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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Germany not planning to recognise Palestinian state in short term
Find out what's new on ST website and app. BERLIN - Germany is not planning to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term and said its priority now is to make "long-overdue progress" towards a two-state solution, a German government spokesperson said on Friday. "Israel's security is of paramount importance to the German government," said the spokesperson. "The German government therefore has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term," he added. Recognition of a Palestinian state would only come as one of the final steps in a two-state solution, said the spokesperson. Palestinians have long sought to create an independent state in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem through a mediated peace process. Many accuse Israel of having destroyed Palestinian statehood prospects through increased settlement building in the West Bank and by levelling much of Gaza during the current war. Israel rejects this. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers without facing penalties Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Sport Training sessions at World Aquatics Masters Championships cancelled due to Sentosa's water quality issues Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Rare sambar deer put down after getting badly injured in Mandai Road accident
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The sambar deer is considered to be at high risk of extinction in the wild. SINGAPORE - A rare sambar deer was put to sleep after it got severely injured in a road accident in Mandai Road. A National Parks Board (NParks) spokesman, responding to Straits Times queries, said the board was alerted to an accident involving a car and a sambar deer at about 5.15pm on July 24. NParks immediately asked Mandai Wildlife Group for veterinary assistance because its offices are located in Mandai Lake Road, near the accident spot. NParks group director of wildlife management How Choon Beng said: 'As the deer's injuries were assessed to be severe, it was jointly agreed by NParks and Mandai to humanely euthanise it on site on welfare grounds.' The driver of the car and a passenger were unharmed, he added. In a video circulating on social media platform TikTok, the injured sambar deer can be seen on the road, and nearby is a car with its front bumper damaged, likely from the impact of the accident. Mr How said motorists should drive within the speed limit, and be alert to animals crossing when driving on roads flanked by forested areas, especially where there are signs to indicate animal crossings. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers, without facing penalties Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Sport Training sessions at World Aquatics Masters Championships cancelled due to Sentosa's water quality issues Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly People should not handle injured wild animals on their own, he added. For wildlife in need of urgent rescue, people can contact the NParks 24-hour Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600, he said. NParks added that it receives an average of three reports a year involving vehicular-related incidents with sambar deer, including cases of non-fatal accidents in which the deer escapes into the forest. The number does not take into account unreported accidents, it said. In December 2024, a sambar deer died after an accident involving a lorry and a motorcycle in Mandai Road. And in July 2024, another sambar deer died in an accident involving a taxi. An NParks study carried out in 2021 estimated that there were about 15 wild sambar deer in Singapore. Another study in 2023 found that sambar deer were making a comeback after several animals escaped from public and private local zoos in the 1970s. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature website, sambar deer are believed to be at high risk of extinction in the wild. The deer's natural habitat includes forested areas and grasslands, but a tendency to roam and wander, especially during mating season, often brings it to the roads and in contact with motor vehicles.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korean court orders Yoon to compensate 105 claimants for distress caused by martial law crisis
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The court said that South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol's illegal actions went beyond mere illegality, but were also unconstitutional. SEOUL - The Seoul Central District Court on July 25 ruled that former president Yoon Suk Yeol pay a total of 10.5 million won (S$9,700) combined to 105 citizens for causing them to suffer emotional distress due to the imposition of martial law. The ruling in the civil case was in favour of 105 citizens who filed a suit against Yoon, demanding that the former president pay 100,000 won in compensation per person. 'It is clear that the plaintiffs, who are members of the public, suffered pain expressed through fear, anxiety, despair and humiliation,' said the court on July 25. The court fully accepted the plaintiffs' claims that the causes of their emotional distress are closely related with the martial law declaration and Yoon's subsequent measures after the martial law imposition can be judged as 'intentional torts to person' as defined in Article 750 of the Civil Act. 'The defendant must compensate the plaintiffs for the psychological damage and an amount of 100,000 won per person is reasonably justified,' said the court, adding that Yoon would also be responsible for all legal expenses. It was not the first time that citizens had sought compensation over a political crisis caused by a former president. A case concerning former president Park Geun-hye's abuse of power scandal in 2017 was dismissed by the top court in 2020. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers, without facing penalties Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Sport Training sessions at World Aquatics Masters Championships cancelled due to Sentosa's water quality issues Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Lawyers in this case argued that their suit was different from the 2020 case, as the former president Yoon committed an unconstitutional act of insurrection. 'The abuse of power under Park Geun-hye was a matter of personal misconduct. But former president Yoon's illegal actions went beyond mere illegality. 'They were unconstitutional and he was even impeached by the Constitutional Court. That's why this case must be viewed differently,' said the legal representatives after a pre-trial hearing on June 27. The Supreme Court of Korea previously ruled that the state was liable to compensate victims who had been arrested, punished or detained under the former president Park Chung-hee's emergency decree in 1975. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees
Find out what's new on ST website and app. According to court documents, the companies owed 103 employees $432,870.63, of which $73,420 was eventually paid. SINGAPORE – A couple who ran various catering services, including Royal Cuisine Group and Tingkat Singapore, were fined for failing to pay salaries to their employees. Wu Wenchun, 37, and Sim Ling Zhen, 31, were each fined $72,000 after they each pleaded guilty to 12 charges for the failing to pay salaries under the Employment Act. If they do not pay the fine, they would each be jailed for 66 weeks. Another 12 similar charges and a charge for failing to report their change of residence were taken into consideration during each of their sentencings. According to court documents, the companies owed 103 employees $432,870.63, of which $73,420 was eventually paid. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on July 25 the workers were employed by three companies: Royal Cuisine Group, Yanxi and Healthy Meals Catering. Sim was the director, while Wu was the general manager of these companies, which operated several catering services under the brand names Royal Cuisine Group, Tingkat Singapore, Angel Confinement Meals, Happy Mamapapa Catering and Vegetarian Buffet, as well as the former restaurant Yanxi in Chin Swee Road. These catering brands, which Sim and Wu had actively managed, had been earlier reported by members of the public in 2022 over their failure to fulfil meal orders, MOM said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers, without facing penalties Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Sport Training sessions at World Aquatics Masters Championships cancelled due to Sentosa's water quality issues Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Ms Justine Loh, a senior prosecuting officer with MOM, said in court documents that the ministry received a complaint from a Royal Cuisine employee on July 20, 2022, that salaries had not been paid. Investigations showed that Mr Low Ting Hui, an investor who provided funds for the companies to operate and pay their staff, ceased his cash funding to the companies some time in October 2022 due to disagreements with Wu and Sim over the business direction of the companies, including how the monies were spent, said Ms Loh. Without funding from Mr Low, the companies ran into cashflow issues. 'Despite meeting cashflow issues and knowing that there would be difficulty in paying salaries to the employees, Wu and Sim decided to continue operating the companies, continue the employment of the employees, and opening other new businesses,' Ms Loh said. MOM said the companies' premises were closed by the landlords in December 2022 due to rental arrears. The ministry added that Sim and Wu failed to fully inform the employees of the companies' situation and disregarded their concerns even after the closures, resulting in the 103 employees being left stranded without pay for up to three months. It said the couple were uncooperative when employees sought assistance from MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management. 'They failed to attend mediation sessions, repeatedly missed appointments, and did not provide their most current residential address during investigations,' said MOM. It added that despite being provided with ample time to make salary restitutions to the affected employees, Sim and Wu Wenchun did not make appreciable efforts to do so. MOM said most of the affected local workers have since found new employment, and that the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management had helped them , including providing them with financial assistance and linking them up with NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute. Under the Employment Act, employers convicted for failing to pay salaries can be jailed for up to six months, fined between $3,000 and $15,000 or both. If the employer s are repeat offende rs , they can be jailed for up to 12 months, fined between $6,000 and $30,000 or both. MOM said it takes a serious view of the non-payment of salaries and that it will continue to take firm action against errant offenders who fail to comply with employment laws. It added that members of the public who are aware of suspected employment law contraventions such as non - payment of salaries should report the matter via its eService 'Report an infringement' as soon as possible. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential, MOM said.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Gaza running out of specialised food to save malnourished children
Palestinian mother Ghaneyma Joma sits next to her malnourished son Younis Joma as he receives treatment at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, July 8, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo GENEVA/JERUSALEM - Gaza is on the brink of running out of the specialised therapeutic food needed to save the lives of severely malnourished children, United Nations and humanitarian agencies say. "We are now facing a dire situation, that we are running out of therapeutic supplies," said Salim Oweis, a spokesperson for UNICEF in Amman, Jordan told Reuters on Thursday, saying supplies of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a crucial treatment, would be depleted by mid-August if nothing changed. "That's really dangerous for children as they face hunger and malnutrition at the moment," he added. Oweis said UNICEF had only enough RUTF left to treat 3,000 children. In the first two weeks of July alone, UNICEF treated 5,000 children facing acute malnutrition in Gaza. Nutrient-dense, high-calorie RUTF supplies, such as high-energy biscuits and peanut paste enriched with milk powder, are critical for treating severe malnutrition. "Most malnutrition treatment supplies have been consumed and what is left at facilities will run out very soon if not replenished," a World Health Organization spokesperson said on Thursday. The WHO said that a programme in Gaza that was aiming to prevent malnutrition among the most vulnerable, including pregnant women and children under five, may have to stop work as it is running out of the nutritional supplements. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Singapore Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers, without facing penalties Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Sport Training sessions at World Aquatics Masters Championships cancelled due to Sentosa's water quality issues Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Gaza's food stocks have been running out since Israel, at war with Palestinian militant group Hamas since October 2023, cut off all supplies to the territory in March, lifting that blockade in May but with restrictions that it says are needed to prevent aid being diverted to militant groups. As a result, international aid agencies say that only a trickle of what is needed, including medicine, is currently reaching people in Gaza. Israel says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent it from being diverted by militants. It says it has let enough food into Gaza during the war and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza's 2.2 million people. COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, in response to emailed questions on RUTF supplies said it was working with international organisations to improve the distribution of aid from the crossings where hundreds of aid trucks were waiting. Save the Children, which runs a clinic that has treated spiking numbers of malnourished children in central Gaza, said it had not been able to bring in its own supplies since February and was relying on United Nations deliveries. "If they're going to run out, that's also going to affect UNICEF partners and other organisations that rely on their supplies to provide that for children," said Alexandra Saieh, Global Head of Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children. UNICEF said that from April to mid-July, 20,504 children were admitted with acute malnutrition. Of those patients, 3,247 were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, nearly triple the number in the first three months of the year. Severe acute malnutrition can lead to death, and to long-term physical and mental developmental health problems in children who survive. The WHO said on Wednesday 21 children under the age of five were among those who died of malnutrition so far this year. Two more Palestinians died overnight from starvation, the Gaza health ministry said on Thursday, bringing the total number of people who have starved to death to 113, most of them in recent weeks as a wave of hunger crashes on the Palestinian enclave. REUTERS
