Latest news with #LifeTheViolinist
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 16, 2025
Trump lands Indonesia trade deal US President Donald Trump on July 15 announced a trade deal with Indonesia, the latest pact in a bid to cement better terms with trading partners and reduce a massive trade deficit. 'Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia. I dealt directly with their highly respected President. Details to follow!!!' Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Indonesia's total trade with the US – totalling just under US$40 billion (S$51.4 billion) in 2024 – does not rank in the top 15, but it has been growing. US exports to Indonesia rose 3.7 per cent in 2024, while imports from there were up 4.8 per cent, leaving the US with a goods trade deficit of nearly US$18 billion. The top US import categories from Indonesia, according to US Census Bureau data retrieved on the International Trade Centre's TradeMap tool, in 2024 were palm oil, electronics equipment including data routers and switches, footwear, car tyres, natural rubber and frozen shrimp. READ MORE HERE Trump says Zelensky should not target Moscow US President Donald Trump said on July 15 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should not target Moscow and that Russian President Vladimir Putin should agree to a ceasefire deal by a 50-day deadline or sanctions will kick in. His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported on July 15 that Mr Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The newspaper added that Mr Trump asked Mr Zelensky whether he could strike Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons. READ MORE HERE Waltz says US needs strong voice to counter China The United Nations needs reform and the United States must have a strong voice to counter China, Mr Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump's pick to be his UN envoy, said on July 15, adding that he is 'confident we can make the UN great again.' Mr Waltz - a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican lawmaker from Florida - is the last member of Mr Trump's Cabinet awaiting likely confirmation by the US Senate. On July 15, he appeared before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee as part of that process. 'We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk, where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts,' Mr Waltz told the committee. 'But after 80 years, it's drifted from its core mission of peacemaking. We must return to the UN's charter and first principles.' READ MORE HERE Men jailed 4 years for felling Britain's 'Robin Hood' tree PHOTO: AFP Two men were each jailed for over four years on July 15 for cutting down Britain's 'Sycamore Gap' tree, a much-loved and well-known global landmark whose dramatic silhouette had featured in a Hollywood movie. The sycamore, estimated to be almost 200 years old, stood at the centre of a dramatic dip in the landscape alongside the historic Hadrian's Wall in northern England, making it a popular spot for photographers, hikers and even marriage proposals. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty in June of travelling from their homes in the middle of the night in September 2023 to deliberately cut it down with a chainsaw. READ MORE HERE Severance leads Emmy nominations with 27 PHOTO: APPLE TV+ Apple TV+'s dark sci-fi office drama Severance on July 15 led the contenders for the Emmy Awards, television's version of the Oscars, with a whopping 27 nominations. The Penguin, HBO Max's Batman villain spinoff series, came in second with 24, while HBO Max's The White Lotus and Apple's The Studio tied for third, with 23 nominations each. The announcement from the Television Academy was the official start of the race to the 77th Emmy Awards, set for Sept 14 in Los Angeles.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU council sanctions individuals, entities responsible for destabilising Moldova
BRUSSELS - The European Council said in a statement on Tuesday that it had imposed sanctions on seven individuals and three entities "responsible for actions aimed at destabilising" Moldova, whose leaders are bidding to join the EU by 2030. A statement by the Council said those targeted were close associates of Ilan Shor, a fugitive business magnate sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison in connection with the 2014 disappearance of $1 billion from the Moldovan banking system. Shor lives in Russia, where he oversees the activities of the pro-Russian "Victory" bloc, accused by Moldovan authorities of illegally financing electoral activities in Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and Romania. The bloc was barred by the courts from participating in last year's Moldovan presidential election and referendum on Moldova's drive to join the European Union. Its leaders are barred from entering the EU and are subject to an asset freeze under the directive. The EU statement said some of the people listed "have been actively involved in vote buying schemes, in the context of the presidential elections and of the constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024, and bribery to corrupt several politicians". Victoria Furtuna, leader of the Moldova Mare party and subject to the order, vowed to mount a legal challenge, saying groups in Brussels were "shamelessly and openly ...choosing on their own who is going to run our sovereign state". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Two others on the list are pro-Russian lawmakers who have disappeared after being convicted on corruption charges. Pro-European President Maia Sandu, who has accused the Kremlin of trying to subvert her country, won re-election last year by a slim margin and a referendum endorsing her EU membership campaign also passed only narrowly. Moldovan police last year accused Shor of funnelling large sums illegally to voters ahead of the polls and Sandu said the vote-buying scheme had influenced the outcome of the votes. A poll published on Tuesday credited Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity with 27.4% of voting intentions ahead of a September parliamentary election, compared to 10.4% for the pro-Russian opposition Socialists and 6.2% for the Victory bloc. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
