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Novak Djokovic showed signs of rust as he was forced to fight back from a set down to beat world number 83 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets in the first round of the French Open.
The third seed, who is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, had only played 11 singles matches in 2026 prior to arriving in Paris, including losing in three sets to Dino Prizmic in his only outing on clay.
The 39-year-old was visibly frustrated in the opening two sets as he struggled against the 6ft 7in (2.01m) Frenchman’s serve and ferocious forehand, conceding the first set 7-5 and later wasting nine break points in the second before converting his fourth set point.
That proved the turning point in the match, with Djokovic rattling through the third set in just 22 minutes before closing out the win 5-7 7-5 6-1 6-4.
He will face another home hope, Valentin Royer, in round two on Wednesday.
More to follow.
Los Angeles voters will cast ballots in eight City Council district elections next week, including for two open seats where incumbents are leaving because of term limits.
The contests for the seats being vacated by Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield and Curren Price have drawn large fields of candidates, but the biggest spending has been in the Westside’s District 11, where incumbent Traci Park is facing challenger Faizah Malik, a public interest attorney and one of four council candidates backed by the local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America.
Park has raised $1.3 million, according to the latest campaign finance reports filed Friday, while challenger Faizah Malik reported about $520,000 in contributions. In addition, more than $3 million has been spent in the race by so-called independent expenditure committees that spend money to elect or defeat candidates but which are barred from coordinating their activities with the campaigns.
The district includes Venice, Mar Vista, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades, which was devastated by wildfire in January 2025.
Malik said Friday she is confident heading into the primary election, saying most of her donations are under $100 each, and that she hasn’t taken money from corporations.
Los Angeles City Council candidate Faizah Malik attends a canvassing event March 15 in Westchester.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
“This is what it means to be a grassroots candidate, and it is just more evidence that the people of CD11 believe in our vision for a Westside that is affordable for everyday people,” Malik said.
A Park campaign aide said Park’s haul is indicative of the councilmember’s record of getting results.
“But no one is taking anything for granted,” the aide said in a statement. “We’re working until the final vote is cast because this election will determine whether the Westside keeps moving forward or gets pulled backward into the same failed ideological politics Angelenos are exhausted by.”
Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, center, with members of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City on May 12.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Park has emphasized her advocacy for fire recovery efforts, including pushing for permit fee waivers for residents wanting to rebuild. Malik has said Park has been too focused on single-family homeowners and said she would focus more energy on renters.
They have contrasting views on policing: Malik said she opposes expanding the size of the Los Angeles Police Department and instead supports shifting more resources to the city’s unarmed crisis response program. Park said the Police Department should have about 10,000 sworn officers, up from about 8,700 currently. She voted in favor of a 2023 LAPD contract that gave raises to officers and increased salaries to new hires.
They stand in contrast of each other on the Venice Dell housing development project, which would turn a city lot into 120 housing units for low-income and homeless people. Park opposed the completion and instead wants to turn it into a “mobility hub” and move the housing project to an adjacent lot. Malik, who represented the developer that filed a suit against the city claiming Park and others sought to kill the project, said the project was a motivating factor for her campaign.
Six candidates are vying to replace Councilman Curren Price, who hit the 12-year limit, in District 9. The district includes the Convention Center, USC and communities along the Harbor Freeway.
The candidates vary on key issues, including policing and housing. Estuardo Mazariegos, co-director of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Los Angeles, is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. He has called for reducing the LAPD budget and redirecting funds to other city departments.
Two other candidates — Jorge Hernandez Rosas, an educator, and Jose Ugarte, who previously worked for Price — said they support hiring more police officers. Another hopeful, Elmer Roldan, executive director of Communities in Schools of Los Angeles, said he believes in keeping the LAPD at its current size.
Ugarte, Roldan, Rosas and Martha Sánchez, a therapist, all support enforcing Municipal Code 41.18, which bars homeless encampments near schools and daycare centers. Mazariegos and Jorge Nuño, an entrepreneur, say the code doesn’t solve homelessness and instead just moves people around.
Ugarte has raised the most in contributions of any candidate and has been endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party in the nonpartisan race.
