Russian President Vladimir Putin dismisses transport minister
Mr Roman Starovoit was appointed transport minister in May 2024 after spending almost five years as governor of Russia's western Kursk region.
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin fired his transport minister on July 7, according to a presidential decree, removing Mr Roman Starovoit from his post after just over a year in the job.
No reason was given for Mr Starovoit's unexpected dismissal.
He was appointed transport minister in May 2024 after spending almost five years as governor of Russia's western Kursk region.
A few months after vacating that role, Ukrainian troops spilled over the border into Kursk as
Kyiv launched its biggest incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war in 2022.
Mr Starovoit's predecessor as transport minister, Mr Vitaly Savelyev, became a deputy prime minister.
According to the Vedomosti daily newspaper, Mr Starovoit's replacement could be his deputy minister Andrei Nikitin, who was formerly governor of the Novgorod Region.
Prior to serving as a regional governor, Mr Starovoit had worked in the transport sector, leading Russia's federal roads agency Rosavtodor for six years. REUTERS
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses
Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August
Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032
Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators
Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng
Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House
Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case
Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Australia's Albanese confirms China visit as Beijing eyes trade deal review
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at a Labor party election night event, after local media projected the Labor Party's victory, on the day of the Australian federal election, in Sydney, Australia, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File photo SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that he would visit China from this weekend as Beijing looks to build on partnerships on AI, green energy and the digital economy. "I look forward to going to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, which I will visit from Saturday," Albanese told reporters in Hobart. He did not give more details about his trip. This would be Albanese's second visit to China as prime minister, after his re-election in May. Albanese's first visit to Beijing as Prime Minister in 2023 broke a seven-year freeze in diplomatic ties, and he emphasised the need for communication with China, despite differences between the two trading partners. Albanese's trip comes as China, its largest trading partner, suggested a review of the 10-year-old free trade agreement between the two countries to boost ties in agriculture and mining, and explore growth areas in new technologies. "We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard," Xiao Qian, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, wrote in The Australian Financial Review on Monday. When asked if Australia would look to expand the free trade deal with China to include AI, Albanese said: "We will determine our policy." REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Malaysia braces for shake-up in supply chains in wake of US tariffs
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement that it maintains an independent foreign and economic policy. PETALING JAYA - Global and local supply chains are set for a major reshuffle, regardless of whether the United States under President Donald Trump moves ahead with new tariffs, according to economists. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the government has done their due diligence and scenario-building exercise in anticipation of the tariff announcement by the United States. 'US President Donald Trump's tariff is beyond the government's control,' he said on July 7. 'Therefore, they need to be pragmatic on how best to deal with such a problem.' The government, added Mr Mohd Afzanizam, remains non-partisan but is also exploring all possible opportunities following the upcoming US tariff policy. 'I suppose there will be reconfiguration of the supply chain, and the Covid-19 shocks have taught us well about over-concentration of the supply chain,' he said, adding that the reconfiguration of the supply chain will happen with or without the US tariff. 'The way we see it, the US tariff would accelerate the need to reconfigure the business supply chains.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World 25% on Japan and Malaysia, 40% on Laos: Trump's tariff letters to Asia add pressure for deals by Aug 1 Business Asia markets brace for renewed tariff fallout World Netanyahu says he nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Opinion Singapore at 60: Home truly is an idea that never stands still Multimedia 'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses stray Singapore Fastest charger to be added to Singapore's EV charging network by Q4 in 2025 Singapore Singapore's second mufti Sheikh Syed Isa Semait dies at age 87 Singapore Competition watchdog gives SIA, Malaysia Airlines conditional approval to continue cooperation On July 4, Mr Trump said the US government will start sending out letters with details of higher tariff rates that will take effect on Aug 1. Mr Trump said as many as 12 letters will be sent out over the coming days, and the levies will range from '60 or 70 per cent tariffs to 10 to 20 per cent tariffs', but did not name the countries due to receive them. So far, semi-conductors are exempt from tariffs, but Mr Trump has threatened levies on them several times, and that uncertainty is making it difficult for businesses to plan for the future. Mr Trump has also threatened to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on countries aligning themselves with the 'Anti-American policies' of the Brics group of developing nations, whose leaders kicked off a summit in Brazil on Sunday. Economist Geoffrey Williams said Malaysia could face both direct and indirect impacts should tariff talks fail. 'Directly, there may be some effects on exports to the United States, especially with semiconductors largely excluded,' he said. 'Indirectly, if other countries are belligerent, then global trade disruption could hit Malaysia's already-squeezed net trade.' While total trade and exports are rising, Malaysia's net trade has been on a downward trend since August 2023. 'Any further decline will weigh on the 2025 economic outlook,' Dr Williams said. Malaysia's electronics sector may remain relatively insulated, but other industries could be forced to adapt to maintain competitiveness. Dr Williams added that Malaysia should avoid taking sides in any US-Asia trade conflict and instead pursue diverse partnerships. 'The smartest policy is to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Let consumers decide.' He also called on the government to clearly state where negotiations stand. 'If Malaysia receives a letter in the coming days, the response must be swift and positive. Be smart in the negotiations, not belligerent,' he added. Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the additional 10 per cent on top of the 24 per cent reciprocal tariff, currently under negotiation, will likely raise the price of Malaysian goods imported into the United States. 'It will cause a supply or price shock to US importers as the latter will have to bear the tariffs.' Meanwhile, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry in a statement said Malaysia maintains an independent foreign and economic policy. 'Our engagement with any multilateral platform is focused on trade facilitation and sustainable development, guided by national interest, not ideological alignment,' it said. 'The US remains one of Malaysia's key economic partners, not only through trade but also through the multi-billion dollar American investments that have been established in Malaysia for more than 50 years.' On April 2, Mr Trump announced his Liberation Day tariff package, imposing staggeringly high tariffs on the entire world, including 20 per cent or higher tariffs on major US trading partners. A week later, he paused some of these tariffs. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Japan will continue trade talks with the US, PM Ishiba says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the country has received a proposal from the United States to continue trade discussions until the newly set Aug 1 deadline. TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on July 8 that Japan would continue negotiations with the United States to seek a bilateral trade deal that benefits both countries. Japan has received a proposal from the United States to continue trade discussions until the newly set Aug 1 deadline, Mr Ishiba said in a meeting with cabinet ministers to discuss Japan's strategy in dealing with US tariffs. REUTERS
