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Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Usually stoic Miedema emotional after goalscoring milestone
LUCERNE, Switzerland - Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema rarely betrays much emotion, but her 100th goal for her country, scored in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Wales at the Women's European Championship, produced plenty of happy tears. The Dutch were comfortable winners over the debutants in their opening Group D game at Lucerne, with Miedema curling in a shot from outside the area which sailed into the far top corner, a goal worthy of the captain's milestone in her 126th international appearance, to give her side the lead and bring up a ton of goals for her country. "It's very special, this is something you don't dare dream of as a little girl," she reflected after the achievement. "It was very unreal when the milestone was getting closer, and it is extra special that it is achieved at the European Championship," she added. For the forward, it also came after a long spell out with injury, prompting her reaction. "There were definitely emotions released. Tears? Yes, when we walked on the pitch, at the goal, and after the game. That shows how much this affects me. "I think we all know how tough the past two and a half years have been for me and how hard I've worked to get here." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore Overlooked 'glass child', the sibling of a special-needs kid Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Miedema tore her cruciate ligament at the end of 2022 and was sidelined for 10 months. Shortly after her comeback, cartilage in her knee was damaged again, and she underwent another surgery last November. THREAT On her return, she injured her knee again in April and there was a threat she might miss out on the Women's Euros. She only believed she was really going to play on the morning before the match. "I said it out loud for the first time. I don't often get nervous, but now I do. I thought: 'wow, I did it'," she said of her recovery. For Dutch coach Andries Jonker, Miedema's successful return was as good as the three points garnered from their first match at the tournament in Switzerland. "I've been asked who the best player I've worked with is? Well, Lieke Martens and Miedema are exceptional. The others are great, but those two are a step further and better." The 28-year-old Miedema is only the 10th woman to score a ton of international goals, and her coach made a comparison with Dutch great Marco van Basten. "She just sees where the goalkeeper is. I don't think many people see that, but she does. Marco van Basten also did things that made you think you could stop him. But then he takes a swing, and the ball ends up in the top corner. "Great players who don't do the logical thing but do the creative thing. Food for the enthusiast, and I am an enthusiast," said the coach. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
South Korea seeks US trade deadline extension as tariffs loom
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox South Korea is a key US ally and major manufacturing hub for cars, semiconductors and batteries. SEOUL – South Korean and US trade officials have discussed extending the July 9 deadline for trade deals in a last-minute bid to avert sweeping tariffs from President Donald Trump. South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo held talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on July 5 in Washington, where he proposed manufacturing partnerships and called for the elimination or reduction of tariffs on products such as automobiles and steel, Seoul's industry ministry said in a statement on July 6. The meeting came just days before a deadline to reinstate higher US levies that were halted in April . President Donald Trump has said that Washington would send out letters to trading partners setting unilateral tariff rates taking effect on Aug 1. South Korea is a key US ally and major manufacturing hub for cars, semiconductors and batteries. If the 25 per cent across-the-board levies are imposed, that would further undercut an economy already hit by sluggish domestic consumption. The central bank in May slashed its forecast for this year's gross domestic product growth to 0.8 per cent from 1.5 per cent. In a last-minute bid to avoid the tariffs from kicking in, Mr Yeo presented a vision for a 'mutually beneficial' manufacturing cooperation framework to further strengthen the two countries' industrial supply chains, while stressing that any final agreement must include ending or limiting tariffs on automobiles and steel, among other products. 'Both sides agreed that they have been conducting negotiations in good faith for a month since the launch of the new South Korean administration and that it is necessary to further narrow their differences,' the statement said, adding that the officials also discussed extending the deadline for additional talks. It was Mr Yeo's second trip to the US in just about a week and a sign that Seoul is ratcheting up efforts to make up for lost time in trade talks after President Lee Jae Myung won a snap election in June, taking over from the ousted Mr Yoon Suk Yeol. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore Overlooked 'glass child', the sibling of a special-needs kid Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Mr Yoon's brief martial law decree at the end of 2024 triggered the country's worst political turmoil in decades and resulted in a leadership vacuum. Mr Lee's national security adviser, Mr Wi Sung-lac, left for Washington on July 6 to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as acting national security adviser. Speaking with reporters before his departure, Mr Wi said he needed to increase his involvement as the negotiations are in a 'critical phase.' He said he will seek to arrange a first summit between Mr Lee and Mr Trump as well as discussing security and other bilateral issues during his trip. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Concert review: Ayumi Hamasaki's first S'pore solo show blends iconic songs with theatrical flair
