Latest news with #PSLE
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Chinese divers win men's 1m springboard and mixed synchronised 10m events at World Aquatics C'ships
Bronze medalist Yan Siyu (right) of China congratulates his teammate Zheng Jiuyuan, who won the men's 1m springboard final of the World Aquatic Championships held at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on July 27, 2025. SINGAPORE – After securing the bronze medal in the men's 1m springboard at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) 2023 in Fukuoka , China's Zheng Jiuyuan looked destined for big things. But instead he faced a major setback as he slipped to 11th at the 2024 edition in Doha , which he attributed to a mentality issue. There was no such mental roadblock in 2025, however. The 21-year-old earned his place among China's pool of elite divers as he finally got his hands on the coveted gold medal at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on July 27, overwhelming the competition as he romped to a total of 443.70 points. Mexico's Osmar Olvera was second with a score of 429.60, while Yan Siyu, the other Chinese diver in the 12-man final, scored 405.50 as he claimed the bronze medal. Zheng, who has yet to make his Olympic debut, said: 'I always knew I had the ability, but the mentality (maybe) not so much. I was not mature enough technically (in Doha). 'It was still better for me to think about my own routines on the springboard, every step I took before I think about anything else.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 When asked what caused a change in his mentality, he said: 'I've competed in this competition (world championships) four times now. When you compete long enough, you start to calm down because it's familiar. I became less nervous and started to do things without constraint.' In a magnificent diving display, Zheng averaged 73.95 points per dive , showing immense consistency as he pulled away from the field long before the end of the final, eventually finishing 14.10 points ahead of Olvera, who was frustrated as he failed to retain his title. Singapore's Avvir Tham (314.65) and Max Lee (261.00) finished 28th and 48th respectively out of 59 divers who took part in the preliminaries . In the mixed 10m synchronised event earlier in the day, China's Zhu Yongxin and tournament debutante Xie Peiling claimed the gold medal following a breathtaking final. The pair had never competed together before . Xie said: '(My goal was to) dive well, dive beautifully. (I'm glad) I got to show what I'm about on the platform (today).' However, questions about their chemistry were definitely raised after a poor first dive scored at 36.60 points put themselves in last spot in the 12-pair final. But those doubts were immediately dashed as a series of wonderfully executed dives shot them to the top of the rankings with a grand total of 323.04 . 'We didn't think too much about it (the first dive). Most importantly, we kept listening to our coach and just thought about how we would normally dive,' said the 15-year-old Xie , who is the second youngest of China's diving contingent at the 2025 WCH. Zhu, 21 , added: 'Synchronised diving is done by two people, not one person. When your partner makes a mistake, it also concerns yourself. The important part was that we kept encouraging each other. 'Our ceiling is still relatively high. We definitely have room to improve.' North Korea's Choe Wi Hyon and Jo Jin Mi missed out on gold by the narrowest of margins, settling for silver with 322.98, while neutral athletes Aleksandr Bondar and Anna Konanykhina from Russia bagged the bronze with 311.88. The Singapore pair of Yim Shek Yen and Ainslee Kwang were given a harsh introduction to the world championships as they scored 238.62 and finished in bottom place. However, for tournament debutante Ainslee, she was happy to 'just do the little things correctly'. The 14-year-old said: 'The biggest takeaway for me is definitely to know how to handle my nerves. It's such a big competition and you can get really frightened easily. 'It's really good to know how to manage my nerves and my stress, and I know this is just a preparation leading up to the SEA Games,' added the Methodist Girls' School student.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Russian Navy Day parade cancelled for ‘security reasons'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Russian sailors take part in a ceremony marking Navy Day in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea, on July 27. MOSCOW – Russia said on July 27 a major annual navy parade was cancelled for 'security reasons', without specifying the threat or concern. 'It has to do with the general situation. Security reasons are of utmost importance,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Russian news agencies. The parade was meant to be the highlight of Russia's Navy Day, which falls on the last Sunday of July each year and honours the country's sailors. But the local authorities in the coastal city of St Petersburg, where the warships and submarines were scheduled to pass, said on July 25 the parade had been cancelled without giving a reason. Russian President Vladimir Putin – who re-established Navy Day in 2017, nearly four decades after it was cancelled in Soviet times – did not show up in person for the first time. Instead, he appeared in a video message hailing the 'bravery' and 'heroism' of Russia's sailors participating in the offensive in Ukraine. Russia, which launched its military operation on Ukraine in February 2022 with daily bombardments of its neighbour, has faced retaliatory Ukrainian drone strikes on its territory in recent months. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes The Russian Defence Ministry said on July 27 that 100 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight. At least 10 of them were intercepted not far from St Petersburg and a woman was wounded, the governor for the north-western Leningrad region, Mr Aleksandr Drozdenko, said on Telegram. That drone assault also disrupted operations at St Petersburg's Pulkovo airport, delaying dozens of flights, the facility's authorities said. AFP
