Morning Briefing: Feb. 17, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday with, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling US President Donald Trump's proposed "takeover" of Gaza a "historic opportunity" to secure the country's future, claiming that displacing Gazans is "the only viable solution," the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) laying off employees across several major agencies, and leading German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz strongly criticizing US Vice President JD Vance for expressing support for the far-right AfD party ahead of Feb. 23 parliamentary elections.

TOP STORIES

• Netanyahu calls Trump's proposed 'takeover' of Gaza 'historic opportunity' to secure Israel's future

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called US President Donald Trump's proposed "takeover" of Gaza a "historic opportunity" to secure the country's future, claiming that displacing Gazans is "the only viable solution."

Trump has repeatedly called for taking over Gaza and resettling its population to develop what he called “the Riviera of the Middle East.” The idea has been rejected by the Arab world and many other nations, who say it amounts to ethnic cleansing.

• US health department lays off employees across major agencies amid federal cuts

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) laid off employees across several major agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a report.

The latest round of job cuts suggests the layoffs extend beyond earlier reports of reductions at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the Trump administration moves to downsize the federal government.

• German chancellor frontrunner Merz warns US administration against election interference

Leading German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz strongly criticized US Vice President JD Vance for expressing support for the far-right AfD party ahead of Feb. 23 parliamentary elections.

During a heated debate between chancellor candidates on TV, the opposition leader reiterated that his Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) will not cooperate or enter into coalition talks with the AfD after the elections.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s growing role as a strategic partner for Europe amid geopolitical tensions, particularly in Ukraine, Syria and Gaza.
• China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the fundamental solution to the Middle East issue lies in implementing the two-state solution.
• European leaders will meet in Paris on Monday to discuss regional security amid concerns over shifting US priorities and the war in Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced.
• The UK government has warned that proposed US tariffs on British steel imports would be damaging for both nations as it seeks to negotiate an exemption from President Donald Trump’s planned trade measures.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo's government said the Rwandan army and its allies have entered the country's eastern city of Bukavu in South Kivu province and urged people to remain vigilant.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to reject any agreement between the US and Russia that does not include Kyiv, emphasizing that no world leader can decide Ukraine's fate without its direct participation.
• The White House criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to sign a proposed agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, calling the decision "short-sighted."
• The Trump administration is attempting to reinstate federal nuclear safety workers it fired but is having difficulty contacting them because they have lost access to their government email accounts.
• Greece has extended school closures for another week on four Aegean islands due to ongoing seismic activity.
• Future relations between the US and European countries will increasingly be shaped by pragmatic interests rather than shared values alone, Latvia’s president said.

SPORTS

• Maddison's goal brings Tottenham 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United

James Maddison's goal brought Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 English Premier League week 25 victory over Manchester United.

The English midfielder netted by turning in the rebound after Lucas Bergvall in the 13th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

• Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo sets new half-marathon world record

Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo has set a new half-marathon world record with a time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds at the World Athletics Gold Label road race in Barcelona.

Kiplimo surpassed Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha's previous world record by 48 seconds to mark the greatest single improvement on the men’s world half-marathon record.