Latest news with #YunHaiYao
CNA
5 days ago
- CNA
ByteDance mass food poisoning case: Judge fines caterer S$7,000, criticises its complacency
A catering company was fined S$7,000 after a mass food poisoning incident at a ByteDance corporate event. The judge slammed the company's complacency and gave a higher fine than what prosecutors sought. Yun Hai Yao, which runs the Yun Nans restaurant chain, pleaded guilty to food safety breaches. Aslam Shah reports.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Power fault paralyses Bukit Panjang LRT for 3 hours; ByteDance caterer pleads guilty in mass food poisoning case
Singapore's Bukit Panjang LRT line was suspended for three hours on Thursday (3 July) due to a power fault that struck at 8:50am. SMRT deployed free regular and bridging bus services while staff assisted commuters on-site. Traction power was restored by 11:37am, and full train service resumed by 11:51am. The incident marked the second major rail disruption that week, following a signalling fault on the Thomson-East Coast Line. SMRT apologised for the inconvenience and praised commuters for their patience. More on the Bukit Panjang LRT disruption here. Lu Zhi Tao, CEO of Yun Hai Yao, the caterer behind the ByteDance food poisoning outbreak, has pleaded guilty to food safety violations. The July 2024 incident left 169 employees ill and 60 hospitalised after consuming chicken tainted with Staphylococcus aureus at levels 2,000 times above the legal limit. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also found a cockroach infestation at the kitchen. Prosecutors are seeking a $5,500 fine, but the judge has delayed sentencing to assess the full extent of harm. More on ByteDance caterer's guilty plea here. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Singapore's Bukit Panjang LRT line was suspended for nearly three hours on Thursday (3 July), after a power fault struck at 8:50am, halting service across all 13 stations. SMRT activated free regular and bridging bus services, while staff on-site assisted commuters and issued updates via social media. In-train and station announcements kept passengers informed throughout the disruption. Traction power was restored by 11:37am, with train services progressively resuming. By 11:51am, full service was reinstated and bus bridging operations ceased. SMRT President Lam Sheau Kai apologised for the inconvenience, thanking commuters for their patience and cooperation during the outage. This marks the second major fault in the same week, following a 1 July signalling issue on the Thomson-East Coast Line that delayed travel between Napier and Great World stations. Read on the Bukit Panjang LRT disruption here. Singapore's worst corporate food poisoning case in years has reached a turning point. Lu Zhi Tao, the CEO of Yun Hai Yao, the caterer behind the ByteDance outbreak, has pleaded guilty to two charges: one under the Sale of Food Act and another under the Environmental Public Health Regulations. The July 2024 incident sickened 169 ByteDance employees, with 60 hospitalised after consuming a chicken dish contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus at levels 2,000 times the legal limit. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also found more than 10 live cockroaches at Yun Hai Yao's Northpoint City kitchen during a post-incident inspection. The kitchen was suspended, and the company's operations were halted pending investigation. Lu admitted the food was 'not of the quality demanded' and unfit for consumption. Prosecutors are seeking a $5,500 fine, but the judge has delayed sentencing, citing the need for more details on victim harm. Sentencing is set for 17 July, with the court acknowledging 'huge public interest' in the case. Read on ByteDance caterer's guilty plea here. A ferry carrying 65 people sank late Wednesday in the Bali Strait, leaving 4 confirmed dead and 38 still missing. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was en route from Ketapang Port in East Java to Gilimanuk Port in Bali when it capsized around 11:20pm local time. The vessel sank just 30 minutes after departure, according to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency. It was transporting 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. Rescue teams have recovered 23 survivors, many found unconscious after drifting in rough seas for hours. Nine boats are currently combing the area, battling waves up to two meters high. The cause of the accident remains unclear, though engine failure and poor weather are suspected. Authorities are investigating whether the ferry was overloaded or lacked proper safety equipment. Read on the Bali ferry disaster here. Just 38 hours after a deadly crash in Ahmedabad killed 274 people, another Air India flight triggered panic. A Boeing 777 bound for Vienna dropped nearly 900 feet (274 metres) shortly after takeoff from Delhi on 14 June, setting off stall and 'don't sink' warnings. The pilots managed to stabilise the aircraft and complete the flight, but were later suspended pending investigation. India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, has launched a probe and summoned Air India's head of safety. Initial reports downplayed the incident, citing turbulence. But flight data revealed multiple critical alerts, including a stick shaker warning and Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) cautions. The scare came on the heels of the AI171 crash, where a Boeing 787-8 plunged into a building after takeoff, killing all but one of the 242 onboard and dozens on the ground. Investigators are exploring theories ranging from dual engine failure to sabotage. With lawmakers set to review aviation safety on 9 July, India's skies are facing their most intense scrutiny in years. Read on the Air India pilots' suspension here. A fungus once blamed for the deaths of archaeologists in King Tutankhamun's tomb may now be a medical marvel. