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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Israel sends tanks into Gaza's Deir Al-Balah, raising concerns among hostages' families
Find out what's new on ST website and app. At least three Palestinians were killed and several were wounded in tank shelling that hit eight houses and three mosques in Deir Al-Balah. CAIRO - Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern areas of the Gazan city of Deir Al-Balah for the first time on July 21, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes some of the remaining hostages may be being held. Gaza medics said at least three Palestinians were killed and several were wounded in tank shelling that hit eight houses and three mosques in the area, and which came a day after the military ordered residents to leave , saying it planned to fight Hamas militants. The raid and bombardment pushed dozens of families who had remained to flee and head west towards the coastal area of Deir Al-Balah and nearby Khan Younis. In Khan Younis, earlier on July 21, an Israeli airstrike killed at least five people, including a man, his wife, and their two children, in a tent, medics said. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis incidents. Israel's military said it had not entered the districts of Deir Al-Balah subject to the evacuation order during the current conflict and that it was continuing "to operate with great force to destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area." Israeli sources have said the reason the army has so far stayed out is that they suspect Hamas might be holding hostages there. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba vows to take responsibility for election loss, to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Singapore Medallions with Singapore Botanic Gardens' iconic landmarks launched to mark milestone-filled year Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in captivity in Gaza are believed to be still alive. Families of the hostages expressed their concern for their relatives and demanded an explanation from the army of how it would protect them. The military escalation comes as Gaza health officials warned of potential "mass deaths" in the coming days due to mounting hunger, which has killed at least 19 people since July 19, according to the territory's health ministry. Health officials said hospitals were running out of fuel, food aid, and medicine, risking a halt to vital operations. Health ministry spokesman, Mr Khalil Al-Deqran, said medical staff have been depending on one meal a day, and that hundreds of people flock to hospitals every day, suffering from fatigue and exhaustion because of hunger. At least 67 people were killed by Israeli fire on July 20 as they waited for UN aid trucks to enter Gaza. Israel's military said its troops had fired warning shots towards a crowd of thousands of people in northern Gaza to remove what it said was "an immediate threat." It said initial findings suggested reported casualty figures were inflated, and it "certainly does not intentionally target humanitarian aid trucks." The new raid and escalating number of fatalities appeared to be complicating ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel that are being mediated by Qatar and Egypt, with US backing. A Hamas official told Reuters on July 20 that the militant group was angered over the mounting deaths and the hunger crisis in the enclave, and that this could badly affect ceasefire talks underway in Qatar. Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of breakthrough. UNRWA, the UN refugee agency dedicated to Palestinians, said in a post on X on July 21, it was receiving desperate messages from Gaza warning of starvation, including from its own staff as food prices have increased 40-fold. "Meanwhile, just outside Gaza, stockpiled in warehouses UNRWA has enough food for the entire population for over three months. Lift the siege and let aid in safely and at scale," it said. Israel's military said on July 20 that it "views the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as a matter of utmost importance, and works to enable and facilitate its entry in coordination with the international community." The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
China EV brands Zeekr, Neta inflated car sales using insurance scheme
Chinese state media reported that Zeekr had been selling cars with insurance already purchased to inflate sales. BEIJING - Chinese electric vehicle brands Neta and Zeekr inflated sales in recent years to hit aggressive targets, with Neta doing so for more than 60,000 cars, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and interviews with dealers and buyers. The companies arranged for cars to be insured before they were sold to buyers, the documents show, enabling them under Chinese industry car registration practices to book sales early so they could hit the monthly and quarterly targets, the dealers and buyers said. Neta booked early sales of at least 64,719 cars through this method from January 2023 to March 2024, according to copies of records it sent to dealers, seen by Reuters. That was more than half the sales of 117,000 vehicles it reported over the 15 months. Neta's effort to book sales early has not been previously reported. Zeekr, a premium EV brand owned by Geely, used the same method to book early sales in late 2024 in the southern city of Xiamen through its main dealer there, state-owned Xiamen C&D Automobile, according to dealers, buyers and sales receipts seen by Reuters. Shares of Geely Auto, which is taking Zeekr private, fell as much as 4 per cent in Hong Kong on July 21. Analysts and investors tracking China's auto industry gauge performance and estimate inventory levels with two sets of sales data. Wholesale numbers reported by automakers to the industry association show sales from automakers to dealers, while retail data compiled from registration records of mandatory traffic insurance show the sales to users. Vehicles booked as sold before reaching a buyer are called 'zero-mileage used cars' in the Chinese auto industry. The practice has emerged out of cutthroat competition for sales in the world's largest auto market, which is reeling from a brutal, years-long price war caused by chronic overcapacity. