Ukraine's military loses first French Mirage fighter jet in crash
A Mirage 2000 fighter jet supplied to Ukraine from France crashed on Tuesday after experiencing equipment failure during an assignment, with the pilot ejecting safely, Ukraine's military said.
It was the first loss of a Mirage jet since Ukraine's military started receiving them earlier this year.
"Equipment failure occurred, which the pilot reported to the flight controller," a military statement said on Telegram.
"The pilot then acted competently, as is expected in crisis situations, and successfully ejected. A rescue crew found the pilot in a stable condition. There were no casualties on the ground."
Ukrainian news reports said the incident occurred in the northwestern Volyn region.
Ukraine's military announced the arrival of the first batch of Mirage aircraft in February.
U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets began arriving last year from different countries as Ukraine's Western allies sought to help Kyiv upgrade its largely Soviet-era air force fleet. REUTERS
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking
Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders
Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide
Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers
Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- Straits Times
Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The strong weekend showing also comes after two years of tepid sales of new prime district condos, which plummeted to a record low of 46 units sold in the second quarter of 2025. SINGAPORE – When Malaysia's IOI Properties began pre-sales for its 683-unit, 99-year leasehold condo W Residences Marina View in Singapore's Central Business District on July 13, only two units were reportedly booked. It was a sign of how foreign buyers, deterred by hefty taxes on their property purchases, were still giving the luxury housing segment a miss. But just a week later, two new prime district condos, UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard and The Robertson Opus in Unity Street – the only 999-year residential project launch in District 9 this year – collectively sold 303 units over their July 19 launch weekend. This is above the 253 new units sold in the third quarter of 2023 after foreign buyers were slapped with a 60 per cent additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD) in April 2023. The strong weekend showing also comes after two years of tepid sales of new prime district condos, which plummeted to a record low of 46 units sold in the second quarter of 2025, according to PropNex. The dry spell afflicting prime district condos appears to be lifting, with UpperHouse and The Robertson Opus poised to boost prime district transactions to a two-year quarterly high in the third quarter this year. These units have become more appealing as the price gap between prime district condos and those in the city fringe has narrowed substantially. As a result, they offer better value to local buyers, who were primarily behind the weekend's strong showing at the two launches. The gap between the median price per square foot (psf) of new homes in the prime district and city fringe areas has narrowed from a high of 56.5 per cent in 2018 to a mere 1.9 per cent in the first half of 2025, Huttons Asia chief executive Mark Yip noted. Furthermore, the three-month compounded Singapore Overnight Rate Average, or Sora rates, have dipped below 2 per cent in July 2025, lowering borrowing costs, he added. An artist's illustration of The Robertson Opus in Unity Street. PHOTO: FRASERS PROPERTY, SEKISUI HOUSE As a result, more than 93 per cent of new non-landed private homes in the prime district in the first half of the year were bought by Singapore Permanent Residents and Singaporeans. PropNex chief executive Kelvin Fong noted that the average $3,350 psf price transacted at UpperHouse is among the most competitive prices for a luxury condo launch in the prime Orchard Road area. In comparison, the 54-unit freehold Park Nova luxury condo in Tomlinson Road recorded a median price of $4,979 psf when it first launched in May 2021. On a quantum basis, transacted prices of UpperHouse's one-bedders began at nearly $1.4 million, while two-bedders ranged from $2.1 million to $2.7 million. At The Robertson Opus, some 41 per cent of its 348 units were sold on July 20. The units fetched an average price of $3,360 psf. Transacted prices of its one-bedders (495 sq ft) ranged from $1.59 million to $1.67 million, while two-bedders (689 to 721 sq ft) sold for between $2.17 million and $2.63 million, according to PropNex. In comparison, W Residences – which will sit atop the 360-room five-star W Singapore hotel – said it is offering selected units at special preview prices starting from just above $3,20 0 psf. That means prices of the cheapest one-bedroom units (538 sq ft to 570 sq ft) start at above $1.8 million. When asked how it plans to boost demand, IOI Properties said on July 22 that 'interest has been encouraging, with units already reserved or under negotiation'. A spokesman added that further release plans will be evaluated when the preview ends. With several more prime district and centrally located projects expected to be launched in the coming months, developers may become more strategic in their marketing plans and pricing, ERA key executive officer Eugene Lim said. This can be seen in the starting prices for River Green in the prime district of River Valley, and the nearby city fringe condo Promenade Peak at Zion Road. River Green's starting price of $2,846 psf and Promenade Peak's starting price of $2,680 psf appear to be a sweet spot for buyers of centrally located new launches. Both projects, which will launch on Aug 2, saw robust demand during July previews. Two more centrally located condos could begin pre-sales in October: prime district project Skye at Holland, and Zyon Grand at Zion Road, a city fringe project. Whether the rebound in new prime district condo sales can be sustained will depend on the take-up rates of the upcoming prime district and centrally located new launches. Mr Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at said this also hinges on whether prices of the new prime district launches are within 'an acceptable price range' – which appears to be the lower end of the $3,000 psf range for 99 year-leasehold launches, and between $3,250 and $3,500 psf for freehold developments. With the hefty ABSD still in place for residential property purchases by foreign buyers, the only way to keep local buyers interested in prime district properties is to ensure that prices are accessible to them , especially in the face of growing economic uncertainty.
Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Indonesian military's new pharma role sparks fears of expanded powers
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expanded the powerful military's role in civic affairs since taking office in 2024. JAKARTA - Indonesia's military will begin manufacturing medicines for public distribution under a new agreement, officials said on July 22, in the latest expansion of the armed forces' role in civilian affairs since President Prabowo Subianto took office. The president, a former defence minister and special forces commander, has expanded the powerful military's role in civic affairs since taking office in 2024 – including running much of his flagship project to serve free school meals . In March, Parliament, dominated by Mr Prabowo's coalition, also passed a revision to military law that allows more civilian posts to be occupied by soldiers , sparking protests by student and activist groups. The moves have dismantled some of the safeguards put in place after authoritarian leader Suharto was overthrown in 1998 and raised fears of a return to an era when the armed forces were allowed to crush dissent and dominate public life. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin late on July 22 signed an agreement with the food and drug agency for laboratories operated by the army, navy, and air force, which previously supplied medicines for soldiers, to begin manufacturing drugs for public use. 'We are thinking of ways to lower the price even more so we could provide free medicines,' Mr Sjafrie told reporters. Mass production will begin in October and the medicines will be distributed to villages across Indonesia at 50 per cent below the retail price, he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Youth Courts will take a new approach to cases, focused on underlying issues and supporting needs Life The Projector will resume daily screenings at Golden Mile Tower. Is its Cineleisure exit next? Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Jurong East Stadium match Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports Life New Pokemon theme park to open in Japan in early 2026 Military involvement is expected to curb the flow of illegal medicines and fight the 'mafia' in the medical industry, said the drug agency's head Taruna Ikrar. But rights groups have said that the agreement was unlawful as it brought serving military officials into civilian business positions – prohibited under military law. 'This is a symptom of how the government has shifted into authoritarianism,' said Mr Usman Hamid from Amnesty International Indonesia. The military and Mr Prabowo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The medicines will be distributed by 80,000 state-backed cooperatives launched by Mr Prabowo on July 21, Mr Sjafrie said. Mr Prabowo's cooperatives were set up to boost economic activity and cut out middlemen by providing services directly to the general public, including giving loans and selling medicines and staple foods. The defence minister has also signed another agreement with the health ministry to build hospitals staffed by military doctors and nurses in conflict areas, including Papua province, where a low-level insurgency has battled for independence for decades. REUTERS
Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump piles up trade deals as Asian countries, under tariff threats, agree to open up to American goods
Find out what's new on ST website and app. US President Donald Trump with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb 7. AUSTIN – It's no easy feat to catch Washington's formidable trade lobbies and relentless, scoop-hungry journalists off guard. Yet on July 22, US President Donald Trump managed to do exactly that. On a day when experts and analysts were poised to dissect a potential deal with the Philippines, awaited after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's visit to the White House, Mr Trump blindsided everyone by announcing a 'massive' deal with Japan. 'We just completed a massive deal with Japan, perhaps the largest deal ever made,' he said on his social media platform Truth Social. 'Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 billion dollars into the United States, which will receive 90 per cent of the profits. This deal will create hundreds of thousands of jobs - There has never been anything like it,' he added. US$550 billion is S$703 billion. Confirmed by Japan's chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, the deal slashes US tariffs on imports from Asia's second-largest economy to 15 per cent, well below the 25 per cent threat that loomed after the July 9 tariff pause ended. Japan will also accede to a key White House demand and open its market to American cars, trucks, rice and certain other agricultural products. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Youth Courts will take a new approach to cases, focused on underlying issues and supporting needs Life The Projector will resume daily screenings at Golden Mile Tower. Is its Cineleisure exit next? Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Jurong East Stadium match Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports Life New Pokemon theme park to open in Japan in early 2026 In a win for Japan's powerful carmakers, their exports to the US will attract lower tariffs of 15 per cent from the current 25 per cent. The announcement stole the thunder from the Philippines deal, which had been previewed only hours earlier on Truth Social. Mr Trump said the Philippines exports to the US will be subject to a 19 per cent tariff - higher than the 17 per cent initially proposed in April but lower than the 20 per cent threatened earlier in July. In contrast, the Philippines will levy zero tariffs on US goods. Threaten steep tariffs to make others buy more and invest more On the same day, further details emerged on the July 16 agreement with Indonesia, South-east Asia's largest economy. Key provisions included the elimination of nearly all Indonesian tariffs on US goods and a 19 per cent US tariff on Indonesian exports, with certain goods containing content