this is Shades of the Day — bringing you different shades of opinion in news & culture so that you can see the big picture quickly. We believe that seeing multiple POVs is the best way to stay informed.

It’s Sunday, December 8 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:

• Trump’s ceasefire push for Ukraine & Russia

• Dark chocolate and diabetes

• 4 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

Trump’s ceasefire push

As the Ukraine war drags on with heavy casualties, Yahoo reports that Trump calls with urgency for a ceasefire and pushes Putin to act.

According to France24, Trump believes both Zelenskyy and Putin are ready for serious talks, with his good relations with Putin potentially facilitating this.

Politico highlights Trump’s view that now is the perfect time for negotiations, given Russia's weakened state from international pressures and war strains.

Meanwhile, The Guardian discusses how Trump's transition to power could jumpstart new diplomatic efforts despite global skepticism about compromises.

And Al Jazeera notes Zelenskyy's openness to conclude the war despite potential territorial concessions, showing Ukraine’s readiness for peace talks.

Dark chocolate and diabetes

Yahoo's got the scoop: A study found that eating at least five 1-ounce servings of dark chocolate weekly can lower type 2 diabetes risk by 21% -- meanwhile, it found snacking on milk chocolate just leads to extra pounds.

Read the study for yourself here. Researchers found a link between dark chocolate, with its flavonoids, and better insulin sensitivity.

Science Alert fills us in: Flavanols, found in dark chocolate, are similar to those in fruits and veggies, helping cut the risk of type 2 diabetes.

WebMD adds that the benefits of dark chocolate come from polyphenols, offsetting bad fats. Milk chocolate lovers might not see these perks.

Science Media Centre says portion control still matters, though: Dark and milk chocolates are high in calories, so watch how much you're eating!

1) The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains unidentified and at large. His backpack was found to contain Monopoly money, puzzling investigators.

2) Trump suggests that Russia has shifted away from supporting Syria's Assad due to strain from the Ukraine conflict.

3) John Mahama, a former one-term president of Ghana from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has won the presidential election against Mahamudu Bawumia.

4) Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late Michael Jackson, has announced her engagement to music producer Justin Long.