District 3
Three candidates are competing for an open seat in District 3, where Councilmember Bob Blumenfield has termed out of office. The district encompasses Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, Winnetka and Tarzana.
The candidates are Tim Gaspar, who founded an insurance company, Barri Worth Girvan, district director for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, and Christopher Robert “C.R.” Celona, a tech entrepreneur.
The three candidates are similarly positioned on public safety, backing Mayor Karen Bass’ long-term goal to increase the LAPD ranks to at least 9,500 officers. All three also support enforcing Municipal Code section 41.18.
Gaspar and Worth Girvan have both scored key endorsements. Gaspar is backed by Blumenfield, billionaire developer Rick Caruso and Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez, Tim McOsker and John Lee and billionaire developer Rick Caruso. Worth Girvan has endorsements from a long list of state Democratic lawmakers, the county Democratic Party, the Sierra Club and labor unions.
Gaspar leads in campaign contributions, followed by Worth Girvan. Celona, who has promised to resuscitate the city’s entertainment industry by fast-tracking film permits and cutting red tape, trails far behind.
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez faces four challengers in District 1, which stretches from Highland Park on the northeast to University Park on the southwest. She is backed by the local Democratic Socialists of America, and her challengers claim the district has suffered under under her leadership, pointing to MacArthur Park as emblematic of the homelessness and drug addiction crisis plaguing the city.
Hernandez counters with a list of accomplishments, including helping secure a $6.3-million state grant to house homeless individuals near the Arroyo Seco riverbed and advocating for a citywide network of unarmed crisis response teams.
She faces challenges from Maria Lou Calanche, a former Los Angeles police commissioner and founder of the nonprofit Legacy LA; Nelson Grande, an executive consultant and former president of Avenida Entertainment Group; Raul Claros, founder of California Rising; and Sylvia Robledo, a small-business owner and former council aide.
Hernandez’s campaign has also faced an onslaught of accusations of “dark money” spending. A group called Neighbors First has sent mail pieces critical of Hernandez and other leftist City Council candidates.
Incumbent Katy Yaroslavsky faces two challengers for her District 5 seat, both of whom oppose her stance on housing and public safety spending. The district includes some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods, including Bel-Air, Westwood, Cheviot Hills and Hancock Park.
Challengers Henry Mantel, a tenants’ rights lawyer, and Morgan Oyler, an accountant, say Yaroslavsky hasn’t done enough to increase the district’s housing supply. Yaroslavsky, who holds a wide lead in fundraising, has said she supports increasing housing density near transit centers but cautioned against building more than the city can sustain.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who is also backed by the Democratic Socialists of America’s L.A. chapter, faces three challengers in District 13, which includes Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Elysian Valley, Echo Park, Silver Lake and East Hollywood.
The list of challengers includes Colter Carlisle, vice president of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Dylan Kendall, who runs Grow Hollywood, and Rich Sarian, vice president of strategic initiatives for downtown’s South Park Social District.
While Soto-Martínez supports expanding the city’s unarmed personnel program, Carlisle and Kendall would like to expand the police force. Sarian has said he supports the unarmed personnel program and wants to examine the LAPD’s current size and resources.
Incumbent Tim McOsker is facing off against community organizer Jordan River in District 15, which covers Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro, Watts and Wilmington. McOsker has decades of experience in the political world, having worked in the mayor’s office, and the city attorney’s office before joining the City Council in 2022. Rivers, who is unemployed, is a member of the Green Party.
Monica Rodriguez is running unopposed for the District 7 seat in the northeast San Fernando Valley.
Times staff writers David Zahniser, Noah Goldberg and Sandra McDonald contributed to this report.
The evening blended tennis, music and tributes to celebrate his two-decade journey on the professional tour.
Published On 22 May 202622 May 2026
Gael Monfils brought the party to Roland Garros on Thursday, teaming up with his wife Elina Svitolina to win a lively, star-studded exhibition match as he prepared for his final appearance at his home Grand Slam.
The popular Frenchman took centre stage on Court Philippe-Chatrier for “Gael & Friends”, an evening that blended tennis, music and tributes to celebrate his two-decade journey on the professional tour.
