Morning Briefing: Dec. 11, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including Iceland’s withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest against Israel’s participation, the Kremlin saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “for a long time” stressed the need for elections in Ukraine, and a magnitude 5.9 earthquake striking northern Japan just three days after a 7.5 magnitude quake hit the same region.

TOP STORIES

• Iceland withdraws from 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest against Israeli inclusion

Iceland announced that it will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in protest against allowing Israel’s inclusion.

"Given the public debate in this country and the reactions to the decision of the EBU that was taken last week, it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RUV in Eurovision. It is therefore the conclusion of RUV to notify the EBU today that RUV will not take part in Eurovision next year," public broadcaster RUV said in a statement.

"The Song Contest and Eurovision have always had the aim of uniting the Icelandic nation, but it is now clear that this aim cannot be achieved and it is on these program related grounds that this decision is taken," RUV added.

• Kremlin says Putin has 'for a long time' spoken about need for elections in Ukraine

Elections in Ukraine are an issue that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been talking about “for a long time,” but Moscow has yet to discuss it with “anyone," including the US, the Kremlin said.

“This is something that President Putin has been talking about for a long time, and this is something that (US) President (Donald) Trump recently talked about, so we’ll see how things develop in this direction,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a press briefing.

Peskov defined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks on the issue a day prior as “quite new,” going on to deny that the Russian side discussed the statements with the US.

• Strong earthquake of magnitude 5.9 strikes off northern Japan, 3 days after 7.5 quake hit same region

A strong earthquake of 5.9 magnitude struck off northern Japan's Aomori prefecture in the second such incident in three days.

The quake originated at 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) deep at a scale of four intensity out of a maximum of seven at 11.52 p.m. local time, Kyodo News Agency reported, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency.

There was no tsunami warning issued.

​​​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• Spain’s prime minister said that those responsible for the devastation in Gaza “must be held accountable,” stressing that real peace requires justice while hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for an official visit to Madrid.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US administration's latest security strategy is set to change transatlantic relations while expressing hope that Washington will remain a partner.
• The UN human rights chief said he is "extremely worried" that a repeat of atrocities in El-Fasher, which went under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in late October, might be seen in Sudan's Kordofan.
• At least 19 people were killed and 16 others injured when two residential buildings collapsed in northern Morocco, according to local media.
• The genocide in which more than 70,000 Gazans have lost their lives is a sign that the values mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have been “severely undermined,” Türkiye’s president said.
• Ukrainian forces struck a hospital in Alyoshki in the Russia-controlled part of the Kherson region, killing three medical staff and injuring two others.
• US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said he expects “upcoming” announcements on advancing President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan in Gaza.
• Thailand suppressed a riot at an immigration detention center where over 325 Chinese nationals believed to be involved in scams are held.
• US House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio after missing a closed-door briefing on a controversial Sept. 2 boat strike off the coast of Venezuela.
• The leaders of France, Germany and the UK – the E3 – held a phone call with US President Donald Trump as "intensive work" continues on a US peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
• The Standing Committee of the Honduran National Congress announced that it will not ratify the results of the recent general elections while calling out US President Donald Trump for intimidating voters and hindering the electoral process.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Federal Reserve lowers policy rate 25 basis points in 3rd cut of the year

The US Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark federal funds rate by 25 basis points, between the 3.5% - 3.75% target range, as widely expected.

This marked the third and final rate cut of 2025, as the bank had held the rate unchanged in the five previous meetings before cutting it at its September meeting.

The Fed said available data suggested that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace.

• US to impose tariffs on Nicaragua because of labor, human rights concerns

The US will impose tariffs on Nicaraguan goods starting in 2026 for alleged human rights violations, the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced.

The move addresses "Nicaragua's acts, policies and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of the rule of law," it said in a statement.

"Nicaragua's acts, policies and practices are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce," the agency said following a review of more than 2,000 public comments and consultations with experts.