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that Aspergillus flavus, dubbed the 'pharaoh's curse', produces molecules that show potent anti-leukemia effects. The team isolated four new compounds called asperigimycins, part of a rare class of fungal peptides known as RiPPs. Two of them killed leukaemia cells in lab tests without modification. A third, enhanced with a lipid, performed as well as FDA-approved drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin. The fungus, long feared for its toxic spores, can cause deadly lung infections in immunocompromised people. But in this twist of fate, its complex chemistry may offer a new path for targeted cancer therapies. Researchers say the compounds block microtubule formation, halting cell division – a key mechanism in cancer growth. The molecules showed little effect on other cancer types, suggesting high specificity. As one researcher put it, 'The tombs were feared for their curses, but they may become a wellspring of cures.' Read on the tomb fungus once blamed for deaths that may cure disease here. Malaysia's data centre industry is booming, but now it's bracing for a jolt. As of 1 July, steep electricity tariff hikes of up to 14 per cent have kicked in, blindsiding operators and clouding the country's digital investment outlook. The new tiered pricing system is murky, with most large-scale centres falling into the ultra-high voltage category, the most expensive band. For a 100MW facility, that could mean an extra $15–20 million annually. Until now, Malaysia's low-cost power and land made it a magnet for tech giants like Microsoft and Google, both of which have committed billions to local data infrastructure. But the sudden cost spike has some investors hitting pause. The government defends the hikes as necessary for social spending, while promising monthly fuel surcharge updates. Meanwhile, firms like Equinix are exploring alternative energy sources. Read on Malaysia data centres battling higher power costs here. A five-room flat at The Pinnacle@Duxton has shattered records, selling for $1.58 million in June 2025. The 1,130 sq ft unit, perched between the 34th and 36th floors, fetched $1,398 per square foot, setting a new benchmark for public housing in Singapore's Central Area. The flat's appeal lies in its panoramic city views, central location, and iconic design. With over 84 years left on its lease and access to sky gardens, it's no surprise the unit commanded a premium. But this isn't an isolated case. The Pinnacle@Duxton has seen a string of million-dollar deals, including four-room flats that have sold for up to $1.518 million, outpricing some five-room units. Experts caution that such headline-grabbing sales, while rare (just 0.5 per cent of four-room or smaller transactions), could skew public expectations and inflate market sentiment. Read on the Pinnacle@Duxton flat selling for a record price here. A Filipino domestic helper in Singapore has been jailed for 40 days after unknowingly helping transfer over $116,000 in scam proceeds to a Thai bank account. The funds were linked to internet love scams targeting elderly Singaporean women. The helper, 36-year-old Mary Joe Blanco Galvez, acted at the request of a fellow maid, 57-year-old Maria Luz Suerte Lopez, who had been duped by a man claiming to be a US Army officer on TikTok. The man, 'Alex Stillinger,' convinced Lopez to receive money from supposed gold investments. Since Lopez had no bank account, she asked Galvez to use hers. Between 15 and 29 May 2024, Galvez received $118,133 and transferred about $116,000 to a Thai account. She earned S$1,151.50 in 'token' payments. Investigators later traced $20,300 of the funds to two scam victims, aged 61 and 70, who had fallen for romance scams. Galvez was arrested in October 2024 and pleaded guilty to one charge of transferring criminal proceeds. While the court acknowledged she was manipulated, the judge emphasised the seriousness of scam-related crimes. Maria was sentenced separately to five months' jail. Read on the maid getting jailed over love scam money transfers here. Microsoft has announced its second wave of layoffs in 2025, eliminating 9,000 roles across divisions including Xbox and global sales. This follows a 6,000-job cut in May, bringing the year's total to 15,000, about 6.5 per cent of its 228,000-strong workforce. The company cites rising costs from AI infrastructure investments, including US$80 billion earmarked for data centres and application development. Executives say the layoffs aim to flatten management layers and boost agility. Gaming and mobile units were hit hard, with Xbox and King (maker of Candy Crush) losing hundreds of staff. Microsoft's internal memos emphasise a shift toward strategic growth areas and increased use of AI tools. CEO Satya Nadella revealed that up to 30 per cent of Microsoft's code is now written by AI, fuelling speculation that automation is replacing entry-level roles. Despite strong earnings, Microsoft is streamlining to stay competitive, with analysts noting a pivot toward leaner teams and AI-enhanced productivity. Read on the latest Microsoft layoffs here. Just one day before he was expected to plead guilty, Ong Beng Seng, the billionaire linked to the former transport minister S Iswaran scandal, was expected to plead guilty on Thursday (3 July), but the hearing has been pushed to 8 July as a pre-trial conference. Ong, 79, faces two charges: abetting Iswaran in obtaining gifts and obstructing justice. The charges stem from a 2022 trip to Doha, allegedly funded by Ong, including a private jet flight, luxury hotel stay and business-class return ticket. This isn't the first delay. Ong's earlier plea date in April was also postponed to allow time for medical reports. He is undergoing chemotherapy for bone marrow cancer. Hotel Properties Limited, where Ong was managing director, announced in February that he intended to plead guilty to the obstruction charge and have the other taken into consideration. He stepped down from the company in April to focus on his health. The court granted the latest adjournment after both parties requested more time to file sentencing submissions. Read on Ong Beng Seng's delayed court hearing here. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for restraint and peaceful resolution as tensions rise between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed border zones. His remarks came during a diplomatic visit to Phnom Penh marking 60 years of Singapore-Cambodia ties. My visit coincided with heightened tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border. I highlighted the need for both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation, and continue with dialogue to resolve the matter amicably, in accordance with international law. — Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) July 2, 2025 Wong emphasised the importance of ASEAN cohesion, urging both sides to 'de-escalate tensions, engage constructively, and reach an amicable solution that upholds international law'. The border dispute flared after a deadly clash in May, prompting troop buildups and trade restrictions. Cambodia has taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, while Thailand prefers bilateral talks. Wong's visit also spotlighted economic cooperation, including renewable energy, carbon credits, and agri-trade. But his diplomatic tone on the border issue stood out as a call for regional stability. 