Latest News from Canada Standard
Canada Standard
an hour ago
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Roundup: Top players advance as Zheng cruises into French Open last 16
PARIS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Paris Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen of China advanced to the women's singles Round of 16 at the French Open for the second time on Friday, as top seeds continued to shine at Roland Garros. The eighth seed spent under 90 minutes to beat 18-year-old Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-4 in their first career meeting, marking her second appearance in the last 16 at Roland Garros after her breakthrough run in 2022. "I was born in China in a really hot place, which is called Wuhan. So I handled the hot weather quite well," Zheng said in her post-match interview. "Last year, when I played the Olympic Games, it was hotter than this. So actually I like this condition, but I want to say thanks to all the crowd who suffered here under the sun today with me." Zheng also praised her young opponent. "I want to say congrats to the opponent because I feel she played really well, and I think we pushed each other to play our best tennis. And sometimes we had really good points. It was not an easy match." Top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus also continued her strong showing with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Serbia's Olga Danilovic, advancing into the tournament's fourth round for the third consecutive year. Four-time winner Iga Swiatek of Poland overcame a spirited challenge from Romania's Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets, stretching her tournament's winning streak to 24 matches. "I'm just happy that I was super solid in the last game and didn't give any free points," said Swiatek. "It was a great match and I think it was pretty entertaining. We both played nice. I'm happy I'm through and happy with the performance." Last year's finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy prevailed 6-4, 6-1 over Ukrainian lucky loser Yuliia Starodubtseva for her ninth straight win on clay. "The first few games were tough," said Paolini. "I had to adjust a little bit with the conditions, but then I felt better on court. Happy to be in the fourth round here in Roland Garros." On the men's side, defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain survived a stern test from Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, eventually sealing a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win. The Spaniard is through to the second week in Paris and will face American Ben Shelton for a spot in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, 10th seed Holger Rune came from behind to defeat home favorite Quentin Halys 4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. The Dane has now reached the round of 16 at Roland Garros for the fourth consecutive year. He will meet eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti in the next round.
Canada Standard
an hour ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Pentagon chief warns China 'preparing' to use military force in Asia
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Saturday that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia, vowing the United States was "here to stay" in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pentagon chief made the remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars with Beijing on trade, technology, and influence over strategic corners of the globe. Since taking office in January, Trump has launched a trade war with China, sought to curb its access to key AI technologies and deepened security ties with allies such as the Philippines, which is engaged in escalating territorial disputes with Beijing. "The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent," Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue attended by defence officials from around the world. Beijing is "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific", he added. Hegseth warned the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and "rehearsing for the real deal". Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan and held multiple large-scale exercises around the island, often described as preparations for a blockade or invasion. The United States was "reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China", Hegseth said, calling on US allies and partners in Asia to swiftly upgrade their defences in the face of mounting threats. - 'Wake-up call' Hegseth described China's conduct as a "wake-up call", accusing Beijing of endangering lives with cyber attacks, harassing its neighbours, and "illegally seizing and militarising lands" in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire disputed waterway, through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit. It has clashed repeatedly with the Philippines in the strategic waters in recent months, with the flashpoint set to dominate discussions at the Singapore defence forum, according to US officials. As Hegseth spoke in Singapore, China's military announced that its navy and air force were carrying out routine "combat readiness patrols" around the Scarborough Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks Beijing disputes with the Philippines. "China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has only increased in recent years," Casey Mace, charge d'affaires at the US embassy in Singapore, told journalists ahead of the meeting. "I think that this type of forum is exactly the type of forum where we need to have an exchange on that." Beijing has not sent any top defence ministry officials to the summit, dispatching a delegation from the People's Liberation Army National Defence University instead. Hegseth's hard-hitting address drew a critical reaction from Chinese analysts at the conference. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University told reporters the speech was "very unfriendly" and "very confrontational", accusing Washington of double standards in demanding Beijing respect its neighbours while bullying its own -- including Canada and Greenland. Former Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, from the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University told AFP that training drills did not mean China would invade Taiwan, saying the government wanted "peaceful reunification". Hegseth's comments came after Trump stoked new trade tensions with China, arguing that Beijing had "violated" a deal to de-escalate tariffs as the two sides appeared deadlocked in negotiations. The world's two biggest economies had agreed to temporarily lower eye-watering tariffs they had imposed on each other, pausing them for 90 days. But on Friday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: "China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US", without providing details. 'Priority theatre' Reassuring US allies on Saturday, Hegseth said the Indo-Pacific was "America's priority theatre", pledging to ensure "China cannot dominate us -- or our allies and partners". He said the United States had stepped up cooperation with allies including the Philippines and Japan, and reiterated Trump's vow that "China will not invade (Taiwan) on his watch". But he called on US partners in the region to ramp up spending on their militaries and "quickly upgrade their own defences". "Asian allies should look to countries in Europe for a newfound example," Hegseth said, citing pledges by NATO members including Germany to move toward Trump's spending target of five percent of GDP. "Deterrence doesn't come on the cheap." Originally published on France24
Canada Standard
7 hours ago
- Health
- Canada Standard
