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Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China retaliates against EU ban with import restrictions on medical devices
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The EU said in June that it was barring Chinese companies from participating in EU public tenders for medical devices worth €60 billion or more per year. HONG KONG - China's finance ministry said on July 6 it was restricting government purchases of medical devices from the European Union (EU) that exceed 45 million yuan (S$7.98 million) in value, in retaliation to Brussels' own curbs last month. Tensions between Beijing and Brussels have been rising, with the EU imposing tariffs on China-built electric vehicles and Beijing slapping duties on imported brandy from the bloc. The EU said last month it was barring Chinese companies from participating in EU public tenders for medical devices worth €60 billion (S$90 billion) or more per year after concluding that EU firms were not given fair access in China. The measure announced by the European Commission was the first under the EU's International Procurement Instrument, which entered into force in 2022 and is designed to ensure reciprocal market access. China's countermeasures were expected after its commerce ministry flagged 'necessary steps' against the EU move late last month. 'Regrettably, despite China's goodwill and sincerity, the EU has insisted on going its own way, taking restrictive measures and building new protectionist barriers,' the commerce ministry said in a separate statement on July 6. 'Therefore, China has no choice but to adopt reciprocal restrictive measures.' 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 EU delegation office in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China will also restrict imports of medical devices from other countries that contain EU-made components worth more than 50 per cent of the contract value, the finance ministry said. The measures come into force on July 6. The commerce ministry said products from European companies in China were not affected. The world's second- and third-largest economies are due to hold a leaders' summit in China later in July. On July 4, China also announced duties of up to 34.9 per cent for five years on brandy originating in the EU , most of it cognac from France, after concluding an investigation largely believed to be a response to Europe's EV tariffs. Major cognac producers Pernod Ricard, LVMH and Remy Cointreau were spared from the levies, however, provided they sell at a minimum price, which China has not disclosed. REUTERS
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Rugby Premier League looks to revive Indian game through sevens league
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Chennai Bulls' Vaafauese Apelu Maliko and Hyderabad Blues' Manuel Moreno during their match at the Rugby Premier League in Mumbai, India. – Rugby is not normally associated with India, but a new sevens league was launched in June with the aim of reviving the gladiatorial sport in the country. The Rugby Premier League (RPL) has recruited top internationals from the World Sevens circuit to play alongside locals in six franchises under broadcast-friendly rule variations. Organisers aim to revive local rugby enough for India to qualify for the Olympics while revolutionising the global future of the game. 'Rugby in India is not so popular and not because it's not played – it's played in more than 250 districts in India and there's a lot of talent pool available – but because people have not seen it,' said Satyam Trivedi, chief executive of co-organisers GMR Sports. 'I'm sure with the league getting commercials, going on broadcast, and some of the finest athletes of the world coming and participating, the audiences will see it and the sport will catch up.' The launch of the RPL comes at a time when sevens, which took off after its inclusion for the 2016 Olympics, is facing challenges. Financial pressures have led to cutbacks in some programmes, with Ireland ending its men's programme and Britain's men's and women's going part-time at the end of July. 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 Unlike World Sevens tournaments, organised on national lines, each RPL squad features five top-level 'marquee' players, five from India, and three more internationals, dubbed 'bridge' players. Scott Curry, who played 321 times for New Zealand's All Blacks sevens team and represents the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the RPL, believes the franchise model could be a peek into the sport's global future. 'The World Series has been changing a lot and there's a little bit of uncertainty there but to see something like this, a franchise league... I think it could be the future of the game going forward for sure,' he said. 'Having franchises where players from all over the world can come and play together along with local Indian players is really exciting for our sport.' Rugby India is another co-organiser of the RPL and its president Rahul Bose senses a major opportunity to get the eyes of 1.4 billion people on the game through the country's potential bid for the 2036 Olympics. Spaniard Manuel Moreno, who was named in the World Sevens series dream team last season and has been playing for the Hyderabad Heroes in the RPL, thinks India might not have to wait as long as 2036 given the Olympics has regional qualifiers. 'They (India) can do it in the next Olympic cycle. There are only two or three big teams in Asia. So I think they have a real possibility to be in the Los Angeles Games in 2028,' he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Wallabies strike late to edge out Fiji in British & Irish Lions warmup Test
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NEWCASTLE – Australia lost starting fly-half Noah Lolesio to injury as they came from behind with a late try to beat Fiji 21-18 in their only warm-up for the Test Series against the British & Irish Lions on July 6. Captain Harry Wilson crossed a minute from time for the try that gave Australia a measure of revenge for their loss to Fiji at the 2023 World Cup but fell short of the convincing win they would have wanted before facing the Lions in three Tests. 'Massively relieved, because you want to get a result,' said Schmidt. 'But disappointed with the performance and I know the players will be looking for more out of themselves, and that has to happen in a very short space of time. 'Thirteen days' time, we won't be afforded the number of errors that Fiji gave us,' he added, referring to the first Test against the Lions in Brisbane on July 19. 'They (Fiji) were superb. Some of the players we knew would be elusive and quick and powerful, and they turned up and were all those things.' Schmidt had more positive news on Lolesio than would have been expected after he slammed his head into the turf in a tackle on the hour mark and had to be stretchered off the field in a neck brace at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. 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 'He appeared to be in good shape,' he said. 