Israel missed two Gaza truce chances: Ex-negotiator

World

February 17, 2025

JERUSALEM (AFP) – A former Israeli negotiator said Israel missed two opportunities last year to secure a Gaza truce and hasten hostage releases, prompting a swift rebuttal from the premier’s office last weekend.

“In my view, we missed two opportunities to sign an agreement… in March and July” last year, said Oren Setter, who resigned from the Israeli negotiating team in October, in remarks broadcast on Channel 12.

“We did not do everything we could to bring them back as quickly as possible.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused by opposition figures and some families of hostages of not doing enough to secure their release and torpedoing talks, mediated by the United States (US), Qatar and Egypt, for his own political gain.

On Saturday, his office dismissed Setter’s remarks, stating that “his claims that an agreement could have been reached earlier are entirely baseless”.

A crowd surrounds the buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AP

“Had the prime minister not stood firm, at least half of the living hostages would not have been freed in the first phase,” of an ongoing truce, the statement said. “As repeatedly testified by senior US officials, Hamas refused to engage in negotiations for months and was the sole obstacle to a deal,” the statement added.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s steadfast stance, along with President Trump’s threats, led to Hamas’ capitulation, the release of our hostages, and the safeguarding of Israel’s security interests,” the statement added.

Hamas and Israel are currently implementing the first 42-day phase of a ceasefire that has largely halted fighting in Gaza.

Setter clarified that he wanted to “speak about facts” and argued that the deaths of hostages in captivity and “unnecessary suffering” could have been avoided, while still placing primary responsibility for last year’s negotiation deadlock on Hamas.

Since the truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Movement came into effect, 19 Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023 have been released in exchange for more than a thousand Palestinian prisoners.

A total of 33 Israeli hostages, at least eight of whom have died, are to be released during the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19.

The second phase, which is yet to be negotiated, is expected to cover the release of the remaining hostages and include discussions on a more permanent end to the war.

Rubio arrives in Israel on first Middle East tour

World

February 17, 2025

TEL AVIV (AFP) – United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on the first leg of a Middle East tour, an AFP journalist reported.

Rubio landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and was due to hold talks with Israeli officials when he will highlight President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to take control of the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by more than 15 months of war between Hamas and Israel.

Coming from Munich, where he took part in a security conference, the top US diplomat was set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The Israeli prime minister, who recently visited Washington where he met Donald Trump, expressed his appreciation for the US president’s “full support” for Israel’s next moves in Gaza.

“Israel will now have to decide what they will do,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The US will back the decision they make!” he added.

Rubio arrived in Israel hours after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in the sixth swap of a nearly month-old ceasefire. The ceasefire came close to collapse earlier this week and Netanyahu credited “President Trump’s firm stance” with ensuring Saturday’s releases went ahead.

In his meetings, the US top diplomat is expected to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire, which should see the release of remaining hostages and a more permanent end to the war but which has yet to be agreed in detail.

A source close to the negotiations said mediators hope to begin talks on the second phase “next week in Doha”. Washington expressed openness to alternative proposals from Arab governments but has stressed that currently, “the only plan is Trump’s”.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar shakes hands with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Tel Aviv, Israel. PHOTO: AP

Jail time!

World

February 17, 2025

UPI – A 104-year-old New York woman celebrated her milestone birthday with an unusual bucket list wish: visiting the local jail.

Loretta, a resident at Avon Nursing Home, shared her unique request with staff, who coordinated with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office to make it happen.

The sheriff’s office gave Loretta a special tour of the jail, but not before celebrating with coffee and cake.

In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office shared Loretta’s witty secret to longevity, “Mind your business!”

The post said Loretta “had a great time touring our jail facility”.

“We are so glad that we were able to make her birthday wishes come true,” officials wrote.

“Thank you for all the laughs today and for being a great sport!”

The purr-fect names

World

February 17, 2025

HONG KONG (AP) – Panda craze has once again gripped Hong Kong as residents compete to name the territory’s first locally-born giant panda cubs who just turned six months old.

The competition to name the twin cubs, born on August 15 last year, launched on Saturday following a celebratory ceremony at Ocean Park, the theme park that houses the twins, their parents and two other giant pandas that arrived from mainland China last year. Residents can submit their suggestions via the park’s website.

The southern city now has the largest number of pandas in captivity outside of mainland China, and the cubs’ names would be announced in the first half of this year.

