News from February 21, 2025 at 2 AM

US President Donald Trump continues to pressure Ukraine to end its war with Russia, calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a 'dictator'. Zelensky counters that Trump is living in a 'false information space' created by Russia. EU countries rally behind Zelensky. A recent poll shows 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky. US Vice President Vence warns Zelensky against criticizing Trump. Multiple leaders emphasize support for Ukraine, with Macron and allies discussing the issue, stressing the need to protect Ukraine's rights and European security.

Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages to Israel for the first time under a ceasefire agreement, including 33-year-old Hili Bibas and her two young sons, as well as 83-year-old Livshitz. The handover ceremony took place in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military confirmed the receipt of the remains. Hamas indicated its willingness to release all remaining hostages in one go during the second phase of the ceasefire. So far, 19 hostages have been released in the first phase in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. Israel and Hamas reached an agreement this week to return the remains of eight hostages in batches and release six living hostages. The second phase of ceasefire negotiations is set to begin soon.

On February 20, multiple bus explosions occurred in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, Israel. Israeli media reported that three empty buses exploded in parking lots, while bombs on two other buses were discovered and disabled, with no casualties reported. The Israeli Transport minister instructed the Public Transit Authority to halt and inspect all buses, trains, and light-rail trains. Police are searching for suspects, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to conduct a security situation assessment.

On February 20th local time, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with a vote of 51 in favor and 49 against. Patel previously served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council during President Trump's first term. On November 30th of last year, Trump announced via social media his nomination of Patel for the FBI director position. Patel has previously proposed significant reforms to the FBI.

The Vatican reported a slight improvement in Pope Francis' blood tests and stable clinical conditions. On February 20, the Vatican stated that the Pope had a peaceful night in the hospital and had breakfast in his armchair. The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs. On the evening of February 19, the Vatican updated that the Pope's blood tests showed a slight improvement and his condition was stable. He had enough energy to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a 20-minute visit, who described him as 'alert and responsive.' The Pope has faced several health issues in recent years, including colon and hernia surgery and difficulties walking. The Vatican has been issuing regular updates to counter widespread speculation about his health.

Arab leaders are set to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 21 to counter President Donald Trump's plan for US control of the Gaza Strip and the expulsion of its population. The plan has united Arab states in opposition, but disagreements persist over governance and funding for the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Dr Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy, termed the summit as the 'most consequential' in decades for the Arab world and the Palestinian issue. Trump's proposal to 'take over the Gaza Strip' and relocate its 2.4 million people to neighboring Egypt and Jordan sparked global outrage. A Saudi government source told AFP that Arab leaders would discuss a reconstruction plan counter to Trump's. Egyptian former diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined a three-phase reconstruction plan over three to five years, with the UN estimating the cost at over US$53 billion.

Canada's Public Safety Minister announced on Thursday the listing of seven transnational criminal organizations as terrorist entities, including Mara Salvatrucha, Cartel de Sinaloa, and Tren de Aragua. This follows the United States' designation of Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and other drug cartels as global terrorist organizations. Minister David McGuinty told reporters in Ottawa that these groups spread fear through extreme violence and are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal arms trafficking. The measures aim to keep fentanyl off the streets and out of the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, following the U.S. terror listings, said she will propose a constitutional reform to further protect Mexico's national sovereignty. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier announced on February 3 that Canada would list cartels as terrorists, alongside a 30-day reprieve from U.S. tariffs. Canada has also appointed a fentanyl czar, with public data showing that only 0.2% of all fentanyl seized in the U.S. comes from the Canadian border, while the majority originates from the U.S.' southern border with Mexico.

NASA released new calculations on February 18, indicating that asteroid '2024 YR4' has a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth on December 22, 2032, with enough power to flatten a city. The European Space Agency's head stated that while the event is rare, it does not constitute a crisis, posing a threat to at most one city. The asteroid, measuring 40 to 90 meters in width, could impact at speeds near 40,000 miles per hour, with an airburst equivalent to 8 million tons of TNT. If its size approaches the upper limit, it could create a massive crater on impact. The predicted impact areas include the eastern Pacific, northern South America, the Atlantic, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia. Experts advise against panic, noting ample time and existing scientific countermeasures.

On Thursday, a knife attack in a shopping centre in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, resulted in the deaths of two people. Police stated that they detained the suspected attacker shortly after the incident. Czech Television reported that the suspect is a 16-year-old Czech citizen. In a post on X, the police said that despite arriving on the scene within minutes of the report, both victims sustained injuries so severe that they could not be saved. Authorities are currently investigating the motive for the attack, which occurred 110 km (68 miles) east of Prague.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's trial for alleged coup plotting officially began on February 20, marking the first time a sitting president has appeared in court in South Korea. The Constitutional Court announced that the final debate will be held on February 25, with a ruling expected in March. During the brief 13-minute hearing, Yoon communicated his opinions through his lawyer. The defense requested three weeks to review the prosecution's evidence, with the next hearing set for March 24. The prosecution has prepared 70,000 pages of evidence and requested bi-weekly hearings. Later that day, Yoon attended the 10th debate of his impeachment trial but left before Prime Minister Han Duck-soo entered the courtroom. Key witness testimonies have been inconsistent, leading Yoon's team to demand the application of the Criminal Procedure Act. Supporters and opponents rallied near the court and in downtown Seoul, with police deploying significant forces to prevent clashes.