The former world number six was joined by an array of leading players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka also featured, alongside Maria Sakkari and rising American talent Iva Jovic, while his former Davis Cup teammates Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet added a nostalgic touch to the occasion.
Monfils and Svitolina capped the night by winning the exhibition event, delighting the Paris crowd in an event filled with laughter, trick shots and playful exchanges replacing the usual tension of a competition.
Monfils won 13 ATP titles and enjoyed memorable runs in Paris, including a semifinal appearance in 2008. He helped France to Davis Cup finals in 2010 and 2014.
While a Grand Slam title eluded him, his impact extended far beyond results and his on-court charisma made him a major drawcard wherever he played.
“Thanks to you all for everything you’ve given me over the years,” the 39-year-old showman said after the exhibition match.
“It’s been a dream of my life. I’ve always given my absolute most. I was never quite good enough to win a Grand Slam. But maybe I won something more important than that — a tennis career I’m proud of.”
Svitolina, who had earlier called her husband “a magician” in a note written to their daughter, was reduced to tears as Monfils lingered on court, soaking up one final ovation.
Monfils will play 25-year-old compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round at Roland Garros next week, his 19th appearance in the main draw at the French Open.
The players’ campaign, which began in late 2025, is being spearheaded by former WTA chairman and chief executive Larry Scott.
The American will be in Paris on Friday for a meeting with French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and FFT president Gilles Moretton.
Meetings are also planned with representatives of the All England Club (AELTC) and the US Tennis Association later in the fortnight.
The players’ action is designed to put pressure on the AELTC, with prize money for Wimbledon not due to be announced for another three weeks.
Last year, the Wimbledon prize fund rose by 7% to £53.5m – double the amount on offer a decade earlier.
Players look enviously, however, at the revenues generated by the Grand Slams and feel entitled to a larger slice of the cake.
The AELTC’s financial statement for the year to July 2025 showed revenue of £427m and profit after tax of £39.7m.
Players have asked the Slams to pay 22% of their revenue in prize money by 2030.
They are also asking that tens of millions of dollars are paid towards pension, healthcare and maternity benefits, and that they are consulted more widely on scheduling and other key decisions.
At this month’s Italian Open, world number one Aryna Sabalenka said she believes players will “at some point” boycott one of the majors.
World number three Iga Swiatek felt that would be a “bit extreme”, but defending French Open champion Coco Gauff said she would support strike action “if everyone were to move as one and collaborate”.
Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner also claimed players are not getting the respect they deserve when it comes to prize money at the majors.
An FFT statement on Wednesday read: “We regret the players’ decision, which impacts all of the tournament’s stakeholders: the media, broadcasters, the FFT and the entire tennis community, all of whom follow each edition of Roland Garros with great enthusiasm.
“The French Tennis Federation recognises the importance of the players’ contribution to the tournament’s success, and wishes to maintain close ties with them.”
The French Open takes place from 24 May to 7 June.
THE UK isn’t short of lidos but a new ‘floating’ swimming pool is opening right by the River Thames next month.
Sea Lanes in Canary Wharf’s Eden Dock will be opening on June 19 and will be a year-round swimming attraction.
The venue is billing itself as “London’s leading destination for open water swimming, health and wellbeing”.
Visitors will be able to dive into a 50-metre-long and 1.3-metre-deep floating swimming pool, with six lanes and then – for after a refreshing dip – there will also be two saunas.
The attraction will feature a clubhouse as well, with year-round wellness events such as talks and members’ socials and a place to grab food and drink.
The first event will be on June 25 and will be an Open Water Masterclass with Olympian Katy Sexton, who will coach swimmers and share pro tips.
Read more on travel inspo
If visitors want to rent a wetsuit, they can do so at a small store too.
The pool will be open from 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 7pm at the weekends.
Visitors can opt for different memberships including the Founder Membership for the first 500 members which costs £75 a month and includes swim and sauna access.
Alternatively, visitors can pay-per-swim, which will cost £10 for a swim session, £10 for a sauna session or £18 for both.
The pool hopes to be able to help swimmers transition from pools to open water.