The pair are currently identified as the ‘Elder Sister’ and the ‘Little Brother’. During a media preview session on Saturday, the male cub laid on a swing playing with a tree stick before a carer placed him on a slide. The female cub explored the enclosure before climbing onto a tree.

The panda carers said the female cub seemed more active than her male twin. She loves climbing the tree inside the enclosure and resting there while her brother likes to wander around and play with the plants. The male cub has been marked with two purple food-colouring spots on its back to distinguish it from his sister.

The birth of the baby pandas last year made their mother Ying Ying the world’s oldest first-time panda mum. Their popularity on social media also raised hopes for the city’s tourism boost. Officials have encouraged businesses to capitalise on the panda craze to seize opportunities in what some lawmakers have dubbed the “panda economy”.

Hong Kong-born giant panda twin cubs in Ocean Park during a greeting ceremony in Hong Kong. PHOTO: AP

Bend, stretch, conquer

Lifestyle

February 17, 2025

Imagine waking up, groggy-eyed and reluctant to leave the comfort of your bed. You shuffle towards your morning routine, stiff from a night’s sleep, already feeling the weight of the day ahead. Now, imagine this scenario with a simple addition – a 10-minute stretch that transforms your morning from sluggish to sprightly.

In a world where we are often glued to screens, hunched over desks, and stuck in sedentary habits, stretching can be a game-changer.

A mere 10 minutes each day can bring a surprising number of benefits, helping you feel more energised, flexible, and mentally refreshed. Here’s why you should make daily stretching a non-negotiable part of your routine.

A BOOST FOR YOUR BODY

Our bodies are built to move, yet modern lifestyles often keep us static for extended periods. Over time, this inactivity leads to tight muscles, poor posture and even discomfort. Stretching counteracts these issues by improving flexibility and increasing circulation, which helps prevent stiffness and injury.

For those who spend long hours at a desk, a simple sequence of stretches targeting the neck, shoulders and lower back can work wonders. Stretching releases tension, eases muscle aches and promotes better posture – saving you from the dreaded desk hunch.

Even if you’re not feeling any discomfort now, proactive stretching can prevent issues from creeping up later.

A NATURAL ENERGY BOOST

Who needs a third cup of coffee when a quick stretch can provide an instant energy lift? Stretching increases blood flow, sending oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and brain.

This boost in circulation helps shake off fatigue and reawakens the body, making you feel alert and refreshed.

A great way to combat that mid-afternoon slump is by stepping away from your desk and dedicating just a few minutes to stretching. You’ll find that it reinvigorates your focus and productivity, allowing you to tackle the rest of the day with renewed enthusiasm.

A MOMENT OF MINDFULNESS

Stretching isn’t just about the physical – it’s a fantastic way to centre your mind as well. When you take a moment to stretch, you bring awareness to your body, your breath, and how you’re feeling.

This moment of mindfulness acts as a reset button, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

Pairing stretching with deep breathing amplifies its benefits. With each inhale, you bring fresh oxygen into your body; with each exhale, you release tension.

This simple practice helps melt away stress and can be particularly useful before bedtime to encourage restful sleep.

BETTER FLEXIBILITY, BETTER MOVEMENT

Flexibility isn’t just for yoga enthusiasts and dancers – it plays a vital role in everyday movements. Whether it’s reaching for something on a high shelf, bending down to tie your shoelaces or simply getting out of bed without stiffness, flexibility makes life easier and more comfortable.

Daily stretching keeps muscles and joints supple, reducing the risk of strains and injuries. As you consistently stretch, you’ll notice improved range of motion, making movement feel more fluid and effortless.

GOODBYE ACHES AND PAINS

If you often experience tension headaches, lower back pain or tight shoulders, stretching can be a natural remedy. Many of these discomforts stem from muscle tightness caused by poor posture or repetitive movements. Stretching helps to release knots, improve alignment and promote relaxation.

A simple stretch routine can be particularly beneficial for those who exercise regularly, aiding in muscle recovery and reducing soreness.

Even if you’re not an avid gym-goer, stretching ensures your body remains limber and less prone to discomfort.

HOW TO GET STARTED

The beauty of a 10-minute stretch routine is its simplicity. You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership – just a small space and a willingness to move.

Start with gentle neck rolls and shoulder shrugs to release upper body tension. Move into side stretches, forward folds and spinal twists to lengthen and awaken the body.

Finish with a few deep breaths and a gentle hamstring stretch to feel fully refreshed.