'Only through dialogue can ASEAN preserve its relevance,' Wong said, reinforcing Singapore's role as a steadying voice in Southeast Asia. Read on PM Wong's Cambodia visit here. A teenager in Singapore is facing criminal charges after allegedly trespassing onto MRT tracks and filming a video that went viral on social media. The footage, taken near Simei and Tanah Merah stations, showed a train passing dangerously close. Police received a report on 10 June, and arrested the 17-year-old on 1 July. He will be charged with wilfully endangering safety and criminal trespass on Thursday (3 July). The video was filmed near new viaducts under construction, part of the East Coast Integrated Depot project. SMRT confirmed the location and reported the incident to authorities. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) responded swiftly, reinforcing security at the entry point identified during the investigation. Police emphasised their zero-tolerance stance, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and will be met with firm legal consequences. Read on the teen MRT trespass case here. Singapore security firm Certis has officially dropped its real-time location tracking policy for frontline officers on medical leave, following discussions with the Union of Security Employees (USE). The move comes after public backlash and internal concerns over privacy and trust, according to the Straits Times. Implemented in April 2025, the policy required officers to share live location data via WhatsApp or video if they weren't found at home during surprise visits. Certis claimed the measure was aimed at curbing sick leave abuse, not punishing staff. USE pushed back, arguing that medical leave should be used for rest, not surveillance. The union emphasised that while abuse shouldn't be condoned, intrusive tracking undermines morale and workplace culture. Certis clarified that terminations only occurred after fair investigations, citing rare cases of officers traveling overseas while on medical leave. The company denied firing staff solely for being absent during home checks. As part of the resolution, Certis and USE will co-host monthly engagement sessions, aiming to improve communication and rebuild trust with its 12,000-strong workforce. A wave of food advertisement scams has hit Singapore, with 77 victims losing $48,000 since mid-June. The scams are spreading via TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. According to the Straits Times, fraudsters lure users with heavily discounted food offers, especially durians, then redirect them to phishing sites. Victims unknowingly hand over sensitive banking data, leading to unauthorised charges and compromised accounts. YouTrip users were especially vulnerable, with scammers triggering login requests and hijacking wallets. Some victims saw foreign currency transactions they never authorised. Police say the scams reflect a growing trend, where seasonal cravings and social media combine to create fertile ground for fraud. They advise checking seller legitimacy and avoiding direct bank transfers. If the deal smells fishy, it's probably rotten. Singapore's Bukit Panjang LRT line was suspended for nearly three hours on Thursday (3 July), after a power fault struck at 8:50am, halting service across all 13 stations. SMRT activated free regular and bridging bus services, while staff on-site assisted commuters and issued updates via social media. In-train and station announcements kept passengers informed throughout the disruption. Traction power was restored by 11:37am, with train services progressively resuming. By 11:51am, full service was reinstated and bus bridging operations ceased. SMRT President Lam Sheau Kai apologised for the inconvenience, thanking commuters for their patience and cooperation during the outage. This marks the second major fault in the same week, following a 1 July signalling issue on the Thomson-East Coast Line that delayed travel between Napier and Great World stations. Read on the Bukit Panjang LRT disruption here. Singapore's worst corporate food poisoning case in years has reached a turning point. Lu Zhi Tao, the CEO of Yun Hai Yao, the caterer behind the ByteDance outbreak, has pleaded guilty to two charges: one under the Sale of Food Act and another under the Environmental Public Health Regulations. The July 2024 incident sickened 169 ByteDance employees, with 60 hospitalised after consuming a chicken dish contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus at levels 2,000 times the legal limit. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also found more than 10 live cockroaches at Yun Hai Yao's Northpoint City kitchen during a post-incident inspection. The kitchen was suspended, and the company's operations were halted pending investigation. Lu admitted the food was 'not of the quality demanded' and unfit for consumption. Prosecutors are seeking a $5,500 fine, but the judge has delayed sentencing, citing the need for more details on victim harm. Sentencing is set for 17 July, with the court acknowledging 'huge public interest' in the case. Read on ByteDance caterer's guilty plea here. A ferry carrying 65 people sank late Wednesday in the Bali Strait, leaving 4 confirmed dead and 38 still missing. