Putin says there are points he can’t agree to in the US proposal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

(AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says some proposals in a U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine are unacceptable to the Kremlin. That suggests a deal is still some way off despite intense diplomacy by American envoys. U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated the major diplomatic push to stop the fighting. But peace efforts face tough demands especially regarding Ukraine’s territorial concessions and future security. In remarks to an Indian broadcaster before arriving there for a state visit, Putin described recent talks with U.S. envoys as necessary but difficult. His comments were published Thursday. European leaders accuse Putin of feigning interest in peace efforts. Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue and have caused casualties and damage.

A single hostage remains in Gaza after identification of Thai worker’s remains

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli and Thai officials say remains that militants in Gaza handed to Israel were those of a Thai agricultural worker killed during the attack that started the war two years ago. The return of Sudthisak Rinthalak’s remains leaves a single hostage, Israeli Ran Gvili, to be returned in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Hamas and Israel have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire agreement and questions linger over the plan’s upcoming phases. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza were mourning on Thursday the death of five members of a family following an Israeli airstrike. Israel says it targeted a Hamas militant in retaliation for an earlier attack that wounded five Israeli soldiers.

Iraq retracts a terror designation it imposed on Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s government on Thursday retracted a terror designation for Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, just weeks after imposing the measure it now says was a mistake. The government’s retraction came hours after reports first circulated about the designation, which was an error made “before reviewing,” according to a statement. The initial decision, published in the official Iraqi gazette on Nov. 17, had placed the two groups — both allies of Iran and also Iraq’s Shiite militias — among 24 organizations targeted under a national asset freeze order, accusing them of “participating in committing a terrorist act.”

Police in Spain make 11 arrests over alleged smuggling of 300 foreign workers

MADRID (AP) — Police in Spain have dismantled a criminal network accused of smuggling around 300 people into the country, mostly from Nepal. Authorities arrested 11 people and are investigating two others, police said Thursday. Most of the victims entered Europe on tourist visas for the Schengen area. Once in Spain, they were moved to farms where their labor rights were denied. Police found people living in poor conditions in Albacete, south east Spain. They were transported daily to farms in unsafe vans. Many were unpaid for months, receiving only basic meals.