Republican US Senator Mitch McConnell announced on his 83rd birthday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, concluding a decades-long career in the Senate. Since joining the Senate in 1985, McConnell has been instrumental in shifting American politics to the right and securing a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court. In recent years, he has observed the Republican Party's shift from traditional conservatism to the populist style of President Donald Trump, whom he blamed for the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot but later voted to acquit in the impeachment trial and supported for reelection in 2024. Recently, McConnell has faced health issues, including falls and public speaking difficulties. His retirement will leave an open Senate seat in Kentucky for the 2026 election, with several Republicans, including US Representative Andy Barr and former attorney-general Daniel Cameron, expressing interest in succeeding him.

On February 19, 2025, Egyptologists discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis near Luxor, marking the first pharaoh's tomb found since the uncovering of Tutankhamun's over a century ago. The British-Egyptian team located it in an area previously thought to be far from the 18th dynasty pharaohs' burial chambers. The tomb's blue-painted ceiling with yellow stars indicated it belonged to a king. Despite being deliberately emptied, fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with Thutmose II and Hatshepsut's names were found. This discovery concludes over 12 years of work and is a significant moment for Egyptology.

On February 20, the first batch of 200 Chinese nationals suspected of telecom fraud were repatriated from Myanmar's Mawlamyine area via Thailand and arrived at Nanjing International Airport. This operation marks a significant achievement in the law enforcement cooperation between China, Myanmar, and Thailand, demonstrating their resolve to combat telecom fraud. Recently, the police forces of the three countries have jointly targeted telecom fraud in the Mawlamyine area, with Thailand implementing measures such as power cuts, and Myanmar conducting raids on fraud camps. Over 800 more suspects are expected to be repatriated. On February 15, 10 key suspects were successfully repatriated. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security is enhancing cooperation with Myanmar and Thailand to normalize the joint crackdown mechanism.

Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was charged on Tuesday with leading a coup plot to overturn his 2022 election loss. The charges follow a two-year police investigation that culminated in riots by his supporters in Brasilia in early 2023. Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet accused Bolsonaro and his running mate, General Walter Braga Netto, of leading a 'criminal organization' aiming to establish a new order, including plans to poison President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A total of 34 people, including several military officials, were charged. Bolsonaro's lawyers denied the allegations, and analysts believe it is unlikely he will be arrested before trial. The case resembles the charges faced by former U.S. President Donald Trump over his 2020 election loss.

France announced on Thursday that it would retain 80 military personnel in Ivory Coast primarily for training purposes, as it handed over control of a military base in the commercial capital, Abidjan. During the ceremony, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu emphasized that France was 'not disappearing.' The 80 personnel will form the core of a joint detachment, with their roles reassessed based on evolving needs, particularly in training. French forces, deployed in Ivory Coast for decades, aided President Alassane Ouattara's accession in 2011 after his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to concede defeat in the 2010 election. In late November, sources revealed France's plan to reduce its military presence in West and Central African countries, including Ivory Coast, from around 2,200 to 600 troops, amid Russia's growing influence. Ouattara stated in December that French forces would withdraw from Ivory Coast. France began withdrawing its troops from Chad in December following the abrupt termination of their defense cooperation pact by the Chadian government. France had already withdrawn its soldiers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to military coups and rising anti-French sentiment.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on the 19th that over 150 false killer whales stranded on a beach in the northwest of Tasmania, including both adults and calves. They had been stranded for 24 to 48 hours when discovered. Due to the remote location and harsh sea conditions, rescue efforts were challenging. After assessment, the Tasmanian Government decided to euthanize 90 whales that were still alive but in severe pain. Marine biologist Chris, responsible for the rescue, stated that the situation was not optimistic and euthanasia might be the best option. The cause of the mass stranding remains unclear, but it is speculated to be related to their social behavior.

Amazon announced it will take creative control of the lucrative James Bond movie franchise from the Broccoli family. The films have long been produced by Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who inherited control from their father, Albert Broccoli. Amazon acquired MGM Studios for $8.45 billion in 2021, gaining distribution rights but not creative control. Under the new deal, Amazon's MGM Studios, Wilson, and Broccoli formed a joint venture to co-own the Bond intellectual property rights. Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon's Prime Video and MGM Studios, stated they are honored to continue the legacy and look forward to the next phase of 007. Wilson and Broccoli will step back from producing to focus on other projects. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos hinted at the next Bond actor on X. The Bond franchise, spanning over 60 years, is one of the highest-grossing series in history, significantly benefiting Amazon's media and entertainment business.

On September 19, US President Trump announced that the government will audit the gold reserves at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to ensure accurate accounting. Previously, government efficiency chief Elon Musk questioned the authenticity of the gold reserves, suggesting an audit. Fort Knox holds over 147 million troy ounces of gold, which has not been comprehensively reviewed since the 1950s. There are speculations that the Treasury might re-evaluate its gold reserves, but Trump's economic advisors have not seriously considered this. The vault is off-limits to visitors, with only two exceptions in history.

New York City began imposing a congestion fee on vehicles in Manhattan's busiest areas on January 5, aimed at reducing traffic and funding public transit improvements. Less than two months later, the Trump Administration halted the fee, citing exceeding approval authority. Transportation Secretary Duffy criticized the policy for harming working-class and small businesses. Trump declared 'Congestion pricing is dead' on social media, while New York Governor Hochul vowed legal action. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which has filed a lawsuit, claims the fee significantly improved traffic and was expected to generate $500 million in the first year.