Morning Briefing: March 12, 2025

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including the latest on Gaza truce talks in Qatar, Ukraine agreeing to a month's ceasefire with Russia, militants ambushing train in Pakistan, and the Philippines' ex-President Duterte on way to The Hague to face trial.

TOP STORIES

• US envoy Witkoff holds talks in Qatar as Israel proposes 60-day Gaza ceasefire extension

US Presidential Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff began talks Tuesday in Qatar to push for progress on releasing Israeli hostages amid a proposal by Tel Aviv to extend a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip for 60 days, Israel’s state-run broadcaster reported.

The first 42-day phase of a three-phase ceasefire and prisoner swap deal, each of equal length, between Hamas and Israel -- brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US -- ended on March 1 after they started on Jan. 19.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sidestepped the second phase of the agreement, seeking the release of more Israeli captives without fulfilling commitments to end the genocide and fully withdraw from Gaza.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN stated that Witkoff’s discussions are aimed to “move the parties toward understandings on releasing the captives.”

• Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia

Ukraine on Tuesday conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation,” said a joint statement released following the talks held in Jeddah.

According to the statement, the US will immediately lift the pause on its intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and will also resume security assistance to Kyiv.

It further said that the Ukrainian delegation, during the talks, reiterated that Kyiv’s partners in Europe shall be involved in the peace process.

“Lastly, both countries’ presidents agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security,” it added.

• Militants fire at train in SW Pakistan, claim to have taken 214 passengers hostage

A gun battle was underway between security forces and heavily armed militants who claimed to have taken 214 passengers hostage after attacking a train in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday.

The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in a statement to local media, claimed responsibility for the brazen attack.

The militant network, in the latest statement to local media, said they hold 214 hostages, and that it is ready to swap them for "missing Baloch political activists and imprisoned BLA members."

Security forces said they have got 155 hostages, including women and children, freed, while an operation for the release of the remaining passengers is continuing.

Some 27 suspected militants have so far been killed, while several others were injured in the ongoing operation, the security sources said.

Unconfirmed reports said at least 10 passengers, including the train driver, have been killed in the ambush.

• Philippines' ex-President Duterte on way to The Hague to face trial

Philippines ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested on Tuesday for alleged crimes against humanity during his "war on drugs," was flown to The Hague to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Duterte boarded a charter flight at Villamor Airbase at 9 pm local time (1300GMT), according to one of his lawyers, Martin Delgra III.

Footage shared by retired Gen. Filmore Escobal and aired on multiple broadcasters showed Duterte attired in a black coat and pants and a white t-shirt disembarking a bus surrounded by plain-clothes security personnel.

Duterte, who appeared to be shocked, shook hands with a man before security personnel escorted him to the plane.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for the full implementation of Monday’s agreement aimed at ensuring Syria’s unity, adding that “the winners" will be Syrians.

• Russia said on Tuesday that it does not rule out contacts with officials from Washington in the coming days, as the US and Ukraine held talks in Saudi Arabia during which Kyiv agreed on a 30-day ceasefire with Moscow.

• A minority right-wing government established in Portugal around 11 months ago collapsed on Tuesday, following failure to gain enough votes in a confidence motion in parliament due to corruption allegations against Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.

• US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he hopes Russia will sign on to a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine lent its support to following a closely-watched summit with the US.

• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said he would not negotiate with the Trump administration in the US, saying: “Do whatever the hell you want.”

• Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday that he is "temporarily" suspending a 25% surcharge on electricity the Canadian province provides to the US states of New York, Minnesota, and Michigan.

• The Red Cross received five Lebanese detainees from Israel on Tuesday evening, weeks after their capture by the Israeli military during the recent war, state news agency NNA reported.

• A Syrian investigation committee into violence in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus vowed Tuesday to bring those involved in violations to accountability.

• At least seven Palestinians were killed and others injured in new Israeli attacks Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement.

• The EU reiterated its support Tuesday for the UN and called for reforms to the Security Council, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and effective multilateral system.

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations, one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the US, reported a 7.4% increase in incidents of discrimination and attacks against Muslims following the Israeli war on Gaza.

SPORTS

• Manchester United unveil plans for 100,000-seat stadium to replace Old Trafford

Manchester United announced plans Tuesday to build a new 100,000-seat stadium to replace the club’s historic Old Trafford.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the new stadium will be built adjacent to Old Trafford to preserve “the essence” of the club’s 115-year-old home but the start of the construction “depends on how quickly” the government begins its regeneration project for the area.

The team expects to build its new home in five years, although such an enormous project would take 10, says Lord Norman Foster, the founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners, the architecture group appointed to design the stadium.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Indian telecom giants sign deals to bring Starlink internet services to country

Two Indian telecom giants have signed pacts with billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink internet services to the country.

Reliance Jio said Wednesday that “the agreement with SpaceX is part of Jio's commitment to ensuring that reliable internet is fully accessible to all enterprises, small and medium businesses and communities across India.”

"Jio and SpaceX are also evaluating other complementary areas of cooperation to leverage their respective infrastructure to further enhance India's digital ecosystem,” it added.

• Trump raises tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum to 50% after Ontario’s electricity levy

US President Trump on Tuesday announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and warned of a "National Emergency" over electricity imports.

"Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on 'Electricity' coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th," Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social.