Air India received nine notices for safety violations in six months, Indian minister says
FILE PHOTO: Wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane sits on the open ground, outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where it took off and crashed nearby shortly afterwards, in Ahmedabad, India July 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
NEW DELHI - Air India has received nine show cause notices in the last six months, junior civil aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol told lawmakers on Monday, amid heightened scrutiny of the airline in the aftermath of a deadly crash.
The notices were related to five safety violations, Mohol added, without giving any details on the violations.
"Enforcement action has been completed in respect of one violation," he said.
Air India has come under scrutiny after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad last month, killing 260 people. REUTERS
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Straits Times
18 minutes ago
- Straits Times
S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11%
Find out what's new on ST website and app. In 2024, Singapore's overall recycling rate was 50 per cent, down from the 52 per cent overall recycling rate in 2023. SINGAPORE - The household recycling rate in 2024 dipped to a record low of 11 per cent in 2024, a decline from the previous low of 12 per cent in 2023 and 2022. This is despite initiatives to encourage more household recycling, such as the 2023 distribution of recycling boxes to all homes here. The National Environment Agency (NEA) told ST that the dip was largely due to less paper and cardboard waste being recycled. The domestic recycling rate for 2024 was released by NEA on July 23 as part of its waste statistics for the year, which also showed a decline in Singapore's overall recycling rate. In 2024, Singapore's overall recycling rate was 50 per cent, down from the 52 per cent overall recycling rate in 2023 . The rate was 60 per cent in 2014. The overall rate includes waste generated from domestic and non-domestic sectors. Domestic waste refers to waste from households, shophouses, petrol stations, hawker centres, educational institutions and places of worship. The non-domestic sector includes commercial and industrial premises. What's behind the drop in recycling rate NEA said one reason behind the drop in overall recycling rate over the past decade was the reduction of waste from demolition projects, as well as the lower amount of used slag - waste generated during steel smelting activities - due to fewer such activities here. These kinds of waste are almost completely recycled. The drop in overall recycling rate for 2024 was also partially due to less wood waste being processed due to a short-term reduction in wood processing capacity that year, NEA said. The steep reduction in paper and cardboard being recycled was also a contributing factor to lower recycling rates in 2024. Paper recycling rate fell from 52 per cent in 2018 to 32 per cent in 2024. A number of factors contributed to this, including t he growing amounts of paper and cardboard waste generated. The amount of such waste generated across Singapore in 2024 was the highest in the past decade , with 1.27 million tonnes of waste generated . While the total volume of such waste had initially decreased from 2014 to 201 9, the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of e-commerce reversed this progress. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary said m ore paper and cardboard had to be thrown away because the business incentives for recycling these materials have weakened. Such costs include the higher collection costs due to manpower shortage and rising transport costs, higher freighting cost from fuel prices and fluctuating offtake prices. Recyclables are traded as commodities in the global market, affecting business viability, he added during a visit to a food waste research and development facility on July 23 . For Singapore's paper to be recycled, it has to be baled and exported overseas, as there are no local paper pulping facilities. Contamination remains a major challenge for domestic recycling in Singapore. When non-recyclables such as food are thrown into the commingled recycling bins, they contaminate the lot, which must be thrown out. The contamination rate at such bins is estimated to be about 40 per cent. Focus on boosting paper recycling Dr Janil announced that Government plans to step up efforts to boost paper recycling. 'We are working with industry to see how we can better support them, given the weakening economics of paper recycling.' he said. 'At the same time, we are also looking at how to make paper recycling – especially cardboard – easier, as they tend to be bulky.' More details will be shared eventually, he added. The NEA had in March released a set of guidelines to reduce packaging waste in online shopping. The guidelines were developed by representatives from the e-commerce industry with the support of NEA. The agency is looking to roll out segregated infrastructure that collects paper recyclables, which could lead to cages being set up around residential estates for such materials. This could pave the way for similar efforts for other waste streams. Ground-up efforts to increase paper recycling by reducing their contamination in commingled bins have been piloted before. Recycling machines for paper were set up in 2021 at Housing Board estates managed by the People's Action Party, which gave residents six cents for every 1kg of paper deposited. While NEA data also showed that the overall waste being generated in Singapore is trending downwards in both domestic and non-domestic sectors, the flagging recycling rates mean more waste being disposed of. The daily domestic waste produced per capita has decreased from 0.88kg in 2023 to 0.85kg in 2024. Likewise, the daily non-domestic waste produced per billion dollar of gross domestic product has fallen from about 25 tonnes in 2023 to around 23 tonnes in 2024. But the total amount of waste disposed rose from 3.04 million tonnes in 2014 to 3.33 million tonnes in 2024. The waste thrown in 2023 was 3.30 million tonnes. Food waste recycling bears results Food waste recycled in 2024 marks a sustained increase from a decade ago, NEA statistics show. This follows new reporting requirements for large food waste generators that kicked in in March 2024. About 18 per cent of food waste was recycled in 2024, the same as 2023 and 2022. The rate was 13 per cent in 2014. Large food waste generators at new buildings like hotels, restaurants and food manufacturers have been required to segregate, treat and report their food waste since March 2024. NEA said the requirements will be progressively expanded from 2027 to existing large commercial and industrial food waste generators, with the completion of a food waste treatment facility at Tuas Nexus. The food waste collected will be co-digested with used water sludge from the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant, which can produce biogas for energy