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was en route from Ketapang Port in East Java to Gilimanuk Port in Bali when it capsized around 11:20pm local time. The vessel sank just 30 minutes after departure, according to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency. It was transporting 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. Rescue teams have recovered 23 survivors, many found unconscious after drifting in rough seas for hours. Nine boats are currently combing the area, battling waves up to two meters high. The cause of the accident remains unclear, though engine failure and poor weather are suspected. Authorities are investigating whether the ferry was overloaded or lacked proper safety equipment. Read on the Bali ferry disaster here. Just 38 hours after a deadly crash in Ahmedabad killed 274 people, another Air India flight triggered panic. A Boeing 777 bound for Vienna dropped nearly 900 feet (274 metres) shortly after takeoff from Delhi on 14 June, setting off stall and 'don't sink' warnings. The pilots managed to stabilise the aircraft and complete the flight, but were later suspended pending investigation. India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, has launched a probe and summoned Air India's head of safety. Initial reports downplayed the incident, citing turbulence. But flight data revealed multiple critical alerts, including a stick shaker warning and Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) cautions. The scare came on the heels of the AI171 crash, where a Boeing 787-8 plunged into a building after takeoff, killing all but one of the 242 onboard and dozens on the ground. Investigators are exploring theories ranging from dual engine failure to sabotage. With lawmakers set to review aviation safety on 9 July, India's skies are facing their most intense scrutiny in years. Read on the Air India pilots' suspension here. A fungus once blamed for the deaths of archaeologists in King Tutankhamun's tomb may now be a medical marvel. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that Aspergillus flavus, dubbed the 'pharaoh's curse', produces molecules that show potent anti-leukemia effects. The team isolated four new compounds called asperigimycins, part of a rare class of fungal peptides known as RiPPs. Two of them killed leukaemia cells in lab tests without modification. A third, enhanced with a lipid, performed as well as FDA-approved drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin. The fungus, long feared for its toxic spores, can cause deadly lung infections in immunocompromised people. But in this twist of fate, its complex chemistry may offer a new path for targeted cancer therapies. Researchers say the compounds block microtubule formation, halting cell division – a key mechanism in cancer growth. The molecules showed little effect on other cancer types, suggesting high specificity. As one researcher put it, 'The tombs were feared for their curses, but they may become a wellspring of cures.' Read on the tomb fungus once blamed for deaths that may cure disease here. Malaysia's data centre industry is booming, but now it's bracing for a jolt. As of 1 July, steep electricity tariff hikes of up to 14 per cent have kicked in, blindsiding operators and clouding the country's digital investment outlook. The new tiered pricing system is murky, with most large-scale centres falling into the ultra-high voltage category, the most expensive band. For a 100MW facility, that could mean an extra $15–20 million annually. Until now, Malaysia's low-cost power and land made it a magnet for tech giants like Microsoft and Google, both of which have committed billions to local data infrastructure. But the sudden cost spike has some investors hitting pause. The government defends the hikes as necessary for social spending, while promising monthly fuel surcharge updates. Meanwhile, firms like Equinix are exploring alternative energy sources. Read on Malaysia data centres battling higher power costs here. A five-room flat at The Pinnacle@Duxton has shattered records, selling for $1.58 million in June 2025. The 1,130 sq ft unit, perched between the 34th and 36th floors, fetched $1,398 per square foot, setting a new benchmark for public housing in Singapore's Central Area. The flat's appeal lies in its panoramic city views, central location, and iconic design. With over 84 years left on its lease and access to sky gardens, it's no surprise the unit commanded a premium. But this isn't an isolated case. The Pinnacle@Duxton has seen a string of million-dollar deals, including four-room flats that have sold for up to $1.518 million, outpricing some five-room units. Experts caution that such headline-grabbing sales, while rare (just 0.5 per cent of four-room or smaller transactions), could skew public expectations and inflate market sentiment. Read on the Pinnacle@Duxton flat selling for a record price here. A Filipino domestic helper in Singapore has been jailed for 40 days after unknowingly helping transfer over $116,000 in scam proceeds to a Thai bank account. The funds were linked to internet love scams targeting elderly Singaporean women. The helper, 36-year-old Mary Joe Blanco Galvez, acted at the request of a fellow maid, 57-year-old Maria Luz Suerte Lopez, who had been duped by a man claiming to be a US Army officer on TikTok. The man, 'Alex Stillinger,' convinced Lopez to receive money from supposed gold investments. Since Lopez had no bank account, she asked Galvez to use hers. Between 15 and 29 May 2024, Galvez received $118,133 and transferred about $116,000 to a Thai account. She earned S$1,151.50 in 'token' payments. Investigators later traced $20,300 of the funds to two scam victims, aged 61 and 70, who had fallen for romance scams. Galvez was arrested in October 2024 and pleaded guilty to one charge of transferring criminal proceeds. While the court acknowledged she was manipulated, the judge emphasised the seriousness of scam-related crimes. Maria was sentenced separately to five months' jail. Read on the maid getting jailed over love scam money transfers here. Microsoft has announced its second wave of layoffs in 2025, eliminating 9,000 roles across divisions including Xbox and global sales. This follows a 6,000-job cut in May, bringing the year's total to 15,000, about 6.5 per cent of its 228,000-strong workforce. The company cites rising costs from AI infrastructure investments, including US$80 billion earmarked for data centres and application development. Executives say the layoffs aim to flatten management layers and boost agility. Gaming and mobile units were hit hard, with Xbox and King (maker of Candy Crush) losing hundreds of staff. Microsoft's internal memos emphasise a shift toward strategic growth areas and increased use of AI tools. CEO Satya Nadella revealed that up to 30 per cent of Microsoft's code is now written by AI, fuelling speculation that automation is replacing entry-level roles. Despite strong earnings, Microsoft is streamlining to stay competitive, with analysts noting a pivot toward leaner teams and AI-enhanced productivity. Read on the latest Microsoft layoffs here. Just one day before he was expected to plead guilty, Ong Beng Seng, the billionaire linked to the