Morning Briefing: March 5, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including the Arab summit in Cairo adopting Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan, President Donald Trump declaring that the US will secure Greenland “one way or another,” and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regretting his fiery White House meeting with Trump.

TOP STORIES

• Arab summit in Cairo adopts Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan as ‘unified’ initiative

An emergency Arab summit in Cairo adopted Egypt’s reconstruction plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip.

The summit’s final statement stipulated “the adoption of the plan submitted by the Arab Republic of Egypt—in full coordination with the State of Palestine and Arab countries, and based on studies conducted by the World Bank and the UN Development Fund—regarding early recovery and the reconstruction of Gaza as a comprehensive Arab plan.”

It affirmed the rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land “under any pretext or circumstances.”

The Arab Summit highlighted that it assigned an Arab legal committee to study the classification of Palestinian displacement as part of the crime of genocide.

• Trump says US will be getting Greenland 'one way or another'

US President Donald Trump declared that the US would secure Greenland “one way or another,” emphasizing its strategic importance.

“We need Greenland for national security and even international security,” Trump said during his address to a joint session of Congress. “We’re working with everybody involved to try and get it, but we need it really for international world security, and I think we’re going to get it one way or the other, we’re going to get it.”

He also extended his support for the people of Greenland, saying, “We strongly support your right to determine your future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”

Greenland, the world’s largest island, has been an autonomous territory of Denmark since 1979.

• Zelenskyy says he regrets that White House meeting 'did not go the way it was supposed to'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed regret to US President Donald Trump over their contentious meeting last week at the White House, saying it had not gone as planned.

On X, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to begin negotiations with Russia as soon as possible to resolve the military conflict, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.

"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right,” he wrote. “We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”

Zelenskyy added that he and his team stand ready to work "under Trump’s strong leadership."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Palestinian resistance group Hamas welcomed a reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip that was adopted at an emergency Arab summit in Cairo.
• Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa condemned calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, calling them a "disgrace to humanity" and a "test" for all Arabs.
• The White House opposed a proposal at an Arab leaders’ summit for rebuilding Gaza.
• German Christian Democrats and Social Democrats agreed on a plan to boost defense procurements and infrastructure investments by reforming the constitutional debt brake and establishing a special fund.
• Suspected militants stormed a military compound in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 15 people and injuring another 25, security and health officials said.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacted to US President Donald Trump's decision to implement tariffs on Canada, saying it is "a very dumb thing to do."
• China said it will "firmly advance" the push for reunification with Taiwan.
• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he will create a vice president position and issue a general amnesty for all dismissed members from his Fatah movement.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her government will impose retaliatory tariffs because of US President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on Mexican goods.
• South Korea's humanitarian assistance to longtime rival North Korea reached zero last year for the first time in nearly 30 years as Pyongyang refused to accept aid.
• Israel criticized the final statement of an emergency Arab League summit in Egypt on developments in Palestine, claiming it “fails to address the realities of the situation” following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas.
  

SPORTS

• Manchester City releases statement about Nathan Ake’s injury

Manchester City released a statement regarding Nathan Ake's successful surgery after suffering an injury in the FA Cup.

"Nathan Ake has undergone successful surgery on a fracture in his left foot," City said in a statement.

Ake, 30, was forced to leave the field after an injury sustained in Saturday's FA Cup fifth round victory over Plymouth after aggravating the problem.

• FIFA lifts Pakistan Football Federation’s suspension after constitutional dispute

FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), restoring the country's full membership.

The suspension, which lasted several weeks, was removed after the PFF approved amendments to its constitution proposed by the global football body, the federation said in a statement.

The decision, effective immediately, allows Pakistan to resume participation in international football events.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• ReArm Europe': EU's von der Leyen unveils €800B defense plan

Ahead of Thursday’s European Council meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the ReArm Europe plan, an ambitious strategy to enhance the continent's defense capabilities that would mobilize as much as €800 billion.

“Member states are ready to invest more in their own security if they have the fiscal space,” she said in a letter to EU leaders. Von der Leyen highlighted that an average 1.5% increase in defense spending could create up to €650 billion over the next four years.

• US stocks end lower as Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico take effect

US stocks closed with losses after President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico took effect.

Trump also doubled tariffs on China from 10% to 20% on Tuesday, fueling fears of an escalating global trade war.

The three countries responded with retaliatory measures, vowing further duties on American goods.