Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the U.S. administration under President Trump is making flawed calculations regarding the Middle East. He warned that following Zionist falsehoods would only escalate the conflict. According to an Arab News report, Turkey has rejected Trump’s plan, which proposed relocating over 2 million Palestinians and establishing the region as the U.S.-controlled Middle Eastern Riviera. Turkey has also condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as acts of ethnic cleansing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump, where several significant issues were discussed, including trade, immigration, and visa policies. Notable figures such as Elon Musk and top White House officials were present. While the discussion avoided sensitive topics like mutual tariff policies, human rights, and minority persecution, experts suggest that India’s role as a major trade partner and counter to China has reduced the importance of human rights concerns for the US. Trump mentioned that Modi had promised to reduce unreasonable tariffs, making it more difficult for American goods to enter the Indian market. Modi also expressed support for Trump’s MAGA movement, and both leaders agreed on a prisoner exchange. Modi also expressed support for Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed in a recent interview that he had once faced the threat of death in Pakistan. He shared that the issue arose when a Facebook user posted a drawing of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which enraged the Pakistani government. As a result, the Pakistani government filed a lawsuit against Zuckerberg and decided to personally charge him. Although Zuckerberg did not see it as a direct threat to himself, he considers it a major issue for tech companies and freedom of speech. He emphasized the need for U.S. government protection for tech companies.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a disturbing plan to seize Gaza and expel Palestinians from the region, sparking widespread protests globally. Arab and Muslim-majority countries, in particular, strongly rejected his proposal, voicing fierce opposition. In response, Egypt announced the organization of an Arab summit, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia decided to convene an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the Gaza crisis. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the hosting of an urgent summit on February 20, which will bring together leaders from four Arab countries to discuss Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza. The summit will be attended by leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also participating. (Source: AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Friday that a Russian drone struck the protective structure of the destroyed fourth unit at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, causing significant damage. However, the Kremlin dismissed the allegation, calling it provocation. Russian officials stated that their military had not carried out any such attack and accused the Kyiv government of making frequent baseless accusations. The claim comes at a sensitive time, as discussions on ending the war continue and the Munich Security Conference is underway.

In a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there was no discussion about interim government leader Muhammad Yunus or fugitive Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India. Meanwhile, BNP held a press conference urging India to extradite Hasina to Bangladesh. Citing reports from the mass uprising, BNP stated that Hasina’s regime orchestrated systematic attacks and killings to suppress opposition forces.

The year 2024 has been recorded as the most dangerous year for journalists, with at least 124 killed across 18 countries, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The report states that Israel is responsible for 70% of these deaths. In comparison, 102 journalists were killed in 2023, while 69 were killed in 2022. CPJ, which has been tracking journalist fatalities for three decades, noted that this year’s toll surpasses previous records, including the 2017 peak of 113 journalist deaths.

Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his interest in negotiating nuclear arms reduction with the leaders of China and Russia. Responding to journalists, Trump stated that nuclear disarmament is a priority in his second term. Meanwhile, Russia expressed skepticism about extending its last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with Washington, raising concerns about a potential deadlock. Trump reaffirmed his commitment to disarmament, emphasizing that there is no justification for producing more nuclear weapons. He also noted that initial discussions on arms reduction with Russia and China were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic during his first term.

Despite the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Israel conducted airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip on Thursday (February 13). No immediate casualties were reported. According to Anadolu News Agency, the Israeli military claimed the targeted location was used for launching rockets. Palestinian authorities have yet to respond. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than 12,000 missing. Although a ceasefire was declared on January 19, Israel continues to violate it.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reiterated his criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Erdoğan declared, “Gaza belongs to our Palestinian brothers and sisters. By Allah’s will, they will remain in their homeland forever.”

He also referenced the temporary ceasefire agreement announced on January 19, expressing disappointment that Israel failed to uphold its commitments. Erdoğan urged the Arab and Muslim world to stand by the people of Gaza.

Speaking at a plenary session of the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai, UAE, on Thursday, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the United Nations’ investigation report on the July-August crackdown and killings of student protesters in Bangladesh. The report documents incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture cells, and the brutal suppression of students by law enforcement under direct orders from the then-Prime Minister. “The world now knows, once again, the extent of their cruelty,” Yunus stated. He also emphasized the collapse of law and order, the need to restructure state institutions, and the formation of 15 commissions to address the crisis. Yunus further accused Sheikh Hasina of crippling the banking system and fostering widespread corruption, acknowledging that Bangladesh now requires international assistance to recover.

At a White House press conference on Thursday, February 13, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his desire to reinstate Russia in the Group of Seven (G7) alliance. He stated that removing Moscow from the group was a mistake, according to a Reuters report. Russia was a member of the industrialized nations’ alliance until 2014, when it was expelled following the annexation of Crimea. Back then, the group was known as the G8. Trump believes that President Vladimir Putin would be open to rejoining. Meanwhile, Canada, the current G7 chair, has yet to respond to Trump’s remarks.

Amid nearly two years of unrest, President’s Rule has been imposed in the Indian state of Manipur. Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his position, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to announce a successor. Amid this political deadlock, President’s Rule was enforced on Thursday. The ongoing 18-month-long violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has claimed the lives of hundreds, and angry mobs have set fire to several lawmakers’ and the Chief Minister’s residences. Biren resigned, taking responsibility for the failure to restore normalcy.

On Wednesday, China expressed its approval of the phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. According to Anadolu Agency, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated in Beijing that the country is pleased to see continued communication and dialogue between Russia and the United States on various international issues. Earlier, both Presidents had agreed on halting the war, with Donald Trump also hinting that a meeting between the two leaders could take place in Saudi Arabia soon.

After previously refusing to release Israeli hostages due to allegations that Israel was not honoring the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has now changed its stance. According to a report by The Times of Israel, the Palestinian resistance group has announced plans to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday.

This decision came a day after a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo for negotiations with mediators. Hamas stated that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have assured them of efforts to remove obstacles hindering the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.