Joe McNulty, director at Sea Lanes previously said: “Sea Lanes Canary Wharf will be more than just a swimming pool – it will be an urban oasis for health and wellbeing all set within the green and biodiverse waterfront of Eden Dock.”
Taiwan has expressed openness to a direct conversation between US President Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Lai Ching te, following heightened diplomatic attention after Trump’s recent summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The discussion comes amid renewed sensitivity over Taiwan’s political status and security, an issue that remains one of the most contested points in US China relations. During the summit, Taiwan was reportedly discussed, with Xi warning of potential conflict if the issue is not handled carefully.
Trump made several public comments on Taiwan following the meeting, including uncertainty over future arms sales and remarks interpreted as cautious on Taiwan independence.
A direct call between a US president and Taiwan’s leader would be highly significant, as no such conversation has taken place since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Taiwan relies heavily on the United States for security support and arms supplies, making US political signaling on the issue highly consequential for regional stability.
Taiwanese officials said recent remarks had created some uncertainty domestically, even as the government maintains that its core policy position has not changed.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry indicated that it would welcome a direct conversation if the opportunity arises, while also seeking clarity on Washington’s intentions.
Officials emphasized that Taiwan continues to view its relationship with the United States as stable, even amid shifting rhetoric following high level US China engagement.
Taipei reiterated that its political future must be determined by its own population, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The situation reflects the broader strategic competition between United States and China, where Taiwan remains a central geopolitical flashpoint.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Washington maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity, supporting Taiwan’s defense capabilities without formally recognizing it as an independent state.
The possibility of direct engagement between Trump and Lai would represent a notable diplomatic signal, even if symbolic in nature. It would likely be interpreted differently by Washington, Taipei, and Beijing, each of which assigns distinct strategic meaning to Taiwan related communication.
For Taiwan, such contact would reinforce political visibility and strengthen informal ties with its key security partner. For the United States, it could serve as a calibrated message of support while still avoiding formal diplomatic recognition.
However, it also carries escalation risks. Any perceived shift in US Taiwan engagement often triggers strong reactions from Beijing, increasing regional tension.
Overall, the development highlights how Taiwan remains a central pressure point in US China relations, where even limited diplomatic gestures can have outsized geopolitical impact.
With information from Reuters.
Published On 18 May 202618 May 2026
Jannik Sinner has completed the coveted Golden Masters in tennis to become only the second man after Novak Djokovic to win all nine Masters 1000 events, the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams.
Top-ranked Sinner’s 6-4, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final of the Italian Open also made him the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
list of 4 itemsend of list
“There’s no better place to complete this set,” Sinner said after winning the title and accomplishing the feat on the red clay of the Foro Italico in Rome in front of jubilant home fans who finally saw the half-century-long wait come to an end.
“For an Italian, it’s one of the most special places we play tennis in. To win at least once in my career means a lot to me.”
Djokovic completed the career set in 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States at the age of 31 and then went on to win each event at least twice. Sinner is 24, and with his only real rival, Carlos Alcaraz, currently sidelined due to a right wrist injury, he is proving hard to beat.
“Welcome to the exclusive club, Jannik,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.
Sinner extended his winning streak to 29 matches. He hasn’t lost since being beaten by Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open quarterfinals on February 19 . And he’s now 17-0 on clay this year as he is poised to enter the French Open, which starts on Sunday.
Sinner celebrated calmly as usual, revealing a wide smile when he landed an inside-out forehand on the line on his first championship point, then held his hands over his head in apparent relief. Then he waved to the crowd, which included former Italian professional tennis player Adriano Panatta sitting in the front row.
“Adriano, after 50 years, we’ve won back a very important trophy,” Sinner told the 75-year-old Panatta, who participated in the trophy ceremony.
Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam that Sinner hasn’t won. He has two Australian Open titles and has won Wimbledon and the US Open once each.
Sinner’s triumph came – also with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in attendance – after he lost last year’s final in Rome to Alcaraz in his first tournament back after a three-month doping ban. That defeat came a day after Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman to win the Rome singles title in 40 years. She also claimed the doubles trophy with Sara Errani.