To stay consistent, try incorporating stretching into existing habits. Stretch while waiting for your morning coffee to brew, before bed to unwind, or even during TV ad breaks. The key is to make it an enjoyable and effortless part of your daily life.

A daily 10-minute stretch may seem like a small commitment, but the rewards are significant. Increased flexibility, reduced stress, better posture, and improved energy levels are just a few of the many benefits you’ll enjoy. – Izah Azahari

Silver says NBA ‘excellent’ but Green calls it ‘boring’

Sports

February 17, 2025

AFP – NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was happy with the state of the league despite complaints about too many three-pointers, but added yesterday the NBA continues to study the issue.

Speaking during NBA All-Star weekend festivities, Silver also said Dallas Mavericks fans angry over Luka Doncic being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers should have faith in club management and he isn’t worried about the NBA’s union deal creating more rough splits like Jimmy Butler’s move from Miami to Golden State.

But NBA style was the main subject after four-time NBA champion forward Draymond Green of Golden State called the NBA “boring” earlier.

“Physicality has been taken out of the game and to me that’s boring,” Green said. “The human element has been taken out of it. I don’t think that makes for a great product.” Silver, however, said he likes where the NBA is at even with a surge in three-point shooting.

“I think the state of the game is excellent,” Silver said. “It’s perfectly appropriate to be critical of the game. I find it very helpful.

“We’re playing a lot of attention to it. I’m not going to say there isn’t room for improvement. We’ll continue to look at it and study it but I am happy with the state of the game.”

Silver said 25 years ago, a similar conversation about the NBA was that there were too many slam dunks and physical play was too dominating.

“Being around this game a long time, I’ve learned not to over-react,” Silver said. “I do think it’s a beautiful game.”

China’s economy kicks off new year with fresh trends

Business

February 17, 2025

BEIJING (XINHUA) – As the Year of the Snake unfolds, China’s economy is setting the stage for dynamic growth, with consumption, high-quality development and the capital market presenting new growth drivers, signaling a strong recovery and a shift toward more sustainable and innovation-driven development.

China saw vibrant consumer spending during the recent Spring Festival holiday, with standout sectors including tourism and services.

Domestic travel spending during the eight-day holiday, which ended last Tuesday, reached CNY677 billion (USD94.4 billion), representing a seven per cent increase from the same period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Homestay businesses flourished during the period, attracting tourists with personalised lodging experiences marked by local cultural characteristics. Their sales revenues increased 12.6 per cent compared to the Spring Festival holiday last year.

This year’s holiday also saw a surge in enthusiasm for winter sports and leisure, with attractions such as the Harbin Ice-Snow World attracting over 610,000 visitors.

Tourists visit Changdian temple fair to celebrate the Spring Festival in Beijing. PHOTO: XINHUA

The 2024-2025 winter season is expected to see some 520 million trips, generating over CNY630 billion in tourism revenue, according to a report released by the China Tourism Academy.

China’s Spring Festival holiday box office revenue climbed to a record-breaking CNY9.51 billion, according to the China Film Administration. The number of holiday moviegoers also soared, with 187 million people packing out theatres.

Strong participation in China’s policy-backed consumer goods trade-in programme boosted holiday market consumer sentiment. Household appliance and audiovisual equipment sales revenues surged 166.4 per cent from last year’s holiday figure, and sales of communication devices jumped 181.9 per cent, according to the State Taxation Administration.

Since last year, “trade-in” has become a common term in China’s consumer market, with the national trade-in campaign driving steady retail sales growth.

Immediately after the holiday, many regions across China held their first official meetings of the new year, focusing on such areas as strengthening the real economy, optimising the business environment, and advancing technological innovation to drive high-quality economic and social development.

Guangdong, a major manufacturing province, has released a 2025 action plan to build a modern industrial system with an annual investment of CNY1 trillion, including 380 industrial projects in high-end equipment manufacturing, new materials, petrochemicals, steel and other sectors.

Shanghai held its annual city business environment conference for the eighth consecutive year and also released an action plan, introducing 58 measures, including measures to optimise overall services for enterprises and improve business-related supervision and inspections.

In Zhejiang, the provincial government is working to foster the deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, and to establish a collaborative framework that brings together universities, platforms, enterprises and industrial chains.

Likewise, central China’s Hubei Province and the southern island province of Hainan are focusing on technological innovation as their key development direction.