generation. The 2024 waste statistics were released in conjunction with the opening of a manufacturing facility and laboratory in Jurong by upcycling firm Mottainai Food Tech. The Singapore-based startup , so named after the Japanese word for 'not being wasteful', turns food waste into novel products. These include a protein made from okara, the pulp left behind from making soy-based items like soymilk and tofu. Mottainai Food Tech, in a statement, said the facility is capable of upcycling about 100 tonnes of food manufacturing by-products annually. This is the equivalent to dealing with around 1 per cent of Singapore's annual okara waste. Commending the firm's efforts to make the most out of food waste, Dr Janil said: 'In an increasing resource-constrained world, closing the resource loop is means nothing goes to waste, the output of one process becomes the input to another process' Most of Singapore's non-recyclable waste are incinerated and the ash placed in a landfill. Singapore's only landfill in offshore island Semakau is expected to be fully filled by 2035. Dr Janil called on Singaporeans and businesses to take further action in reducing wastage. 'Individuals can do our part by carrying out simple actions such as being careful about how much food we buy and cook, avoiding single-use disposables, and treating our blue bins well by recycling properly,' he said.
Straits Times
18 minutes ago
- Straits Times
HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kick in
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Flats in Standard projects will not have a subsidy recovery clause when they are sold, and come with a five-year minimum occupation period (MOP). SINGAPORE - The Housing Board launched 5,547 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats on July 23 for sale across eight projects in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands, including the first units in the new estate of Sembawang North. Another 4,662 balance flats have also been put on offer, including 1,733 Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) units that are completed and ready for home buyers to move into. The bulk of the balance flats are in Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah and Geylang. A slew of policy changes that benefit singles and families looking to upgrade or right-size their homes will also take effect from this sales exercise. HDB announced it would increase the subsidies for four Prime projects in Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh and Clementi to keep the flats affordable for more Singaporeans. It did not specify the extent of this increase. Owners of these flats will be subject to a higher subsidy clawback upon the resale of their flats. The clawback is set at 11 per cent for Toa Payoh Ascent, and Alexandra Peaks and Alexandra Vista in Bukit Merah. At Clementi Emerald, it is 12 per cent. These correspond to the extent of the extra subsidies offered, said HDB. There is also a 10-year minimum occupation period (MOP) for these flats. The clawback for Prime flats was 9 per cent in the past two sales exercises. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The remaining four projects fall under the Standard classification. Sembawang Beacon, the first project in the new Sembawang North neighbourhood, comprises 775 two-room flexi and three-, four- and five-room flats, as well as three-generation units, on a site bounded by Admiralty Link, Admiralty Lane and Canberra Road. The project, which has a wait of three years, will be near amenities such as a neighbourhood park and Sembawang MRT station. Flats in Standard projects will not have a subsidy recovery clause when they are sold, and come with a five-year MOP. Prices (without grants) range from $148,000 to $207,000 for a two-room flexi flat, $267,000 to $323,000 for a three-room flat, $328,000 to 413,000 for a four-room flat, $487,000 to $586,000 for a five-room flat, and $497,000 to $585,000 for a three-generation unit. A Standard project in Simei – which HDB classifies as part of Tampines – will have 380 units of two-room flexi, four- and five-room flats on a plot bounded by Simei Road and Upper Changi Road East. They are the first public housing flats in Simei in more than a decade. Toa Payoh Ascent, a Prime project, will house 741 two-room flexi, three- and four-room flats on a site bounded by Toa Payoh Rise and Braddell Rise. It is about a five-minute walk to Caldecott MRT station. Prices (without grants) range from $212,000 to $354,000 for a two-room flexi flat, $406,000 to $514,000 for a three-room unit, and $583,000 to $777,000 for a four-room flat. For comparison, three-room resale flats in Toa Payoh transacted at between $780,000 - $830,000, and four-room resale flats at between $1.07 million and $1.17 million, said HDB. From July's BTO exercise, the new Family Care Scheme comes into effect. Under the scheme, first-timer singles will be granted priority access within the existing quota for single buyers when they buy a two-room flexi flat near or with their parents. A second component of the scheme, which grants singles priority if they jointly apply for two units in the same BTO project with their parents, will kick in from the October sales exercise. There will be no change to the existing priority access for married couples and seniors - up to 30 per cent of flat supply in a BTO launch is allocated to first-timer families, while at least 40 per cent of two-room flexi flats are set aside for seniors. Another change that takes place from this sales exercise is a larger allocation quota for second-time home buyers applying for three-room and larger flats. Up to 20 per cent of three-room Standard flats and up to 10 per cent of three-room Plus and Prime flats and four-room and larger flats would be set aside for second-timer families. First-timer families would still have at least 80 per cent to 90 per cent of three-room and larger flats set aside for them. The deferred income assessment criteria was also relaxed from this sales exercise, allowing couples the option to delay their income assessment for a housing loan until just before they collect the keys to their flat, as long as one party is a full-time student or national serviceman. Previously, both parties needed to meet this requirement. Lastly, the Fresh Start Housing Grant was increased from $50,000 to $75,000 for eligible families who are second-time home buyers currently living in public rental flats. The grant will help them to buy a new two-room flexi or three-room standard BTO or balance flat on a shorter lease. HDB said applicants who wish to improve their chances of securing a flat are encouraged to apply for Standard flats, where at least 90 per cent of the four-room and larger flats are set aside for first-timer families. Flat applications will close at 11.59pm on July 30 on the HDB Flat Portal. In the next BTO exercise in October, HDB will offer about 9,100 flats in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Sengkang, Toa Payoh and Yishun. A fifth assisted living project in Sengkang will also be on offer.