'I think it was whiplash and his head hit the ground. So I'm hopeful that's going to be something that will resolve itself reasonably quickly. (But) we won't take any risks with him.' The team said they did not think Lolesio would have to go through concussion protocols before being able to play again. Fiji scored tries through debutant Salesi Rayasi and Lekima Tagitagivalu either side of half-time and had eight points from the boot of fly-half Caleb Muntz but came up just short of a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 1954. 'Very proud of my brothers, we came together in one week, prepared to put it out there today,' said Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere. 'I know it's a disappointing loss, losing in the last minute, but thankful to them for giving their all today.' David Porecki and Fraser McReight found the try-line to give the Wallabies a 14-0 lead in the first half, but Fiji fought back to go into the dying stages with the advantage. However, Australia skipper Harry Wilson crossed the line two minutes from the end and Ben Donaldson slotted the conversion to rescue the win for the hosts. A day earlier, the Lions were similarly unconvincing in a lacklustre 21-10 win against the NSW Waratahs at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with head coach Andy Farrell admitted to 'a bit of frustration'. A disjointed Lions struggled to assert themselves and adjust to the playing style of the Waratahs, despite the home side missing a host of key players who were on duty for Australia against Fiji. 'I mean, there's a bit of frustration there, but it's nice to get a win,' said Farrell. 'Disappointed though with the amount of possession and territory that we had, and how we dealt with certain situations. 'It was a different type of game. But are we glad that's happened to us? Yeah, we are, because there's some good learnings.' Scottish centre Huw Jones (two) and English scrum-half Alex Mitchell scored the Lions' tries, while the Waratahs' crossed the line via Darby Lancaster and Ethan Dobbins. REUTERS, AFP
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Schmidt frustrated and relieved after last-gasp win over Fiji
NEWCASTLE, Australia - Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt felt a mixture of relief and frustration after Australia's last-gasp win over Fiji on Sunday, he said after their only match before the British & Irish Lions series. Captain Harry Wilson scored the winning try in the 79th minute, but Schmidt felt the Wallabies should have put the match to bed during a dominant first half before Fiji stormed back in the second. "It was certainly a relief when Harry got over and dotted it down, that's for sure," Schmidt told reporters. "(There was some) frustration to find ourselves in that situation after we built a nice lead early in the game. "I felt we got a bit loose, and they've got some fantastic broken-field runners. But that was no surprise to us because we knew they had them and we knew we'd have to be better connected than we were." The Wallabies had two tries disallowed for forward passes that Schmidt conceded were execution errors, but the New Zealander also queried some of the officiating of set-pieces. Schmidt said that the Wallabies will have to be more clinical against the Lions in the three-test series in late July and August. "Games are going to ebb and flow and when things are going your way, you've got to make sure that you make the most of those opportunities," he said. 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 Schmidt will name his squad for the Lions series on Friday and thought he would have a better idea of the opposition the Wallabies would face after Andy Farrell names his squad for Wednesday's match against the ACT Brumbies. While he thought Fiji were still underestimated by many in rugby, Schmidt conceded that the Wallabies had not played well enough to go into the Lions series as anything close to favourites. "(But) there's a quiet resolve, and that quiet resolve, hopefully, over the three-match series can build to something," he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany seethes over Jamal Musiala injury
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala was injured in added time before the break following a collision in PSG's penalty area. ATLANTA – Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he was furious after Jamal Musiala sustained a horrific injury during the first half of their Club World Cup quarter-final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on July 5. The 22-year-old Germany international was injured in added time before the break following a collision in PSG's penalty area. As Musiala challenged defender William Pacho for the ball, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently rolled over Musiala's left ankle, twisting it at an alarming angle and leaving him lying in agony on the pitch. 'I've rarely been so angry at half-time, not against my players. There's many things in life that are important, much more important than this. But in the end, for these guys, it's their life,' Kompany said after the 2-0 loss . 'And someone like Jamal lives for this and he came back from a setback. And then it happens in the way it happens and you feel powerless... 'When I'm sat here next to you now, the thing that gets my blood still boiling at the moment, it's not the result. I understand this is football. But it's the fact that it happened to someone who, one, enjoys the game so much but also very important for us.' Bayern's medical team rushed on to the pitch as Donnarumma, visibly shaken, dropped to the ground with his hands on his head in disbelief at the severity of the injury. 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 Players from both teams formed a circle around Musiala, who was carried off the field on a stretcher. German daily Bild reported he could be sidelined for up to five months. Bayern goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer said Donnarumma's dive was 'risky' and that he had spoken to his Italian counterpart after the incident. 'You just accept that your opponent might get injured. It could even be a teammate,' he added. 'So I went over to him and said: 'Don't you want – because it was half-time anyway – don't you want to go over there? Jamal is lying there, he'll probably stay in the hospital, he has a serious injury, and I think it's only right to go over there out of respect and wish him well and just say a little sorry.' 'After that, he went over to Jamal... Fairness is always important, and I would have reacted differently.' After the match, Donnarumma posted on Instagram: 'All my prayers and well wishes are with you Jamal.' PSG ended the match with nine men with Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were dismissed late on, but still progressed thanks to goals by Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. SaidL PSG captain Marquinhos: 'It was a game that taught us lessons, a game that brought us out of our comfort zone.' '(It showed) the mentality of our group, it's something we talk about a lot – winning is very hard and to keep winning is even harder. REUTERS, AFP