With many of Sinner’s fans dressed in orange – his theme colour, which matches his curly hair – the capacity crowd of 10,500 on Campo Centrale created a football-style atmosphere with chanting and loud cheers for the player who has become far and away Italy’s most popular athlete.
After several key points, the crowd erupted into a cheer of “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole; Sin-ner, Sin-ner.” Then there was more chanting during the trophy presentation.
Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian tennis federation, suggested that even if there was a 25,000-seat centre court in Rome – bigger than the US Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis arena – it would have been full.
Sinner overcame exhaustion to beat Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals in a rain-delayed match that required two days to finish. But there were no signs of fatigue against the 25th-ranked Ruud, who has been one of the circuit’s top clay-court players for years.
Ruud reached two finals at Roland Garros, losing to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and Djokovic in 2023. But the Norwegian wasted an early break and a 2-0 advantage at the start of the first set against Sinner, who quickly broke back and then broke again towards the end of the set with the help of three key drop shots – two of which were so well-placed that Ruud didn’t even run for them.
A big backhand winner up the line gave Sinner another break in the opening game of the second set.
Sinner improved to 5-0 in his career against Ruud.
“What you’re doing this year, it’s hard to describe in words,” Ruud told Sinner during the trophy ceremony. “It’s really an honour to watch you play. … Congratulations for making history.”
It was an extra special day for the host nation after Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori became the first Italian duo to win the men’s doubles title in Rome since 1960.
Bolelli and Vavassori beat Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (8), 6-7 (3), 10-3.
For both the singles and doubles finals, there was a packed crowd watching on a jumbo screen on the statue-lined court of the Nicola Pietrangeli Stadium next to Campo Centrale.
Elina Svitolina beat Coco Gauff in the women’s singles title match on Saturday.
It’s now official. You can call Chatsworth a 12-time City Section volleyball champion after the Chancellors won the Open Division championship on Saturday night, knocking off West Valley League rival Granada Hills 24-26, 25-21, 25-14, 25-18.
Noa Beauregard led Chatsworth with 14 kills and Grant Chang had 13.
Coach Sina Aghassy got his team to settle down and dominate the Highlanders after their first-set defeat. The two teams had split their league matches.
Both schools will move on to the state tournament next week, with pairings announced on Sunday.
Sylmar 4, Chatsworth 3: The No. 1-seeded Spartans survived a three-run seventh inning by Chatsworth to advance to the City Section Division I semifinals against Verdugo Hills on Wednesday at Stengel Field. Tim Sepulveda had two hits.
Verdugo Hills 8, Sun Valley Poly 2: Jered Smith hit a grand slam in the sixth inning to help the Dons reach the City Division I semifinals.
Taft 11, Cleveland 0: The Toreadors advanced to the Division I semifinal behind Sebastian Gamez, who threw the shutout. Nate Swinson had two hits and two RBIs.
Venice 7, Palisades 6: The Gondoliers earned a match against Taft in the Division I semifinals. Darius Basco’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh won it. Miguel Medina threw three scoreless innings of relief.
La Habra 6, Murrieta Mesa 4: Rylee Gruener hit a grand slam during a five-run inning to enable La Habra to eliminate top-seeded Murrieta Mesa in the Division I playoffs. Alyssa Hernandez added three hits.
Orange Lutheran 17, Chino Hills 14: In a wild Division 1 playoff game, Sierra Nichols and Madelyn Armendariz each had four hits for Orange Lutheran, with Armendariz getting three doubles. Nichols, Rylee Silva and Eliza Johnson hit home runs. Brett Lambrecht had five RBIs for Chino Hills.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 8, Oaks Christian 5: The Mission League champions advanced behind freshman pitcher Ainsley Jenkins, who came in and provided three innings of three-hit relief pitching. Nadia Ledon, Keira Luderer and Ellayne Tellez-Perez hit home runs.
Norco 8, Riverside Poly 2: The No. 2-seeded Cougars were led by Savannah Gonzalez, who had three hits, including a home run. Coral Williams struck out 13. Camryn May and Sadie Burroughs also had three hits.
Before arriving for his high-stakes summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, United States President Donald Trump aimed to set expectations high.
He said he would urge Xi to “open up” China’s economy and announced a delegation of top business executives, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, to accompany him.
