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Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China's factory-gate deflation worst in 22 months as economic headwinds mount
Cooling factory activity highlights the impact of US tariffs on the world's largest manufacturing hub. PHOTO: AFP BEIJING - China's producer deflation deepened to its worst level in almost two years in May while consumer prices extended declines, as the economy grappled with headwinds from trade tensions and a prolonged housing downturn. Uncertainties from a tariff war with the United States and weak consumption at home have rattled sentiment and fuelled expectations of more policy stimulus to combat deflationary pressures. The producer price index fell 3.3 per cent in May from a year earlier, worse than a 2.7 per cent decline in April and the deepest contraction in 22 months, National Bureau of Statistics data showed on June 9. That compared with an estimated 3.2 per cent fall in a Reuters poll. Cooling factory activity highlights the impact of US tariffs on the world's largest manufacturing hub, dampening faster services growth as suspense lingers over the outcome of US-China trade talks set to resume in London on June 9. In a phone call on June 5, US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussed trade tensions and critical minerals, leaving key issues for further negotiations. The consumer price index dipped 0.1 per cent in May from a year earlier, after falling by the same amount in April and slightly better than a Reuters poll forecast of a 0.2 per cent decline. CPI slid 0.2 per cent on a monthly basis, compared with a 0.1 per cent increase in April, and matched economists' predictions of a 0.2 per cent decline. Retail sales growth slowed last month as spending continued to lag amid job insecurity and stagnant new home prices despite a recent raft of support measures. With households cautious about spending due to income pressures, some companies have resorted to price discounts to boost sales, prompting the authorities to urge an end to the auto industry's bruising price wars. The core inflation measure, excluding volatile food and fuel prices, registered a 0.6 per cent year-on-year rise, slightly faster than a 0.5 per cent increase in April. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
LA's Korean American community on edge amid immigration raids, protests
Police officers are enveloped in a cloud of smoke from tear gas while guarding a highway onramp during a protest on June 8. PHOTO: REUTERS SEOUL - US federal immigration authorities conducted a series of coordinated enforcement operations across Los Angeles on June 6, including in neighborhoods with a high concentration of Korean American-owned businesses. The move has raised concerns within the local Korean diaspora. The raids reportedly targeted areas in downtown Los Angeles' fashion district, commonly referred to as the 'Jobber Market', where several Korean American-run wholesale clothing stores are located. In a statement released the same day, the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (Kafla) condemned the enforcement actions, describing them as 'unilateral and heavy-handed'. 'These actions by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) disregard proper legal procedures,' the organisation said. 'We urgently call on our local elected officials to take action and provide solutions to this crisis. In addition, we will work closely with local organisations to ensure that no individuals are unjustly harmed.' 'Even individuals who struggle with English or are unable to provide identification immediately are reportedly being arrested or detained first,' the organisation added. 'This has caused significant harm and confusion, not only among Korean nationals but also among local residents.' The Kafla, founded in 1962, is a non-profit organisation that serves the Korean American community of Los Angeles. Ms Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a democrat representing California's 37th congressional district, which includes a significant Korean American population, said she was monitoring the situation closely. She specifically pointed to Korean American-owned businesses in her district. 'I am closely monitoring the ICE raids that are currently happening across Los Angeles, including at a Korean American-owned store in my district,' she wrote on social platform X. According to The Associated Press, immigration authorities arrested 44 individuals during the operation. However, as of the evening of June 6, the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles said no Korean nationals or Korean Americans had been confirmed among those detained. THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Does US law allow Trump to send troops to quell protests?
Members of the California National Guard stand guard, as a demonstration against federal immigration sweeps takes place in Los Angeles on June 8. PHOTO: REUTERS Does US law allow Trump to send troops to quell protests? US President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to California after two days of protests by hundreds of demonstrators against immigration raids, saying that the protests interfered with federal law enforcement and framing them as a possible 'form of rebellion' against the authority of the US government. California Governor Gavin Newsom on June 8 said he had formally requested that the Trump administration rescind "its unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County" and return them to his command. What laws did Mr Trump cite to justify the move? Mr Trump cited Title 10 of the US Code, a federal law that outlines the role of the US Armed Forces, in his June 7 order to call members of the California National Guard into federal service. A provision of Title 10 - Section 12406 - allows the president to deploy National Guard units into federal service if the US is invaded, there is a 'rebellion or danger of rebellion' or the president is 'unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.' What are National Guard troops allowed to do under the law cited in Mr Trump's order? An 1878 law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids the US military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement. Section 12406 does not override that prohibition, but it allows the troops to protect federal agents who are carrying out law enforcement activity and to protect federal property. For example, National Guard troops cannot arrest protesters, but they could protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement who are carrying out arrests. What are the implications for freedom of speech? The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to assembly, freedom of speech and the press. Experts have said that Mr Trump's decision to have US troops respond to protests is an ominous sign for how far the president is willing to go to repress political speech and activity that he disagrees with or that criticises his administration's policies. Is Mr Trump's move susceptible to legal challenges? Four legal experts from both left- and right-leaning advocacy organisations have cast doubt on Mr Trump's use of Title 10 in response to immigration protests calling it inflammatory and reckless, especially without the support of California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has said Mr Trump's actions would only escalate tensions. The protests in California do not rise to the level of 'rebellion' and do not prevent the federal government from executing the laws of the US, experts said. Title 10 also says "orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States," but