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Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
LTA, SBS Transit probing Aug 12 train disruption, reviewing ways to up power system's resilience
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox In a post on its X platform, the transport operator apologised for the inconvenience caused. SINGAPORE – Investigations into the disruption to train services on the North East MRT Line and the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) system are underway, along with a review on how to make its power systems more resilient. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a Facebook post on Aug 13 that, along with operator SBS Transit, it is investigating the cause behind the disruption on Aug 12 , which lasted three hours on the North East Line (NEL). The LRT system was also disrupted for about 10 hours the same day . This outage was caused by a failure of the power switchboard at the NEL depot's substation, according to preliminary investigations. LTA and SBS Transit engineers worked throughout the night to restore power to that substation and to ensure its safety, the authority said. Slightly after 11am on Aug 12, train service s along an 11-station stretch – between Farrer Park and Punggol Coast – on the (NEL) and the entire SPLRT were crippled by a power fault. Train services along the NEL were progressively restarted at affected stations before fully resuming across all stations from 2.10pm . Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Singapore Allianz insures Singapore's first fully driverless bus amid challenges posed by autonomous vehicles Asia Mixed reactions among Malaysia drivers on S'pore move to clamp down on illegal ride-hailing services Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story Sengkang LRT service was restored at 3.34pm , and Punggol LRT service at 4.04pm , with each operating on a single track for the peak period that evening until services were fully reinstated at 9.20pm , said SBS Transit in a Facebook post on Aug 12 . In a statement on Aug 12 , SBS Transit group chief executive Jeffrey Sim said the disruption was caused by a failure of the power switchboard at the NEL depot's substation. This led to a flashover – an unintended electrical discharge – in a voltage transformer used to regulate the power supply. 'This resulted in a trip in both the main and backup power supply as part of the power protection mechanism,' he added. Power was drawn from SBS Transit's other substation in Dhoby Ghaut as the faulty voltage transformer at the NEL depot substation could not be repaired immediately after the power trip. SBS Transit said on Aug 12 that the engineers would work to restore the power supply to the faulty substation during engineering hours, when there is no passenger service.
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Allianz insures S'pore's first fully driverless bus amid challenges posed by autonomous vehicles
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The move marks a milestone in what is a nascent area for the insurance sector. SINGAPORE - The local arm of German insurer Allianz has made a foray into the autonomous vehicle (AV) space, providing insurance coverage for Singapore's first fully driverless bus operated by WeRide at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) integrated resort. Allianz Insurance Singapore told The Straits Times that the policy, which is a first for the insurer, covers damage caused to the driverless bus, including the vehicle's cameras and sensors. The policy also covers any compensation that WeRide, which is headquartered in Guangzhou, may need to pay for property damage, bodily injury or death caused by the self-driving bus, commonly referred to as third-party liability. The move marks a milestone in what is a nascent area for the insurance sector, and it comes as the Government prepares to deploy autonomous public shuttles within housing estates to strengthen the public transport network. All AVs in Singapore must already be covered by third-party liability insurance before they can be used or tested on roads here. This comes under a set of road traffic rules introduced in 2017 to better regulate AV trials, which also stipulate duties to notify the authorities of malfunctions or accidents, and to record key data like speed and camera footage for investigations. What is different is that Allianz Insurance Singapore is insuring WeRide's AV service, which the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has approved to operate without any human safety personnel on board. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Mixed reactions among Malaysia drivers on S'pore move to clamp down on illegal ride-hailing services Asia Typhoon Podul slams into southern Taiwan; hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story The eight-seater driverless bus, which plies a fixed 1.2km loop within RWS, is being monitored remotely. Asked if such remote operations come with a higher risk, Allianz Insurance Singapore chief operating officer Ong Biying said the difference is 'not that significant' in the insurer's view. 