Today in Pictures, June 5, 2025
A woman drawing water from a well near Trinity Church, outside the village of Drovnino, Moscow, on June 4, 2025. The church, shaped like Noah's Ark, was built in 2015 for the 200th anniversary of the victory in the war with French Emperor Napoleon I.
PHOTO: AFP
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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Today in Pictures, June 5, 2025
A woman drawing water from a well near Trinity Church, outside the village of Drovnino, Moscow, on June 4, 2025. The church, shaped like Noah's Ark, was built in 2015 for the 200th anniversary of the victory in the war with French Emperor Napoleon I. PHOTO: AFP
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Pledge to protect oceans falling billions short: Report
Less than three per cent of all marine conservation areas globally are considered truly protected. PHOTO: AFP PARIS - Nations are spending less than 10 per cent of what is needed to meet a global target on marine conservation and must commit more at next week's UN oceans summit, NGOs said on June 5. In 2022, nearly 200 countries agreed to designate 30 pe rcent of the world's oceans as protected areas by 2030, but so far just 8.4 per cent are covered. Some US$15.8 billion (S$20.32 billion) is needed every year to achieve the '30x30' target but only US$1.2 billion is currently being spent, said a new report by a consortium of environmental groups. This gap was 'alarming' and must be redressed at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) starting on June 9 in Nice, France, said Mr Jonathan Kelsey from the Bloomberg Ocean Fund, which co-authored the report. 'UNOC is a critical opportunity for governments to narrow this gap with concrete actions, including... increasing financing that truly delivers on their ocean promises,' he said in a statement. Of all the UN's sustainable development goals, protecting the oceans is the least funded. Some 90 per cent of ocean conservation is financed by public money and 'in the short term, governments will need to increase funding flows to meet the capital injections needed, particularly high income countries', the report said. Environment groups have warned against the spread of 'paper parks' – protected areas in name only that lack the resources to enforce any real conservation measures. Less than three per cent of all marine conservation areas globally are considered truly protected. Some forbid all forms of fishing while others place no rules, or almost none, on what activities are forbidden, allowing bottom trawling and other intensive industrial operations. The report – co-authored by WWF, Campaign for Nature and the Marine Conservation Institute, amongst others – said that redirecting subsidies from harmful activities could also help fill the funding gap. For example, the US$15.8 billion needed every year is just two-thirds of what the world spends on harmful fishing subsidies, it added. 'We cannot afford promises that remain on paper while our coral reefs bleach, our fisheries decline, and our coastlines wash away,' Ms Brianna Fruean from campaign group Together for the Ocean, said in a statement. 'We need real protection, now – and we need investment that empowers communities on the frontlines of change.' France expects around 50 heads of state and government to attend the oceans conference in Nice, which runs until June 13 and is preceded by a major scientific summit. Nations present will issue a joint declaration in support of ocean conservation but the conference is not a formal UN negotiation, and any commitments made are voluntary. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Sinner joins France in toasting Roland Garros heroine Boisson
PARIS - Jannik Sinner geared up for his French Open quarter-final on Wednesday by hitting with Lois Boisson and the world number one said he was unsurprised by the wildcard's dream run on home soil this year. Sinner continued his bid for a maiden Roland Garros title with an efficient 6-1 7-5 6-0 win over Kazakh Alexander Bublik shortly after world number 361 Boisson lit up Court Philippe Chatrier by stunning sixth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6(6) 6-3. The duo began their day by practising under the closed roof of the main showcourt and Sinner was left impressed by Boisson's unusual style for a woman. "The level she produces is amazing," Sinner told reporters. "Very consistent, claycourt style with the forehand and a lot of top-spin. Today it was raining, so I called the desk if there were some free spots, because I don't want to risk to go on court without warming up. So we arrived quite early. "She straightaway said yes and we hit some balls. It was a consistent warmup for a different game style for a woman because the ball is quite high and quite spinny. "Physically she's very strong. She deserves to be in the position where she is right now, and we wish her all the best for the future." Boisson, who knocked out world number three Jessica Pegula in the previous round, has become the toast of an adoring nation and will at least break into the world's top 70 next week. Her success comes a year after she suffered a serious knee injury a week before Roland Garros that denied her a Grand Slam debut. "It's amazing, no? I think that's exactly what France needs, something very new, very special, great mentality. She's someone who is quite calm on the court, at least she seems like it," Sinner said. "She had knee surgery not long ago, so even that, gives her some great confidence hopefully for her future. We actually were in the same centre for a little while back in the day, and we practised sometimes together even there. "I know her. I saw her before the tournament in the gym in Jean Bouin. We talked a little bit about how things are and she was happy. Having a wildcard here, it's a special tournament for her, being French." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