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Life Travel Journal: Safari tourism with a side of moral crisis Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition The industry faces a moment of reckoning, with state media calling out the zero-mileage car practice, China's cabinet pledging to regulate 'irrational' competition, and other central government bodies organising meetings with the industry's largest players to express concern about such methods. On July 19, Auto Review, a publication run by the China Association of Auto Manufacturers, reported that the industry ministry was planning to clamp down on the practice by banning cars from being resold within six months of being registered as a sale. Auto Review said in a statement to Reuters on Monday that its report 'contained inaccurate descriptions related to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and other relevant authorities concerning zero-mileage used cars,' adding that these parts had been deleted from the original story. Also on July 19, Chinese state media reported that Zeekr had been selling cars with insurance already purchased to inflate sales, the first such naming of a specific automaker in a sign that Chinese authorities are getting more serious about the crackdown. In a front-page story, the China Securities Journal newspaper interviewed Zeekr car buyers in cities such as Guangzhou and Chongqing, who the newspaper said had found that their cars already had insurance policies before they were sold. They said they were refused refunds, even though they felt they were deceived. The newspaper questioned Zeekr's unusually high sales in the cities of Shenzhen and Xiamen in December. Its reported sales based off insurance registration records in Xiamen surged to 2,737 that month, more than 14 times its monthly average. The China Securities Journal also raised questions over Neta's sales, saying it showed anomalies. Reuters is reporting for the first time details of how Neta inflated sales. Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile, which owns Neta, and Xiamen C&D did not respond to requests for comment on July 19y. A spokesperson for Geely said, 'Geely firmly rejects the report put forward by the China Securities Journal.' Zeekr said on July 20 on its account on Chinese social media platform Weibo that the vehicles mentioned in the media reports were for showroom display. It confirmed that the cars had been insured with mandatory traffic insurance, saying that it was for ensuring safety while being exhibited, and that they were still legally new when sold to buyers. It did not directly answer Reuters' questions on whether it had counted them as retail sales. However, its Weibo statement said it had also set up a special team to investigate the sales issues raised in the media reports, without going into further details. Li Yanwei, an analyst with the China Automobile Dealers Association, said on Weibo on July 19 that he believed Zeekr and Neta carried out such practices to embellish their financial reports and achieve their performance goals. 'This way of whitewashing performance is not advisable,' he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A gondola was seen supported by a cable only on one side and hanging from the exterior of the building. SINGAPORE - Two workers were rescued after the gondola they were on tipped over and was suspended almost vertically outside Raffles City Tower on July 21. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that they responded to the height rescue incident, between the 28th and 29th floor of the building, at about 11.20am. 'Upon arrival, firefighters immediately checked on the gondola's stability, as well as the condition of the workers on the gondola,' SCDF said in a Facebook post at about 2pm. Rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Dart) had set up rescue equipment at the 29th and 30th floor. The gondola was then secured with safety lines, before a Dart rescuer descended onto the gondola. The workers, who were wearing body harnesses at the time, were then brought into the building through the windows on levels 29 and 30, SCDF said. Both workers were assessed by a paramedic and taken to Raffles Hospital in a stable condition, SCDF added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Spirits distribution company Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore business Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise Singapore Trial of new dengue vaccine begins recruitment for child participants in Singapore Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers When The Straits Times arrived at about 12.30pm, the gondola was seen supported by a cable only on one side and dangling from the exterior of the building. Raffles City Tower is a 42-storey office tower that is part of Raffles City. A police car, an ambulance and an SCDF truck were seen at the scene. Another two SCDF vehicles were parked at the entrance. An eyewitness, who only wanted to be known as Sam, told ST that he was leaving the building at about 11.30am when he heard a loud bang. The 30-year-old, who works on the 24th floor, said: 'I saw the gondola hanging and I heard a man screaming and asking for help. My (colleague) then called the SCDF.' Tourist Jimmy Lin, 30, said that he was at Raffles City when he saw a group of people gathered outside the building taking photos. He said: 'I was wondering what was going on, so I came out to take a look and I saw a man hanging from (the gondola).' A police car, an ambulance and an SCDF truck were seen at Raffles City. Another two SCDF vehicles were parked at the entrance. PHOTO: SCREENGRABS FROM XILEDIXIANGNAIER118118/XIAOHONGSHU The entrance to the building was cordoned off by security guards. Between February and April 2025, 13 stop-work orders and fines totalling more than $375,000 were issued to firms found to have flouted rules that protect workers carrying out tasks at high places. Four workers died after falling from a height in 2024, out of a total of 43 workplace deaths, with the Workplace Safety and Health Council saying in March 2025 that the figures marked a 10-year low. ST has contacted the Ministry of Manpower and CapitaLand for more information.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Spirits distribution company Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore business
