
Trump-Putin summit: Trump optimistic Putin ready for deal, but cautions 25% chance talks fail
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Straits Times
a minute ago
- Straits Times
Russia launched 85 drones, one missile on Ukraine at overnight: Kyiv
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People checking out a destroyed Russian combat drone at an outdoor exhibition in central Kyiv. KYIV - Russia launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight, Kyiv said on Aug 16, hours after Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held their Alaska talks. The highly anticipated meeting in the remote US state ended with no breakthrough in halting Russia's more than three-year-long Ukraine invasion. Ukraine's air force said Moscow had 'attacked with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 85 Shahed-type' drones, while also attacking 'front-line areas' in four regions. In its daily report, the air force said the attacks took place 'on the night of Aug 16' and starting in the evening of Aug 15 – when Mr Putin and Mr Trump held their negotiations. Kyiv said its air defences shot down 61 of the drones. Moscow also claimed advances in the east of the country, continuing its on-the-ground attacks and advances during the talks. Russia's defence ministry said troops captured the village of Kolodyazi in the eastern Donetsk region. It also claimed to have taken the village of Vorone in the neighbouring Dnipropetrovsk region – although Ukrainian-linked monitoring websites showed Russian troops still far from the village. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Singapore 3 truck drivers injured after chain collision on ECP, including one rescued with hydraulic tools Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want Russia has pushed into Ukrainian territory for almost 3.5 years, occupying large swathes of the east and south of the country. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched by Putin in February 2022, has killed thousands. AFP

Straits Times
a minute ago
- Straits Times
US stops visitor visas for people from Gaza
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The US State Department move came in the wake of Republican outrage over a social media post by far-right activist Laura Loomer on Palestinian refugees. WASHINGTON - The US State Department on Aug 16 said it was halting all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza while it conducts 'a full and thorough' review. The department said 'a small number' of temporary medical-humanitarian visas had been issued in recent days but did not provide a figure. The US issued more than 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas, which permit foreigners to seek medical treatment in the United States, to holders of the Palestinian Authority travel document, according to an analysis of monthly figures provided on the department's website. That figure includes 640 visas issued in May. The State Department's move to stop visitor visas for people from Gaza comes after Ms Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and an ally of President Donald Trump, said on social media on Aug 15 that the Palestinian 'refugees' had entered the US this month. Ms Loomer's statement sparked outrage among some Republicans, with US Representative Chip Roy, of Texas, saying he would inquire about the matter and Representative Randy Fine, of Florida, describing it as a 'national security risk'. Gaza has been devastated by a war that was triggered on Oct 7, 2023, when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Singapore 3 truck drivers injured after chain collision on ECP, including one rescued with hydraulic tools Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want The US has not indicated that it would accept Palestinians displaced by the war. However, sources told Reuters that South Sudan and Israel are discussing a plan to resettle Palestinians. REUTERS

Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Australia grants asylum to former HK lawmaker and pro-democracy activist Ted Hui
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Former lawmaker Ted Hui left Hong Kong late in 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. HONG KONG – Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said in a Facebook post on Aug 16, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Mr Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Aug 15 approving his claim, and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas. 'When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?' he said in the Facebook post. 'If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; Exiles have no home,' he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China. A former Democratic Party lawmaker, Mr Hui left Hong Kong late in 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2023, Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put HK$1 million (S$164,000) bounties on their heads. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA World Did Putin just put one over on Trump at the US-Russia summit on Ukraine? Singapore 3 truck drivers injured after chain collision on ECP, including one rescued with hydraulic tools Asia Pakistan rescuers recover bodies after monsoon rains kill more than 320 Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law.