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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India-EU trade deal negotiations: Differences over food safety rules persist, ‘intense work needed' says EU report
India and the European Union (EU) continue to differ on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), which govern food and animal safety rules and are key to India's agricultural and processed food exports to the EU, according to a status report released by the EU on Thursday. This report follows the 12th round of talks earlier this month. This assumes significance as the EU is India's largest and most premium export destination for agricultural items, particularly coffee, tea, spices and rice. However, India's exports to the EU have seen limited growth over the years, rising from $3.02 billion in FY19 to $4.54 billion in FY25, largely due to the stringent standards imposed by the EU on foreign agricultural products. 'Negotiators made some progress on the articles about listing of establishments, regionalisation and risk assessment. Further intense work will still be required on several pending articles, such as harmonisation, technical consultations or dispute settlement. Work will continue on these provisions inter-sessionally and at the next round with the objective to consolidate the chapter's text,' the EU said on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) chapter. One key argument from the Indian side has been the EU's imposition of pesticide residue regulations and other norms that are often stricter than World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The EU regularly rejects Indian shipments, citing differences in standards, including restrictions on the use of methyl bromide fumigation for certain plant products. According to the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) report in 2022, the EU enforces stringent aflatoxin limits. Aflatoxins are toxins commonly found on agricultural crops such as peanuts, maize (corn), rice and tree nuts, especially in warm and humid climates. 'For instance, the present EU level of aflatoxin in peanuts for direct human consumption is 2 µg/kg for B1 and 4 µg/kg total aflatoxin, and 8 µg/kg B1 and 15 µg/kg total aflatoxin for further processing. However, Codex (WHO standards) has set the maximum limit at 15 parts per billion (PPB) for peanuts,' the EAC-PM report said. 'Also, in spices, the EU has set a stringent limit for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins at 5 PPB and 10 PPB respectively, applicable to chillies and several other spices. However, the US permits aflatoxin levels (total) of 20 PPB for all spices,' the report said. In the Rules of Origin chapter, the EU report stated that the negotiations cover both procedures and product-specific rules related to agricultural and processed agricultural products, fish products, chemical and petroleum products. Discussions also covered wood and paper products, machinery, and industrial items such as railways, aircraft, ships, and medical devices. 'Discussions focused on both market access (tariff schedules) and the remaining articles of the chapter's text. EU and India explored whether solutions could be found for the pending issues in the text. On market access, detailed discussions continued on both industrial products and the agri-food sector,' the report on the Trade in Goods chapter said.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Singapore has not launched ‘world's first floating prison'; $12.7m Toto jackpot shared among 12 Group 2 winners: Singapore live news
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has issued a statement to debunk claims made online that Singapore has launched 'the world's first floating prison'. Recent social media posts from Instagram users financian_ and had both stated Singapore had built a high-tech floating prison facility anchored 500 metres offshore. Toto's latest draw on 17 July saw a jackpot prize of over $12.7 million shared among 12 people after no one won the top prize. As there were three previous draws without a Group 1 winner, the top prize did not snowball and instead 12 lucky Group 2 winners walked away with almost $1.2m each. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates: Singapore has not launch 'world's first floating prison' The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has rubbished claims 'the world's first floating prison' has launched in Singapore. A recent social media post from Instagram user financian_ wrote that Singapore had built "a high-tech facility anchored 500 meters offshore that's redefining the future of incarceration." The post added that it was "designed to house over 2,000 inmates" and "equipped with AI surveillance, biometric security, robotic patrols and no traditional bars – just geofenced digital boundaries." An earlier post from Instagram user mirrored some of the claims but also suggested the floating prison was created by Singapore to "solve overcrowding and land issues" facing the country. Both posts contain AI-generated images of the 'floating prison'. SPS, in a statement, said it is aware of several social media posts circulating online that Singapore has launched the world's first floating prison. "This is untrue. Neither have we had any discussions or plans for such, nor is there a need." "We urge members of the public not to spread misinformation, nor to be taken in by such wild stories, and refer instead to SPS's website and social media platforms for official information," added SPS. