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Straits Times
18 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Sofia Kenin battles past Victoria Azarenka into French Open third round
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 27, 2025 Sofia Kenin of the U.S. celebrates after winning her first round match against France's Varvara Gracheva REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/ File Photo PARIS - Former French Open runner-up Sofia Kenin showed her fighting qualities to beat unseeded Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 7-6(5) 6-4 in an intriguing meeting between Grand Slam champions on Thursday and moved into the Roland Garros third round. The American 31st seed, who reached the Paris final in 2020 and fell to Iga Swiatek, rallied from 5-2 down in the first set against fellow former Australian Open champion Azarenka and won a tight tiebreak to gain the upper hand in the clash. Kenin, who has climbed back up the world rankings to number 30 after plummeting to 235 in 2023 due to injuries, illness and off-court issues, went toe-to-toe with Azarenka again in the next set as another tiebreak seemed inevitable. The American secured the crucial break in the 10th game, however, and wrapped up the match to book an encounter with her compatriot and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys after the seventh seed beat Katie Boulter 6-1 6-3. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
19 minutes ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Trump aims to exceed first term's weapons sales to Taiwan, officials say
FILE PHOTO: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visits Republic of China Military Academy, an officer training academy, for its 100th anniversary celebrations in Kaohsiung, Taiwan June 16, 2024. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo FILE PHOTO: The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan May 12, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo WASHINGTON/TAIPEI - The United States plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding President Donald Trump's first term as part of an effort to deter China as it intensifies military pressure on the democratic island, according to two U.S. officials. If U.S. arms sales to Taiwan do accelerate, it could ease worries about the extent of Trump's commitment to the island. It would also add new friction to the tense U.S.-China relationship. The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they expect U.S. approvals for weapons sales to Taipei over the next four years to surpass those in Trump's first term, with one of the officials saying arms sales notifications to Taiwan could "easily exceed" that earlier period. They also said the United States is pressing members of Taiwan's opposition parties not to oppose the government's efforts to increase defense spending to 3% of the island's budget. The first Trump administration approved sales of approximately $18.3 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, compared with around $8.4 billion during Joe Biden's term, according to Reuters calculations. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei. Even so, many in Taiwan, which China claims as its own, worry that Trump may not be as committed to the island as past U.S. presidents. On the election campaign trail, Trump suggested Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business, causing alarm in Taipei. China has vowed to "reunify" with the separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. The U.S. officials said administration officials and Trump himself were committed to "enhancing hard deterrence" for Taiwan. "That's where the president is. That's where all of us are," one U.S. official said, adding that they were working closely with Taiwan on an arms procurement package to be rolled out when Taiwan secured domestic funding. Taiwan's Presidential Office told Reuters the government is determined to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and pointed to its proposals to increase defense spending. "Taiwan aims to enhance military deterrence while continuing to deepen its security cooperation with the United States," Presidential Office spokesperson Wen Lii said. Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on any new arms sales, but reiterated previous remarks by the island's defense minister, Wellington Koo, about the importance of "solidarity and cooperation of democratic allies." 'DON'T GET IN THE WAY' Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) aim to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP this year through a special defense budget. But the island's parliament, controlled by opposition parties the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), passed budget cuts earlier this year that threatened to hit defense spending. That triggered concerns in Washington, where officials and lawmakers have regularly said the U.S. cannot show more urgency over Taiwan's defense than the island itself. "We're messaging pretty hard (in Taipei) to the opposition. Don't get in the way of this. This isn't a Taiwanese partisan question. This is a Taiwanese survival question," one of the U.S. officials told Reuters. Three people in Taiwan with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed that the U.S. government and U.S. congressional visitors have been pressing the opposition parties in Taiwan not to block defense spending, especially the coming special defense budget, which is expected to be proposed to parliament later this year. "As long as they knew there were people from the opposition in the room, they directly asked them not to cut the defense budget," one of the people said. Alexander Huang, director of the KMT's international department, told Reuters it was "beyond question" that the party firmly supports increasing the defense budget and its "doors are open" to the U.S. government and the ruling DPP for consultations. "Supporting an increased budget does not mean serving as a rubber stamp, nor does it preclude making adjustments or engaging in negotiations regarding the special budget proposals put forth by the DPP administration," he added. The much smaller TPP said it has "always had smooth communication with the U.S. side and has continued to engage in in-depth dialogue on issues such as national defense and regional security." Reuters reported in February that Taiwan was exploring a multi-billion dollar arms purchase from the U.S., hoping to win support from the new Trump administration. New weapons packages are expected to focus on missiles, munitions and drones, cost-effective means to help improve Taiwan's chances of rebuffing any military action by China's much larger forces. For years, China has been steadily ramping up its military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over the island that is home to critical chip manufacturing vital to the global economy. Separately, one of the U.S. officials said the Trump administration would not object to a transit this year through U.S. territory by Lai, whom Beijing labels a "separatist." Past visits to the United States by Taiwanese officials have triggered angry objections by China, which sees such trips as inappropriate given that the United States has diplomatic relations with Beijing, not Taipei. Taiwan's presidential office spokesperson Lii said there are currently "no plans for a presidential transit through the United States at the moment." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Jack Draper stops home favourite Monfils in late night stunner at French Open
