ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, with Israel stepping up its assault in the occupied West Bank, the US and French leaders agreeing on sharing the costs of securing peace in Ukraine, the UN Security Council adopting a resolution urging a "swift end" to the conflict, and an Israeli far-right minister warning of renewed conflict in Gaza.
TOP STORIES
- Israeli army expands assault in occupied West Bank
The Israeli army staged several raids in the northern West Bank Monday in an expansion of its ongoing military assault in the occupied territory, eyewitnesses said.
Army forces, escorted by bulldozers, destroyed several facilities and infrastructure in the town of Burqin, southwest of Jenin city, they said.
Eyewitnesses also noted that the Israeli army also sent military reinforcements into Qabatiya town, where several shops were destroyed and homes searched.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed alarm over the escalating violence and large-scale Israeli security operations in the occupied West Bank, said his spokesman.
- Trump, Macron agree on sharing costs of securing peace in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed Monday that the costs of securing the peace in Ukraine must be shared mutually by the US and Europe.
Addressing reporters at the White House after he met with Macron behind closed doors for over an hour, Trump said he was pleased that the French president "agrees with me on many of the most important issues," including chiefly that it was "the right time" to end Russia's war on Ukraine.
"I'm also pleased that President Macron agrees that the cost and burden of securing the peace must be borne by the nations of Europe, not alone by the United States, and Europe must take that central role in assuring long-term security of Ukraine, which they want to do, and that's not a very big step," he added.
- UN Security Council adopts resolution urging 'swift end' to Russia-Ukraine conflict
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Monday calling for a "swift end" to the Russia-Ukraine war and a lasting peace.
Efforts by Britain and EU members to strengthen the resolution's language fell short, but the US-drafted measure passed with 10 votes in favor. Five countries — Greece, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and the UK — abstained.
The resolution reaffirmed the UN’s primary mission of maintaining international peace and security, and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in line with the principles outlined in the UN Charter.
However, it did not explicitly acknowledge Russia's 2022 launch of the Ukraine war, a point of contention among some member states.
- Israel preparing to occupy Gaza with support from Trump administration: Smotrich
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that his country’s military was preparing to occupy the Gaza Strip under the leadership of newly appointed Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in coordination with US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Smotrich's remarks came during a speech at the outset of a parliamentary bloc meeting of the Religious Zionist Party in Israel’s Knesset, according to Israeli media sources, including public broadcaster KAN, as well as private daily Maariv and Channel 7.
Speaking on the security situation in northern Israel, he said Lebanese group Hezbollah “is now at its lowest level in decades. It is isolated within the Lebanese government, distant from power centers, cut off from its overland supply route in Syria, deprived of its leadership, and we have eliminated most of its capabilities.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday expressed Moscow’s readiness to discuss with the US the possibility of reducing defense budgets, proposing a 50% cut for both countries to ease global military tensions.
- Trump said Monday he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as soon as this week to sign a deal that would see the US receive a share of Ukraine's critical mineral and natural resource revenues.
- The only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution, the EU foreign policy chief reaffirmed Monday.
- Only Türkiye can rescue the EU from the "deadlock it has fallen into" on matters including economy and defense, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that the "doomsday clock moved one second closer to midnight" as some countries are investing in new nuclear weapons, calling for urgent action on disarmament.
- German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, likely to be the country's next chancellor, said Monday he would like to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Türkiye's deputy foreign minister on Monday called for the appointment of a UN special envoy to combat Islamophobia, emphasizing the urgent need to address rising hate speech and discrimination against Muslims.
- The prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said Monday that fighting in the country's eastern region has killed 7,000 people since January.
- The Israeli military arrested at least 365 Palestinians from the Jenin and Tulkarem governorates since the beginning of its offensive in the northern West Bank on Jan. 21, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said in a statement.
SPORTS
- Cleveland Cavaliers beat Memphis Grizzlies 129-123 for 7th straight win
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 129-123 for their seventh straight victory on Monday.
The Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers triumphed over the Grizzlies, thanks to a standout 33-point performance from Donovan Mitchell.
Evan Mobley had a "double-double" with 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavaliers, while Ty Jerome's 26-26 point contribution played an important role in their 47th victory of the season.
Ja Morant played with 21 points and 10 assists for the Memphis Grizzlies, who suffered their 20th defeat of the season, while Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22 points.
- Golden State Warriors retire Andre Iguodala's No. 9 jersey
The Golden State Warriors honored Andre Iguodala with a ceremony retiring his No. 9 jersey.
The ceremony took place at the Chase Center following the Warriors' 126-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
"It’s been a wild journey, but it’s been a beautiful blessing,” Iguodala said.
In his NBA career, Iguodala played for the Warriors for 19 seasons, and the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat won the NBA championship four times.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- German economy faces uncertainty as coalition talks continue
Economic conditions in Germany are in a challenging state amid the elections and coalition debates for the new government, according to the Bundesbank's monthly report released Monday.
German economic output fell significantly in the fourth quarter of 2024, while the German economy recorded a quarter-on-quarter decline of 0.2% in the same period, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
"Significantly lower exports and weaker industrial output weighed on the economy in particular," it said.
- UAE plans to invest $40 billion in Italy
The United Arab Emirates announced on Monday that it will inject investments worth $40 billion into Italy amid continued growth in bilateral trade.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, as part of a state visit to Italy, according to the Emirati state news agency WAM.
Sheikh Mohamed said non-oil trade between the UAE and Italy reached $14.1 billion last year, up 21.2% from 2023.
This growing trade will continue by strengthening cooperation between the two nations, he added.
