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Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Manila's mayor returns to office to face mountains of trash
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso declared a state of public health emergency amid piles of uncollected rubbish across his city. MANILA – Mr Francisco Domagoso returned to office as mayor of Manila, the Philippines, on June 30 to the news that the companies that collect the city's garbage were ending their services that day, citing unpaid bills. Weeks before, piles of garbage had started taking over the city, the Philippine capital. In some areas, roads became impassable for cars. Mountains of refuse lined crowded commercial areas, as well as the wide avenues leading to city hall and the country's Supreme Court. Trash bags and discarded crates floated down streets flooded by the monsoon rains. Litter is a fact of life in Manila, where grand colonial buildings are cramped by modern high-rises and dense shanty towns. But for weeks, the smell of rot has grown inescapable for nearly 2 million residents as uncollected waste stewed in the humid South-east Asian weather. 'It hurts the eyes, it hurts the nose, and it hurts public health,' Mr Domagoso said, speaking on a livestream on June 30, where he asked residents to store garbage in their homes until collection returned to normal. He declared a state of emergency in the city the next day. The mayor, a former actor known as Isko Moreno, worked as a garbage collector before beginning his acting career. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 In a speech to the City Council on July 1, Mr Domagoso blamed the government of the previous mayor, Dr Honey Lacuna, for leaving the city in debt to the garbage collectors. Dr Lacuna did not respond to requests for comment. Trash collection and other public services tend to suffer when cities in metropolitan Manila change hands, a Philippine political observer said. 'In a way, this is a usual thing for transitions, so it feels like it's being used for political purposes by both sides,' said Mr Tony La Vina, director of the Klima Centre at the Manila Observatory, an environmental research centre. The two private companies that collect garbage for the city said in letters that they were ending their services. In the letters, which the mayor read on the livestream, they said they had begun working for the city in February and had not been paid since. Residents began complaining about trash on social media in mid-June. The city's unpaid bills were the equivalent of nearly US$17 million (S$22 million), Mr Domagoso said, an amount that was a fraction of the city's debt for service contracts, infrastructure projects and social benefits. 'The capital of the country is already in the financial ICU,' Mr Domagoso said in the speech. The mayor said he would investigate why the city's coffers were in dire straits. 'If they're in debt, it's completely unnecessary because it's one of the top five richest cities in the Philippines,' Mr La Vina said. Mr Domagoso leveraged his acting fame and clean-cut image to first become mayor of Manila in 2019, promising to clean up the densely populated capital. He set his sights on national office and ran for president in 2022 , finishing in fourth place. He won handily in the mayoral election against Dr Lacuna in May. Dr Lacuna had served as vice-mayor during Mr Domagoso's first term, and the two were allies until Mr Domagoso decided to return to Manila. On June 30, a new contractor worked through the night to pick up trash, free of charge as a favour to Mr Domagoso, he told local media, and water trucks followed the garbage collectors, hosing down the streets. On July 4, he posted photos of cars and motorcycles running unencumbered on two major thoroughfares finally clear of waste. NYTIMES
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Crete wildfire 'retreating', say Greek firefighters
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox About 230 firefighters and six helicopters are still at the scene, as fears of flare-ups persist. ATHENS - A wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists and locals is 'retreating', firefighters told AFP on July 4. Some 230 firefighters and six helicopters are still at the scene near the resort town of Ierapetra, where 3,000 visitors had to leave their hotels and guest houses on the evening of July 2. 'The fire is retreating,' fire department spokesman Vassilios Vathrakoyannis told AFP. 'There are still fears of flare-ups, but there is no longer a major front,' he added. Scattered hot spots still remain and firefighters are dealing with several smoke-filled areas from which flare-ups have restarted, the fire department told the ANA press agency. However, weakening winds in the hard-to-reach area have improved the situation, firefighters said. Another blaze fanned by strong winds that broke out near the port of Rafina, about 30km east of Athens, was brought under control on the evening of July 3, the authorities said. However with the wildfire not far from Athens International Airport, fire crews remain on alert with winds still strong. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 The fire, which led to the evacuation of 300 people, destroyed a few houses and vehicles, the local mayor Dimitris Markou told public broadcaster ERT. It also disrupted ferries to and from tourist islands in the western Aegean, including Mykonos. Greece has so far been spared from the heatwave roasting parts of Europe , particularly Spain, Portugal and France. But starting this weekend, temperatures will rise and reach up to 43 degrees C in some areas of the country. Hot dry weather is not unusual for Greece at this time of year, with the heightened risk of devastating wildfires that have plagued the country in recent years. AFP