'There is an operator off-site watching the vehicle and ready to do an emergency stop... So there is supervision,' she said. This human supervision exists, regardless of whether the individual is physically inside the vehicle or located elsewhere, she added. Ms Ong also cited the safety framework imposed by LTA and the extensive trial period before the removal of the safety officer as factors that gave the insurer confidence in underwriting WeRide's fully driverless operations. LTA requires AVs to be assessed at a test centre before they are deployed to ensure they can navigate safely on roads. The management of AV operations is also reviewed, among other things. Ms Ong noted that Allianz's new policy is specific to WeRide's self-driving service within RWS, and the risks will need to be re-evaluated for different vehicle types on various routes. WeRide has touted a zero-accident record for its RWS shuttle service since it started in June 2024. Ms Ong said Allianz Insurance Singapore applied the same models it uses for its regular motor insurance plans when underwriting the WeRide policy. But an extensive assessment was done on the operational and engineering aspects of the AV firm's shuttle service here. This included carrying out checks on the safety measures in place, maintenance protocols, and the market value of various components like the sensors to factor in replacement costs. 'We are still very new to this. So there will need to be constant conversations, and we may need to tweak things along the way,' Ms Ong added. Acknowledging the evolving nature of the AV sector, she flagged the need to build up related expertise across the wider ecosystem, including among vehicle workshops and insurance investigators. For instance, cybersecurity risks are a concern, and this is an area that Allianz is also looking into. Local AV firm Moovita, which operates driverless campus shuttle services at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in partnership with ComfortDelGro, said it has faced challenges in securing coverage due to insurers' limited understanding of AV technology. But this has been countered by the fact that there is still a safety driver on board its buses. Today, MooVita holds motor insurance from Liberty Insurance for its Singapore operations, as well as product liability insurance from Aon, which protects it against claims stemming from issues such as defective sensors or software bugs. Moovita's buses are allowed to operate autonomously only within Ngee Ann Polytechnic's campus, and they must be driven manually on public roads. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO As the company aims to go fully driverless, it is in the process of finding a suitable insurance partner that can provide coverage for self-driving operations with and without a safety operator on board. 'We do anticipate that the premium may be higher when we start to remove the safety driver. But hopefully when the product matures with more data, the premium can be brought down to a level equivalent to current insurance products,' said a Moovita spokesman. Some local insurers, meanwhile, remain cautious about AVs. Mr Alvino Kor, Singlife's senior vice-president for general insurance, said his firm is keeping a close watch to understand the potential opportunities and risks. Income Insurance's head of motor distribution, Ms Cecilia Siah, said AVs add a layer of complexity when determining fault in accidents, especially when distinguishing whether it is due to human error, system failure or a potential cyberattack. For self-driving vehicles, liability is also increasingly shifting towards manufacturers and software developers, she added. This is unlike traditional motor insurance, which places liability primarily on the driver. Hence, Ms Siah said insurers will need to collaborate with vehicle manufacturers, technology experts and regulators to establish standardised protocols for liability assessment. 'Traditional risk factors like driver age and driving history become less relevant, while new factors like vehicle software version, safety record and driving conditions must be considered,' she noted. There are also implications for the legal sector. Mr Anthony Wee, managing director at Titanium Law Chambers, said he foresees a higher likelihood of cross-border litigation, given that the manufacturer of the vehicle, software and components may originate from the different countries. The insurance lawyer also believes that 'the whole insurance industry itself has to change'. While he expects fewer accidents with more AVs on the road, which could in turn lower insurance costs and premiums, Mr Wee cautioned that any AV accident that happens will likely be 'catastrophic'. 'Only a system failure would give rise to such an accident. And the problem is this failure can come in various forms, including loss of signal or hacking,' he said. 'What happens if there is a failure to update the software, or if the software engineers themselves were at fault? Who is going to be liable? There are more questions than there are answers,' he added. Mr Wee said Parliament needs to look into these issues. He also called for a review committee comprising insurance and legal practitioners to plug gaps in existing laws. Mr Raphael Louis, managing director at Ray Louis Law Corporation, raised a similar point on the need to amend Singapore's criminal laws, which are today designed around human drivers. 'Can an AV operator be charged in court with negligence or causing hurt? These need to be determined,' he said. Despite the uncertainties, Ms Ong said Allianz wanted to venture into AV insurance, as it felt this was an area where it had expertise in, and it supports the motor insurer's ambitions in Singapore. Asked if the insurer will be in involved with the autonomous public shuttles set to be rolled out in Punggol in the fourth quarter of 2025, Ms Ong said: 'We hope to, and we will be excited to be a part of it, if there is an opportunity.'
