News from February 25, 2025 at 2 PM

Pope Francis is spending his 11th night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, marking the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year papacy. On February 24, the Vatican reported that despite his critical condition due to double pneumonia, there has been a slight improvement. The 88-year-old pontiff continues to receive oxygen, albeit with a slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage. A mild kidney insufficiency, first reported on February 23, is not a cause for concern. On February 24, the Pope resumed work in the afternoon and made a call to the Catholic parish in Gaza. Previously, he had required a blood transfusion after experiencing a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis. Some of his laboratory tests have shown improvement.

The Vatican issued a statement on March 23rd stating that 88-year-old Pope Francis, who is being treated for bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, experienced a respiratory crisis on the 22nd and remains in critical condition. Francis was hospitalized on March 14th due to breathing difficulties, and doctors have warned of the risk of sepsis, though no signs of the condition have been detected yet. Having previously had part of his right lung removed, this marks his third hospitalization this year. The Vatican has refuted speculations about his possible resignation, emphasizing the focus on the Pope's health. Francis has missed the Angelus prayer for the second consecutive week.

On February 20, 2025, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarified on Monday that employee responses to an OPM email demanding a list of recent workplace accomplishments are voluntary and that non-response does not equate to resignation. This followed Musk's threat that federal workers who fail to submit the list would be considered resigned. Federal departments reacted differently, with some instructing employees to hold off on responding, while others, like the Department of Health and Human Services, told workers to comply. Musk, tasked by President Donald Trump to cut federal spending and workforce, faces a lawsuit amended Sunday by unions representing federal workers, seeking to block mass terminations by OPM. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday on a temporary restraining order.

President Donald Trump's adviser Elon Musk demanded federal employees list their accomplishments from the past week or face termination. Multiple U.S. agencies, including the FBI and State Department, instructed staff not to comply. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the FBI oversees all review processes. Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has laid off over 20,000 workers and offered buyouts to another 75,000, sparking widespread criticism and prompting the rehiring of some critical staff. Federal employees received an email on Saturday to report their work by Monday, but the email did not include Musk's termination threat.

On February 25, 2025, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed a national dialogue in Damascus, describing it as a historic opportunity for the country's rebuilding. The event marked a key milestone in the transition to a new political system after decades of Assad-family rule. Hundreds of Syrians gathered at the presidential palace to discuss issues such as transitional justice, the constitution, and state institution building. The dialogue aims to draft a constitutional declaration for a new transitional government set to take power on March 1. However, critics have raised concerns about the rushed preparation and lack of minority representation. The United Nations and the United States are closely watching the inclusivity of the process to decide on establishing full ties with Syria's new leaders.

On the morning of February 24, the Russian Consulate in Marseille, France, was attacked with two Molotov cocktails, resulting in explosions, but no casualties or damages have been reported. The Russian side considers the incident to have characteristics of a terrorist attack and has demanded a thorough investigation by French authorities. Earlier the same morning, a car was stolen near the consulate, though it is unclear if the two events are related. Approximately 30 firefighters and police officers were deployed to the scene by French authorities. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has called for enhanced security measures at the consulate.

On February 25 local time, the Russian Investigative Committee announced the initiation of legal proceedings over the attack on the Russian Consulate General in Marseille. On February 24, unidentified individuals threw three bottles containing unknown explosives at the consulate, two of which exploded, threatening the safety of consulate staff and disrupting its normal operations. The Russian Investigative Committee is collaborating with the Foreign Ministry to prepare an international request for judicial assistance. Investigations suggest that the attackers aimed to complicate international relations. French media reported that two suspects were detained by police on the evening of February 24 while participating in a pro-Ukraine demonstration.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Tehran aims to strengthen Russian-Iranian relations. Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali stated that the visit continues to enhance cooperation and expand high-level dialogue between the two nations. On January 17, a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Peseshkian, solidifying bilateral relations. Jalali emphasized that Russian-Iranian relations, based on national interests and aimed at peace and development, are unaffected by external factors. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed Lavrov's upcoming visit, where he is scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral relations and international and regional developments.

On February 24, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Turkey. Subsequently, Lavrov arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials. The visit follows the United States' imposition of a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry, a day earlier. Earlier this month, Donald Trump reinstated his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, aimed at reducing the country's oil exports to zero. During his one-day trip to Iran, Lavrov will discuss regional and bilateral topics with his Iranian counterpart. Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Moscow and Tehran have strengthened their defense ties, angering the West.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the complete demilitarization of southern Syria, including the provinces of Quneitra, Deraa, and Suweida. In a speech to military cadets, he stated that Israel will not allow the forces of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the overthrow of Assad, nor the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus, emphasizing protection for the Druze community in southern Syria. Netanyahu also indicated that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely in the Syrian territory seized since Assad's fall in December. Syria's interim President, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, has tried to reassure Israel of non-conflict intentions and readiness to uphold a 1973 disengagement agreement, but also called for Israel's withdrawal from the buffer zone. Netanyahu remains skeptical, viewing the new Syrian authorities' background as potentially threatening.