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US pop star Lady Gaga performed a sold out concert in Singapore at the National Stadium on May 18, the first of her four night shows at the venue. SINGAPORE - Lady Gaga's run of four Singapore-exclusive concerts in May raked in an estimated $100m to $150m in tourism receipts for the Republic, say experts. While this was a fraction of the $350 to $500m that Taylor Swift's and Coldplay's concerts in March 2024 generated in total, it still solidified Singapore's position as a premier concert destination in Asia, they said. Figures published by American music and entertainment publication Billboard in end June show that Lady Gaga's Singapore concerts grossed US$40.8 million (S$52 million) from the sale of 193,000 tickets. The monthly report of top-grossing concerts showed that her only stop in Asia on the Mayhem tour, held at the National Stadium on May 18, 19, 21 and 24, averaged around $13 million per night. The stadium can hold about 50,000 people. These were Gaga's only ticketed concerts in May, since her May 3 show on Copacabana Beach in Brazil to 2.5 million people was free. Maybank economist Brian Lee said tourism receipts related to Lady Gaga's concert may amount to between $100 million and $150 million. He noted that the $52 million of revenue of Gaga's May 2025 concerts is half of the $104 million brought in by Taylor Swift's March 2024 concerts in Singapore. Concert revenue primarily refers to ticket sales, whereas tourism receipts encompass spending by overseas visitors on everything ranging from accommodation and food and beverage, to shopping and services. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 International visitor arrivals to the Republic also saw a bump during both concerts, though the increase seen from Lady Gaga's concerts was considerably less. Figures from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) show that inbound visitors grew by 8 per cent year-on-year in May 2025. In contrast, visitor arrivals jumped 43.5 per cent year-on-year in March 2024. 'The smaller tourism boost from Gaga concerts compared to Taylor Swift is not surprising, given Gaga's smaller and more niche following,' said Mr Lee of the numbers, adding that the uncertain economic climate may have also dampened demand for travel and big-ticket discretionary spending. 'In contrast to Taylor Swift's completely sold out shows, demand for Lady Gaga's was more lukewarm with last minute tickets still available and resellers slashing resale ticket prices,' he added. It appeared that tickets took longer to sell, with checks by The Straits Times showing unsold tickets still available up until the week of the concerts. It was a sentiment mirrored by Associate Professor Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin from the hospitality and tourism management degree programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology, who also attributed Gaga's smaller economic impact to playing fewer days than Swift's six - where the number of tickets and overall tourism receipts may be proportionate to the show size. He also alluded to Swift being at the peak of her popularity during her Eras tour concerts in March 2024, unlike Gaga, whose Mayhem album had only been released a few months prior. 'All three world-renowned artists, including Coldplay, may well be on par when it comes to economic impact as well as building Singapore's reputation as a premier destination for global entertainment for the region,' he said. 'The success of these concerts contributes to a virtuous cycle, where successful events attract more artists, which in turn draws more international visitors and enhances Singapore's brand as a vibrant cultural and entertainment capital,' he added. However, experts also expect a quieter second half of the year for mega concerts on the scale of Gaga, Swift or Coldplay. In terms of marquee events, the Formula One (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix in October has a jam-packed line up with the likes of American rock band Foo Fighters and British legend Elton John, while K-pop megastars Blackpink are due in the Republic in November. While the concert calendar might appear quieter in terms of new announcements for top-tier acts for the second half of year, Prof Kiatkawsin said it does not necessarily indicate a long-term slowdown. It is not uncommon for the second half of the year to have a different rhythm in terms of concert announcements, as the planning and logistics for top-tier international tours often take considerable time, and announcements can be staggered throughout the year, he said. 'Furthermore, Singapore's strategy is not solely reliant on a continuous stream of mega-concerts but also on a diverse portfolio of events, including major sporting events like the F1 Grand Prix, Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), and other cultural festivals,' he added. However, Maybank's Mr Lee said that tourism will not likely be a major boost to Singapore's growth in 2025, as headwinds persist. 'The trade war and heightened global economic uncertainty will likely dampen both business and leisure travel.'
