US Vice President Vans warned that if Russia refuses to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine, the US will impose sanctions and may take military action. President Trump plans to negotiate with President Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but believes Ukraine's NATO membership is unrealistic. Ukraine and European allies insist on participating in negotiations. President Zelensky met with Vans at the Munich Security Conference, demanding a 'stop Putin' plan. The US and Ukraine may reach a mineral agreement to compensate for US aid. US Defense Secretary Hergeses urged Europe to take more responsibility for its defense.
Hamas has announced the release of Alexander Troufanov, a Russian-Israeli hostage, on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes the release of three hostages. Israel has threatened to resume bombing if the hostages are not released on time, following Hamas's postponement due to alleged Israeli ceasefire violations. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released in exchange for 566 prisoners. The first phase aims to free 33 hostages for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The conflict was triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Over 48,230 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli offensives since then. The ceasefire has been strained by reciprocal accusations of violations, with mediation by the US, Egypt, and Qatar preventing collapse. Israel is infuriated by the public display of hostage releases, while Hamas accuses Israel of blocking tents and aid lorries from entering Gaza.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a Russian drone attack struck the radiation shelter protecting Chernobyl's damaged nuclear reactor, causing a fire that has since been extinguished. As of Friday morning, radiation levels inside and outside Chernobyl remain normal and stable, according to the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. Russia has denied the attack, while the IAEA reported no casualties but remains on high alert. Zelensky posted footage showing damage to the protective shield, with experts noting the inner concrete layer remains secure. Zelensky claimed the attack indicates Putin is not preparing for negotiations and will meet US Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The incident follows increased military activity around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the IAEA said.
On February 14, local time, Munich police in Germany reported that a car attack on the previous day resulted in 36 injuries, with 8 severely wounded and a 2-year-old girl in critical condition. The suspect has been interrogated and confessed to deliberately driving into the crowd for religious motives. The police stated that the suspect acted alone and there is no evidence linking him to extremist religious groups. The incident occurred when the car rammed into a crowd on strike in central Munich.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis, 88, will be admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for treatment and tests due to bronchitis symptoms. The Pope has been experiencing bronchitis symptoms for several days and has delegated others to read his prepared speeches. On Wednesday, he asked a priest to read part of his speech due to difficulties caused by the illness. Last week, he attempted to rest and recover at his Vatican residence but saw no improvement. In March 2023, the Pope was treated for bronchitis at the same hospital for three nights. In December of the same year, he canceled a trip to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 climate summit due to another illness episode.
Last weekend, kayaker Adrian Simancas and his father were paddling off the coast of Punta Arenas in southern Chile when a massive humpback whale suddenly scooped him into its mouth. Simancas felt himself being lifted and thought he had been swallowed. Fortunately, the whale quickly spat him out unharmed. His father, Dell Simancas, captured the entire incident on camera, noting a brief moment when he lost sight of his son. Adrian Simancas recounted thinking he was going to die during the ordeal.
On February 14, the White House announced an indefinite ban on Associated Press (AP) reporters from entering the Oval Office and Air Force One. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich stated that the decision was due to AP's disregard for the official name change of 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of the United States.' Budowich noted that while AP's reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not grant them unrestricted access to specific locations. Previously, President Trump signed an executive order renaming the 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of the United States,' leading to AP being frequently barred from White House events for refusing to comply. Mexican President Xinbaum has opposed the name change, stating that 'Gulf of Mexico' has already been recognized by the United Nations.
Fire at Busan Hotel Construction Site Kills 6, Injures 25
A fire broke out at the construction site of a Banyan Tree Hotel in Busan, South Korea, on the morning of February 14, resulting in at least six deaths and 25 injuries. The blaze occurred around 10:50 a.m. local time, with approximately 100 workers present at the site. Most of the injured were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Fire Chief Hong Moon-sik stated that the fire is believed to have originated from insulation materials stored near the hotel's first-floor pool. The hotel, which began construction in April 2022, was scheduled to open in May this year.
On February 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the dismissal of the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press conference in Washington, D.C. The move followed the resignation of seven federal prosecutors who protested the DOJ's directive to drop the case. The DOJ requested Manhattan federal court Judge Dale Ho to dismiss the case without prejudice, retaining the right to refile charges against Adams in the future. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove concluded that prosecuting Adams would hinder his governance in New York City, posing unacceptable risks to public safety and national security. The court filing also cited concerns about the appearance of impropriety and potential interference with New York's primary and mayoral elections this year. The ability to refile charges has raised concerns that President Donald Trump could leverage Adams to support his policies. Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon resigned in protest, followed by other prosecutors, including Hagan Scotten, who criticized Bove's rationale for the dismissal. Bove's controversial order led to multiple resignations, including that of the acting chief of the Public Integrity Section, John Keller, and other senior prosecutors.
On February 15, 2024, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported the detection of toxic agents in new samples taken in Ukraine. According to the expert report, chlorobenzalmalononitrile, or CS, was allegedly used on the combat engagement line in Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk Region in October 2024. The findings are based on various documents, witness testimonies, and nine samples collected by the Ukrainian side at the site. This marks the OPCW's second report on the situation in Ukraine, following the first released in November 2024, which alleged a CS incident on September 20, 2024, near the village of Ilyinka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region. CS, a non-lethal tear gas used for riot control, is banned for use in warfare under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Commenting on the first report, Russian Ambassador to The Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW, Vladimir Tarabrin, criticized the report's methodology, comparing it to the one used in Syria and questioning the reliability of the evidence and witness testimonies.
OpenAI has officially rejected Elon Musk's $97.4 billion proposal to buy its nonprofit parent. In a letter to Musk's lawyer, OpenAI's attorney William Savitt stated that the board unanimously determined the proposal is not in the best interest of OpenAI's mission. OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor declared the company is not for sale. On Monday, it was revealed that Musk was leading a group of investors offering to buy OpenAI. CEO Sam Altman responded on X, saying they would buy X (formerly Twitter) for $9.74 billion instead. The feud between Musk and Altman dates back to 2015 when they co-founded OpenAI. Microsoft has invested billions in OpenAI, and SoftBank is close to a $40 billion investment. Musk is suing OpenAI for breach of contract and attempting to block its transition to a for-profit entity.
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.
The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Friday that retail sales fell by 0.9% in January, significantly exceeding the expected 0.2% decline. December's figures were revised upwards to a 0.7% increase. Excluding autos, retail sales dropped by 0.4%, below the consensus forecast of a 0.3% rise. A key indicator for GDP, the 'control' measure, decreased by 0.8%. Consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, suggests a potential slowdown in first-quarter growth. Sales at sporting goods, music, and book stores plummeted by 4.6%, online sales declined by 1.9%, and spending on motor vehicles and parts fell by 2.8%. Stock market futures remained slightly negative, and Treasury yields declined, with traders betting on another Federal Reserve rate cut as soon as June. Robert Frick, an economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, attributed some of the drop to bad weather and volatile auto sales, noting that overall consumer spending remains solid. The Consumer Price Index rose by 0.5% in January, indicating a 3% annual inflation rate, while the Producer Price Index showed some softening in key inputs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that import prices increased by 0.3% in January, in line with expectations, and rose 1.9% year-over-year. Fuel prices surged by 3.2%, the largest gain since April 2024, and export prices rose by 1.3%.