Update on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's actions at an HPAI infected premise at a British Columbia ostrich farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada's national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. Industry has been highly supportive of the CFIA in its response to HPAI, working collaboratively to implement control measures and protect animal health. The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans. Our disease response aims to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. The CFIA's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as "stamping-out", as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Stamping-out is the internationally recognized standard and is a primary tool to manage the spread of HPAI and mitigate risks to animal and human health as well as enable international trade. It includes steps to eliminate the virus from an infected premises, including the humane depopulation and disposal of infected animals, and disinfection of premises. There are ongoing risks to animal and human health and Canada's export market access Allowing a domestic poultry flock known to be exposed to HPAI to remain alive means a potential source of the virus persists. It increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife. CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) identified that the current HPAI infection in these ostriches is a novel reassortment not seen elsewhere in Canada. This assortment includes the D1.3 genotype, which has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio. A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient, and there have been a number of human cases in the United States, including a fatality. Stamping-out and primary control zones enable international trade as it allows Canada to contain outbreaks within a specific area, meet the requirements of zoning arrangements with trading partners, and permit Canada's poultry industry to export from disease-free regions. Continued export market access supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports. Current status of the infected premise at Universal Ostrich Farm Universal Ostrich Farm has not cooperated with the requirements set out under the Health of Animals Act including failure to report the initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA and failure to adhere to quarantine orders. Universal Ostrich Farm was issued two notices of violations with penalty, totaling $20,000. The farm also failed to undertake appropriate biosecurity risk mitigation measures such as limiting wild bird access to the ostriches, controlling water flow from the quarantine zone to other parts of the farm, or improving fencing. These actions significantly increase the risk of disease transmission and reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal health standards. Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research. CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises. Research documentation was not provided during the review of their request for exemption from the disposal order based on unique genetics or during the judicial review process. Further, the current physical facilities at their location are not suitable for controlled research activities or trials. On May 13, 2025, the Federal court dismissed both of Universal Ostrich Farm's applications for judicial review. The interlocutory injunction pausing the implementation of the disposal order was also vacated. Following the May 13 court ruling, the farm owners and supporters have been at the farm in an apparent attempt to prevent the CFIA from carrying out its operations at the infected premises. This has delayed a timely and appropriate response to the HPAI infected premises, resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans. CFIA's next steps at the infected premises Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises. The CFIA takes the responsibility to protect the health of animals and Canadians extremely seriously as we conduct these necessary disease control measures to protect public health and minimize the economic impact on Canada's poultry industry. For more detailed information on the CFIA's continued response to HPAI at this infected premises, please visit our website.
Canada Standard
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Ecuador names Valencia, Plata in squad for World Cup qualifiers
QUITO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Brazil-based forwards Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata have been included in Ecuador's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Peru despite injury concerns, the Ecuadorian football federation said on Friday. Internacional's Valencia has missed the Porto Alegre club's past six games due to a hamstring strain, while Flamengo's Plata has been sidelined since April with a knee injury. "They are in a complicated situation but they are currently in the process of recovering," Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece told reporters. The Argentine coach recalled Leonardo Campana and Angelo Preciado, who missed Ecuador's last double header of qualifiers in March with injuries. As expected, the 28-man squad includes Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan, Paris Saint-Germain center-back Willian Pacho and Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie. Ecuador will meet Brazil in Guayaquil on June 5 and Peru in Lima five days later. Beccacece's men are currently second in the 10-team South American group with four qualifiers remaining. The top six teams will automatically qualify for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada while the seventh-ranked side will dispute a playoff. Ecuador squad: Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez, Moises Ramirez, David Cabezas, Gonzalo Valle Defenders: Pervis Estupinan, Cristian Ramirez, Xavier Arreaga, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Joel Ordonez, Felix Torres, Angelo Preciado Midfielders: Bryan Ramirez, Jhegson Mendez, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite, Kendry Paez, Alan Minda, Yaimar Medina, Gonzalo Plata, John Yeboah, Jhon Mercado, Nilson Angulo, Denil Castillo Forwards: Leonardo Campana, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia.
Canada Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Canada Standard
U.S. to double steel, aluminum tariffs to 50 pct
Xinhua 31 May 2025, 07:45 GMT+10 NEW YORK, May 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that he plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent, a move aimed at further shielding the domestic industry from foreign competition. Trump made the announcement during a visit to a U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, where a 14-billion-dollar partnership between U.S. Steel and Japan's Nippon Steel was unveiled. "We are going to be imposing a 25 percent increase. We are going to bring it from 25 percent to 50 percent, the tariffs on steel into the United States of America," Trump said, as quoted by local media. "(This) will even further secure the steel industry in the United States. Nobody's going to get around that." Later, Trump confirmed the decision in a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that the new rate would take effect on June 4. "Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before." The Trump administration imposed sweeping 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports on March 12, drawing sharp criticism from the U.S. auto industry. Canada responded with immediate retaliatory measures, while the European Union also announced counter-tariffs but ultimately withdrew them. Local media noted that the tariff hike could lead to higher prices for metal-based products, including automobiles, canned goods and industrial equipment.