Business Times
18 minutes ago
- Business Times
Asian local-currency bond sales reach record on risks to US dollar
[CHICAGO] US President Donald Trump's unpredictable policy moves are driving investor demand for Asian local-currency bonds, spurring fresh interest in the region. Companies and non-sovereign issuers in Asia-Pacific have sold about US$1.5 trillion in bonds so far in 2025 in the region's currencies, a 6 per cent rise and a record for this period, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Offerings in the three months from April to June were the highest for any quarter. 'We are definitely seeing more buyers of local-currency Asian bonds than in pre-April,' said Daniel Tan, a portfolio manager at Grasshopper Asset Management. 'There are large inflows from pension and sovereign wealth funds looking to diversify away from US dollar assets.' Momentum picked up after Apr 2, when Trump stunned markets by announcing higher tariffs on allies and rivals, only to roll them back days later after stocks slid and bond yields surged. While risk assets rebounded, credit investors have been hedging against tariff-related volatility and a weakening US dollar by shifting to less-exposed regions. The shift is reflected in performance: the Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Aggregate index, which tracks a wide range of bonds in local currencies, has gained 3.9 per cent this year, outpacing a 3.5 per cent return from its US counterpart. 'Diversification into broader Asian local currency markets is likely to accelerate,' said Angus Hui, deputy chief investment officer and head of fixed income at Fullerton Fund Management in Singapore. The de-dollarisation trend is putting the spotlight on local-currency credit, particularly in markets with AAA sovereign ratings such as Australia and Singapore, he said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Once niche, Asia's bond markets are drawing investors thanks to stronger local economies. Indian companies raised a record 6.6 trillion rupees (S$98 billion) through local-currency notes in the first half of 2025, up 29 per cent from the year prior, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In China, where over US$1 trillion in bonds have been issued in the local currency this year, declining borrowing costs have made financing more attractive to domestic firms. 'The importance of thinking about the US dollar in your portfolio grows the further you are from the US and the further your liabilities are from US dollars,' said Navin Saigal, head of fundamental fixed income for Asia-Pacific at BlackRock. Saigal said tariff policies have widened the gap between the region and the US, a divergence also reflected in fiscal conditions. Australia is a prime example. It holds AAA ratings from S&P Global Ratings, Fitch Ratings, and Moody's Ratings. In contrast, the US has lost the top credit score from all three agencies, due to rising debt-servicing costs. 'No one in the world is talking about the fiscal viability of Australia,' said Oliver Holt, head of debt syndicate and IG origination for Asia ex-Japan at Nomura Holdings, one of the biggest managers of Aussie-denominated bond sales by foreign issuers. It probably makes sense for investors to put some money into other places if there's an assumption that the US dollar is going to weaken, he said. Meanwhile, US dollar bond issuance from Asia is recovering from a slump caused by record defaults from Chinese property developers. Fuelled in part by M&A activity, Japanese companies have led this year, with US dollar bond sales from the Apac region up about a third to more than US$215 billion so far this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That is still well off the highs seen in past years. But unexpectedly, Apac borrowers are tapping Europe's debt market at an unprecedented pace in 2025. Euro bond issuance is running at more than 49 billion euros (S$74 billion) year to date and has already topped last year's full-year total, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 'It's not that everyone's now selling US investment-grade or Apac US dollar investment-grade bonds,' said Owen Gallimore, Apac head of credit analysis at Deutsche Bank. But 'Asian-based investors want their issuers to come to market more often in euros, offshore yuan, or other currencies', he added. BLOOMBERG