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2025 France's Gael Monfils in action during his second round match against Britain's Jack Draper REUTERS Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2025 Britain's Jack Draper in action during his second round match against France's Gael Monfils REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes PARIS - Britain's fifth seed Jack Draper fought off inspired home favourite Gael Monfils to claim a 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory and reach the third round of the French Open on a raucous Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday. Riding a wave of partisan support, 38-year-old showman Monfils produced some dazzling tennis to win the second set and level the match and despite losing the third, looked on course to set up a decider as the crowd went wild. The free-swinging Monfils broke Draper's serve in the fourth set as the clock moved past 11pm local time and saved five break points in an epic seventh game to move 5-2 ahead. Battling fatigue and struggling to move between points, Monfils still had two set points on the Draper serve at 5-4 but his 23-year-old opponent stayed ice cool to fend them off. Draper then moved 6-5 ahead with another service break and duly finished an absorbing contest at the first time of asking before warmly embracing Monfils at the net. "It's my first time on this court and what a battle, what an experience against someone I admire as a tennis player but off the court they guy is incredibly nice, such a joker, he's a magician he does everything," Draper said on court. "Playing Gael and against you guys (the crowd), no offence taken. This is why I play tennis." Monfils marked his 18th main draw appearance at Roland Garros by battling back from two sets down to beat Hugo Dellien in the first round and initially he looked overpowered by the left-handed Draper who has became a major force in quick time. But something about a Parisian evening under the lights inspires Monfils and he was soon producing the sort of shot-making that has made him such a crowd favourite down the years. He reeled off four consecutive games on his way to levelling the match, feeding off the energy of his adoring fans as he stunned Draper with some unbelievable winners. Draper doused the fire in a straightforward third set but the fourth was a 75-minute epic sprinkled with sensational rallies and Draper looked hugely relieved to have survived. "My brain was fried out here. I'm not sure if I am going to go to sleep tonight because my brain is just all over the place with what he was doing out here," Draper said. "That's why he has had such a successful career and is loved by all the fans. The players love to watch him play as well but not to play against him." The match featured 104 winners and Draper can expect another firefight when he takes on rising Brazilian Joao Fonseca for a place in the last 16. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
New Zealand PM condemns 'dumb' viral rugby tackle challenge after teen death
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined the condemnation of the 'run it straight' rugby tackle challenge. PHOTO: REUTERS New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined the condemnation of the 'run it straight' rugby tackle challenge that has gone viral on social media after a teenager died from a serious head injury earlier this week. Mr Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died in the city of Palmerston North on May 26 after taking part in the challenge that aims to emulate the collisions that occur when muscle-bound rugby players come together on the field. 'All I can say to young adults who are participating is you've got some personal responsibility in this,' Mr Luxon told local media on May 30. 'You're hearing the advice from police, from the medical fraternity, from government, from principals saying don't do it. 'To the adults that are involved in more formal organisation of it and are influencing it and leading this out on social media, I think you need to stop and I can't be any clearer. 'The evidence is that it's a dumb thing to do and you should stop.' Organised 'run it straight' competitions, where competitors with no protection run at each other on a 20-metre grass strip for cash prizes, have been held in Australia and New Zealand over the last year. The trend has attracted widespread condemnation from politicians and the New Zealand medical community, particularly those working in the field of head injuries. New Zealand Rugby, which along with the rest of the rugby world over the last decade has been looking at ways of reducing head injuries in the game, extended its condolences to Mr Satterthwaite's family in a statement earlier this week. 'We urge people not to take part in run it straight games or competitions as they carry significant risk of serious injury,' it read. 'Those wanting to play contact sports should register for a school or club team and learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Second group of Hong Kong democrats freed after 4 years in jail
LGBTQ and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit arrives to his house after being released from prison in Hong Kong. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Second group of Hong Kong democrats freed after 4 years in jail HONG KONG - Four people jailed in the landmark Hong Kong national security trial of "47 democrats" accused of conspiracy to commit subversion were freed on May 30 after more than four years behind bars, the second group to be released in a month. Among those freed was long-time political and LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham, who also led one of Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy groups, the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), which disbanded in 2021. CHRF was one of the largest pro-democracy groups in the former British colony and helped to organise million-strong marches during anti-government protests in 2019 that turned violent at times and had a big impact on business and tourism. The others who were released were Kinda Li, Roy Tam and Henry Wong. At the end of April, former pro-democracy lawmakers Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam and Gary Fan were released from three separate prisons across Hong Kong around dawn. Since large and sustained pro-democracy protests erupted in Hong Kong for most of 2019, China has cracked down on the democratic opposition as well as liberal civil society and media outlets under sweeping national security laws. The 47 pro-democracy campaigners were arrested and charged in early 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national law which carried sentences of up to life in prison. Forty-five of these were convicted following a marathon trial, with sentences of up to 10 years. Only two were acquitted. The democrats were found guilty of organising an unofficial "primary election" in 2020 to select candidates for a legislative election. Prosecutors accused the activists of plotting to paralyse the government by engaging in potentially disruptive acts had they been elected. Some Western governments, including the US, called the trial politically motivated and had demanded the democrats be freed. Hong Kong and Beijing, however, say all are equal under the national security laws and the democrats received a fair trial. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
