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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Macron courts Jakarta, offers Indonesia 'third way' in regional power play
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Indonesia is part of France's ongoing efforts to increase its engagement in Southeast Asia and pursue a strategic role as a balancing power in the Indo-Pacific region. The Jakarta stop, following a visit to Vietnam earlier in the week, is the second leg of a broader regional tour designed to promote Macron's so-called 'third way' – a middle path between the growing influence of the United States and China. As Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has become a key partner in this vision. During Macron's visit this Wednesday, the two countries signed a series of agreements across defence, trade, agriculture, energy, and disaster management. Macron champions 'rules-based order' as France courts Vietnam Defence cooperation took centre stage in the talks, with Macron confirming a letter of intent that could lead to new Indonesian orders for French Rafale fighter jets, Scorpène submarines, and light frigates - building on a €7 billion deal in 2022 for 42 Rafales. While France has yet to deliver any Rafales, the planned arrival of the first six in 2026 signals a steady shift in Indonesia's procurement strategy. Jakarta, once reliant on Russian military equipment, is now turning increasingly to French suppliers. The visit also had a strong diplomatic dimension, particularly on the Israel-Palestine issue. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Former admiral urges Australia to renege on Aukus deal and buy French subsFrance and Japan hold joint military exercises in signal to China, RussiaMacron champions France's military role in Djibouti as key to Indo-Pacific strategy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
French Open: Sinner brings down curtain on Gasquet's career
Top seed Jannik Sinner eased past French veteran Richard Gasquet in straight sets on Thursday to move into the third round at the French Open and send his opponent into retirement. Sinner won 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in 91 minutes to set up a meeting with Jiri Lehecka. Before the match, Gasquet admitted that playing the world number one on centre court in his 22nd French Open at the Roland Garros Stadium would be a fitting way to end his career. The 38-yar-old Gasquet, who was given an invitation into the main draw by the French tennis federation, realised his wish after he defeated Térence Atmane in the first round and Sinner dispatched Arthur Rinderknech. Sinner's mission was to successfully continue his own quest for a first French Open title and set the fuse for the explosion of tributes to a man tipped nearly 30 years ago to occupy top spot in the tennis world. The 23-year-old Italian fulfilled the former efficiently and the latter with elegance. "Congratulations to you, your team and your family," said Sinner at the start of a 25-minute centre court homage to the former world number seven in which he was presented with a trophy by French tennis federation chief Gilles Moretton and tournament director Amélie Mauresmo. "It's not possible to make such a career without good people around you," Sinner added. "You played in an incredible era and we hope that you can come back to the tennis courts as it's nice to have you around. All the best for your new chapter." Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Injured Gasquet pulls out of Australian OpenGasquet leads France to victory at Hopman CupBirthday boy Nadal sees off Gasquet to reach French Open third round
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Roland Garros: Five things we learned on Day 4: Defending champions chomp
Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz both moved into the third round and tournament organisers embraced Day 3's criticism over the constant scheduling of the men in the night session match with ... more men in the night session match. Hold the line Men's 10th seed Holger Rune from Denmark against the world number 137 Emilio Nava from the United States was deemed the night match of Day 4. Rune boomed. It ended 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 and was all over in two hours and 20 minutes. Gael Monfils and fifth seed Jack Draper will provide the skirmishes in Day 5's night session. Office life When quizzed on the issue last year, Iga Swiatek said she wasn't a fan of playing a night match. The Pole, who has lifted the women's singles title in four of the past five years at the French Open, likes to get the job done during the day. What she did to Emma Raducanu during their second round match on centre court is likely to give the 22-year-old Briton nightmares. The 6-1, 6-2 demolition of the world number 41 raised a few eyebrows especially since Swiatek wrote off her chances of a fifth title following her elimination in the third round at the Italian Open in Rome earlier this month. "I played two good matches in Paris," Swiatek said in her post match chinwag with reporters. "But I can't expect that it's all going to be easy now," she added. "You always need to be on your toes and ready for what life brings you. One day it's going to be good, one day it's not going to be so easy." Over to you Emma. Emma? Emma? Are you back with us? Working life That's entertainment Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Roland Garros: Five things we learned on Day 3: Young guns and equal rightsRoland Garros: Five things we learned on Day 2: Adieu Caroline. What of Richard?Roland Garros: Five things we learned on Day 1: A whole lot of love for Nadal
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alcaraz overcomes second set blip to advance to third round at French Open
Carlos Alcaraz continued the defence of his crown on Wednesday with a win in four sets over Fabian Maroszan from Hungary. Alcaraz, who beat Alexander Zverev in last year's final, ran away with the first set 6-1. But his 25-year-old opponent offered stiffer resistance in the second. After snaffling the Spaniard's service early in the set, he fought off three break points to hold on to his advantage, taking the second set 6-4 to level proceedings after 75 minutes on centre court. Alcaraz surged through the third 6-1 in 25 minutes and from 2-2 in the fourth, the 22-year-old showcased his speed, touch and flair to reel off four straight games to give him the set and the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 after two hours and nine minutes. "It was a great match," Alcaraz told on-court interviwer Mats Wilander. "I started really well but in the second set he played better. He was more aggressive. "But I stayed strong and in third set, I played better and it was the same in the fourth set." Elsewhere in the second round of the men's draw, seventh seed Casper Ruud aggravated a left knee injury during his four-set defeat to Nuno Borges. "Certain movements out there are kind of what makes it painful," said the 26-year-old Norwegian. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Zverev and Alcaraz strive to be the new name on French Open men's singles trophyDefending champion Alcaraz zaps Zeppieri to reach second round at French OpenDjokovic advances to last-16 at French Open after late-night epic with Musetti
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Swiatek annihilates Raducanu to reach third round at French Open
Defending champion Iga Swiatek powered her way past Emma Raducanu on Wednesday to advance to the third round of the French Open. The 23-year-old Pole, who is seeking a fifth title in six years at the Roland Garros Stadium, opened tentatively against the 2021 US Open champion. She saved a break point during her first service game but with some powerful hitting off both wings soon found her stride. From 1-1, Swiatek reeled off five games on the trot to pocket the opening set 6-1 in 35 minutes. Raducanu won the first game of the second set to stop the roll but the 22-year-old Briton was soon on the backfoot. Swiatek claimed Raducanu's serve to lead 2-1 and held her own to extend the advantage to 3-1. And from 3-2, another sweep of three consecutive games allowed Swiatek to claim the set 6-2 and the match "I felt good on court," said Swiatek who wrote off her chances of adding another French Open singles trophy to her collection after her third round elimination at the Italian Open earlier this month. "I felt I could do what I wanted to do and I was able to adjust to the wind. "I thought that I did that well." Elsewhere in the top half of the women's draw, last year's beaten finalist Jasmine Paolini advanced to the third round. The fourth seed beat Ajla Tomljanovic from Australia 6-3,6-3 in 81 minutes. Eighth seed Qinwen Zheng also advanced in straight sets. She dispatched Emiliana Arango 6-2, 6-3 to set up a meeting with the Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Swiatek enters French Open showdown against Paolini as undisputed queenDefending champion Swiatek advances to second round at French OpenVictories for Swiatek and Alcaraz illuminate French Open as shadows persist
