News from February 14, 2025 at 2 PM

According to the Washington Post, the recent phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has caused significant global political unrest. On February 12, the leaders discussed the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Trump called for an immediate end to military activities and a peaceful resolution, while Putin emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict and agreed that a long-term solution could be achieved through peace talks. Washington's resistance to Ukraine's NATO membership has disrupted European officials' plans, with Europe and Ukraine concerned about potential concessions by Trump to Russia.

On February 12, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation discussing the situation in Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the dialogue could lead to lasting peace in Ukraine. Trump expressed support for an early cessation of hostilities and a peaceful settlement, while Putin emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict. Trump later posted on social media that immediate negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict would commence between Moscow and Washington. Hegseth, speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels, noted that a return to Ukraine's 2014 borders was unrealistic and ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO.

Israel anticipates Hamas to provide a list of three hostages to be released on Saturday. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is expected to send the list to David Barnea, head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. If the hostages are freed over the weekend, the truce-threatening crisis will be resolved. On February 10, Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas' military faction Al-Qassam Brigades, announced a postponement in the release of the next batch of hostages scheduled for February 15, citing Israeli violations of the agreement. On February 11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of renewed military action in Gaza if Hamas did not release the Israeli hostages by noon on February 15. On February 13, Hamas confirmed compliance with the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. On January 15, Qatari Prime Minister stated that thanks to the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which entered into force on January 19 and involves three phases, with Hamas releasing 33 hostages in the first phase.

Hamas announced on the 13th that it will release the next batch of Israeli detainees as scheduled on the 15th. Previously, Hamas postponed the release due to Israel's failure to fulfill ceasefire agreement terms. Hamas delegations met with Egyptian and Qatari officials in Cairo to ensure supplies enter Gaza. On January 15, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement, under which Hamas is to release 33 Israeli detainees. Currently, Hamas still holds 73 Israeli detainees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to resume intense fighting, and the U.S. warned to cancel the ceasefire if Hamas does not release all detainees by noon on the 15th. Gaza residents hope for a sustained ceasefire, but the second phase of negotiations has not started, and Trump's recent comments about 'emptying' and 'taking over' Gaza add more uncertainty.

On the 13th local time, a car rammed into a crowd on strike in central Munich, Germany, injuring 28 people. The perpetrator has been arrested and the incident is suspected to be a terrorist attack. The suspect, an Afghan refugee with a criminal record but not on any extremist list, was previously flagged for deportation. The Chinese Consulate General in Munich confirmed no Chinese citizens or ethnic Chinese were injured. Bavarian State Governor Söder and Interior Minister Herrmann briefed the media at the scene.

On February 13, a car crash into a crowd in Munich, Germany, injured about 28 people, including several children. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder suggested it might have been an attack. The incident occurred during a union demonstration, when a car suddenly accelerated towards the crowd. Police said the driver, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker with a history of drug and theft offenses, has been arrested, but the motive is believed to be unrelated to the Munich Security Conference. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the perpetrator must be punished and deported. The 61st Munich Security Conference is set to open on February 14, with the incident site just 1.5 kilometers from the venue.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed that facilities at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant were attacked by Russian drones. Russian President's press secretary Dmitry Peskov denied this on the 14th, stating that the Russian military did not conduct such attacks. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported an explosion and fire at the plant's 'New Safe Confinement' facility on the same day, caused by a drone collision. Zelensky attributed the attack to Russia, noting damage to the confinement facility, but the fire has been extinguished and radiation levels have not increased.

Russian President's Press Secretary Peskov denied on the 14th that Russian forces attacked the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, calling the accusations provocative and a distortion of facts. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova also stated it was a provocation planned by Ukraine. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that its team at the plant heard explosions, but radiation levels remained normal. Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed the attack was carried out by Russia, with the drone carrying high explosives, damaging the containment facility.

Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized on the morning of February 14 for tests and ongoing treatment of bronchitis at Rome's Policlinico Agostino Gemelli. Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis has experienced influenza and other health issues multiple times over the past two years. Earlier this month, he mentioned suffering from a 'strong cold,' later confirmed by the Vatican as bronchitis. Despite his illness, he has maintained his daily schedule, including a meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico before his hospitalization. Recently, he suffered two falls at his Vatican residence, injuring his chin in December and his arm in January. In June 2023, Francis spent nine days at the same hospital for abdominal hernia surgery.

On December 26, 2024, Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan announced the termination of merger talks, ending speculation over a $60-billion deal that was intended to create the world's third-largest auto company by sales. Various options were considered, including a proposal by Honda to change the merger structure to make Honda the parent company and Nissan a subsidiary through a share exchange. The companies stated they will continue to collaborate within a strategic partnership aimed at the era of intelligent and electrified vehicles. Previously, Reuters reported that Nissan seemed likely to step back from the talks. Honda's shares rose 2.14% on the day, while Nissan's stock fell 0.34%. The merger fell apart due to Nissan's 'pride and denial' and its refusal to close factories, with Honda's push to make Nissan a subsidiary further complicating the deal. In December, the two companies began merger discussions aimed at concluding by June. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe had said the deal aimed to share intelligence and resources, achieving economies of scale and synergies. On December 18, Nissan's shares surged 24% on merger reports, marking the stock's best day since at least 1985. The merger was announced a month after Nissan posted disappointing second-quarter results and revealed plans to cut 9,000 jobs and reduce global production capacity by a fifth. Separately, Honda reported its third-quarter results with revenue of 5.53 trillion yen ($36.4 billion), up 1.4% year-on-year, and operating profit rising to 397.8 billion yen, a 4.6% increase from the same period last year.

On February 13, 2025, Robert F Kennedy Jr was officially sworn in as the US Health and Human Services Secretary. His appointment sparked controversy due to his skepticism towards vaccines and baseless health claims. The Senate confirmed him with a 52-48 vote, with no Democratic support and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell being the lone Republican to vote against him. Kennedy will oversee key health agencies with about 80,000 employees and a trillion-dollar budget, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A former independent presidential candidate in 2024, he later dropped out and backed Donald Trump. His nomination faced scrutiny over his views on vaccinations and abortion, yet he was confirmed despite the concerns.