Aleppo offensive and Iceland’s election

Chapter 1

Volodymyr Zelensky’s Nato ultimatum

Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that a ceasefire deal could be struck if the Ukrainian territory that Kyiv controls could be taken “under the Nato umbrella”. He says that this would allow him to later negotiate the return of the territory that Russia occupies “in a diplomatic way”.

Chapter 2

France’s Santa shortage

France is contending with an unusual shortage this Christmas season: a lack of people willing to play the role of Santa Claus in schools, shopping centres and local businesses. Ungrateful parents and crying children have left agencies scrambling to find actors willing to don the red suit, boots and bobble hat.