Latest from Straits Times
Straits Times
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Former head of major Chinese airline under graft investigation
Mr Liu Shaoyong, who headed the airline from 2009 until 2022, is being investigated for 'serious violations of discipline and law'. PHOTO: AFP Former head of major Chinese airline under graft investigation BEIJING - The former head of China Eastern Airlines is under investigation over corruption allegations, two Chinese anti-graft bodies said on June 28. Mr Liu Shaoyong, who headed the airline from 2009 until his resignation in 2022, is being investigated for 'serious violations of discipline and law', the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said in a statement. The Shanghai-based airline, primarily owned by the Chinese government through its parent company, is one of the three largest Chinese airlines. Mr Liu was credited with turning the carrier around after it posted record losses before he was appointed. China Eastern Airlines under his leadership merged with Shanghai Airlines and joined the SkyTeam airline alliance, strengthening its position in domestic and international markets. Mr Liu also led another one of China's major airlines, China Southern, before taking the reins of China Eastern. Chinese President Xi Jinping has waged an unrelenting crackdown on corruption since coming to power over a decade ago. Proponents say the policy promotes clean governance but others say it also serves as a means for Mr Xi to purge political rivals. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Al-Hilal Captain Al-Dawsari Out of Club World Cup with Hamstring Injury
Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury, the Saudi club said on Saturday. "Medical tests have confirmed that Salem Al-Dawsari has suffered from a hamstring injury. He will be undergoing a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last between four to six weeks," Al-Hilal said in a statement via X. This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday's round of 16 clash against Manchester City. Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal's campaign in the club world cup, after scoring the opening goal in the team's 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday in the third round of the group stage. The win against Pachuca secured the four-times Asian champions qualification for the last 16 after they finished second in Group H behind Real Madrid. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Jayasuriya decimates Bangladesh as Sri Lanka win by innings and 78 runs
Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya led the charge with a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh collapsed for just 133 in their second innings, handing Sri Lanka a win by an innings and 78 runs, with the hosts clinching a 1-0 victory in their two-test series on Saturday. Bangladesh lost six wickets within 33 runs as their batters were unable to repeat the heroics that secured a draw in the first test in Galle on Colombo's spin-friendly track. "There was a difference between (the) two matches ... that's a good morale booster for us, losing the toss and putting the opposition under pressure," Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said at the post-match presentation ceremony. After Bangladesh posted 247 in their first innings, opener Pathum Nissanka scored 158 in a player-of-the-match performance, aided by Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84) as Sri Lanka secured a commanding 211-run lead with a total of 458. Anamul Haque (19) tried to give Bangladesh a fast start in the second innings but fell to Asitha Fernando (1-22), while his opening partner Shadam Islam (12) mistimed a cover drive and got caught just three balls later as Jayasuriya (5-56) took his first wicket of the match. De Silva (2-13) trapped fellow skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored twin centuries in the first test, with a leg before wicket dismissal to leave the visitors reeling at 70-4. "Very disappointing after how we finished the first Test, the way this one went," Shanto said. "We had opportunities but... always took easy options and made mistakes while batting." Mushfiqur Rahim (26), Bangladesh's other centurion in the previous match, was the next to fall as he was bowled by Jayasuriya, kicking off a collapse where Bangladesh lost their last five wickets in less than 11 overs. Sri Lanka will play three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches against Bangladesh next month, with the first ODI set for Wednesday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Arsenal playing the long game in the summer transfer market
While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta once led recruitment decisions, new sporting director Andrea Berta's expertise will not be ignored. PHOTO: Action Images via Reuters When Arsenal fell short last season, the widespread assumption was that personnel issues had cost Mikel Arteta's team. If only the Gunners had been able to call on a finisher with the level of Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland, then second place in the Premier League and a run to the Champions League semi-finals would have been exchanged for silverware. The transfer market is a jumble of such equations, and as summer business resumes, the expectation is that Arteta will soon have his man. Which man? That appears the first issue in a situation that is trying Arsenal fans' patience when their peers are signing big. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Poland's Duda arrives in Ukrainian capital Kyiv to meet Zelenskiy
FILE PHOTO: Polish President Andrzej Duda speaks during a press conference during a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo WARSAW/KYIV - Polish President Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Duda's office said, as Kyiv aims to build support among allies at a critical juncture in its grinding war with Russia. Duda, a vocal supporter of Ukraine whose term ends in August, was greeted at the train station by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who called the Polish leader "Ukraine's true friend". Ukraine is struggling to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield and intensifying missile and drone attacks on its cities as diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fourth year, have faltered. Duda's successor, President-elect Karol Nawrocki says he remains committed to helping Ukraine's defence effort but opposes Kyiv joining Western alliances such as NATO. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