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As Trump and Xi prepare to wrap up two days of meetings on Friday, the expectations for their summit’s outcome among observers generally are modest at best.
While Trump and Xi are anticipated to extend the one-year pause in their trade war agreed to in South Korea in October, the expectations are for a stabilisation – not revitalisation – in ties between the world’s two largest economies, which are locked in a rivalry that spans everything from trade and artificial intelligence to the status of Taiwan.
“It is important to be clear-eyed about the state of relations here,” Claire E Reade, a senior counsel at Arnold & Porter who previously worked on China at the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), told Al Jazeera.
“China does not trust the US, and China wants to beat the US in what it sees as long-term global competition,” Reade said.
“This limits what can be agreed.”
While Trump and Xi have yet to announce the final contours of any trade agreement, the US side has flagged various business deals in the pipeline.
In a pre-recorded interview with Fox News that aired on Thursday, Trump said that China would invest “hundreds of billions of dollars” in companies run by the CEOs in his delegation, without providing further details.
Trump also said that Beijing had agreed to purchase US oil and 200 Boeing aircraft.
Trump administration officials have said that the sides are also discussing the establishment of a “Board of Investment” to manage investments between the countries.
“A realistic ‘opening up’ of the Chinese market would likely focus first on sectors where the economic complementarity is most obvious,” Taiyi Sun, an associate professor of political science at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, told Al Jazeera.
“Agricultural goods such as soybeans and beef, as well as high-value-added manufacturing products like Boeing aircraft, are natural areas for expansion because they match existing Chinese demand with American export strengths.”
Sun said a “gradual” opening for US firms in sectors such as financial services could also be possible.
“But those areas are politically and institutionally more sensitive inside China, so progress would likely be incremental rather than immediate,” he said.
Gabriel Wildau, a senior vice president at global business advisory firm Teneo, said both sides will be seeking to address supply-chain vulnerabilities exposed by their trade war.
“The Iran war has likely increased the US’s vulnerability to export controls on rare earths, given the need to rebuild the munition stocks depleted in that war,” Wildau told Al Jazeera.
“Washington will therefore be willing to offer tariff relief – or at least assurances not to impose new tariffs – in exchange for Beijing’s commitment to keep rare earth exports flowing.”
While Trump and Xi agreed to roll back some trade barriers at their summit in South Korea, US-Chinese business and trade remain severely constrained after a decade of tit-for-tat economic salvoes between the sides.
The average US tariff on Chinese goods stood at 47.5 percent after the South Korea summit, up from 3.1 percent before Trump’s first term, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
China’s average tariff on US goods stood at 31.9 percent, up from 8.4 percent in 2018, according to the think tank.
Two-way goods trade amounted to about $415bn in 2025, down sharply from its 2022 peak of $690bn.
Carsten Holz, an expert on the Chinese economy at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said China has less incentive to make concessions to the US than before, amid the rise of its domestic industries.
“Across many industrial sectors, PRC [People’s Republic of China] firms hold leading or controlling positions,” Holz told Al Jazeera.
“As a result, the PRC economy has little to gain from opening further to the US and is likely to only offer largely symbolic gestures.”
Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore, voiced similar sentiments about the limits of US leverage.
“Basically, Trump expects China to buy more stuff from America and let US companies operate more freely in China,” Elms told Al Jazeera.
“What is he offering?” Elms said. “Very little, largely because Trump sees the bilateral relationship as one where the US has been fair and China has not.”
Reade, the former USTR official, said Xi would not agree to any measures that “harm Chinese interests in any way.”
“Instead, China will potentially give the US no-cost ‘gifts,’” Reade said, suggesting such measures could include the removal of trade barriers it placed on US beef.
“It may buy US goods it needs,” Reade said.
“If it allows purchases of US tech products, it will only be because it needs them right now,” she added, “But this does not interfere with China’s strategic plans to eliminate dependence on US technology over the longer term.”
Jannik Sinner has broken Novak Djokovic’s all-time record of successive match wins at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments by recording the 32nd straight victory of his historic streak to reach the Italian Open semi-finals.