from 'nonmarket economies', read China, to be tariffed at 40 per cent. It was also agreed that Indonesia would provide critical minerals to the US and would purchase Boeing aircraft and American farm products. Such details are still missing from the first deal struck by the Trump administration with a South-east Asian nation, Vietnam, in early July. While negotiations are reportedly still underway, Mr Trump's July 2 Truth Social post revealed key terms of the Vietnam deal, including a 20 per cent tariff on Vietnamese imports to the US and a 40 per cent tariff on transshipped goods, in exchange for Hanoi's commitment to eliminate all tariffs on American exports. Within the span of a month, thus, the White House has unveiled deals not only with Asia's second-largest economy but also with three key Asean economies. For the Asian partners yet to strike deals, such as India and Singapore, these deals set a precedent and create pressure to negotiate similar terms to avoid punitive tariffs and maintain strong trade relations with the US. High-level talks between the US and South Korea talks are scheduled for July 25, with Seoul considering politically sensitive concessions, for example in agriculture and autos, to avert steep US tariffs, which currently stand at 25 per cent but have been postponed to Aug 1. As part of a broader US effort to reset global trade relationships, it would seem that Mr Trump's aggressive tariff strategy is delivering some visible results. All four deals share a common goal: opening markets to American goods to cut trade deficits and support domestic industries. Two other trends are also clear: Mr Trump's steep tariff threats have been effective, and despite falling short of the promised 90 deals in 90 days, analysts are noting a surprising surge in agreements. 'I was very surprised to hear this deal announced today,' Dr William Chou, the deputy director of Hudson Institute's Japan Chair, told The Straits Times. The US$550 billion on top of Japan's current US$860 billion foreign direct investment in the US would make Japan the top investor in the US, head and shoulders above any other country, he noted. Will there be purchase, investment agreements in deal with China? The deals with Asian partners have also attracted the notice of those monitoring US-China trade. 'There was a lot of attention on what would come out of these deals, especially (with) Vietnam, on transshipment and rules of origin. Unfortunately, the devil is in the details and we don't have any details,' said a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he advises American companies engaged in business with China. But the Japan agreement signals that the US is expecting purchase agreements in trade deals and that has high significance for a highly anticipated visit to China by Mr Trump, he added. During a press conference alongside Mr Marcos, Mr Trump hinted at a visit to China 'not too far into the future' to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. But no firm date has been set yet and Chinese imports could be subject to tariffs higher than 50 per cent unless new agreements are reached. 'Many of us are wondering if there will be a focus on purchase agreements similar to phase one trade deal with China in Trump's first term.' The huge investment component in the Japan deal has also sparked the idea that a deal with Beijing might involve large investment commitments from China. 'President Trump in the Oval Office has welcomed Chinese investment in the US. This is obviously in contrast to the hawks in his administration and in Congress, but Trump is ultimately the one that determines China policy,' said the source. However, Dr Chou said a direct geopolitical implication of the flurry of trade deals - with Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and likely soon South Korea - is expected to be for China. He said it meant that China can no longer use trade as a wedge issue between the US and Indo-Pacific countries. 'Given the White House's desire to negotiate a good deal with China - and in the wake of China's use of rare earths as economic coercion in the past few months - these trade deals by the White House strengthen Washington's negotiation position with Beijing,' Dr Chou noted. 'I think the administration's demonstration of its priorities, the 10 per cent baseline and long-term frameworks for balanced trade, have become increasingly clear to trading partners,' he said. 'Combined with Trump's willingness to live with tariffs, and the news of customs duties of US$27 billion last month, it provided impetus for trading partners to strike a trade deal,' he added. Customs duties fetched about US$27 billion in June, three times higher than in the same month of 2024, after Mr Trump levied across-the-board 10 per cent tariffs on imports in April on top of other selective duties. On an annual basis, tariff collections have totaled US$113 billion, rise of 86 per cent over last year. Minimising imports doesn't augur well for any economy Less impressed was Mr Frank Lavin, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a veteran trade negotiator and former ambassador to Singapore. 'It is hard to fully understand Trump's ultimate goals because at times he talks about the trade balance, at times he talks about reciprocity of tariff rates, at times he talks about re-shoring American manufacturing, and at times he talks about increasing tariff revenue to the US Government,' Mr Lavin said. 'There are any number of contradictions among those four goals,' he said. For instance, if the goal of high tariffs is to boost US manufacturing by disincentivising imports, tariff revenues will fall in tandem with declining imports. It seems that his over-riding goal is a form of mercantilism, attaining greater market access for US firms, and reducing market access to foreign firms. 'It is not clear how this will help the US economy,' he said. Economists believe that maximising exports while minimising imports in an interconnected global marketplace does not augur well for any economy, regardless of its size. Such policies risk economic inefficiency, trade wars and shortchange consumers.
