Morning Briefing: Feb. 23, 2025

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including the postponement of the release of Palestinian detainees; Germany heading to the polls and Pope Francis’ “critical” condition battling an “asthma-like respiratory crisis” of prolonged intensity.

TOP STORIES

-Israel postpones release of Palestinians under hostage deal

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, released six Israeli detainees as part of the seventh batch of a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement.

Israel postponed the release of the Palestinian detainees, however, until after security consultations conducted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on negotiations for the second phase of the agreement conclude.

"It has been decided to delay the release of the terrorists planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages is ensured, without the degrading ceremonies," the Prime Minister's Office said.

-⁠Germany heads to polls in early parliamentary elections

⁠German voters will head to the polls to elect a new parliament, with the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) widely predicted to return to power after more than three years in opposition.

More than 59 million citizens are eligible to vote, including 2.3 million first-time voters, according to official data. Over 7 million eligible voters have immigrant backgrounds, including more than 1 million Germans of Turkish origin.

With no party expected to secure an absolute majority, complex negotiations are expected after the elections to form a government.

• Pope’s respiratory crisis

Pope Francis’ condition continues to be “critical” after a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” he experienced, according to the Vatican, adding that the pope is not “out of danger.

“This morning, Pope Francis experienced a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis, which also required the administration of high-flow oxygen,” the Vatican said in a statement.

Blood tests showed he is also suffering from thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, the Vatican added, describing the pope’s condition as “more uncomfortable than yesterday.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, is set to hold a popular funeral in southern Beirut for its former leader
• Following an announcement by the Sudan Doctors Network, 1,197 cholera cases, with 83 fatalities, have been recorded in southern Sudan in the past two days,
• Russian President Vladimir Putin will present state awards in the Kremlin for Defender of Motherland Day, celebrated Feb. 23.
• ⁠Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold the Year 2025 forum with participation from the heads of state institutions, which will end with a news conference.
• A key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Torkahn has been closed following a verbal clash between officials from the two countries over the construction of a security check post by the Taliban interim administration.
• US President Donald Trump met Polish President Andrzej Duda and Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
• Libyan House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh encouraged the establishment of an Arab-Islamic Fund to develop and reconstruct the Gaza Strip, with contributions from states, organizations, banks and investment companies.
• US President Donald Trump said the US is "pretty close to a deal" with Ukraine, and he intends to recover the aid Washington has provided during its war against Russia.
• The Israeli army fired on a car in one of the towns of the Marjayoun district in the Nabatieh Governorate in southern Lebanon, causing it to catch fire.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil prices fail to break five-week downward trend

Oil prices surged throughout the week, driven by the EU's expanded sanctions on Russia and reports of a Ukrainian strike on a Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) oil pumping station. But just as momentum seemed set to hold, the market took a sharp turn, wiping out all gains and dragging prices below $75.

Brent crude, which closed the previous week at $74.40, rose following reports that Ukraine attacked a CPC station carrying Kazakhstani oil in a "reaction to the US." The attack pushed Brent to $75.12 before it finished at $75.06, up 0.07%. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 1% to $71.28.​​​​​​​