The Italian world number one overpowered 12th seed Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 to continue his bid to join Djokovic as only the second man to win all nine Masters 1000 titles – the sport’s highest level below the Grand Slams.
Sinner, 24, appears in unstoppable form before the French Open – the only major standing between him and a career Grand Slam – begins on 24 May.
He has joined Spanish great Rafael Nadal as the only other man to reach semi-finals at each of the first five Masters 1000 events in a season, and will face Russian Daniil Medvedev for a place in the showpiece final.
Seventh seed Medvedev lost the first five games against Spanish lucky loser Martin Landaluce as he conceded the opening set in just 26 minutes, but battled back to win 1-6 6-4 7-5 and reach his first semi-final in the clay-court swing.
“I don’t play for records. I play just for my own story,” Sinner told the crowd.
“At the same time, it means a lot to me. But tomorrow is another opponent, in different conditions – it’s a night match.
“Now the highest priority for me is trying to recover as much as I can physically.
“Emotionally it takes a lot playing here at home. At the same time, I’ll definitely try to do my best. It’s a win-win situation for me in any case. It was a good day today.”
A match at the Italian Open is halted for almost 20 minutes by smoke from fireworks after the Coppa Italia final at the neighbouring Stadio Olimpico.
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It is seeking to open three bases in the south of the Arctic territory, according to multiple officials familiar with the talks.
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00:47, 12 May 2026Updated 00:49, 12 May 2026
Greggs has more than 2,500 branches in the UK(Image: SWNS)
Greggs is set to open its first overseas branch — in Tenerife.
The bakery chain says it will offer British tourists arriving on the island “a slice of home” with the shop, which will be tailored to the local setting, serving Spanish Omelette Rolls and freshly squeezed orange juice. The store will also feature seating for up to 92 customers.
British holidaymakers are known for taking familiar comforts abroad, from teabags to tins of baked beans. Soon, travellers heading through Tenerife will not need to pack their own sausage rolls though, as the branch will open at Tenerife South Airport later this month.
Greggs, which has more than 2,500 locations across the UK, described the airport as “the ideal location to test spreading our wings in an overseas setting.” It follows in the success of Wetherspoons, which opened its first pub in continental Europe — Castell de Santa Bàrbera — in Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport last December.
READ MORE: ‘I’m a London tour guide – Americans always want to try one food but nowhere does it well’READ MORE: Scots Greggs closed down after rat caught rummaging through stock
Tenerife South Airport sees around 13 million passengers each year, with roughly half travelling to and from the UK. Greggs’ outlet there will target tourists with its best-known baked goods and sweet treats, including sausage rolls and doughnuts.
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie said the airport’s large number of British and international visitors made it the perfect place to trial the brand overseas. She added that the company was excited to bring “a slice of home” to the Canary Islands and believed its affordable range would prove just as popular in Spain as it is in Britain.
Located in the departures area, the bakery is intended to give travellers a final taste of home before flying back to the UK. Greggs said it would offer customers “the perfect way to round off a trip without breaking the bank.”
The branch is opening in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, which operates more than 5,000 stores worldwide. Lagardère chief executive Javier Cagigal said the company was pleased to bring such a well-loved British brand to Tenerife. He said the new store would provide passengers with a familiar and comforting option before their journey home, whether they wanted a quick snack, a final treat or a place to relax before boarding.
GREGGS is opening its first bakery outside the UK in nearly 20 years – meaning Brits will be able to get the famous sausage roll while on holiday.
It will be the first Greggs opening in Spain, as it is set to welcome passengers at Tenerife South Airport later this month.
Partnering with Lagardere Travel Retail, it will be the first international outlet for the bakery since 2008, when it last had stores in Belgium.
The new opening will be in the departures side of the airport, and will “test to spreading our wings in an overseas setting”.
An official opening date is yet to be confirmed but it will have all of the classics as well as some local dishes.
This includes a Spanish Omelette Roll, which will be alongside hot bakes, sweet snacks and sandwiches.
Read more on new openings
The bakery, which originated in Newcastle, said the location made it the “perfect way to round off a trip without breaking the bank”.
Tenerife South Airport is popular with Brits, where around 50 per cent of the annual 13million holidaymakers are from the UK.