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The concert's first half resembled a musical, with Ayumi Hamasaki and her dancers embodying characters in various storylines woven together by her songs. Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2025 I Am Ayu - Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium July 5 Queen of J-pop Ayumi Hamasaki finally performed her first solo concert in Singapore on July 5 – and what an entrance she made. As the red curtains rose, more than a dozen dancers in striking gold costumes were seen centre stage. The 46-year-old superstar then emerged, looking radiant in a Cleopatra-inspired Egyptian outfit and holding a sceptre. The near-10,000-strong capacity crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium went wild as she opened the show with three rock-influenced numbers – Inspire (2004), Duty (2000) and Microphone (2010). Hamasaki, or Ayu as she is known to her fans, debuted in 1998. Her rise to fame – from a flashy street-wise 'ah lian' to a polished pop princess to now the empress of pop – captivated a massive audience in Japan and beyond. At the concert, Hamasaki's widespread appeal was evident. Many concertgoers were dressed in leopard-print outfits – her signature – or T-shirts bearing her iconic 'A' logo. There were also fans who flew in from China. The singer-songwriter had kicked off her Asia tour – her first in 16 years – in Shanghai in November 2024. She later travelled to other Chinese cities – Chengdu, Ningbo and Guangzhou – and ended the tour in Japan's capital Tokyo in December 2024. Her sequel tour, or as she titled it, started in Tokyo on April 8. Her upcoming stops include Taipei, as well as Japanese cities Hiroshima, Osaka, Sendai and Fukuoka. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore Overlooked 'glass child', the sibling of a special-needs kid Singapore Red Lions and naval divers join forces for Jump of Unity at NDP 2025 Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds The concert's first half resembled a musical, with Hamasaki and her dancers embodying characters in various storylines woven together by her songs. Through expressive choreography and dynamic visual projections, one could sense a trajectory of life's highs and lows. There were moments of despair, betrayal, misunderstanding and distance, as well as courage, hope and love. For instance, during Endless Sorrow (2001), Hamasaki's wrist was bound to a pillar surrounded by despondent dancers. The scene poignantly conveyed the anguish of being caught in grief and inner turmoil. Then, as she performed her iconic 1999 hit End Roll, a song about accepting change and letting go of the past, she ultimately 'died' in the arms of her beloved. But the mood lifted when she reappeared on stage in a bride-inspired ensemble. Her heartfelt delivery of lines like 'We are on this journey to be happy', from the 2002 ballad Voyage, had the audience singing along and waving their light sticks. J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki opened the show in a Cleopatra-inspired Egyptian outfit and holding a scepter that exuded power. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Now a mother of two and having faced challenges like the loss of hearing in one ear, Hamasaki's songs felt more powerful and authentic than ever. However, the transitions between sets felt awkward and confusing. The audience experience would also have been greatly improved if there were lyrics projected on-screen in romaji and with English translations. As the 2½-hour show entered its second half, it transitioned to 'concert mode'. Dressed in a red hip-hop-inspired outfit, Hamasaki performed alternative dance-rock hits Evolution (2001) and Startin' (2006). It was not until the encore that she addressed the concertgoers in fluent English, confessing her nervousness about their reaction to her debut solo show in Singapore. She had performed at the MTV Asia Music Awards here in 2002, when she was named Most Influential Japanese Singer in Asia. She described their warm response to her solo gig as 'beyond her imagination' before exclaiming: 'I'm the happiest person in the world now.' The crowd was captivated by her unique blend of commanding vocals and an endearingly anime-like speaking voice. J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki's performance blends iconic songs with theatrical flair. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI After an emotional rendition of My All (2008), an ode to unwavering love and gratitude, she exited the stage in tears. Many in the audience were inspired by her energy and resilience. For 47-year-old hairstylist Satoko Enomoto, who has lived in Singapore for six years, the concert exceeded her expectations. This was her first Hamasaki show. 'I was amazed by how Ayu's music still feels timeless yet fresh. It reflects her ability to honour the past while constantly innovating, always remaining stylish, strong and inspiring,' she says. 'I believe that's what makes her truly special and allows her to connect with fans across different generations.'