Global financial institutions are optimistic about China’s capital markets after the holiday, reinforcing the country’s often underestimated capacity to sustain innovation.

Trump tariffs loom large in South Korea’s ‘steel city’

Business

February 17, 2025

POHANG (AFP) – Smoke billows from chimneys as factories churn in South Korea’s steelmaking heartland, now under threat from Washington’s swingeing new tariffs on the port city’s largest export.

The city of Pohang on South Korea’s east coast for decades pumped out the steel that fuelled the country’s breakneck economic rise.

South Korea was the fourth largest exporter of the metal to the United States (US) last year, accounting for 13 per cent of its total steel imports.

But the industry has faced intense strain in recent years from foreign competition.

And businesses, officials and workers in the city now fear a planned 25 per cent tariff on all steel imports to the US beginning next month could have devastating impacts – and major knock-on effects on South Korea’s economy.

Steelworks of South Korea’s largest steelmaker POSCO as seen over a residential area in Pohang. PHOTO: AFP

“The steel industry is a vital national industry that serves as a fundamental material for key sectors such as construction, automotive and shipbuilding,” Pohang’s mayor Lee Kang-deok told AFP.

“If the steel industry collapses, the entire South Korean economy will be destabilised,” Lee warned.

“If we fail to respond effectively to President Trump’s tariff measures, our country’s economy could face an even greater shock, leading to an irreversible situation.”

Lying around 270 kilometres southeast of Seoul, Pohang has carved out a rare place as a key industrial hub in a country beset by deepening regional inequality – and where most resources are tightly concentrated in the capital.

It is home to the nation’s top steelmaker, POSCO, a major force in South Korea’s industrialisation and development as an export powerhouse, alongside giants like Hyundai Steel and Dongkuk Steel.

“Pohang has long been a symbolic steel city that has supported South Korea for decades, serving as a backbone for the country’s development,” said former Hyundai Steel worker and an official at the Korean Metal Workers’ Union’s Pohang branch Bang Sung-jun.

“The steel industry has provided quality jobs and sustained the local economy,” he told AFP, while acknowledging the pollution produced and the often dangerous conditions for workers in the industry.

How those workers respond to the current crisis, he added, “will determine whether the city of Pohang can sustain its steel industry, putting its very survival at stake”.

South Korea’s steel industry has faced intense pressure in recent years as it grapples with oversupply – particularly from China – and a decrease in global demand. The US tariffs are likely to intensify those challenges, and analysts warn that should cheap Chinese steel barred from the US market begin to flood regions like Southeast Asia and Europe, South Korean steel producers will face deepening price competition.

“Trump’s protectionism certainly will affect South Korea’s long-suffering steel industry, already squeezed by low-price exports from China and unfavourable Japanese yen exchange rate,” professor of Korea studies at the University of Oslo Vladimir Tikhonov told AFP.

“The impact will be significant,” he said.

Some suggest the tariffs could offer opportunities for South Korean firms to find new export markets.

But for workers in Pohang, where several mills have already shut down, job security and the threat of further layoffs overshadow any potential benefits.

AFP reporters visited a factory owned by Hyundai Steel which closed late last year. It did not appear to be operating and was guarded by a handful of staff at the time of the visit.

Journalists saw signs hung by unionised workers criticising the management and demanding an apology, and through an open door, what looked like debris piled up inside.

“For us workers, it has always been a crisis without any opportunities,” said Bang, the unionist.

Worker Lee Woo-man, who has worked as a subcontractor for POSCO for two decades, told AFP that 20 of his colleagues have lost their jobs in the past year.

He expected employment in the city to “decrease even more” over the next four years and believes Trump’s tariffs will speed up the decline of the city, which he said has lost the vibrancy it had when he was young.

Lee said he grew up watching the smoke rise from the chimneys of massive mills, thinking to himself: “POSCO is feeding Pohang”.

But now that view makes him worry.

“I don’t know when this will all fall apart.”

Cryptocurrency promoted by Milei crashes

Business

February 17, 2025

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) – Argentina’s President Javier Milei admitted making a mistake after promoting a cryptocurrency whose value soared and then crashed, with his office announcing an “urgent investigation”.

According to news outlets, Milei posted a message on social media platform X on Friday evening, praising a “private project” aimed at “stimulating the growth of the Argentine economy, by financing small businesses and Argentine entrepreneurs”.

“The world wants to invest in Argentina. $LIBRA,” the post reportedly said, naming the cryptocurrency along with a website for the project.