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Financian (@financian_) $12.7m Toto jackpot shared among 12 Group 2 winners A jackpot of over $12.7 million in the latest Toto draw on 17 July was split among 12 people after no one won the top prize. The 12 lucky Group 2 winners walked away with almost $1.2m each. The winning numbers from Thursday night's draw were 7, 8, 17, 29, 32 and 42 while that additional number was 1. The jackpot had snowballed to $12.7m after the last three draws did not feature a Group 1 winner. The jackpot amount will be rolled over only up to the fourth draw – and shared among the winners in Group 2 if there is no Group 1 winner in this final draw. You can find out more details about where the Group 2 winning tickets for the 17 July Totdraw were sold on the Singapore Pools website, here. The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has rubbished claims 'the world's first floating prison' has launched in Singapore. A recent social media post from Instagram user financian_ wrote that Singapore had built "a high-tech facility anchored 500 meters offshore that's redefining the future of incarceration." The post added that it was "designed to house over 2,000 inmates" and "equipped with AI surveillance, biometric security, robotic patrols and no traditional bars – just geofenced digital boundaries." An earlier post from Instagram user mirrored some of the claims but also suggested the floating prison was created by Singapore to "solve overcrowding and land issues" facing the country. Both posts contain AI-generated images of the 'floating prison'. SPS, in a statement, said it is aware of several social media posts circulating online that Singapore has launched the world's first floating prison. "This is untrue. Neither have we had any discussions or plans for such, nor is there a need." "We urge members of the public not to spread misinformation, nor to be taken in by such wild stories, and refer instead to SPS's website and social media platforms for official information," added SPS. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Financian (@financian_) $12.7m Toto jackpot shared among 12 Group 2 winners A jackpot of over $12.7 million in the latest Toto draw on 17 July was split among 12 people after no one won the top prize. The 12 lucky Group 2 winners walked away with almost $1.2m each. The winning numbers from Thursday night's draw were 7, 8, 17, 29, 32 and 42 while that additional number was 1. The jackpot had snowballed to $12.7m after the last three draws did not feature a Group 1 winner. The jackpot amount will be rolled over only up to the fourth draw – and shared among the winners in Group 2 if there is no Group 1 winner in this final draw. You can find out more details about where the Group 2 winning tickets for the 17 July Totdraw were sold on the Singapore Pools website, here. A jackpot of over $12.7 million in the latest Toto draw on 17 July was split among 12 people after no one won the top prize. The 12 lucky Group 2 winners walked away with almost $1.2m each. The winning numbers from Thursday night's draw were 7, 8, 17, 29, 32 and 42 while that additional number was 1. The jackpot had snowballed to $12.7m after the last three draws did not feature a Group 1 winner. The jackpot amount will be rolled over only up to the fourth draw – and shared among the winners in Group 2 if there is no Group 1 winner in this final draw. You can find out more details about where the Group 2 winning tickets for the 17 July Totdraw were sold on the Singapore Pools website, here.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Singapore Prison Service debunks online claims that it launched ‘the world's first floating prison'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Social media posts claimed that the move was to 'solve overcrowding and land issues'. SINGAPORE - The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has debunked claims online that the Republic had recently launched the world's first floating prison. This comes after several social media posts went viral, suggesting that the facility located on water 500m off Singapore's coast would solve overcrowding and land issues. In one such post on Instagram, the facility was described as being 'equipped with AI surveillance, biometric security, robotic patrols, and no traditional bars — just geofenced digital boundaries'. It purportedly could house over 2,000 inmates. The post has garnered over 9,000 likes since it was shared on July 15. Another post with more than 7,000 likes, first posted on July 13, claimed that the move was to 'solve overcrowding and land issues', touting the facility to be 'the future of urban incarceration'. SPS said it is aware of such posts being circulated online. 'This is untrue. Neither have we had any discussions or plans for such, nor is there a need,' it said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Jail for elderly man for using knife to slash neighbour, who later died of heart disease Singapore Maximum $7,000 fine for caterer involved in ByteDance food poisoning case Opinion Grab tried to disrupt taxis. It now wants to save them 'We urge members of the public not to spread misinformation, nor to be taken in by such wild stories, and refer instead to SPS's website and social media platforms for official information,' it added.
National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
Three men wounded in 'apparent road rage' B.C. shooting involving Tesla
An apparent road rage incident in Surrey early Monday morning has left three men in hospital with gunshot wounds. Article content The incident happened around 1 a.m. as four men were in a car going eastbound on 84th Avenue near 140th Street. A white Tesla with an unknown Ontario licence plate pulled alongside the car and several shots were fired from the Tesla before it fled. Article content The suspects are three South Asian men, with no further description provided. Article content Article content Article content Paramedics tended to the victims and treated three of the men for non-life-threatening injuries related to gunshot wounds. They were then taken to a local hospital. Article content The SPS Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation and the victims are co-operating with police. Article content
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Child dead after being hit by vehicle in Surrey, B.C.: police
A young child is dead after being struck by a vehicle in Surrey, B.C., Sunday evening. The Surrey Police Service (SPS) says officers responded to the pedestrian crash at 64th Avenue and 138 Street, located in the Newton neighborhood, around 8:17 p.m. Sunday. A Monday news release says paramedics tried to save the child, but they died. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperating, according to police. They say the cause of the crash is under investigation. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the SPS at 604-599-0502 and quote file 2025-58317 (SP).
