Zelensky Says Yes To U.S.-Proposed Peace Deal Framework; Putin TBD
Plus: Trump Pardons Turkeys Ahead Of Thanksgiving; Cigarettes En Vogue In New Movies
In one of the more unique presidential traditions, President Trump gave ceremonial pardons to turkeys Waddle and Gobble Tuesday ahead of Thanksgiving. He said that he also re-pardoned last year’s birds, Peach and Blossom, joking that President Biden’s frequent use of the autopen invalidated those pardons.
🦃 The turkeys enjoyed luxury hotel accommodations ahead of their White House appearance, as prior birds have. The turkey-pardon tradition dates back to President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
P.S.! We’re having out best Premium sale of the year! From now through Sunday, take 30% off all Annual Mo News Premium memberships with the code THANKS.
🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
Trump Diplomacy: Movement On Ukraine Peace Deal As Tensions Rise With Venezuela
Ukraine has agreed to the outlines of a U.S.-brokered peace deal with Russia, with only “minor details” remaining, according to a U.S. official. Russia still needs to approve the framework for the three-and-a-half-year war to end.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also cautioned that “much work” still lies ahead, but wants to meet with President Trump as soon as possible — possibly over Thanksgiving — to finalize it.
Trump responded Tuesday, saying he would meet with Zelensky once the deal is “FINAL, or in its final stages” and confirmed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet next with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement.”
As Trump works to settle the war in Eastern Europe, he is also weighing whether to speak directly with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. designated the head of a terrorist organization on Monday after months of U.S. military buildup in the region. Let’s address details on both fronts.
THE UKRAINE DEAL
Trump’s original 28-point peace proposal, accused of being a Russian wish list, appears to have been cut down to about 19 points.
The revised plan reportedly removes several controversial provisions, including a demand that Ukraine surrender territory in the Donbas region that Russia hasn’t been able to seize on the battlefield.
Other contentious issues: The provision that says Ukraine cannot join NATO, and that its military be capped at 600,000 troops. Instead, the issue of territorial claims would be worked out between Zelensky and Trump at a later date.
How we got here: Ukraine and U.S. officials met in Geneva over the weekend to hash out the plan. U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is now meeting with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi to advance the Trump administration’s proposal.
What could push Russia? Trump spoke with China’s Xi Jinping Monday to discuss, in part, Beijing’s influence over Moscow. Trump’s moves to push India and China away from Russian oil have so far failed to end the war.
On the ground, fighting continues. Russia launched a wave of drones and missiles at Kyiv early Tuesday, killing at least seven and injuring more than 20. A Ukrainian strike in southern Russia killed three people, officials said.
Strikes inside Ukraine have intensified in recent months ⬇️
VENEZUELA: GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is weighing its next move as it continues to build up a historic military presence in the waters near Venezuela. U.S. officials tell Axios a call between Trump and Venezuela’s Maduro could happen. Maduro is responding to the threat of war, and his recent terrorist designation, with…dance?
The lyrics of the song, “Peace, yes. War, no,” were taken from a recent Maduro speech criticizing the U.S. military buildup.
The official terrorist designation — related to accusations Maduro is running a narco-terrorist cartel — will make it easier for the U.S. to impose new sanctions against Maduro, his assets and his infrastructure.
The Department of Defense has also carried out at least 21 strikes on boats that the Trump administration has tied to drug trafficking in Venezuela and Colombia since September, which have killed over 80 people.
Meanwhile, the U.S. public remains confused about the scale of the military buildup.
Target’s Big Holiday Bet: Make Shopping Feel Human Again
Most Americans say they feel like a number, not a person, when they shop. Target says it is trying to change that experience – thinking about bringing customers “joy” as they shop, especially as holiday shopping kicks into full gear.
During our visit to one of Target’s newest stores in Denton, Texas, we spoke with leaders about how they prepare for the holidays, redesign stores based on guest feedback, and what they have in store this season.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE
Target’s entire store design philosophy is centered on human connection, according to Sabrina Thomas, a Group Vice President overseeing several dozen Texas stores. She says it starts with calling all customers “guests.”
