News from February 16, 2025 at 2 AM

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.

On the evening of February 15, 2025, a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in at least 15 deaths and 10 injuries. Dr Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital, confirmed the figures, noting that among the deceased were three children and ten women. Eyewitnesses reported a massive crowd at the station, with many people traveling to and from the Hindu religious festival, the Kumbh Mela. Police officials stated that the situation was out of control for about 10 to 15 minutes due to overcrowding. Initially, Indian Railways dismissed reports of a stampede as a rumor, but later confirmed that an undisclosed number of people were injured and hospitalized. This incident follows a similar crush at the Kumbh Mela festival in northern India weeks earlier, which also resulted in multiple fatalities.

On February 15, a car attack in Munich, Germany, resulted in the death of a 37-year-old mother and her two-year-old daughter, who succumbed to their injuries on Saturday. At least 37 people were injured in the attack, which was carried out by a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, Farhad N, who was arrested at the scene and confessed to the crime, with apparent religious motivation. The incident has brought security issues to the forefront ahead of Germany's federal elections. The suspect arrived in Germany in 2016 and was allowed to stay despite his asylum application being rejected. Police stated he had no criminal record and no evidence linked him to jihadist groups. US Vice-President JD Vance expressed condolences to the victims upon his arrival in Munich.

On March 13, President Donald Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners. On March 14, the European Union issued a statement condemning the move as a disruption to free trade rules and vowed a strong response. The statement highlighted that tariffs increase business costs, suppress economic growth, and exacerbate inflation, undermining global market efficiency. The EU emphasized its long-standing efforts to reduce trade barriers and pledged to swiftly address unreasonable trade barriers. Trump signed a memorandum directing the determination of reciprocal tariffs for each country but did not specify the timing of implementation. Previously, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, drawing opposition from allies like Canada, Germany, and Japan, who argue it will undermine the multilateral trading system.

On February 13, 2025, the Trump administration began a mass firing of federal workers. Officials from the Office of Personnel Management met with agency leaders and advised them to dismiss probationary employees, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people. The OPM stated that the move supports the President's efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government. The American Federation of Government Employees condemned the action, calling it a politically driven mass firing spree. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the dismissal of over 1,000 employees, while the Education Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development also began terminating probationary staff. The U.S. Forest Service plans to terminate at least 3,400 people. Previously, about 75,000 federal employees accepted the White House's 'deferred resignation' offer.

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 15, a knife attack occurred in the center of Villach, a southern Austrian city, where a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker stabbed several passersby, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuries to four others. Police reported that the suspect has been arrested. Rainer Dionisio, a spokesperson for the police in the state of Carinthia, stated that it was unclear whether the attacker knew any of the victims, with the injured ranging in age from 14 to 32. Such attacks are extremely rare in Austria, with the last major incident being a shooting rampage in Vienna in 2020. Known for its carnival and as a summer tourist hotspot, Villach saw a Syrian food delivery driver heroically intervene by ramming the attacker with his car, preventing further harm. The attack comes amid political upheaval in Austria, with the far-right Freedom Party, which failed to form a coalition government, using the incident to advocate for stricter asylum policies. Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl called for a crackdown on asylum in response to the attack.

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.

A 19-year-old business student, Amir Mohammad Khaleqi, was fatally stabbed by robbers near a dormitory in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday evening. The incident triggered protests at Tehran University over two days, with students demanding improved campus security. Social media videos showed confrontations between students and plainclothes security personnel. Iranian news websites reported that four students were detained and one suffered a broken nose, but Science Minister Hossein Simaei Sarraf stated that only one student was briefly detained. President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the science minister to swiftly address the case and the ensuing protests to prevent them from spreading beyond the university and to keep 'rogue forces' out of Tehran University.

On February 12, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call, agreeing on regular contacts to prepare for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. The call was initiated by the U.S. side. Both sides expressed their mutual willingness to interact on pressing international issues, including the situation around Ukraine, Palestine, and the broader Middle East. They reaffirmed their readiness to restore mutually respectful interstate dialogue. Previously, Trump and Putin spoke for over an hour on February 8, marking the first direct contact between U.S. and Russian presidents since Putin ordered the deployment of tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022.