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
India's javelin hero Chopra leverages star power as crowds flock to self-titled event
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BENGALURU - Olympic javelin star Neeraj Chopra headlined what was billed as India's inaugural world-class field competition on Saturday, living up to his goal of elevating domestic talent while also walking away with another gold medal. Chopra, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and silver at the 2024 Paris Games, triumphed with a throw of 86.18 meters at the 12-athlete javelin Neeraj Chopra Classic event. He finished ahead of former world champion Julius Yego (silver) and Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage (bronze). "The biggest target of the competition was to uplift the Indian athletes alongside the international ones. We got the best javelin throwers to this competition," Chopra told reporters after winning the competition. The event drew more than 14,500 spectators - a figure that delighted Chopra, who has long championed greater public support for track and field events. "We really wanted people to come and watch track and field," said Chopra, who has single-handedly raised interest for athletics in India and has more than nine million Instagram followers. "I always request people to come to the stadiums to cheer athletes as they work really hard. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker World Death toll from Texas floods reaches at least 50; dozens still missing Singapore Red Lions and naval divers join forces for Jump of Unity at NDP 2025 Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Asia HIV surge in the Philippines amid poor sex education, policy gaps "Track and field is one of the hardest sporting events. I request people to come and watch nationals as well... because our sport can only grow when people will come and watch us." The event featured three rounds with six attempts per participant, narrowing the field to eight after the initial round of three throws. Among the five Indian competitors, three advanced to the second round including Chopra, outperforming international athletes such as former Olympic champion Thomas Rohler and the Czech Republic's Martin Konecny. "We have been doing really well in the sport. They (Indian athletes) were quite happy to get a platform to play alongside the world champions," the 27-year-old said. "We also plan to add more events to this competition going forward, which will help the Indian athletes more." Among the Indian athletes, apart from Chopra, Asian Athletics Championships silver medallist Sachin Yadav performed well, recording his best throw of 82.33m in the third attempt. "Sachin could have performed better but he twisted his ankle in his opening throw. Overall, it was good. They will hopefully do well in the future. They are juniors and have time on their hand so will surely do better," Chopra said. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Gold Cup final a vital stress test for US World Cup preparations, says Pochettino
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino is eager to see how his side fare against Mexico in Sunday's Gold Cup final, saying it may well be the team's final chance to compete under real pressure before next year's FIFA World Cup. Both teams have bypassed the challenging World Cup qualifying rounds that typically help prepare teams for football's grandest event and are already guaranteed a place as hosts. After the final, the U.S. will next host South Korea and Japan in a pair of international friendly matches in September. "It's good for us. It's good because I think it's going to be maybe the last game that we are going to play under pressure, and to play under pressure is what we need, the team need," Pochettino told reporters on Saturday. "Because we are qualified for the World Cup and I think all the games that we are going to play after are friendly games. Those are unofficial games and I think it's important that we have, not a difficult scenario, but feel the pressure, feel the stress. "Because the World Cup is going to be about feeling the pressure and to feel the stress. It's great to have this opportunity." The Gold Cup final will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, just a few hours' drive away from central Texas where at least 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash floods. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker World Death toll from Texas floods reaches at least 43; dozens still missing Singapore Red Lions and naval divers join forces for Jump of Unity at NDP 2025 Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Asia HIV surge in the Philippines amid poor sex education, policy gaps Pochettino began his press conference by paying tribute to the victims, adding: "First of all I want to send our thoughts to the people in Texas, the tragic situation and for sure the people that were affected. "Our thoughts with all the people there. Our solidarity with all the families that were affected for the flood." REUTERS