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Drone debris sparks small fire at Russian refinery, authorities say
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A small fire ignited by debris from a destroyed drone was promptly doused at the Slavyansk oil refinery in Russia's region of Krasnodar, authorities said on Wednesday. Russia's air defence units destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones overnight, the defence ministry said on Telegram, including five over the Krasnodar region. The ministry reports only drones downed, not the number launched by Ukraine. "There are no casualties reported," the administration said on the Telegram messaging app. "The fire was promptly extinguished. Emergency and special services are working at the scene." A car caught fire at the refinery, the regional administration added in its post. Reuters was not able to independently verify the reports. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which says its strikes inside Russia aim to destroy infrastructure key to Moscow's war efforts, including energy facilities. The Slavyansk refinery is a private plant with a capacity of around 100,000 barrels per day, supplying fuel for both domestic use and export. The overnight Ukrainian drone attack also targeted Russia's southern region of Volgograd, the regional governor said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival; hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady World AI eroded doctors' ability to spot cancer within months in Lancet study Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story Drone debris fell on a 16-story residential building in the city of Volgograd, forcing residents to leave their homes, the governor, Andrei Bocharov, said on Telegram. The city of Volgograd is the administrative centre of the broader region of the same name. The Russian defence ministry said its units destroyed 11 drones overnight over Volgograd. REUTERS
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China's military says it ‘drove away' US destroyer near Scarborough Shoal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command said the USS Higgins had entered the waters 'without approval of the Chinese government'. BEIJING – China's military said on Aug 13 it monitored and 'drove away' a US destroyer that sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the strategic busy waterway of the South China Sea. The first known US military operation in at least six years within the shoal's waters came a day after the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of 'dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference' during a supply mission around the atoll. In a statement, the Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command said the USS Higgins had entered the waters 'without approval of the Chinese government' on Aug 13. 'The US move seriously violated China's sovereignty and security, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea,' it added, vowing to keep a 'high alert at all times'. The US Indo-Pacific Command and the US embassy in Beijing, the Chinese capital, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The United States regularly carries out 'freedom of navigation' operations in the South China Sea, challenging what it says are curbs on passage imposed by China and other claimants. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival, hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady World AI eroded doctors' ability to spot cancer within months in Lancet study Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story The Scarborough Shoal has been a major source of tension in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion (S$3.8 trillion) of annual ship-borne commerce. The actions of Chinese vessels in the shoal this week also resulted in a collision of two of them, Manila said, the first such known in the area. China's coast guard said it had taken 'necessary measures' to expel Philippine vessels from the waters. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled there was no basis in international law for Beijing's claims, based on its historic maps. China does not recognise that decision, however. REUTERS
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Unwed mom's childcare subsidy rejection sparks debate in China
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The subsidies are part of a national cash subsidy programme announced in late July for parents of young children. BEIJING - A post by a Shenzhen resident claiming she was denied new childcare subsidies because she was unmarried has sparked a wave of debate across Chinese social media, drawing thousands of comments and reigniting discussions on whether benefits should extend to single parents. In the widely shared post, the resident said local health authorities had informed her via text message that her child's birth did not meet the legal criteria for receiving the subsidy, as the parents had not registered their marriage. The subsidies are part of a national cash subsidy programme announced in late July for parents of young children, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to reverse its declining birthrate. The programme will offer annual cash payments of 3,600 yuan (S$630) for each legitimate child under age 3, and applies retroactively from Jan 1, 2025. Although the application was rejected on the basis of marital status, the resident noted that the child's birth had been lawfully registered. Citing Guangdong's population and family planning regulations, as well as its birth registration management measures, the resident expressed confusion over the decision, arguing that births out of wedlock can still be officially registered. 'My child is registered according to the law,' the resident wrote, adding that she had used maternity insurance for childbirth and received maternity benefits. 'It means the childbirth is fully recognised.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival, hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady World AI eroded doctors' ability to spot cancer within months in Lancet study Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story In response, a staff member from the health commission of Shenzhen said the current policy defines 'legally compliant childbirth' as requiring a marital relationship. They added, however, that the final rules for the subsidies will depend on guidance from Guangdong's provincial health authorities. The official said the current interpretation is based on existing regulations, but whether a marriage certificate will ultimately be required will be determined by the forthcoming province-wide childcare subsidy application system, which is scheduled to be launched by the end of August. At a news conference on July 30, Mr Wang Haidong, director of the Department of Population Surveillance and Family Development at the National Health Commission, said applicants would only need to submit essential documents proving the child's identity and the parent-child relationship such as the birth medical certificate and household registration booklet to claim the subsidies. The national and local governments have completed the construction of the childcare subsidy information management system and are currently conducting full-process testing. According to the work plan, application channels for the subsidy will gradually open across regions in late August, with full access expected nationwide by Aug 31, Mr Wang said. The post has sparked widespread discussion among netizens, with most arguing that the childcare subsidies should be given to parents without marriage certificates. 'The subsidy is for childbirth, not marriage. Why can't it be claimed?' said a netizen, citing the number of single parents raising children has increased significantly in recent years. 'If the policy is aimed at boosting the birth rate, the subsidy should be given to the child, not tied to marriage,' the netizen added. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
