Morning Briefing: Feb. 13, 2026

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including the US military completing its withdrawal from the al-Tanf base in southern Syria after nearly a decade, US President Donald Trump's border czar announcing that the federal immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is coming to an end, and the UK's top civil servant Chris Wormald resigning amid Epstein turmoil.

TOP STORIES

• US completes withdrawal from al-Tanf base in Syria: CENTCOM

The US military has completed its withdrawal from the al-Tanf base in southern Syria after nearly a decade, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed.

“U.S. forces remain poised to respond to any ISIS threats that arise in the region as we support partner-led efforts to prevent the terrorist network’s resurgence,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement.

“Maintaining pressure on ISIS is essential to protecting the U.S. homeland and strengthening regional security,” he added.

• Trump border czar announces end to immigration surge in Minneapolis, St. Paul

US President Donald Trump's border czar announced that the federal immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is coming to an end.

Tom Homan said the operation has "greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action," later disclosing that around 4,000 arrests have been conducted since late December when Trump directed the mass buildup of thousands of immigration officers.

• UK's top civil servant resigns amid Epstein turmoil

Chris Wormald has stepped down as the UK’s top civil servant and head of the civil service “by mutual agreement,” the Cabinet Office announced.

The move comes as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to reset his Downing Street operation following controversies over the appointments of Lord Peter Mandelson and Lord Matthew Doyle, despite their association with sex offenders.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US President Donald Trump said he expects an agreement with Iran to take shape during the next month.
• Russia plans to send humanitarian aid in the form of oil and petroleum products to Cuba in the near future, according to the Russian Embassy in Havana.
• A truck driver died and nearly 850,000 households were left without electricity as Storm Nils battered southern and southwestern France with violent winds, flooding and avalanches.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged European and Canadian allies to increase defense spending and industrial output, stressing that the US remains committed to the alliance but has shifted its focus to the Indo-Pacific.
• Türkiye condemned Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that recent decisions could undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
• Russia attempted to fully block WhatsApp in “an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app,” WhatsApp wrote in a statement on the US social media company X’s platform.
• Israeli forces moved into the village of Sida al-Hanout in Syria’s southern Quneitra countryside in the latest raid into Syrian territory.
• The death toll from recent protests in Iran has risen to 7,002, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said.
• China has urged Hungary to play an “active role” in ensuring the steady development of China-EU relations.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a new round of talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine could take place soon.
• French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europe to take urgent action and make concrete decisions by June as the bloc faces "extremely strong" competition and pressure, particularly from the US and China.
• Norwegian police raided several residences of former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland on allegations of links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and aggravated corruption.
• A Ukrainian skeleton athlete was disqualified from the Olympics for wearing a helmet featuring portraits of fellow athletes killed in the war with Russia.
• A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile, the second quake in the region in a few hours.
• The Lebanese army said it had closed several “illegal” crossings with Syria in the northern Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon as part of efforts to combat smuggling.
• The UN Security Council unanimously renewed the mandate of the Monitoring Team assisting the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee for another year.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye is working to ensure peace and stability in its region and beyond “at a time of rising global uncertainty,” stressing that Ankara “never neglects the Balkans.”
• The Israeli army carried out a military exercise in the Red Sea city of Eilat amid tensions between Iran and the US and an expanded US military presence in the Middle East.
• Serbia’s president hailed the Turkish president’s leadership and voiced support for deeper economic, political and security cooperation between the two countries.
• A drone strike by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed two civilians and wounded four in South Kordofan state, the Sudan Doctors Network said.
• Albania's AI minister faces a lawsuit as an actress seeks a court order to halt the use of her image and voice.
• Kenya will reopen its border with Somalia in April after a 15-year closure.
• The US reaffirmed its support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity and the Dayton Peace Agreement.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Mexico seeks end to US oil embargo on Cuba as humanitarian aid arrives

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration is seeking to broker an agreement with the US to supply oil to Cuba as Washington has tightened its blockade on the island.

Two Mexican Navy ships carrying more than 800 tons of food arrived in Cuba as Sheinbaum continues efforts to supply oil without facing tariffs.

The Mexican armed forces delivered 814 tons of aid consisting of milk, meat products, rice, beans and personal hygiene items.

According to Sheinbaum, a second shipment carrying 1.5 tons of powdered milk and beans is pending.

• Turkish Airlines introduces 500th aircraft

Turkish Airlines introduced its 500th aircraft, which joined the fleet at the end of 2025 and features photographs of its 100,000 employees and retirees.

The event Thursday at Istanbul Airport hosted executives, employees, aviation leaders and children of martyrs from Türkiye's 81 provinces.

A promotional video for the Airbus A350 type aircraft, named TK Aile, which means “family” in the Turkish language, with tail registration C-LHH was screened during the ceremony.

• Turkish Petroleum and BP sign pact on oil and gas cooperation

National energy company Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) and British energy major BP have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in oil and natural gas, including potential collaboration in Iraq, Türkiye's energy and natural resources minister announced.

"Our most fundamental priority project is cooperation in Iraq. We are looking at cooperation in Iraq, primarily in the Kirkuk fields," said Alparslan Bayraktar after the signing ceremony in Istanbul, according to an Energy and Natural Resources Ministry statement.