former transport minister S Iswaran scandal, was expected to plead guilty on Thursday (3 July), but the hearing has been pushed to 8 July as a pre-trial conference. Ong, 79, faces two charges: abetting Iswaran in obtaining gifts and obstructing justice. The charges stem from a 2022 trip to Doha, allegedly funded by Ong, including a private jet flight, luxury hotel stay and business-class return ticket. This isn't the first delay. Ong's earlier plea date in April was also postponed to allow time for medical reports. He is undergoing chemotherapy for bone marrow cancer. Hotel Properties Limited, where Ong was managing director, announced in February that he intended to plead guilty to the obstruction charge and have the other taken into consideration. He stepped down from the company in April to focus on his health. The court granted the latest adjournment after both parties requested more time to file sentencing submissions. Read on Ong Beng Seng's delayed court hearing here. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for restraint and peaceful resolution as tensions rise between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed border zones. His remarks came during a diplomatic visit to Phnom Penh marking 60 years of Singapore-Cambodia ties. My visit coincided with heightened tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border. I highlighted the need for both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation, and continue with dialogue to resolve the matter amicably, in accordance with international law. — Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) July 2, 2025 Wong emphasised the importance of ASEAN cohesion, urging both sides to 'de-escalate tensions, engage constructively, and reach an amicable solution that upholds international law'. The border dispute flared after a deadly clash in May, prompting troop buildups and trade restrictions. Cambodia has taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, while Thailand prefers bilateral talks. Wong's visit also spotlighted economic cooperation, including renewable energy, carbon credits, and agri-trade. But his diplomatic tone on the border issue stood out as a call for regional stability. 'Only through dialogue can ASEAN preserve its relevance,' Wong said, reinforcing Singapore's role as a steadying voice in Southeast Asia. Read on PM Wong's Cambodia visit here. A teenager in Singapore is facing criminal charges after allegedly trespassing onto MRT tracks and filming a video that went viral on social media. The footage, taken near Simei and Tanah Merah stations, showed a train passing dangerously close. Police received a report on 10 June, and arrested the 17-year-old on 1 July. He will be charged with wilfully endangering safety and criminal trespass on Thursday (3 July). The video was filmed near new viaducts under construction, part of the East Coast Integrated Depot project. SMRT confirmed the location and reported the incident to authorities. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) responded swiftly, reinforcing security at the entry point identified during the investigation. Police emphasised their zero-tolerance stance, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and will be met with firm legal consequences. Read on the teen MRT trespass case here. Singapore security firm Certis has officially dropped its real-time location tracking policy for frontline officers on medical leave, following discussions with the Union of Security Employees (USE). The move comes after public backlash and internal concerns over privacy and trust, according to the Straits Times. Implemented in April 2025, the policy required officers to share live location data via WhatsApp or video if they weren't found at home during surprise visits. Certis claimed the measure was aimed at curbing sick leave abuse, not punishing staff. USE pushed back, arguing that medical leave should be used for rest, not surveillance. The union emphasised that while abuse shouldn't be condoned, intrusive tracking undermines morale and workplace culture. Certis clarified that terminations only occurred after fair investigations, citing rare cases of officers traveling overseas while on medical leave. The company denied firing staff solely for being absent during home checks. As part of the resolution, Certis and USE will co-host monthly engagement sessions, aiming to improve communication and rebuild trust with its 12,000-strong workforce. A wave of food advertisement scams has hit Singapore, with 77 victims losing $48,000 since mid-June. The scams are spreading via TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. According to the Straits Times, fraudsters lure users with heavily discounted food offers, especially durians, then redirect them to phishing sites. Victims unknowingly hand over sensitive banking data, leading to unauthorised charges and compromised accounts. YouTrip users were especially vulnerable, with scammers triggering login requests and hijacking wallets. Some victims saw foreign currency transactions they never authorised. Police say the scams reflect a growing trend, where seasonal cravings and social media combine to create fertile ground for fraud. They advise checking seller legitimacy and avoiding direct bank transfers. If the deal smells fishy, it's probably rotten.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
4 dead, 38 missing after Bali ferry sinks; ByteDance caterer pleads guilty in mass food poisoning case: Singapore live news