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Torque Shop: Rust-proofing a car after body repair still necessary
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Modern engineering and manufacturing technique mean that cars do not rust as easily as before. Is there a need to apply a special treatment to body panels after repairs to prevent them from rusting? Over the last four decades or so, several developments in body panel engineering have made a huge difference to the corrosion resistance of vehicles. The latest materials, pre-treatment technology and body construction combine to produce cars that no longer deteriorate into rust heaps over time, even if subjected to the elements. Steel, which is an iron-based alloy and the most common material used in car construction, has been through various stages of development. This has resulted in steel alloys that are highly resistant to corrosion, in addition to increased strength. The latest paints and painting technology have contributed to the quality of the finished bodywork. But it is the modern surface pre-treatment methodology in electro-galvanising and electrophoretic applications that have had a far more significant effect in achieving the best base coat of the raw steel panels, further enhancing rust prevention. Additionally, body design engineers use non-metals such as polycarbonates, polyurethanes, thermos-plastics and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics to substitute for steel and even aluminium on various parts of a car body. Besides being lightweight and easy to manufacture, these materials are totally immune to rust. Another aspect engineers pay particular attention to is ensuring that there are no parts of the car's chassis or body that can potentially hold water or mud, and become difficult to clean out. Owners of classic cars will know what this means. In many old cars, the doors, ventilation inlets and rocker panels are accessible to rainwater. When the drain holes are choked, rust forms from the inside. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Additional rust-proofing on a new car today is not essential because of all the modern materials and technologies mentioned above. However, in the event of an accident where a body panel is repaired instead of replaced, proper surface finishing is important to maintain the corrosion protection. While the original steel surface is undeniably of the best quality available today, a compatible surface primer and finish coatings are essential to maintain corrosion resistance.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pakistan army kills 30 militants trying to cross from Afghanistan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Islamabad has routinely blamed its western neighbour Afghanistan for allowing militant groups to operate on its soil. ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's army said on July 4 it had killed 30 militants attempting to cross the border from Afghanistan over the last three days, after a suicide attack killed 16 soldiers in the same region. The militants belonged to the Pakistan Taliban or its affiliated groups, the military said in a statement accusing archfoe India of backing them. 'The security forces demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance preparedness, and prevented a potential catastrophe,' it said. 'A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered,' the statement added. The killings took place in the border district of North Waziristan, where last week a faction of the Pakistan Taliban claimed a suicide blast on the military . Islamabad has routinely blamed its western neighbour Afghanistan for allowing militant groups to operate on its soil, but in recent months it has also ramped up accusations against India to its east for backing the groups. Both neighbours deny any involvement. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in May traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict that killed 70 people on both sides. It was triggered by New Delhi's accusation that Islamabad supported gunmen killing 26 people on April 22 , the worst attack on civilians in the contested Kashmir region in years. Islamabad has denied any involvement. Since their independence from British rule, India and Pakistan have frequently fought over Kashmir, a divided region claimed in full by both sides. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on July 4 lauded the security forces for 'thwarting an infiltration attempt'. 'We are determined to completely eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country,' his office said. The prime minister's statement also accused New Delhi of fomenting militancy in Pakistan. Violence has surged in Pakistan's border regions since the Taliban's 2021 return to power and last year was the deadliest in a decade. The Pakistan Taliban, a separate group from the Afghan Taliban but with a shared ideology, is active around the north-west border with Afghanistan. Pakistan's military is also fighting an insurgency against Baloch separatist groups in the southwestern border area. Over 290 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of 2025 by armed groups, according to an AFP tally. In June, Pakistan's government raised its defence spending by 20 per cent, allocating 14 per cent of its overall federal budget to the military. AFP