Hours later, Milei deleted the message, saying: “I did not know the details of the project and after learning about it, I decided not to continue promoting it.” He added he had “obviously no connection” with the “alleged private company”.

Argentine economists and crypto specialists, in addition to opposition political figures, criticised Milei and said that the digital asset could be a fraud or Ponzi scheme.

Industry observers called the operation a “rug pull” – a scam where developers unveil a crypto token, attract investors, then quickly cash out.

“Within minutes of the launch, multiple large holders began liquidating millions of USD worth of $LIBRA,” the Kobeissi Letter, which provides analysis on global capital markets, said in a thread on X.

“This included gains of +USD4 million or more as $LIBRA rose to USD4.6 billion in market (capitalisation). After the top was set at 5.40pm ET, the coin fell in a literal straight-line.”

In a statement on Saturday the Argentine presidency said that “in light of the events”, Milei “has decided to immediately involve the Anti-Corruption Office (OA) to determine whether any improper conduct occurred by any member of the national government, including the president himself”.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei. PHOTO: AFP

Experts warn Trump’s tariffs could dampen global economy

Business

February 17, 2025

BEIJING (XINHUA) – United States (US) President Donald Trump’s plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners has drawn wide concerns that it could trigger a trade war and dim the global economic outlook.

Trump signed a memorandum directing his administration to determine “the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner”, a decision he justified as “for purposes of fairness”.

However, the Associated Press (AP) said in a report that “Trump is taking a blowtorch to the rules that have governed world trade for decades”, and the “reciprocal” tariffs “are likely to create chaos for global businesses and conflict with America’s allies and adversaries alike”.

According to non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics Gary Clyde Hufbauer, under World Trade Organization negotiations, “reciprocity” meant overall balance, in terms of concessions given and concessions received, between each country on the one hand and all its trading partners on the other hand, but Trump has redefined the meaning of “reciprocity” to apply on a line item basis, country by country, rather than overall balance.

“With reciprocity, as defined by Trump, US tariffs would be probably on average 10 to 15 percentage points higher. In my opinion, tariffs actually hurt the US economy, so while they would raise revenue … they would reduce gross domestic product (GDP) growth,” Hufbauer told Xinhua.

United States President Donald Trump. PHOTO: XINHUA

“Obviously, it disrupts the way that things have been done for a very long time,” said a trade attorney at Miller & Chevalier Richard Mojica in the AP report. “Trump is throwing that out the window… Clearly this is ripping up trade. There are going to have to be adjustments all over the place,” he said.

President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association Stephen Lamar described the situation as “a very, very chaotic environment”. “It’s hard to plan in any sort of long-term, sustainable way,” he said, quoted by AP.

The National Retail Federation (NRF), which represents the US retail sector, has warned that the massive scale of undertaking “will be extremely disruptive to our supply chains.”

“It will likely result in higher prices for hardworking American families and will erode household spending power,” NRF executive vice president of government relations David French said in a press release.

French said the University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment index continues to decline, suggesting consumers are alarmed about trade war uncertainty.

“We encourage the president to seek coordination and collaboration with our trading partners and bring stability to our supply chains and family budgets,” he added.

Calling the reciprocal trade policy a step in the wrong direction, the European Union (EU) said the newly imposed tariffs will hurt the US economy by raising the price of final products consumed by the American people. “Tariffs are taxes,” said the European Commission. “By imposing tariffs, the US is taxing its own citizens, raising costs for business, stifling growth and fueling inflation. Tariffs heighten economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets.”

Besides the increased tax burden, which is typically passed on from importers to consumers, economists have also warned of the severe consequences for the global economy.

“Our analyses suggest that the main impact will be on growth,” said European Central Bank Vice-President Luis de Guindos. “If the world embarks on the path towards a trade war, this will have an extremely negative impact on the growth prospects of the global economy,” he told Xinhua in an interview.

“Increases in tariffs and quotas are a negative supply shock, especially if accompanied by retaliation. This vicious circle should be avoided,” he said.

General manager of the Lower Saxony Business Associations Benedikt Hueppe described the tariffs as “poison”, especially for the export-oriented economy in Germany.

Tariffs would also slow down the ability to innovate, Hueppe said, adding that trade wars make products more expensive and thus would drive up inflation.

The reciprocal tariffs are the latest in a series of tariff measures announced by Trump recently.