One in 10 children in its clinics are malnourished, UN Palestinian refugee agency says
GENEVA - One in 10 children screened in clinics run by the United Nations refugee agency in Gaza since 2024 has been malnourished, the agency said on Tuesday. "Our health teams are confirming that malnutrition rates are increasing in Gaza, especially since the siege was tightened more than four months ago on the second of March," UNRWA's Director of Communications, Juliette Touma, told reporters in Geneva via a video link from Amman, Jordan. Since January 2024, UNRWA said it had screened more than 240,000 boys and girls under the age of five in its clinics, adding that before the war, acute malnutrition was rarely seen in the Gaza Strip. "One nurse that we spoke to told us that in the past, he only saw these cases of malnutrition in textbooks and documentaries," Touma said. "Medicine, nutrition supplies, hygiene material, fuel are all rapidly running out," Touma said. On May 19, Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza, allowing limited U.N. deliveries to resume. However, UNRWA continues to be banned from bringing aid into the enclave. COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, said that it has helped facilitate 67,000 food trucks to enter Gaza, delivering 1.5 million tons of food, including infant formula and baby food. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years It said that about 2,000 tons of baby food have been brought into Gaza through the crossings in recent weeks, following requests by international aid organizations. Israel and the United States have accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of stealing from U.N.-led aid operations - which Hamas denies. They have instead set up the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, using private U.S. security and logistics firms to transport aid to distribution hubs, which the U.N. has refused to work with. On Monday, UNICEF said that last month more than 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in Gaza, including more than 1,000 children with severe, acute malnutrition. It said it was an increase for the fourth month in a row. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Cuban minister under pressure for saying country has no beggars
HAVANA - Cuba's labor minister denied there are beggars in the poor, Communist-run country in official testimony, prompting rare criticism by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel of one of his own ministers on Tuesday. "We have seen people who appear to be beggars, but when you look at their hands, when you look at the clothes those people wear, they are disguised as beggars ... In Cuba, there are no beggars,' Labor and Social Security Minister Marta Elena Feito said on Monday, while testifying before a commission of parliament. 'They have found an easy way of life, to make money and not to work as is appropriate,' she said in a statement broadcast live on state television. Her words struck a nerve in Cuba, where years of crisis marked by runaway inflation and scarcity of basic goods have left large swaths of the population living day-to-day and a small, but increasing number of visibly impoverished people on the street, 'These people, who we sometimes describe as homeless or linked to begging, are actually concrete expressions of the social inequalities and the accumulated problems we face,' Diaz-Canel told the same commission on Tuesday. 'I do not share some of the criteria expressed in the commission on this issue,' he said. Feito characterized people wiping windshields on street corners as possibly looking for money to get drunk, and those picking through garbage as unlicensed self-employed recyclers dodging taxes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years "The economic crisis has exacerbated social problems … the vulnerable are not our enemies,' Diaz-Canel said. The minister was not seen during broadcasts of Tuesday's parliament session. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – The first sign that something was amiss was when Mary's (not her real name) husband shut himself inside the bedroom, ignoring his wife and two young sons. The once loving husband and father turned violent, wrecking things at home, kicking doors in the middle of the night. One day, he collapsed in the living room, his body slouched against the wall, with a vape in hand. Since The Straits Times launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis , on July 13, several readers have written in to share their experiences about loved ones vaping. Some said they never knew the effects vapes had on a user's health, while others called for vaping legislation to be strengthened. Three readers e-mailed ST about how vaping and Kpods, which contain the powerful anaesthetic drug etomidate , have ruined their families. Used in hospitals for inducing sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, etomidate enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Sons scared of father For years, the two boys, aged seven and nine, had always known their father to be a loving and doting man. But everything changed when the man, 41, used Kpods. Mary, 35, said her husband was so depressed he could not work, and got fired from his technician job. Mary, who works in marketing, said her husband spiralled into repeated episodes of violence, emotional outbursts and dangerous behaviour while using Kpods. One night, the family heard him destroying things around the home as they hid in the bedroom. The next morning, they saw their microwave badly damaged. The microwave that Mary's husband damaged and destroyed after using Kpods. