Greetings! Happy National Parfait Day to those celebrating.

Let’s get into today’s top stories.

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🇷🇺 Kremlin dealmaker and envoy Kirill Dmitriev fronts new Ukraine peace draft. Kirill Dmitriev, a sanctioned Russian financier, is reemerging as an informal envoy for a new Ukraine peace outline. He once led the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which pitched an earlier plan in 2022. Western officials view him as a channel to President Vladimir Putin, not a neutral broker. Ukrainian leaders insist any proposal must preserve full sovereignty and territory. Critics say involving a sanctioned figure underscores how narrow Moscow's diplomatic bench has become. Supporters argue private envoys can explore ideas that governments resist stating publicly. The debate shows how even a draft roadmap can become a proxy battle over trust.

🇪🇺 European Union knits its arms industry closer to Ukraine. The European Union (EU) approved a plan to tighten defense industry ties with Ukraine. Governments backed projects that let Ukrainian plants co-produce ammunition and repair vehicles. Officials say the shift moves support from one-off donations to multi-year contracts. Critics warn the arrangement could strain national stockpiles and budgets. Supporters argue a predictable pipeline is needed to counter Russia's industrial output. Kyiv hails the vote as both survival help and symbolic backing for future membership. For citizens tracking prices and risk, it signals Europe sees this war as a long-haul reality.

🏙️ Bowser bows out as Washington’s politics get louder. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said she will not seek another term in the District of Columbia (DC). Her announcement comes as federal authorities under President Donald Trump play a larger role in local crime and immigration policy. The city has clashed with national officials over protest policing, migrant buses and public safety narratives. Supporters credit Bowser with managing population growth and pandemic shocks. Critics fault rising housing costs and stubborn homicide numbers. Business groups now worry about continuity for major development plans. The decision turns the 2026 race into a verdict on city hall and national pressure.

🏥 White House tests new lifeline for Obamacare subsidies. White House aides are circulating a plan to extend enhanced subsidies under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). It would provide extra help for marketplace premiums beyond the current deadline. Backers say the proposal could limit rate shocks for millions of buyers. Opponents argue it adds to deficits and locks in a law they dislike. President Donald Trump still talks about a future replacement while supporting measures that trim the statute. Insurers and hospitals mainly want stable rules. For households planning 2026 coverage, the fight shows up as spreadsheet math.

🥫 Campbell’s tech boss benched after leaked “poor people” remark. Campbell Soup Co. ($CPB) put its top Information Technology (IT) executive on leave after a lawsuit released audio of him mocking the company's customers. The filing says he called the food for “poor people” and used racist language about who buys canned soup. His lawyers dispute parts of the complaint but not the recording. Campbell leaders told employees the remarks do not reflect company values. The case lands as major brands face scrutiny over workplace culture. Analysts are watching for signs of consumer blowback. For shoppers in the soup aisle, the story colors a familiar brand.

🦃 Thanksgiving gets a gentler twist with “adopted” turkeys. Animal sanctuaries report families choosing to “adopt” turkeys for Thanksgiving rather than serve them at dinner. Participants donate to cover feed and veterinary care, then receive photos and updates. Some programs host visits where children can meet animals they usually see only on plates. Organizers link the trend to growing interest in plant-based diets. For some households, the sponsorship joins meat-free menus as a new tradition. Others treat it as a teaching tool about food systems and empathy. The shift is modest in scale but still symbolic for a holiday built around a single animal.

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That’s all for today!

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