legal experts said that language might not be an obstacle. Legislative history suggests that those words were likely meant to reflect the norms of how National Guard troops are typically deployed, rather than giving a governor the option to not comply with a president's decision to deploy troops. Could California sue to challenge Mr Trump's move? California could file a lawsuit, arguing that deployment of National Guard troops was not justified by Title 10 because there was no 'rebellion' or threat to law enforcement. A lawsuit might take months to resolve, and the outcome would be uncertain. Because the protests may be over before a lawsuit is resolved, the decision to sue might be more of a political question than a legal one, experts said. What other laws could Mr Trump invoke to direct the National Guard or other US military troops? Mr Trump could take a more far-reaching step by invoking the Insurrection Act of 1792, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement, for which there is little recent precedent. Casting protests as an 'insurrection' that requires the deployment of troops against US citizens would be riskier legal territory, one legal expert said, in part because mostly peaceful protests and minor incidents aren't the sort of thing that the Insurrection Act were designed to address. The Insurrection Act has been used by past presidents to deploy troops within the US in response to crises like the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War. The law was last invoked by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, when the governor of California requested military aid to suppress unrest in Los Angeles following the Rodney King trial. But, the last time a president deployed the National Guard in a state without a request from that state's governor was 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson sent troops to protect civil rights demonstrators in Montgomery, Alabama. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Alcaraz-Sinner French Open final scaled new heights, say ex-champions
PARIS - Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner took tennis to a level above that reached by even the sport's golden generation during their spellbinding French Open final on June 8, according to a host of former Roland Garros champions. Spaniard Alcaraz, 22, saved three successive match points as he hit back from two sets down to win 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-2) in front of a mesmerised Paris crowd. At five hours and 29 minutes it was the longest final at Roland Garros, smashing the previous record set by Sweden's Mats Wilander when he beat Guillermo Vilas in 1982. "The level at the end was absolutely ridiculous," Wilander, analysing the final for broadcaster TNT, said. 'I cannot believe we will have this rivalry. They have taken our sport to another level. I never thought I'd say that after the big three – Roger (Federer), Rafa (Nadal) and Novak (Djokovic) – but it's actually faster than ever and a level that is hard to believe.' Between them the players struck 123 winners and the quality was unrelenting as the final swayed one way and then another as they went toe-to-toe. The final points tally was 193-192 in Sinner's favour but he fell agonisingly short of becoming the first Italian man to win the claycourt title since Adriano Panatta in 1976. "I've seen Federer and Nadal and they played a couple of good finals but nothing comes close to this," Wilander said. "I thought 'this is not possible' they're playing at a pace that is not human. These are two of the best athletes the human race can put forward and they happen to be tennis players. I'm not speechless often but what a wonderful day." It was the first Grand Slam final meeting between the two Gen X trailblazers who have now scooped seven out of the last eight Grand Slam titles and with Sinner only 23, they look set to create a rivalry as compelling as those between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic. "The first final between these two. Celestial tennis from Alcaraz in that final tie breaker," said another former French Open champion Jim Courier, who commentated on the match for TNT. "There are days that tennis players don't forget." Seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe said both would have beaten record 14-time French Open champion and claycourt king Nadal at his peak. "You would make a serious argument with both guys that they would be favoured to beat Nadal, at his best," the American said. "These two guys right now, it's like when you watch the NBA and you say nobody could be better than Michael Jordan. The tennis level right now is higher than I've ever seen." Former Roland Garros winner Andre Agassi also sounded an ominous warning for anyone hoping to dethrone Alcaraz at Wimbledon where this year he will seek a hat-trick of titles. "Alcaraz's best surface to me, shockingly would be between here and Wimbledon. I'd actually say grass might be his best surface," the American, who presented the trophy, said. "I mean, you gotta remember this guy has defence and speed like Novak, if not more. He has feel like Federer, you could argue at times if not more. He has RPMs in pace like Rafa. You could argue maybe even more." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Cricket-Australia v South Africa-World Test Championship final
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Ashes - Fifth Test - England v Australia - The Oval, London, Britain - July 29, 2023 Australia's Pat Cummins reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo REUTERS FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Second Test - South Africa v West Indies - Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - March 11, 2023 South Africa's Temba Bavuma in action REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Factbox on the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa, which starts on Wednesday: - - VENUE Lord's in London, widely referred to as the 'home of cricket', hosts the final from June 11-15 with play starting at 10.30 local time (0930 GMT). June 16 has been reserved as an additional day if there are any weather delays - - AUSTRALIA Test ranking: 1 Captain: Pat Cummins Coach: Andrew McDonald Highest ranked batsman: Steve Smith (5) Highest ranked bowler: Pat Cummins (3) Squad: Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster - - SOUTH AFRICA Test ranking: 3 Captain: Temba Bavuma Coach: Shukri Conrad Highest ranked batsman in squad: Aiden Markram (18) Highest ranked bowler: Kagiso Rabada (2) Squad: Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne. - - HEAD-TO-HEAD Test matches played: 101 Australia wins: 54 South Africa wins: 26 Draws: 21 Tied: 0 - - LAST FIVE TESTS Jan 2023: Match drawn in Sydney Dec 2022: Australia won by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne Dec 2022: Australia won by six wickets in Brisbane March 2018: South Africa won by 492 runs in Johannesburg March 2018: South Africa won by 322 runs in Cape Town -- AUSTRALIA'S LAST FIVE TEST RESULTS Feb 2025 (away): Beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets Jan 2025 (away): Beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs Jan 2025 (home): Beat India by six wickets Dec 2024 (home): Beat India by 184 runs Dec 2024 (home): Match drawn against India SOUTH AFRICA'S LAST FIVE TEST RESULTS Jan 2025 (home): Beat Pakistan by 10 wickets Dec 2024 (home): Beat Pakistan by two wickets Dec 2024 (home): Beat Sri Lanka by 109 runs Nov 2024 (home): Beat Sri Lanka by 233 runs Oct 2024 (away): Beat Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