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Proof & Company Spirits said that 16 staff will lose their jobs in Singapore as a result of the closure. SINGAPORE - After 13 years, Proof & Company Spirits - the Singapore-based distribution arm of independent spirits company Proof & Company - has entered provisional liquidation. It cited casualties in the food and beverage scene as among the reasons for its closure. 'The decision follows a period of mounting challenges for the F&B and hospitality industry in Singapore, including the closure of some of the company's longest standing restaurant and bar customers,' said the company in a statement on Aug 21. It told The Straits Times that 16 staff will lose their jobs in Singapore as a result of the closure. The distributor, which most recently had an annual turnover of $7 million in Singapore and $34 million globally, has been supplying over 50 types of independent spirits in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region for the past decade. Singapore has seen a mounting number of F&B closures in recent years. A total of 3,047 establishments shut their doors in 2024, the highest figure since 2005's 3,352 closures. Still, more than 3,790 new food businesses started up in 2024. The first half of 2025 has seen 1,404 closures, compared to 1,611 in the same period in 2024. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Risk of flash floods in parts of central and eastern Singapore: PUB Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise Singapore Trial of new dengue vaccine begins recruitment for child participants in Singapore Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Asia Japan PM Ishiba under siege after ruling coalition loses Upper House majority In the statement, Proof & Company Spirits said that its cocktail bar, 28 HongKong Street, will continue operations. Its consultancy arm, Proof Creative, will continue to operate independently from its Hong Kong office, and 'remains committed to its global portfolio of ongoing client projects'. Proof Creative is behind award-winning bars in the region, such as Atlas and Manhattan in Singapore, BKK Social Club in Bangkok and Argo in Hong Kong. A spokesman for Proof & Company Spirits said of the provisional liquidation process: 'We are doing all we can to ensure a well-managed and productive outcome, while keeping our partners informed every step of the way.' The process will be overseen by RSM SG Corporate Advisory, which will 'work closely with creditors, stakeholders, and management to evaluate potential paths forward', added the company. Proof & Company, which operates in four markets - Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand - put its Australian business into voluntary administration in April 2025, citing a 'local economic downturn and a changing landscape in the spirits industry'. Founded in Singapore in 2012, in what it called a 'period of regional growth in the spirits and hospitality industry', it said that market conditions in the past two years have been 'markedly different'. It said 'significant market challenges in China, an extended downturn in Australia, and a recent acceleration in bar and restaurant closures in Singapore have all impacted the company's distribution operations'. The company's distribution operations in Hong Kong and New Zealand will continue.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Typhoon Wipha tears through southern China, threatens Vietnam's coasts
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Large parts of the Philippine capital were submerged in floodwaters as Typhoon Wipha crossed the archipelago on July 19. Typhoon Wipha tore across southern China with heavy rains and gale-force winds on July 21, a day after slicing through Hong Kong and Macau, and leaving at least five dead in the Philippines. Wipha made landfall with winds equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane in Taishan in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong late on July 20. It weakened into a storm as it made its way westwards and then veered southwards. China's forecasters said coastal regions – including Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Funan – would experience intense downpours until early on July 22. Wipha, the sixth typhoon of 2025, brought heavy showers, sea swells and winds of up to 175 kmh as it skirted the southern edge of Hong Kong on July 20. Hong Kong issued a No. 10 hurricane signal – the highest on its warning scale – for the first time since 2023 as Wipha approached. More than 600 flights were rescheduled in Hong Kong and Macau. Wipha was expected to keep traversing across southern China before moving offshore again and making landfall in Vietnam. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Risk of flash floods in parts of central and eastern Singapore: PUB Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise Singapore Trial of new dengue vaccine begins recruitment for child participants in Singapore Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Asia Japan PM Ishiba under siege after ruling coalition loses Upper House majority Vietnam has put its coastal provinces on emergency footing, warning that Wipha may cause flooding and landslides. Wipha is forecast to cross Vietnam's northern coast between Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh provinces. Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent an urgent message to the coastal provinces on July 20 to call boats ashore, evacuate people from flood-prone areas, prepare food supplies and rescue equipment, and secure communication infrastructure. 'This is a strong and fast-moving typhoon,' Mr Chinh's message said. Vietnam Airlines and its affiliate, Pacific Airlines, cancelled at least nine domestic flights on July 21, adding that more delays and reschedules are expected. Budget airline Vietjet on July 21 cancelled 12 flights, including some to South Korea, due to the typhoon. With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that are often deadly. In 2024, Typhoon Yagi killed around 300 people and caused $3.3 billion of damage. Monsoon rains stoked by Wipha, meanwhile, drenched large swathes of the Philippines on July 21, triggering floods that led to the suspension of classes and work in the capital region and in nearby cities and provinces. Emergency response officials said at least five people were killed, and close to 100,000 people displaced from Wipha's onslaught over the weekend. Dozens had died in recent days in Vietnam and South Korea from monsoon rains and a generally rainy week across the region. At least 35 people died after a tourist boat ferrying families around Vietnam's famed Halong Bay capsized on July 19 following a sudden thunderstorm. In South Korea, at least 17 people had died following torrential rains that set off landslides in the southern and central parts of the country.
