducing the risk of future conflict.

Under the plan, Ukraine would maintain a peacetime force of 800,000 troops and remain a non-nuclear state, with “Article 5-like” guarantees from the United States, NATO, and European partners. Territorial arrangements would require Russian forces to withdraw from parts of Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. Zelenskyy also floated the creation of demilitarized “free economic zones” in parts of Donetsk Oblast, but only if Russian troops pull back as well. One of the most contentious issues remains the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with the US proposing joint management by Ukraine, Russia, and the US, while Zelenskyy countered with a Ukraine-US partnership giving Americans oversight of their allocated energy share.

Fragile reality

Even as peace efforts advanced, the conflict raged on. On Christmas night, Russia launched 131 drones across Ukraine, with 106 intercepted by Ukrainian forces but 22 hitting 15 locations. The attacks killed at least two people and caused widespread power outages in several regions. The strikes highlighted the fragile reality of negotiations, showing that the road to peace remains perilous.

Moscow has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the proposal, though Russian officials have repeatedly rejected key provisions, including NATO-style security guarantees and territorial concessions. The agreement would be overseen by a Peace Council chaired by US President Donald Trump, with violations triggering automatic sanctions. Ratification would require either approval by Ukraine’s parliament or a nationwide referendum within 60 days, with a full ceasefire taking effect immediately once all parties accept the deal.

The plan represents the most comprehensive effort yet to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table, balancing security guarantees, territorial compromises, and oversight of strategic infrastructure. However, with ongoing attacks and deeply entrenched positions on both sides, analysts warn that achieving lasting peace will require unprecedented diplomacy and international cooperation.

In Short:
– Chinese researchers set a world record, accelerating a test vehicle to 700 km/h in two seconds.
– This milestone positions China as a leader in ultra-high-speed maglev technology and future transport developments.

China has set a new world record in magnetic levitation technology after accelerating a ton-class superconducting maglev test vehicle to 700 kilometres per hour in just two seconds. The achievement, reported by state broadcaster CCTV, marks the fastest acceleration ever recorded for an electric maglev system and cements China’s position at the forefront of ultra-high-speed transport innovation.

The test was conducted by researchers at the National University of Defense Technology on a 400-metre track, where footage showed the vehicle flashing across the rail-like structure in a blur, leaving a misty trail behind it. The breakthrough follows more than a decade of research tackling complex challenges such as ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance systems, and high-field superconducting magnets, all of which are critical to stable travel at extreme speeds.

Hyperloop technology

Beyond headline-grabbing velocity, the milestone opens the door to future transport systems, including vacuum-tube maglev networks, commonly referred to as hyperloop technology. Scientists say the same advancements could also be applied to aerospace launch assistance, electromagnetic launch systems, and advanced experimental testing. According to Professor Li Jie from the National University of Defense Technology, the successful trial will significantly accelerate China’s research into frontier technologies, with future work focusing on pipeline-based high-speed transport and aerospace equipment testing.

While China now leads in superconducting maglev acceleration, global competition remains fierce. Japan still holds the record for the fastest manned train, with its L0 Series maglev reaching 603 kilometres per hour during testing in 2015. China, however, operates the world’s only commercial maglev service — the Shanghai Maglev — which currently runs at 300 kilometres per hour after its top speed was reduced from 431 kilometres per hour in 2021.

The December test builds on earlier progress made this year, including a 1.1-ton test sled that reached 650 kilometres per hour in seven seconds over a 600-metre track in June 2025. Together, these developments signal rapid momentum in China’s push toward next-generation transport systems that could redefine how people and payloads move across the planet.

In Short:
– The U.S. Justice Department released documents showing Ghislaine Maxwell’s emails linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein.
– Andrew denies involvement with Epstein, settling a lawsuit without admitting guilt amidst rising scrutiny.

Nearly 30,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents were released by the U.S. Justice Department, including emails from 2001 between Ghislaine Maxwell and an individual signing as “A” from Balmoral. One email, signed “The Invisible Man,” asked Maxwell for “new inappropriate friends,” sparking renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s connections.

Subsequent evidence suggests the sender may have been Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, referencing personal details consistent with his life, including the death of his longtime valet and leaving the Royal Navy. A 2002 email further described “Andrew” as a “very English-sounding gentleman” coordinating a trip to Peru with requests for specific companions.

The documents reveal that U.S. prosecutors sought to interview Mountbatten-Windsor over two criminal investigations, citing evidence he engaged in sexual conduct involving one of Epstein’s victims. Despite mounting pressure and losing his royal titles, he has denied wrongdoing, settling a civil lawsuit without admitting guilt.