Target teams use a 10/4 concept that guides how team members interact with guests:
Within 10 feet: a friendly wave, smile, or nonverbal cue
Within 4 feet: a greeting like “Good morning,” “Hello,” or “How can I help you?”
Thomas says guests are often shocked: “It’s almost a surprise, which is really cool.” The focus on connection extends to major store decisions. Thomas pointed to checkout lanes as a recent example.
“When we initially opened the store, we had a lot more self-checkouts,” Thomas said. “Based on our guest feedback, they really wanted that guest interaction and that team member interaction, and that connection. So we opened more belted lanes.”
FROM PUMPKINS TO PINE IN 48 HRS
Target officials walked us through how their teams transform the store just two days after Halloween. The layout highlights the hottest items for the season – making it easy for parents to grab the must-haves.
2025 top holiday picks, according to Target:
Nintendo Switch consoles and games
Lego sets
Apple products
Entertainment gifts and games, like Baby Three plush toys, Topps basketball cards, Pokemon trading cards, and the Wicked Collector’s Edition.
Growing market: Clean Beauty. Guests are increasingly seeking cleaner ingredients, better labeling, and curated brands. The Target app helps break down what is in – or not in – beauty products with a clean beauty icon.
How do you make sure the item you want is in stock? Denton Store Director LaShon Henderson recommends checking item availability on the Target app before heading in. You can also place a digital order for pickup to lock in what you need.
An easy way to save: Target Circle and Target Circle 360.
Target Circle = free to join, and gives access to deals across the store.
Target Circle 360 = a $99/year membership with extra perks like free shipping and deliveries.
Learn more about our visit to Target on the Mo News Instagram and how you can win a free Target Circle 360 membership!
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Maps show where storms threaten Thanksgiving travel across the U.S. (CBS)
Reports say FBI plans to interview Sen. Mark Kelly, other Democrats Trump accused of seditious behavior (CNBC)
Trump signs executive order for AI project called Genesis Mission to boost scientific discoveries (AP)
About 100 homes damaged after storm ravages northwest Harris County, officials say (ABC13 HOUSTON)
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking ‘boy-friendly spaces’ (NPR)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has overtaken Tokyo as the world’s most populous city (NBC)
Netanyahu alleges new Hamas ceasefire violation over hostage remains (ABC)
Ethiopian volcano eruption sends ash to Delhi, hitting flight operations (BBC)
Taliban accuses Pakistan of killing 10 – including nine children – in strikes on Afghanistan (CBS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
US stocks rise, but Nvidia’s drop keeps the market in check (AP)
Thanksgiving gas prices fall to lowest levels since pandemic, with nearly 30 states below $3 a gallon (FOX)
Campbell Soup executive called its products food for “poor people,” lawsuit claims (CBS)
Human brains have 5 distinct phases in a lifetime, study finds (NBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
50 Cent’s Diddy docu-series gets title and Netflix release date (PITCHFORK)
Budding young Latin singer DELAROSA shot dead in parked car ‘ambush-style’ (NEW YORK POST)
John Eimen, child actor on ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ dies at 76 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Red Sox acquire veteran Sonny Gray in trade with Cardinals (ESPN)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… In a full-circle cultural moment, cigarettes have been resurfacing in pop music and movies, raising fears that a years-long decline in smoking rates could reverse. 🚬
About half of all movies that made their debut last year included appearances of cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, up 10% from the previous year, according to a new report.
Superstars like Lorde and Addison Rae have referenced smoking cigarettes in their hit music, while Sabrina Carpenter was recently photographed wearing a corset made out of Marlboro packages.
Roughly one in three cancer deaths in the U.S. are linked to cigarette smoking, according to the CDC. Is it time to bring back those 80s-era catchy anti-smoking PSAs?