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Japan to ease overseas student enrolment caps at universities in bid to attract talent
As part of the review, the ministry will consider whether international students can adequately cover their enrolment costs. TOKYO – To attract highly talented international students, the education ministry has decided to ease the cap on university enrolment through implementing a special measure to start from the 2026 academic year. In the case of large departments or faculties with an admission quota of 300 or more, international student enrolment will be allowed to exceed the fixed capacity up to an amount less than 110 per cent, according to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry. Under the current system, large departments are subject to a strict overall enrolment cap of less than 105 per cent capacity to ensure educational quality. If universities exceed this limit, they face penalties such as cuts to government subsidies. The special measure will apply to universities that have met specific criteria over the past three years, including having no legal violations, an overall enrolment capacity rate of 90 per cent or higher, and sound financial conditions. Universities are required to submit their plans on increasing the number of international students. The ministry will review the plans and examine how they manage enrolment, particularly focusing on the dropout rate of such students, to grant certification on a per-faculty basis. As part of the review, the ministry will consider whether international students can adequately cover their enrolment costs. To promote diversity, emphasis will be placed on plans to increase student enrolment from the Group of Seven nations, India and South-east Asia – regions that have been designated as government priority areas. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes A survey by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development found that undergraduate international students made up 16 per cent of the student population in the Britain and 14 per cent in Canada, while in Japan it remained at only 3 per cent in 2021. In April 2023, the government's Council for the Creation of Future Education recommended raising the cap on international students to 400,000 by 2033. The council also called for more flexible university enrolment management. On July 25, the ministry began soliciting public comments regarding the introduction of this special measure. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thailand, Cambodia weigh peace talks after Trump's tariff threat
Both sides have blamed the other for further renewed aggression. WASHINGTON – Thailand and Cambodia may hold talks as soon as July 27 to bring an end to their deadly border clashes after US President Donald Trump warned Washington would not make a trade deal with either country while the conflict continued. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said foreign ministers on both sides could soon talk, but any ceasefire agreement would be subject to conditions such as resolving the dispute bilaterally, and withdrawing troops and the use of lethal weapons. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who has welcomed Mr Trump's bid to end the conflict, has already assigned his foreign minister to talk with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to coordinate peace talks with Bangkok. After separate calls with the Thai and Cambodian leaders on July 26, Mr Trump said they agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire,' according to posts on Truth Social. Mr Phumtham said he told Mr Trump that Thailand wanted assurances the terms of any ceasefire agreement will not be reversed. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Mr Rubio are also scheduled to hold talks, he said. 'Bilateral negotiations, a genuine desire for a ceasefire, and the withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons from where they are now, will help assure us of their sincerity in pursuing a ceasefire agreement,' Mr Phumtham told reporters. Heavy artillery shelling was reported on July 27 from multiple locations across the 800-km shared border. Both sides blamed the other for further renewed aggression. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes The Thai army said Cambodian forces launched rockets and artillery into civilian areas including homes and hospitals in the early hours of July 27. It also warned Phnom Penh could potentially deploy long-range missiles. Cambodia in turn said that Thai troops were the first to launch attacks early on July 27. Cambodia remained committed to an immediate ceasefire and to resolving all disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, said Ms Maly Socheata, a spokeswoman at Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense. Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia , which erupted on July 24 after monthslong tension along the border, has killed more than 30 people and displaced over 150,000 civilians on both sides. It remains to be seen if Mr Trump's threat of trade as a tool to end hostilities – a tactic he claims to have successfully used in halting India-Pakistan clashes in May – could lead to a lasting agreement. The Trump administration has threatened 36 per cent tariffs on both Thailand and Cambodia. We 'do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting – And I have told them so,' Mr Trump said on Truth Social. Both parties 'are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS,' he said. Thai officials have previously said they are nearing a deal with the US to lower the tariff with offers of greater market access to American products to narrow the US$46 billion (S$58.9 billion) trade surplus with Washington. The Thai government is under pressure to strike a deal before the Aug 1 deadline, especially as neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have secured trade agreements with the Trump administration. The US is Thailand's largest export market with shipments valued at US$63 billion in 2024. Thailand has put the death toll on its side at 21 including eight soldiers, with at least 36 civilians injured. Cambodia has so far reported 13 deaths including five soldiers, and injuries to 70 others. Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of border tensions, though ties have remained mostly stable since a deadly clash in 2011 that killed dozens. The last major escalation focused on the Preah Vihear temple, a historic flashpoint rooted in disputes dating back to the French colonial period. Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina. Fighting erupted last week after Thailand expelled Cambodia's ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Phnom Penh in response to landmine explosions that maimed at least two Thai soldiers and injured several others. The clashes have involved fighter jets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery with Thailand using its navy to repel Cambodian attacks near the Gulf of Thailand. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Iraqi women table tennis players chase Paralympic dreams
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Disabled Iraqi table tennis player Nur al-Huda Sarmad uses a net to pick up balls during a training session at a community centre in the southern city of Diwaniyah on July 8, 2025. A group of Iraqi women who live with disabilities train three time a week, preparing for an upcoming tournament that could qualify them for the national Paralympic team. Diwaniyah – Iraqi table tennis player Nur al-Huda Sarmad adjusts her wheelchair before striking the ball into play, braving sweltering heat, social stigma and inadequate facilities as she dreams of taking her team to the Paralympics. Sarmad and seven other Iraqi women who live with disabilities train three times a week at a community centre in the southern city of Diwaniyah, preparing for an upcoming tournament that could qualify them for the national Paralympic team. The facilities, however, are far from Olympic-standard. 'The tennis tables are broken, there are power outages and we even have to buy our own paddles,' said Sarmad, 25. With no dedicated training facility, the team often has to share the three second-hand tables at the public community centre with visitors. In the scorching Iraqi summer, they cannot turn on the fans, which would disrupt the movement of the balls. And the air conditioner that could provide some relief remains off-limits in a country grappling with chronic power cuts, especially in summer when temperatures approach 50 deg C. The community centre is powered by a generator, but it can barely sustain the essentials. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes These practical issues 'affect our training' and hinder the players' progress, Sarmad said. The team also faces obstacles in the form of insufficient government funding for sports, and conservative views on women's rights and people with disabilities. Paralympic champion Najlah Imad, the first Iraqi to snare a gold medal in table tennis, told AFP that 'despite the difficult circumstances, nothing is impossible'. Imad, who now relies on sponsorship deals, encouraged her fellow players to keep fighting. 'You can do anything,' she said. Sarmad, who has already won several medals, including bronze in a tournament in Thailand, takes pride in the fact that despite the many challenges, 'we overcame all this, we became players'. The state-owned community centre provides the team a stipend equivalent to US$75 (S$96) a month to cover transportation costs, but the players had to purchase their professional paddles, at a cost of US$200, out of their own pockets. The players often have to rely on taxis to travel to training sessions and back, but 'sometimes cabs refuse to take disabled people', said Sarmad. Coach Mohammed Riyad, 43, said that table tennis 'has developed in Diwaniyah solely through personal efforts... due to the lack of support from the state'. Riyad, a member of the Iraqi Paralympic Committee, said that funding sports was not a priority in a country where decades of conflicts, neglect and endemic corruption have devastated infrastructure. Through the Paralympic Committee, he has managed to acquire old equipment for Sarmad and her fellow players. He said that 'the state only focuses on football, despite the achievements of table tennis players' like Imad, who brought home the Paralympic gold from the 2024 Paris Games. Iraq has a long tradition of women's sports, with teams competing in regional football, weightlifting and boxing tournaments. But there is also vocal opposition seeking to exclude women and bar mixed-gender events. In southern Iraq, a largely conservative area where Sarmad's team is based, organisers of a marathon in 2024 had made it a men-only event after a social media controversy over women's participation in sports. Iraqis living with disabilities often face additional challenges amid a general lack of awareness about their rights and inclusion. For award-winning table tennis player Iman Hamza, 24, society mistakenly sees women with disabilities like her 'as helpless people who cannot do anything'. 'But we became world champions.' AFP
