Trump-Zelenskyy talks fail to make breakthrough

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In right this moment’s publication: Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintain essential talksEurope’s largest defence teams set for bumper returnsArnault household splurges on a trio of Parisian propertiesAccounting physique scraps distant exams to fight cheatingWe start in Florida, the place talks between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn’t advance on a peace deal.The most recent: Trump stated a breakthrough to finish the warfare in Ukraine was “getting lots nearer”, at the same time as his assembly with Zelenskyy yielded little tangible progress on a peace settlement.Talking at his Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seashore, Trump stated he had an “wonderful” dialogue with Zelenskyy, including that the duo had “made quite a lot of progress” in direction of ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The conferences marked the fruits of intense diplomacy to halt the warfare. Whereas the 2 leaders praised one another at a press convention following the talks, they provided few specifics.Unresolved points: Zelenskyy stated he and Trump mentioned “all points” of a 20-point peace plan, and that they had been “90 per cent” of the way in which in direction of reaching a deal. The Ukrainian president added that the navy points of the proposal had been “100 per cent agreed”, however didn’t present particulars. Trump cautioned that there have been nonetheless “thorny” points remaining, citing disagreements over “land”, an allusion to the deep schism between Moscow and Kyiv over doable territorial concessions. Learn extra on how yesterday’s talks unfolded.Right here’s what else we’re conserving tabs on right this moment:How properly did you retain up with the information in 2025? Take our quiz. 5 extra high stories1. Europe’s largest defence teams are set to return near $5bn to shareholders this 12 months because the sector rewards traders and will increase funding after a surge in international navy spending following the warfare in Ukraine. Listed below are the businesses with bumper returns. 2. The billionaire Arnault household has splurged nearly €200mn on a trio of Parisian properties in little over a 12 months. The transactions, which had been among the many high costs paid within the French capital this 12 months, offered a lift to the town’s sluggish luxurious housing market. 3. Unique: The world’s largest accounting physique has determined to scrap distant exams to fight an increase in college students dishonest. From March, the Affiliation of Chartered Licensed Accountants would require candidates to take a seat assessments in individual. 4. Silicon Valley’s hottest start-ups have raised $150bn this 12 months as their monetary backers advise them to construct “fortress steadiness sheets” to guard them in case the factitious intelligence funding growth turns to bust in 2026. George Hammond has extra from San Francisco.Not a bubble: AI valuations could also be spectacular, and a bust might come. However whereas there’s exuberance, there isn’t any mania, writes Robin Harding.5. Unique: A US-listed crypto enterprise backed by the Trump household has an auditor whose licence to practise lapsed earlier this 12 months, because it wrestles with a disaster after failing to supply monetary outcomes. Learn the complete story.The Large Learn© Charlie Bibby/FTSynthetic diamonds are powering a brand new quantum revolution. By inserting tiny imperfections, the valuable stones could be become terribly delicate detectors that can be utilized in computing, encryption and sensors. Learn extra on their potential purposes, from navigation to drugs.We’re additionally studying . . . Missed shoppers: Over 55s account for a rising share of spending however solely a fraction of promoting budgets is aimed on the age group, writes Anjli Raval.‘Hospital at Dwelling’: Caring for sufferers locally can lower prices and result in faster recoveries, says the crew behind the NHS scheme.Yr in a phrase — Taco: The Trump administration displayed a sample of accommodating sure nations after they pushed again on tariffs.Chart of the dayAbu Dhabi has among the highest ranges of sovereign wealth on the earth, having channelled its petrodollars into worldwide funding and home growth. Listed below are the folks, funds and establishments behind the emirate’s staggering rise to riches.Some content material couldn’t load. Verify your web connection or browser settings.Take a break from the information . . . Economists is perhaps underestimating the influence of facet hustles. Jobs reminiscent of “social media influencer” don’t seem in labour drive surveys, whereas find out how to tax gig work is a rising drawback for fiscal companies. But the pattern is about to endure.© Getty Photos