Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian and European officials on the U.S.-backed 28-point peace plan in Switzerland today, this amid confusion over who wrote the plan that was widely criticized for being too pro-Russian.
The initial plan included requiring Ukraine to cede territory not already occupied by Russia, reduce its military, and never join NATO, which follows Russia's longstanding demands. Rubio says he's optimistic and that they are making progress.
Now, obviously, like any final agreement, they'll have to be agreed upon by the presidents.
Chapter 2: What updates did Secretary of State Marco Rubio provide on the Ukraine peace plan?
And there are a couple issues that we need to continue to work on. But I think the report today is that I think today was worthwhile. It was very, very—it is probably the most productive day we have had on this issue.
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on social media today said he and his counterparts want to work on a peace plan, but said it would be good to know who authored the plan and where it was created. This after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators yesterday said Rubio told them it was a Russian peace plan. Rubio pushed back on that, saying it's a U.S. plan.
Israel has killed a senior Hezbollah commander in an airstrike in Beirut that struck in a crowded residential area, also killing four others and wounding dozens more. This according to Lebanese health authorities. Jaina Raff has more.
Hezbollah announced that Haitham Ali Tabatabai was killed in an Israeli attack in Beirut's southern suburbs Sunday. The group described him as one of the founders of resistance against Israel. Israel has launched almost daily attacks in south Lebanon, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreed a year ago. This was Israel's first attack in months on Beirut.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on other countries to intervene to stop Israel's ceasefire violations. Hezbollah has refrained from attacking Israel since last year's ceasefire. But a Hezbollah official called Sunday's attack a new red line. For NPR News, I'm Jaina Raff in Beirut.
It's a holiday-shortened week ahead on Wall Street. NPR's Scott Horsley reports investors can expect some overdue data on retail sales.
As the holiday shopping season shifts into high gear, retailers have been reporting that most shoppers are cautious about their spending. Only the wealthy are likely to splurge on non-essential goods. Nevertheless, the National Retail Federation projects holiday sales will reach a trillion dollars for the first time this year.
We'll get some hard-spending data on Tuesday when the Commerce Department delivers a long-overdue report on retail and restaurant sales. That report, like many others, was held up by the government shutdown, and it's already somewhat out of date, covering the month of September. Markets will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday, and Friday's trading will end early.
Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
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