A ferry carrying 65 people sank late Wednesday (2 July) in the Bali Strait, leaving 4 dead and 38 missing. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was en route from East Java to Bali when it capsized roughly 30 minutes after departure. Rescuers have saved 23 passengers so far, many found unconscious after drifting in rough seas. The vessel was also transporting 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. Authorities are investigating the cause, while families await updates at Ketapang Port. More on the Bali ferry disaster here. Lu Zhi Tao, CEO of Yun Hai Yao, the caterer behind the ByteDance food poisoning outbreak, has pleaded guilty to food safety violations. The July 2024 incident left 169 employees ill and 60 hospitalised after consuming chicken tainted with Staphylococcus aureus at levels 2,000 times above the legal limit. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also found a cockroach infestation at the kitchen. Prosecutors are seeking a $5,500 fine, but the judge has delayed sentencing to assess the full extent of harm. More on ByteDance caterer's guilty plea here. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. A ferry carrying 65 people sank late Wednesday in the Bali Strait, leaving 4 confirmed dead and 38 still missing. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was en route from Ketapang Port in East Java to Gilimanuk Port in Bali when it capsized around 11:20pm local time. The vessel sank just 30 minutes after departure, according to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency. It was transporting 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. Rescue teams have recovered 23 survivors, many found unconscious after drifting in rough seas for hours. Nine boats are currently combing the area, battling waves up to two meters high. The cause of the accident remains unclear, though engine failure and poor weather are suspected. Authorities are investigating whether the ferry was overloaded or lacked proper safety equipment. Read on the Bali ferry disaster here. Singapore's worst corporate food poisoning case in years has reached a turning point. Lu Zhi Tao, the CEO of Yun Hai Yao, the caterer behind the ByteDance outbreak, has pleaded guilty to two charges: one under the Sale of Food Act and another under the Environmental Public Health Regulations. The July 2024 incident sickened 169 ByteDance employees, with 60 hospitalised after consuming a chicken dish contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus at levels 2,000 times the legal limit. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also found more than 10 live cockroaches at Yun Hai Yao's Northpoint City kitchen during a post-incident inspection. The kitchen was suspended, and the company's operations were halted pending investigation. Lu admitted the food was 'not of the quality demanded' and unfit for consumption. Prosecutors are seeking a $5,500 fine, but the judge has delayed sentencing, citing the need for more details on victim harm. Sentencing is set for 17 July, with the court acknowledging 'huge public interest' in the case. Read on ByteDance caterer's guilty plea here. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for restraint and peaceful resolution as tensions rise between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed border zones. His remarks came during a diplomatic visit to Phnom Penh marking 60 years of Singapore-Cambodia ties. My visit coincided with heightened tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border. I highlighted the need for both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation, and continue with dialogue to resolve the matter amicably, in accordance with international law. — Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) July 2, 2025 Wong emphasised the importance of ASEAN cohesion, urging both sides to 'de-escalate tensions, engage constructively, and reach an amicable solution that upholds international law'. The border dispute flared after a deadly clash in May, prompting troop buildups and trade restrictions. Cambodia has taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, while Thailand prefers bilateral talks. Wong's visit also spotlighted economic cooperation, including renewable energy, carbon credits, and agri-trade. But his diplomatic tone on the border issue stood out as a call for regional stability. 'Only through dialogue can ASEAN preserve its relevance,' Wong said, reinforcing Singapore's role as a steadying voice in Southeast Asia. Read on PM Wong's Cambodia visit here. A teenager in Singapore is facing criminal charges after allegedly trespassing onto MRT tracks and filming a video that went viral on social media. The footage, taken near Simei and Tanah Merah stations, showed a train passing dangerously close. Police received a report on 10 June, and arrested the 17-year-old on 1 July. He will be charged with wilfully endangering safety and criminal trespass on Thursday (3 July). The video was filmed near new viaducts under construction, part of the East Coast Integrated Depot project. SMRT confirmed the location and reported the incident to authorities. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) responded swiftly, reinforcing security at the entry point identified during the investigation. Police emphasised their zero-tolerance stance, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and will be met with firm legal consequences. Read on the teen MRT trespass case here. Singapore security firm Certis has officially dropped its real-time location tracking policy for frontline officers on medical leave, following discussions with the Union of Security Employees (USE). The move comes after public backlash and internal concerns over privacy and trust, according to the Straits Times. Implemented in April 2025, the policy required officers to share live location data via WhatsApp or video if they weren't found at home during surprise visits. Certis claimed the measure was aimed at curbing sick leave abuse, not punishing staff. USE pushed back, arguing that medical leave should be used for rest, not surveillance. The union emphasised that while abuse shouldn't be condoned, intrusive tracking undermines morale and workplace culture. Certis clarified that terminations only occurred after fair investigations, citing rare cases of officers traveling overseas while on medical leave. The company denied firing staff solely for being absent during home checks. As part of the resolution, Certis and USE will co-host monthly engagement sessions, aiming to improve communication and rebuild trust with its 12,000-strong workforce. A wave of food advertisement scams has hit Singapore, with 77 victims losing $48,000 since mid-June. The scams are spreading via TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. According to the Straits Times, fraudsters lure users with heavily discounted food offers, especially durians, then redirect them to phishing sites. Victims unknowingly hand over sensitive banking data, leading to unauthorised charges and compromised accounts. YouTrip users were especially vulnerable, with scammers triggering login requests and hijacking wallets. Some victims saw foreign currency transactions they never authorised. Police say the scams reflect a growing trend, where seasonal cravings and social media combine to create fertile ground for fraud. They advise checking seller legitimacy and avoiding direct bank transfers. If the deal smells fishy, it's probably rotten. A ferry carrying 65 people sank late Wednesday in the Bali Strait, leaving 4 confirmed dead and 38 still missing. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was en route from Ketapang Port in East Java to Gilimanuk Port in Bali when it capsized around 11:20pm local time. The vessel sank just 30 minutes after departure, according to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency. It was transporting 53 passengers, 12 crew members and 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks. Rescue teams have recovered 23 survivors, many found unconscious after drifting in rough seas for hours. Nine boats are currently combing the area, battling waves up to two meters high. The cause of the accident remains unclear, though engine failure and poor weather are suspected. Authorities are investigating whether the ferry was overloaded or lacked proper safety equipment. Read on the Bali ferry disaster here. Singapore's worst corporate food poisoning case in years has reached a turning point. Lu Zhi Tao, the CEO of Yun Hai Yao, the caterer behind the ByteDance outbreak, has pleaded guilty to two charges: one under the Sale of Food Act and another under the Environmental Public Health Regulations. The July 2024 incident sickened 169 ByteDance employees, with 60 hospitalised after consuming a chicken dish contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus at levels 2,000 times the legal limit. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also found more than 10 live cockroaches at Yun Hai Yao's Northpoint City kitchen during a post-incident inspection. The kitchen was suspended, and the company's operations were halted pending investigation. Lu admitted the food was 'not of the quality demanded' and unfit for consumption. Prosecutors are seeking a $5,500 fine, but the judge has delayed sentencing, citing the need for more details on victim harm. Sentencing is set for 17 July, with the court acknowledging 'huge public interest' in the case. Read on ByteDance caterer's guilty plea here. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for restraint and peaceful resolution as tensions rise between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed border zones. His remarks came during a diplomatic visit to Phnom Penh marking 60 years of Singapore-Cambodia ties. My visit coincided with heightened tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border. I highlighted the need for both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation, and continue with dialogue to resolve the matter amicably, in accordance with international law. — Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) July 2, 2025 Wong emphasised the importance of ASEAN cohesion, urging both sides to 'de-escalate tensions, engage constructively, and reach an amicable solution that upholds international law'. The border dispute flared after a deadly clash in May, prompting troop buildups and trade restrictions. Cambodia has taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, while Thailand prefers bilateral talks. Wong's visit also spotlighted economic cooperation, including renewable energy, carbon credits, and agri-trade. But his diplomatic tone on the border issue stood out as a call for regional stability. 'Only through dialogue can ASEAN preserve its relevance,' Wong said, reinforcing Singapore's role as a steadying voice in Southeast Asia. Read on PM Wong's Cambodia visit here. A teenager in Singapore is facing criminal charges after allegedly trespassing onto MRT tracks and filming a video that went viral on social media. The footage, taken near Simei and Tanah Merah stations, showed a train passing dangerously close. Police received a report on 10 June, and arrested the 17-year-old on 1 July. He will be charged with wilfully endangering safety and criminal trespass on Thursday (3 July). The video was filmed near new viaducts under construction, part of the East Coast Integrated Depot project. SMRT confirmed the location and reported the incident to authorities. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) responded swiftly, reinforcing security at the entry point identified during the investigation. Police emphasised their zero-tolerance stance, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and will be met with firm legal consequences. Read on the teen MRT trespass case here. Singapore security firm Certis has officially dropped its real-time location tracking policy for frontline officers on medical leave, following discussions with the Union of Security Employees (USE). The move comes after public backlash and internal concerns over privacy and trust, according to the Straits Times. Implemented in April 2025, the policy required officers to share live location data via WhatsApp or video if they weren't found at home during surprise visits. Certis claimed the measure was aimed at curbing sick leave abuse, not punishing staff. USE pushed back, arguing that medical leave should be used for rest, not surveillance. The union emphasised that while abuse shouldn't be condoned, intrusive tracking undermines morale and workplace culture. Certis clarified that terminations only occurred after fair investigations, citing rare cases of officers traveling overseas while on medical leave. The company denied firing staff solely for being absent during home checks. As part of the resolution, Certis and USE will co-host monthly engagement sessions, aiming to improve communication and rebuild trust with its 12,000-strong workforce. A wave of food advertisement scams has hit Singapore, with 77 victims losing $48,000 since mid-June. The scams are spreading via TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. According to the Straits Times, fraudsters lure users with heavily discounted food offers, especially durians, then redirect them to phishing sites. Victims unknowingly hand over sensitive banking data, leading to unauthorised charges and compromised accounts. YouTrip users were especially vulnerable, with scammers triggering login requests and hijacking wallets. Some victims saw foreign currency transactions they never authorised. Police say the scams reflect a growing trend, where seasonal cravings and social media combine to create fertile ground for fraud. They advise checking seller legitimacy and avoiding direct bank transfers. If the deal smells fishy, it's probably rotten.
