Morning Briefing: Feb. 13, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including US President Donald Trump saying he had a "lengthy and highly productive" conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Israel backing out of a deadline for withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon for the second time in a row, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II saying that recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the implementation of a two-state solution are the key to achieving regional stability.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says he and Putin agree to stop deaths in Russia-Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump said he had a "lengthy and highly productive" conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

"We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

He said they each talked about the strengths of their nations and the "great benefit that we will someday have in working together.”

"But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong Campaign motto of ‘COMMON SENSE.’ We both believe very strongly in it.”

• Israel reneges on Lebanon withdrawal deadline for 2nd time

Israel backed out of a deadline for withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon for the second time in a row.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place since Nov. 27, ending months of mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply.

An Israeli military statement, however, said the withdrawal deadline has been extended, without giving an exact date.

• Recognition of Palestinian rights, 2-state solution key to regional stability: Jordan’s king

Jordan’s King Abdullah II said the recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the implementation of a two-state solution are the key to achieving regional stability.

The monarch held two separate meetings in the US Congress in Washington, attended by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah.

According to a royal court statement, King Abdullah reaffirmed that "regional stability cannot be achieved without fulfilling the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a "meaningful conversation" with US President Donald Trump and spoke "about opportunities to achieve peace."
• US President Donald Trump believes it would be "more majestic" if Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were relocated to safer areas, said the White House.
• Approximately 14,000 undocumented immigrants have been arrested since President Donald Trump took office, US Border czar Tom Homan told 77 WABC radio.
• The Trump administration fired the inspector general of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), just a day after the watchdog office published a report that was critical of the administration’s handling of the agency, which it has been trying to defund or shut down, according to CNN.
• Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his country is prepared to begin accession negotiations with the EU, but the final decision rests with the bloc.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the country’s economic interests in response to a proposed 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports announced by US President Donald Trump.
• Hungary’s prime minister met with the leader of Alternative for Germany (AfD), claiming that the far-right party represents Germany's "future."
• A Singaporean study found that artificial intelligence language models contain biases across nine Asian countries, tested in both regional languages and English.
• Pakistan has been ranked as the most vulnerable country to climate change in 2022, followed by the Central American country Belize and Italy, the latest data showed.
• France and Senegal said they have decided to set up a commission to organize the departure of French troops from the West African country by the end of 2025.

SPORTS

• Arsenal’s Kai Havertz may miss rest of the season

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz may miss the rest of the season, according to sports reporter Fabrizio Romano, affecting the team’s pursuit of overtaking Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

The German international's hamstring injury, sustained during a training camp in Dubai, could leave the Gunners without a forward for the rest of the season as Mikel Arteta's side are already without several key attacking players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

• Feyenoord edge Milan in Champions League play-off tie

Feyenoord defeated AC Milan 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie to take a crucial lead ahead of the return leg in Italy.

Igor Paixao scored Feyenoord's fastest-ever Champions League goal in the 3rd minute with a precise right-foot shot from the left side of the box, assisted by Gijs Smal.

The match came just days after Feyenoord's sacking of head coach Brian Priske and the appointment of Pascal Bosschaart as interim manager. The Dutch club, currently fifth in the Eredivisie standings, will look to maintain their advantage in the return.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US annual consumer inflation unexpectedly ticks up to 3% in January

Consumer inflation in the US unexpectedly inched up to 3% in January.

The market expected the figure to remain unchanged at 2.9%, recorded in December.

On a monthly basis, CPI showed an increase of 0.5%, following a 0.4% gain in December. Monthly inflation bucked the market forecast of a 0.3% hike.

• Indian power companies sign major green energy deal

India’s largest state-owned oil and gas producer signed a $2.3 billion share purchase agreement for a 100% stake in a major renewable energy player, the Indian Express newspaper reported.

Oil and Natural Gas Cooperation Limited (ONGC) said that together with National Thermal Power Corporation, it acquired a 100% stake in Ayana Renewable, a company that operates solar and wind plants.

The acquisition marks one of India's largest clean energy deals, said the newspaper.