British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both aged 52, were arrested in Iran in January, with news of their detention emerging on February 15th via Iranian state media, citing unspecified security charges. The couple was on a global motorbike trip and had planned to stay in Iran for only five days. The UK Foreign Office issued a statement on behalf of their family, expressing significant concern and stating they are actively working with the British government and relevant authorities to ensure their safety. The couple had entered Iran from Armenia on December 30th and planned to reach Pakistan by January 4th. After visiting several Iranian cities, they headed to Kerman but never checked into their hotel. Prior to their detention, Lindsay shared positive experiences of Iran on social media. The Iranian authorities have not specified the charges against them.

23-year-old Venezuelan kayaker Adrián Simancas was paddling in the Strait of Magellan off Chile's coast when he was suddenly engulfed by a humpback whale. He felt a slimy texture and saw only dark blue and white before the whale spat him out. His father, Dall, captured the incident on video. Experts explain that humpback whales have narrow throats, making it impossible to swallow large objects. The encounter serves as a reminder to be cautious when kayaking in whale-inhabited areas.

Saudi Arabia will convene a summit of Arab leaders in Riyadh on February 20 to discuss US President Trump's proposal to take over Gaza. Alternative plans are expected to be proposed to prevent the forced relocation of Palestinians. Leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE, as well as Palestinian President Abbas, will attend. Egypt has proposed forming a Palestinian National Council to manage Gaza, excluding Hamas, and suggested international involvement in reconstruction. This plan will be presented at an emergency summit in Cairo on February 27. Jordan's Foreign Minister stated that Arab nations are developing plans to rebuild Gaza without displacing its people. Trump's proposal has faced opposition from multiple countries, and US Secretary of State Rubio will visit the Middle East to encourage new solutions. Hamas released hostages as planned, averting the collapse of the ceasefire agreement.

OpenAI has officially rejected a $97.4 billion acquisition offer from a consortium led by billionaire Elon Musk. OpenAI Board Chairman Taylor stated on February 14th that OpenAI is not for sale, unanimously rejecting Musk's latest attempt to interfere with a competitor. Founded by Musk and CEO Altman, OpenAI saw Musk's departure due to differing visions. The company is currently raising significant funds to maintain its lead in AI. Musk accuses OpenAI of deviating from its non-profit mission, claiming his offer aimed to prevent its transformation into a for-profit entity. Lawyer Tobeloff, representing the consortium, noted the rejection was expected as Altman and Taylor had already opposed the deal. Altman accused Musk of slowing OpenAI's progress. Musk, who owns AI company xAI, had previously sued OpenAI, but a judge refrained from immediately issuing an order to block its restructuring.

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.

Britain's Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, announced that due to U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of new tariffs on steel imports, the UK will advance the publication of its green paper for the steel industry. Originally scheduled for spring, the document aims to address challenges facing the sector, such as high energy costs and international turmoil. The UK government previously stated its intention to invest £2.5 billion ($3.15 billion) to boost the steel industry. Reynolds indicated that Britain would seek to persuade the U.S. government to exempt its steel and aluminum products from tariffs, given their sensitive role in U.S. defense and manufacturing supply chains. Industry body UK Steel warned that the new tariffs could be 'devastating,' as the U.S. is the second-largest export market for UK steel, worth over £400 million annually.

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.

In 2018, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was elected a fellow of the Royal Society for his technological achievements in space travel and electric vehicles. Recently, over 2,000 scientists have signed an open letter, expressing dismay at the Royal Society's 'continued silence and apparent inaction' regarding Musk's behavior, such as embracing conspiracy theories, which they claim breaches the society's code of conduct. The letter also notes the seriousness is heightened by Musk's position within the Trump administration in the USA. The Telegraph reported on February 15 that the Royal Society has called a meeting on March 3 to discuss the principles around public pronouncements and behaviors of its fellows, potentially voting on Musk's expulsion. A spokesperson for the Royal Society confirmed the meeting but did not mention Musk by name.

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.