Online Citizen
02-07-2025
- Health
- Online Citizen
Yun Hai Yao CEO pleads guilty over ByteDance Singapore food poisoning incident
SINGAPORE: Lu Zhi Tao (吕志韬), chief executive officer of food catering firm Yun Hai Yao, pleaded guilty on 2 July 2025 in relation to the mass food poisoning that occurred at ByteDance's Singapore office in July 2024. According to a report by CNA, Lu admitted guilt to two charges: one under the Environmental Public Health Act (Food Hygiene) Regulations and another under the Sale of Food Act. The case stems from a corporate catering event on 30 July 2024, when ByteDance engaged Yun Hai Yao and another caterer. After consuming the food, numerous staff members fell ill with symptoms including abdominal pain and vomiting. Over 200,000 bacterial units found in chicken dish served to ByteDance staff The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) reported that 169 people were affected in total, with 60 individuals hospitalised as a result. Testing revealed that a wok-fried diced chicken (汽锅鸡) dish catered by Yun Hai Yao contained Staphylococcus aureus bacteria above legally allowed limits. This bacterium can contaminate food during handling and preparation, leading to foodborne illness. SFA test results showed more than 200,000 colony-forming units per gram of the bacteria in the sample. Under Singapore's food safety regulations, this number must remain under 100 colony-forming units. More than 10 live cockroaches found at Northpoint outlet after food poisoning incident CNA also reported that on 31 July 2024, the day after the poisoning incident, more than 10 live cockroaches were discovered by SFA inspectors at Yun Hai Yao's Northpoint City outlet. During the court proceedings, SFA prosecutor Mohd Rizal requested a total fine of S$5,500. However, District Judge Janet Wang postponed sentencing. She cited the need for further information regarding the extent of harm caused, as the injuries and medical impact on the victims were not fully clarified. Judge Wang emphasised the high level of public interest in the case. She requested a detailed breakdown of the injuries, the number of people requiring medical intervention, and other relevant data to inform sentencing. Sentencing and mitigation have been adjourned to 17 July 2025. Yun Hai Yao, known in Singapore for operating the Yun Nans chain of restaurants, is a major Chinese dining brand. Founded in 2009, it has grown to include over a dozen outlets across major Chinese cities. Its annual sales surpass 1 billion yuan (approximately S$200 million), making it a leading player among mid- to high-end Chinese restaurant chains. Lu, who started Yun Hai Yao at age 23, relocated to Singapore in 2019 with his family to establish the brand's first overseas outlet. This was revealed in a 2019 interview published by Pin Prestige.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
ByteDance food poisoning case: Eatery chain charged, chicken dish allegedly had bacteria
Yun Hai Yao had been suspended by the Singapore Food Agency after 169 people at ByteDance had gastroenteritis. - HESTER TAN, LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE: Eatery chain Yun Hai Yao was hauled to court on Wednesday (June 4) over the ByteDance mass food poisoning case in 2024 which affected 169 people. The wok-fried diced chicken it catered to ByteDance's office in One Raffles Quay on July 30, 2024, allegedly contained bacteria, according to court documents. More than 10 live cockroaches were also allegedly found on Yun Hai Yao's premises in Northpoint City on July 31 the same year. The company, which is from China, and more commonly known here as Yun Nans, faces two charges – one under the Sale of Food Act and another under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations. A Singapore Food Agency (SFA) prosecutor said the agency was seeking a S$5,000 fine in total for the two charges. Yun Hai Yao's chief executive Lu Zhi Tao appeared in court on behalf of the company. He told the court the company intends to plead guilty and is not engaging a lawyer. Charge sheets state that Yun Hai Yao's chicken dish catered to ByteDance had coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus counts with Staphylococcus enterotoxin A genes. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found in the environment and on human skin or in noses. It can cause food poisoning when it is introduced into food during the production process, particularly when good hand hygiene is not practised. Symptoms can include sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Meanwhile, the cockroaches at the eatery's Northpoint City outlet were found beneath a folded grey plastic mat behind a rack on the licensed premises, according to court documents. The company is scheduled to plead guilty on July 2. Yun Hai Yao, along with another caterer, Pu Tien Services, had been suspended by SFA from July 31, 2024, after 169 people at ByteDance had gastroenteritis after eating food supplied by the two caterers. A total of 17 people were hospitalised after the food poisoning incident. Pu Tien Services was given the green light by SFA on Aug 10 that year to resume operations. Yun Hai Yao's suspension was lifted by SFA on Aug 16 after it took the necessary measures, including cleaning and sanitising its premises, and disinfecting food preparation surfaces, tables and floors. - The Straits Times/ANN
