Basel, Lucerne give ‘green light' to Women's Euro 2025 at football-themed pedestrian crossings
epa12235750 Supporters of the Netherlands cheer in the city's fan zone ahead of the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group D soccer match between the Netherlands and France, in Basel, Switzerland, 13 July 2025. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS EDITORIAL USE ONLY
BASEL, Switzerland – Pedestrians in host cities Basel and Lucerne are being greeted with female football-themed pedestrian walk lights, in celebration of the Women's European Championship in Switzerland.
Pedestrian lights near the stadiums and fan zones of the cities, two of the eight tournament hosts, have replaced some of the green silhouettes of a walking person with a pony-tailed woman with a ball at her feet.
'It's a great idea, especially for the women,' said Linda van Stokkum of the Netherlands, who was walking to Basel's Euro 2025 fan zone. 'I think Switzerland make it well organised and yeah, it's a good sign.'
German tourist Malte Wendt is a fan of the change.
'To turn the traffic lights to women for the Euros is a pretty cool idea,' he said. 'I love it, actually.'
During the men's Euro 2024 in Germany, host city Frankfurt modified their pedestrian lights to feature a green player kicking a ball, and a red referee showing a red card.
Basel will host the Euro 2025 final on July 27. REUTERS
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun
Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3
Singapore Man allegedly attacks woman with knife at Kallang Wave Mall, to be charged with attempted murder
Singapore Singapore boosts support for Timor-Leste as it prepares to join Asean
Singapore UN aviation and maritime agencies pledge to collaborate to boost safety, tackle challenges
Asia Thailand's anti-graft agency set to probe suspended premier Paetongtarn
Singapore High Court dismisses appeal of drink driver who killed one after treating Tampines road like racetrack
Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Paper
37 minutes ago
- New Paper
Looking for Jho Low: Is the 1MDB fugitive really hiding in Shanghai luxury enclave?
Across the Huangpu River in Pudong, behind high fences and dense greenery, lies a sprawling enclave with over 400 Tudor-style bungalows, manicured gardens and tree-lined roads dotted with Teslas, Jaguars and other luxury cars. This exclusive gated compound, which more closely resembles the quaint English countryside than a Chinese megacity, is where Malaysian financial fugitive Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, is allegedly living, according to the journalists who first exposed the 1MDB scandal. On July 19, investigative duo Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, in a live stream titled Finding Jho Low, claimed that Low lives in Green Hills, an upscale residential compound in Shanghai. They also alleged that Low is using a forged Australian passport under the Greek alias "Constantinos Achilles Veis" to travel freely within China, citing evidence from unnamed sources and newly obtained documents. Mr Hope and Mr Wright are former journalists at The Wall Street Journal who played key roles in uncovering the multi-billion-dollar fraud that resulted in the imprisonment of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak for corruption and money laundering. Low's whereabouts have remained a mystery since he disappeared in 2016, fuelling years of speculation. When The Straits Times visited the Green Hills compound over two days, residents spoke of a quiet residential estate where neighbours rarely cross paths or interact due to the sprawling grounds. Three residents told ST that they have heard of celebrities and "famous businessmen" who live in the estate, but all said they did not know who and did not care to find out. A resident, whose house is located right by the estate's side gate, told ST that he barely recognises anyone who lives in the compound, including his next-door neighbour, as their houses are separated by large gardens. "The only time I ever went through the whole estate was when I first moved here five years ago to check out the surroundings; now I just enter the gate and go straight into my home," he said. This reporter was unable to enter the estate as security guards at all three entrances required visitors to provide the house number they were visiting as well as the surname of the family living there. Built in 2004, the 410,000 sqm Green Hills compound is a residential enclave favoured by wealthy locals and expats, largely because there are two international schools - Dulwich and Concordia - in the vicinity. It is surrounded by other similarly luxurious landed home compounds and sits by a river where people occasionally kayak. Property agents who are actively marketing the homes for rent told ST that a key feature is the double-height ceiling living room, which allows for large gatherings. Marketing videos on Chinese social media platforms show that many of these three-storey homes are opulently appointed and typically have between four and eight bedrooms. Built in 2004, the 410,000 sqm Green Hills compound is a residential enclave favoured by wealthy locals and expats. