While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Feb 14, 2025
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US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase in the White House, on Feb 13.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Trump unveils roadmap for reciprocal tariffs on US allies, competitors
US President Donald Trump unveiled a roadmap on Feb 13 for charging reciprocal tariffs on every country that charges duties on US imports, his latest trade salvo directed at American friends and foes that the White House says will strengthen economic and national security.
“Today is the big one: reciprocal tariffs,” Trump wrote on his social media platform ahead of his announcement.
The tariffs were not going into effect on Feb 13 but could begin to be imposed within weeks as Trump’s trade and economic team study bilateral tariff and trade relationships, a White House official told reporters on a conference call.
Israel says Hamas must free three living hostages this weekend
Israel warned on Feb 13 that Hamas must release three living hostages this weekend or face a resumption of the war in Gaza, after the Palestinian militant group said it was committed to the truce agreement.
Palestinian sources reported progress in efforts to salvage the ceasefire, which was plunged into crisis after Hamas said it would not release hostages on Feb 15, citing Israeli violations.
Israel countered that if Hamas failed to free captives on schedule, it would resume military operations.
Kennedy to take top US health job after Senate confirmation
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vaccine critic who endorsed President Donald Trump after abandoning his own presidential bid, was confirmed by the US Senate as Secretary of Health and Human Services on Feb 13, overcoming resistance from the medical establishment and members of Congress.
The vote was 52-48, with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky the lone Republican joining all 47 Democrats to vote against Kennedy, who had made pledges to protect existing vaccination programmes in a bid to secure votes of hesitant lawmakers.
The confirmation paves the way for him to be sworn in to the job overseeing multiple high-profile agencies, including the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
German sports carmaker Porsche to cut 1,900 jobs
Sports car manufacturer Porsche said Thursday it will axe 1,900 jobs after sales slumped in China and amid a tricky shift to electric vehicles, the latest blow for Germany’s stalling auto sector.
The cuts will be made in the coming years in Germany, at the luxury brand’s Stuttgart headquarters and the firm’s nearby research centre, Porsche said.
Hit by high manufacturing costs at home, weak demand, fierce competition and a sluggish shift to EVs, Germany’s flagship auto sector is battling a growing crisis.
Arsenal’s Havertz to undergo surgery after season-ending hamstring injury
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season and undergo surgery after suffering a hamstring injury in training, the Premier League club said on Feb 13.
“We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week,” Arsenal said in a statement.
“Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days.
