Rabia Ali
13 May 2025•Update: 13 May 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including US President Donald Trump terming upcoming Russia-Ukraine meeting in Istanbul as very important, the release of an Israeli-American hostage by Hamas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy preparing for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli attack on Gaza killing 30 Palestinians.
TOP STORIES
- Russia-Ukraine meeting in Türkiye 'very important': Trump
US President Trump said Monday the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye are "very important," adding that he thinks "good things can come out of that meeting."
"Thursday's meeting with Russia and Ukraine is very important," Trump said while addressing a press conference. "I was very insistent that the meeting take place."
The US leader expressed optimism about potential outcomes, saying: "I think good things can come out of that meeting."
Trump highlighted the human cost of the ongoing conflict, describing the warfare as "a whole new form of warfare" and as "violent and vicious."
- Hamas says ready to immediately engage in talks for lasting Gaza ceasefire
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Monday that it is ready to immediately engage in negotiations to reach a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The group’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, released Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday evening after talks with the Trump administration.
“Hamas is ready to immediately begin negotiations to reach a comprehensive agreement for a sustainable ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation army, the end of the siege, the exchange of prisoners, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement. Alexander was the last known living US hostage held in Gaza.
- Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he will be in Istanbul to meet Putin, supports Trump's call for ceasefire
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Monday expressed support for US President Trump’s call for a full and unconditional ceasefire, saying he is prepared for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a planned meeting in Istanbul.
“I supported President Trump with the idea of direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my readiness to meet. I will be in Türkiye. I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting,” Zelenskyy said on X.
He also said Ukraine is ready to maintain “silence” on its side of the frontline in line with the ceasefire call.
- Israel strikes Gaza before release of Israeli American captive, killing 30 Palestinians
The Israeli army killed at least 30 Palestinians, including children, and injured several others in strikes across Gaza on Monday ahead of the release of Israeli American captive Edan Alexander.
In one of the attacks, the army killed a Palestinian with drone fire in the Wadi al-Arais area of the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City.
A medical source said that 16 Palestinians were killed and others injured in airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.
According to an Anadolu reporter, fighter jets struck Fatima Bint Asad School twice, resulting in fatalities, including women and children.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Libyan authorities urged residents of Tripoli late Monday to remain indoors for their safety after clashes erupted in the capital.
- Türkiye has become a country that the world sees as a key actor for peace diplomacy, global-scale aid, support, and mediation, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday evening had a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
- Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines' detained former president, seems set to reclaim the mayoral seat in Davao City, Rappler News reported Monday, citing unofficial election results.
- A total of 13 people were killed Monday in an explosion of expired munitions in West Java, Indonesia, The Jakarta Globe reported, citing the army.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan said on Monday that there are practical steps to be taken following the decision to dissolve the PKK terror group, and that Ankara will closely monitor them.
- Jordan said Monday that it is coordinating with Türkiye, Syria, Arab states, and the international community “to end Israel’s aggression” on Syrian territory.
- US President Trump on Monday expressed optimism about ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, saying "very good things" are happening.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "alarmed" by the latest data revealing a growing risk of famine across the Gaza Strip, with nearly a half-million people facing “catastrophic hunger” under Israel's nine-week aid blockade, his spokesman said Monday.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday pledged to "significantly reduce" net migration, saying every area of the current immigration system would be tightened to "take back control."
- US President Trump said Monday that he is considering the removal of US sanctions on Syria, as he wants to create a "fresh start" for Damascus.
- Italy and Greece reaffirmed their support for a ceasefire in Gaza and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
SPORTS
- Brazil appoint Carlo Ancelotti as new head coach
Carlo Ancelotti will become Brazil’s head coach after finishing the season with Real Madrid, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed Monday.
"Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the highest place on the podium," CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement.
"He is the greatest coach in history, and now he is leading the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters of Brazilian football," he added.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- World's top economies US, China agree initial 90-day tariff relief after Geneva talks
The US and China have agreed to a sweeping rollback of punitive tariffs for an initial 90-day period, signaling a rare moment of relief in their protracted trade conflict and raising hopes for longer-term economic stability, according to a joint statement released by the US on Monday.
The deal, reached following intense weekend negotiations in Geneva, will see both countries significantly reduce duties on each other's goods, with the US lowering its tariffs on Chinese products from 145% to 30% and China decreasing its own from 125% to 10% by May 14.
- Automaker Nissan to cut 20,000 jobs globally, may close factory in Japan: Report
Struggling Japanese automaker Nissan is planning to cut nearly 20,000 jobs worldwide — more than double the reduction announced last fall— as part of a major restructuring effort, Kyodo News reported Monday, citing an unnamed source.
The job cuts outlined in the new plan account for approximately 15% of Nissan's global workforce. The company is set to report its earnings for the fiscal year ending in March on Tuesday, with attention focused on the impact of US President Trump's 25% auto tariffs.
