Good day. Welcome to the Morning News newsletter. Sign up here to receive it in your inbox, and don’t forget to check out the Morning News podcast for all the latest updates to kickstart your day.
Top Stories for Today
President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy make progress towards peace in Ukraine. Their recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago was significant. However, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine persist, and key issues remain unresolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens as President Trump speaks during a press conference following their meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump invited Zelensky to his private club to work on the U.S.-proposed peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, as the conflict has been ongoing for over four years.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
- 🎧 The meeting between the two leaders signals progress towards a peace agreement, as highlighted by NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben on Morning News. Despite no immediate peace deal after the meeting, both leaders have committed to ongoing discussions. Among the topics discussed is the management of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy believes it should be a demilitarized zone, while Russia is keen on controlling it.
Trump is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in Florida to address pending items on the president’s 20-point plan to resolve the conflict in Gaza. Discussions may also extend to other topics like Iran and its proxies.
- 🎧 Israeli officials express doubts about Hamas’ willingness to disarm, prompting Netanyahu to urge the U.S. to keep pressure on Hamas to honor agreements, according to NPR’s Michele Kelemen. Similar concerns exist regarding Lebanon, where Hezbollah poses a threat, and Iran, which is reportedly increasing its ballistic missile arsenal. Kelemen suggests watching for any announcements on peace initiatives or progress towards deploying an international force in Gaza during the meeting.
Organizations aiding the impoverished have faced challenges this year. Many have had to reduce operations due to federal budget cuts and funding uncertainties. To grasp the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on these groups, NPR’s Jennifer Ludden visited HAPCAP in southeastern Appalachian Ohio, where Executive Director Kelly Hatas shed light on the situation since January.
- 🎧 With 80% of their funding coming from federal grants, HAPCAP’s biggest hurdle is the uncertainty surrounding potential funding cuts or pauses. While the state has stepped in to bridge gaps, the organization has had to scale back plans like constructing a homeless shelter, leading to staff departures due to job security concerns. Layoffs and reduced work hours have also been necessary. Anticipated cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits next year could exacerbate the situation for those in need.