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MARY Mary's younger son, who has autism, became afraid of his father. She said: 'They used to be close and would play badminton together. But he soon became fearful of his father. My husband would also snap at my older son. He was traumatised and anxious after being yelled at so many times.' In May, Mary moved to her mother's place with her sons, and has filed for divorce. She said: 'We dated for 10 years and were married for nine. Now, I don't even know who he is any more. Kpods broke our marriage and shattered our children.' Calling for stronger laws to tackle vaping, Mary added: 'I don't want another family to go through what we went through.' 'My sons are like zombies' One mother, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim, 53, said she had seen her sons experience seizures from Kpods. When her 27-year-old son got a job as an antique shop assistant after his release from prison in July 2024, Ms Lim was hopeful about his future. Then, he was introduced to Kpods at a nightclub. He became sluggish, skipped work often and got fired. The Singaporean homemaker lives with her husband, who works overseas. She said: 'I can monitor my (older) son only using the CCTV in our home. I see him walking around like a zombie, and my neighbours would tell me they see him walking unsteadily and vaping openly in the park.' Her younger son was also addicted to vapes before he was convicted and jailed for assault in February. Ms Lim sent ST videos of her younger son trembling and struggling to close the gate to their flat after using Kpods in 2024. Her older son was fined by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) four times for vaping. She said: 'Every time he gets fined and his Kpods get confiscated, he just gets new ones.' Ms Lim's 27-year-old son (left) using Kpods. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MS LIM Ms Lim said her older son has attempted suicide three times due to Kpods. In February, she bought him an e-bike after he promised to quit Kpods and get a job as a deliveryman. She found out he sold the e-bike to gamble and buy more vapes. Ms Lim said: 'I hope possessing and using vapes will become a crime that offenders can be jailed for. If that means my son getting jailed, then so be it. Because once he is behind bars, he will no longer have access to Kpods.' Possessing, using and buying e-vaporisers carry a maximum fine of $2,000. She added: 'My (older) son has attempted suicide before, and we have stopped him. But if he continues using Kpods, it would only be a matter of time before he dies.' Daughter vaped in toilet with boys When Sara (not her real name) received a call from her daughter, 13, at 4.30am to fetch her from a mall in Yishun, she feared the worst. The teen had been caught by the police vaping in a handicap-accessible toilet with three older boys. Sara, 55, who works in social services and is widowed, first found the girl's vape stash in her drawer in 2024. Different types of vapes belonging to Sara's 13-year-old daughter. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SARA Sara said: 'She used to vape secretly, but then vaped openly. She was caught vaping in Orchard (Road) and in Serangoon.' Sara said she had approached agencies for help, but still feels helpless. Her daughter is at a residential girls' home undergoing rehabilitation. To fuel her addiction, she would borrow money from friends and sell her clothes and make-up online for quick cash. She even stole money from her late father's drawer. Sara said: 'I have gone beyond depression, helplessness, tears and frustration. I need to maintain the relationship I have with her. That is all I have. 'But when I remind her about the damaging health effects vaping has, she just sniggers at me. I am at my wits' end.' Referring to ST's anti-vape campaign, she said: 'With this push, I hope there will be a review of the law and (it will) open up space for conversations on this issue. Kids are suffering. Parents are suffering.' Classify etomidate as a drug: Vikram Nair Mr Vikram Nair, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law, acknowledged the growing problem of vaping in Singapore and called for a much stricter regime for etomidate. Mr Nair, who is an MP for Sembawang GRC, said: 'I am in favour of etomidate being classified as a drug. The main purpose is for harsher penalties for those trafficking it. This would also permit ordering mandatory treatment for addicts and those caught using it.' Referring to the ST video of an HSA officer diving into a moving car to stop a suspected vape peddler from escaping, Mr Nair said: 'HSA is doing the best they can about this issue. I have seen stories on their crackdowns and the dramatic video with the car. 'But if the penalties are somewhat limited after their arrests, there is only so much that can be done under the current framework.' Former Jurong GRC MP Tan Wu Meng said more than 10 Clementi residents, mostly young parents, had spoken to him in 2025 of their concerns of vaping before he retired from politics in April. He said one 13-year-old girl told him she was worried her friends could get vapes so easily. In January and March, Dr Tan raised the issue in Parliament. He brought up a case of a parent reporting the child to the police for vaping, and the child getting fined by HSA. Dr Tan then called for agencies to consider helping children curb their addiction rather than handing them fines. He told ST: 'We won't want vaping to be a crack in Singapore's defences against illegal drugs. So, the legislation needs to be looked at, and the agencies need to study ways to handle such vaping devices more effectively and with more muscle.'
