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Straits Times
10 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Emma Raducanu outclassed by Iga Swiatek but unbowed after French Open defeat
Britain's Emma Raducanu in action during her second round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek at the French Open on May 28. PHOTO: REUTERS PARIS - Emma Raducanu admitted feeling exposed after a humbling second-round loss to defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek during her maiden appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier but the Briton said the experience had not left her demotivated. Raducanu won her maiden Grand Slam title as a teenager in the US Open while playing at the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium and has competed on the main showcourts at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the past. Featuring on the premier stage at Roland Garros on May 28 proved an altogether different challenge for the 22-year-old, who also felt a bit uncomfortable during her 6-1, 6-2 defeat in the second round by four-time winner Swiatek. "It was a really difficult match. Iga played really well. It was tough. In the beginning of the match it was pretty tight. As it went on she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed," Raducanu told reporters. "It was the first time playing a match on that court. It's also different when it's filled and it's got everything around. You do feel like it's a big court. It's... new for me. "It's a surrounding that she's obviously very comfortable with and she's played in it a lot of times. I think that did emphasise me feeling a bit uncomfortable. But it's a good experience for if I ever play on that court again." Raducanu will go back to the drawing board ahead of her preferred grass season and said she was feeling positive after enjoying her best run of the year after getting to the quarter-finals on the hardcourts of Miami in March. The road has not been easy for Raducanu, who has struggled with form and fitness issues since her 2021 Grand Slam triumph and has worked with a string of different coaches without any real success. "I don't feel demotivated," she said. "I feel like since Miami I've really started building some momentum compared to where I came from at the start of the year and it makes me just want to keep going after a couple of days off and then get on the grass." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Malaysia rejects LGBTQ culture, orders probe into pride event
Any effort to normalise LGBTQ is against the Federal Constitution, existing laws and official policy, said a minister. PHOTO: REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia said it opposes LGBTQ culture in the country and has ordered an investigation into a coming pride event that went viral on social media. Any effort to normalise LGBTQ is against the Federal Constitution, existing laws and official policy, said Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) in a statement late on May 28. Mr Naim ordered authorities, including the police, to take appropriate action should there be a breach of any law in the planned programme with the theme 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness.' 'Organising a programme like this, even though closed, clearly challenges social norms and religious values that the majority of Malaysians adhere to,' he said. He urged the organisers to immediately cease any activities that 'violated the nation's laws and society's moral values.' Religious agencies were prepared to take authoritative action should Muslims be involved, he added. Since taking power, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government has clamped down on pride culture in its bid to appease the country's Muslim majority. The administration confiscated rainbow-themed watches from Swatch Group AG's stores and abruptly cancelled a music festival after two band members shared a same-sex kiss on stage. 'I urge all quarters to together defend our society's social and moral structures from any elements that can hurt the country's faith, morality and harmony,' Mr Naim said on May 28. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt using SCs, STs funds in a prudent manner, says Bhatti
Hyderabad: Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that the present Congress government was not only allocating funds for the implementation of the SC/ST Sub-Plan, but also spending them diligently without diversion. Bhatti stated that the government was functioning with the vision of building a socially just Telangana where people live with dignity and the state achieves comprehensive development. He was speaking on Wednesday at the award distribution ceremony held at Banjara Bhavan for students of SC Welfare Residential Schools. He emphasised that this government was not formed to serve feudal powers or evil forces but is entirely dedicated to the people. As per the SC/ST Sub-Plan, not only have funds been allocated, but they are also being utilised meticulously. He recalled that the compassionate Chief Minister Revanth Reddy carried forward the unspent Sub-Plan funds left by the previous administration.' 'Unlike the past regimes — including the United Andhra Pradesh and the previous ten years of rule — where Sub-Plan funds were neglected, the current government is ensuring full expenditure,' he said. He highlighted that Rs 40,232 crore have been allocated under the SC Sub-Plan, and Rs 13,223 crore of previously unspent funds have also been carried forward. Under the ST Sub-Plan, Rs 17,169 crore were allocated, with an additional Rs 1,296 crore of unspent funds from the past being utilised — ensuring no misuse or diversion. He made it clear that this government does not believe in enjoying power as a status symbol. The Deputy CM said that the government is also planning to reclaim and redistribute previously assigned lands to the poor. He condemned the previous government for brutally assaulting tribal farmers, including women, who tried to cultivate forest rights land granted under the Forest Rights Act. Upon coming to power, the current government launched the Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam scheme to bring 6.7 lakh acres of forest rights land under cultivation. Under this scheme, the government is providing tribal farmers with free pump sets, solar panels, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, and encouraging them to grow crops like avocado and bamboo through the horticulture department. The scheme has a total budget of Rs 12,500 crore. He questioned why the previous government failed to implement such impactful schemes despite having higher revenue and incurring loans amounting to Rs 7.5 lakh crore. He also questioned why, despite sufficient resources, no attempt was made in the past ten years to increase diet or cosmetic charges in welfare hostels.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CM: BRS machinations hampering job allotments
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy accused the previous BRS government of neglecting the weaker sections, especially denying access to education. He regretted that the BRS had not even conducted Group 1 exams when it was in power. It is now filing cases in various courts against Group 1 exams conducted by our government, he alleged. Participating in the Gurukula award function at Babu Jagjivan Ram Bhavan, Reddy blamed the Opposition party for hatching a political conspiracy and creating hurdles for issuing appointment orders of Group-1. He said that the previous regime did not want SC, ST and BC students to study, rather it wanted them to pursue traditional caste professions. Hence, they have come up with schemes like goat, sheep and fish distribution schemes, he said. 'Why did the BRS not take any steps to encourage the weaker sections as stakeholders in the government by providing education? Isn't it true that they played with the lives of the unemployed for 10 years without releasing job notifications? he asked. The Chief Minister criticised the Opposition for giving posts to their family members in just six months after the poll debacle and preventing genuinely deserving youngsters from getting jobs. He said that in a welcome contrast, the present government has already filled 59,000 government jobs and had conducted Group 1 exams. 'The last government had not even conducted Group 1 exams and is now obstructing by filing cases in courts. Today, the issue has become a social problem,' said Revanth Reddy. Revanth Reddy pointed out that the government has appointed the first Dalit Vice-chancellor in the 100 years of Osmania University's history. The government also appointed Aakunuri Murali as the Chairman of the Education Commission and Gaddam Prasad Kumar as the Assembly Speaker. All of them have been recognised because of their educational background and not caste. The future of the country lies in the classrooms, he stressed.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Triple trouble for Israel as its furious allies bail
As Gaza starves and allies bail, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu is throwing petrol on a third crisis: a constitutional crunch with the security services, army, and courts. PHOTO: REUTERS You might think it would be impossible for the inferno in Israel and Gaza to burn hotter. Yet Mr Benjamin Netanyahu is fuelling three parallel emergencies: a humanitarian one in Gaza, a torching of support among European allies and a constitutional crisis over who controls the security services, army, and courts. The pressure on Israel and its institutions is almost unbearable, and a culminating moment is probably imminent. But whether that comes in the form of a re-invasion of Gaza which finally ruptures Israel's alliances and fractures its armed forces and society, or through a U-turn or ceasefire that triggers the Prime Minister's political demise, remains dangerously unclear. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