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG Monthly rental for a standalone bungalow - the largest house type with up to 500 sqm of internal floor area - is between 70,000 yuan (S$12,500) and 100,000 yuan, agents said. The selling price for one of these is between 70 million yuan and 150 million yuan. Rental for a semi-detached house is around 40,000 yuan while that for a terrace house, referred to as a townhouse in China, is around 30,000 yuan. Outside Green Hills, a resident who was getting on a shared bicycle told ST that the bulk of the people who live there are families whose children attend the international schools, or are older Chinese who do not need to fret over money, like her parents. "Basically every household here has at least two cars, one everyday car like a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, and the other is more fancy… maybe a sports car," she said, adding that she is "not one of them" as she is living under her parents' roof. When asked if she had heard of Low's alleged residence in the compound, she said no. "All kinds of people live around here, I don't really care who they are as long as my life is not disrupted." Rumours that Low is living in China have swirled since at least 2019, when a photo purportedly showing him at Shanghai Disneyland on Christmas Eve emerged online. China has consistently denied sheltering him or having knowledge of his location. ST has contacted the Shanghai authorities for comments. Low, who has repeatedly claimed his innocence, has been wanted by multiple jurisdictions, including Malaysia, Singapore and the United States, since 2016 for his alleged role in siphoning an estimated US$4.5 billion (S$5.77 billion) from 1MDB, Malaysia's sovereign fund. Low is accused of pocketing US$1.42 billion from three bond transactions that Goldman Sachs arranged for 1MDB. On July 24, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the report about Low's location and the passport he allegedly is using is "not supported by credible proof". In response to the report, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement warning that passport fraud is a serious offence under Australian law. In 2023, Malaysia's anti-graft regulator told Qatari news network Al Jazeera in a written response that it suspected Low to be hiding in the Chinese special administrative region of Macau. Entrances to Green Hills, a sprawling gated residential enclave with over 400 Tudor-styled bungalows, manicured gardens and tree-lined roads in Shanghai. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG The scandal, described by the United States Justice Department as the largest case of kleptocracy it had ever investigated, first came to public attention in 2015 when reports emerged that nearly US$700 million was suspected to have been transferred from 1MDB into then-Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal bank account. US prosecutors claim that more than US$4.5 billion was ultimately embezzled from the fund by high-level officials of the fund and their associates, with the money laundered through a global network of shell companies and bank accounts. The stolen funds were allegedly used to finance Low's extravagant lifestyle spanning jewellery, fine art, luxury real estate, a superyacht, lavish parties and even the production of the Hollywood film The Wolf of Wall Street.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Shelton tops Tiafoe on sweltering night in Washington
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Jul 25, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Ben Shelton (USA) hits a forehand against Frances Tiafoe (USA)(not pictured) in a men's singles quarter-final of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Ben Shelton beat fellow American Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2) 6-4 in an electrifying match at the Washington Open on Friday to advance to the semifinals on a day marked by suffocating humidity in the nation's capital. Shelton blasted an ace on match point to seal the win and avenge his five-set loss to Tiafoe at last year's U.S. Open as the 22-year-old continues to make strides in his breakout season. Hometown hero Tiafoe had the support of the energized crowd but lost momentum when he was unable to serve out the first set while up 6-5, leading to a tiebreak that Shelton dominated. The second set hinged on a marathon game at 3-3, where Shelton pocketed a break thanks to a Taifoe double fault. Shelton rode his huge lefty serve from there to grab the win and set up a semi-final meeting with either top seed Taylor Fritz or Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. "It was a tough one for sure but enjoyable nonetheless," Shelton told Tennis Channel. "I love playing against Foe. Difficult guy to play against but playing him here in the U.S., especially being here in D.C., it was packed, it was a great atmosphere. I couldn't be happier." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties Earlier, tournament lucky loser Corentin Moutet stunned Russia's Daniil Medvedev 6-1 4-6 4-6 in a wild match interrupted by an hour-long delay due to the threat of thunderstorms. Moutet, leading 5-4 in the final set when they returned to the court, was hobbled by leg cramps but completed the upset in a final game that featured three double faults by Medvedev and a frantic match point. The Frenchman fell on his back in relief after securing the victory as Medvedev threw his racket and proceeded to take out his frustration on several water bottles, drawing boos from the crowd. "That is a great way to finish the match," said world number 59 Moutet. "I was with my coach when we were up 5-4 and I said okay, I have to win the next game because my body cannot handle too much more." Moutet will face Australian seventh seed Alex de Minaur, who was a 6-4 6-4 winner over Brandon Nakashima. On the women's side, Canadian Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu both overcame the stifling heat and their opponents to advance to the semifinals, setting up a potential rematch of the 2021 U.S. Open final that was won by the Englishwoman. For that to happen Raducanu, who beat Maria Sakkari in straight sets on Friday, will have to best Russian Anna Kalinskaya. Fernandez takes on third seed Elena Rybakina in the semis of the ATP and WTA 500 event on Saturday. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate
On July 19, investigative duo in a live stream titled Finding Jho Low, claimed that Low lives in Green Hills, an upscale residential compound in Shanghai. SHANGHAI — Across the Huangpu River in Pudong, behind high fences and dense greenery, lies a sprawling enclave with over 400 Tudor-style bungalows, manicured gardens and tree-lined roads dotted with Teslas, Jaguars and other luxury cars. This exclusive gated compound, which more closely resembles the quaint English countryside than a Chinese megacity, is where Malaysian financial fugitive Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, is allegedly living, according to the journalists who first exposed the 1MDB scandal. On July 19, investigative duo Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, in a live stream titled Finding Jho Low, claimed that Low lives in Green Hills, an upscale residential compound in Shanghai. They also alleged that Low is using a forged Australian passport under the Greek alias 'Constantinos Achilles Veis' to travel freely within China, citing evidence from unnamed sources and newly obtained documents. Mr Hope and Mr Wright are former journalists at The Wall Street Journal who played key roles in uncovering the multi-billion-dollar fraud that resulted in the imprisonment of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak for corruption and money laundering. Low's whereabouts have remained a mystery since he disappeared in 2016, fuelling years of speculation. When The Straits Times visited the Green Hills compound over two days, residents spoke of a quiet residential estate where neighbours rarely cross paths or interact due to the sprawling grounds. Three residents told ST that they have heard of celebrities and 'famous businessmen' who live in the estate but all said they did not know who and did not care to find out. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties Business Banking and finance jobs will change but won't disappear as AI becomes the new normal: Accenture A resident, whose house is located right by the estate's side gate, told ST that he barely recognises anyone who lives in the compound, including his next-door neighbour, as their houses are separated by large gardens. 'The only time I ever went through the whole estate was when I first moved here five years ago to check out the surroundings; now I just enter the gate and go straight into my home,' he said. This reporter was unable to enter the estate as security guards at all three entrances required visitors to provide the house number they were visiting as well as the surname of the family living there. Built in 2004, the 410,000 sqm Green Hills compound is a residential enclave favoured by wealthy locals and expats, largely because there are two international schools – Dulwich and Concordia – in the vicinity. It is surrounded by other similarly luxurious landed home compounds and sits by a river where people occasionally kayak. Property agents who are actively marketing the homes for rent told ST that a key feature is the double-height ceiling living room, which allows for large gatherings. Marketing videos on Chinese social media platforms show that many of these three-storey homes are opulently appointed and typically have between four and eight bedrooms. Built in 2004, the 410,000 sqm Green Hills compound is a residential enclave favoured by wealthy locals and expats. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG Monthly rental for a standalone bungalow – the largest house type with up to 500 sqm of internal floor area – is between 70,000 yuan (S$12,500) and 100,000 yuan, agents said. The selling price for one of these is between 70 million yuan and 150 million yuan. Rental for a semi-detached house is around 40,000 yuan while that for a terrace house, referred to as a townhouse in China, is around 30,000 yuan. Outside Green Hills, a resident who was getting on a shared bicycle told ST that the bulk of the people who live there are families whose children attend the international schools, or are older Chinese who do not need to fret over money, like her parents. 'Basically every household here has at least two cars, one everyday car like a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, and the other is more fancy… maybe a sports car,' she said, adding that she is 'not one of them' as she is living under her parents' roof. When asked if she had heard of Low's alleged residence in the compound, she said no. 'All kinds of people live around here, I don't really care who they are as long as my life is not disrupted.' Rumours that Low is living in China have swirled since at least 2019, when a photo purportedly showing him at Shanghai Disneyland on Christmas Eve emerged online. China has consistently denied sheltering him or having knowledge of his location. ST has contacted the Shanghai authorities for comments. Low, who has repeatedly claimed his innocence, has been wanted by multiple jurisdictions, including Malaysia, Singapore and the United States, since 2016 for his alleged role in siphoning an estimated US$4.5 billion (S$5.77 billion) from 1MDB, Malaysia's sovereign fund. Low is accused of pocketing US$1.42 billion from three bond transactions that Goldman Sachs arranged for 1MDB. On July 24, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the report about Low's location and the passport he allegedly is using is 'not supported by credible proof'. In response to the report, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement warning that passport fraud is a serious offence under Australian law. In 2023, Malaysia's anti-graft regulator told Qatari news network Al Jazeera in a written response that it suspected Low to be hiding in the Chinese special administrative region of Macau. Entrances to Green Hills, a sprawling gated residential enclave with over 400 Tudor-styled bungalows, manicured gardens and tree-lined roads in Shanghai. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG The scandal, described by the United States Justice Department as the largest case of kleptocracy it had ever investigated, first came to public attention in 2015 when reports emerged that nearly US$700 million was suspected to have been transferred from 1MDB into then-Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal bank account. US prosecutors claim that more than US$4.5 billion was ultimately embezzled from the fund by high-level officials of the fund and their associates, with the money laundered through a global network of shell companies and bank accounts. The stolen funds were allegedly used to finance Low's extravagant lifestyle spanning jewellery, fine art, luxury real estate, a superyacht, lavish parties and even the production of the Hollywood film The Wolf of Wall Street.