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie said: “Tenerife South Airport is a hub for millions of UK and international passengers each year, making it the ideal location to test spreading our wings in an overseas setting.
“It’s an exciting milestone for Greggs as we bring a slice of home to the Canaries, and we’re confident our great-value offering will resonate just as well under the Spanish sun as it does on the UK high street.”
Javier Cagigal, chief executive of Lagardere Travel Retail Spain and Portugal, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Greggs to bring such a well-loved brand into Tenerife South Airport for the very first time.
“As passengers head home, this new opening gives them a familiar, comforting choice in departures – whether that’s a last treat, a relaxed sit-down moment or something to ease the journey home.”
Earlier this year, Wetherspoons also opened its first ever pub in mainland Europe.
Having launched at Alicante Airport, there are now plans to open at Barcelona El-Prat Airport in September, followed by a second next year.
I’M dancing in the midday sun, frozen margarita in hand, while the DJ plays top tunes to complement the incredibly beautiful Bahamian backdrop.
I’m at the new Royal Beach Club, on Paradise Island, a private party pad in the Bahamas owned by cruise company Royal Caribbean.
This 17-acre stretch includes three differently-themed areas and the world’s largest swim-up bar.
And the beach club is exclusively for passengers travelling on board Royal Caribbean ships.
It’s booked similarly to a cruise excursion, and the £126 fee buys you food, and drink all day, as well as access to three temperature- controlled pools and two huge white-sand beaches.
For those who don’t want alcoholic drinks, it’s £96.
Transfer to the club from ships docked at Bahamian capital Nassau are by bright-pink water taxi — ours was dubbed Flirty Flamingo.
After a few daiquiris by lunchtime, we were loving the upbeat atmosphere, with a real Las Vegas pool-party vibe.
As well as the Party Cove — by far the liveliest zone on the island — there is the Family Beach, designed with kids in mind.
The pool is perfect for younger children who want to play in shallow water and there is live music, and games, so parents can have fun, too.
For those who would rather kick back with a book and a beer, the Chill Beach is more relaxed.
But most come here to party and, with ten bars dotted around the island, it’s very easy to do that.
The food didn’t disappoint either.
Each area has an island grill, serving Bahamian favourites like coconut shrimp and jerk chicken.
After a day dancing in the sun, we were grateful to be able to amble on to one of the multi- coloured ferries back to the ship.
We were sailing on the 18-deck Wonder of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise vessels — and there was plenty on board to keep us busy, including 20 restaurants, five live shows, a surf simulator, zipline and ten-storey slide.
The ship is capable of hosting almost 7,000 passengers, in its 2,600 cabins.
Our balcony stateroom was bright and breezy, with the benefit of some outside space.
While there are plenty of venues for you to enjoy the tasty included dining, we splashed out on one of my favourite venues that come at an extra cost.
Seafood restaurant Hooked is around £36 extra per person if booked in advance, but is definitely worth it.
Delicious menu options included Alaskan salmon, Maine lobster and freshly shucked oysters, as well as a fantastic surf-and-turf.
After dinner, we managed to get a seat at the popular inTENse show, whose all-female performers include synchronised swimmers, acrobats and martial-arts specialists.
With a larger ship, the challenge can sometimes be getting your bearings, but on Wonder of the Seas the eight “neighbourhoods” mean you quickly get into the swing of things.
My favourites included Central Park, a serene open-air courtyard, adorned with trees and plants; The Boardwalk, a fun, fairground-themed zone; and the Royal Promenade, a social space with shops, bars and restaurants.
It’s easy to see why a Royal Caribbean cruise appeals to a wide range of holidaymakers.
Whether you are cruising as a family, a couple or with friends, there is a lot of fun to be had.
The karaoke lounge is a must — even if you don’t want to roll out your inner Jane McDonald.
The entertainment value for the audience here is high — with some very interesting performances from guests that have been sipping rum punch all afternoon.
There is more fun to be had off the ship, too.
All Royal Caribbean cruises to the Bahamas also stop at the cruise line’s own private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is included in the cost.
The perks included with your cruise continue on the island, too.
If you want a break from sunning yourself by the turquoise sea, you can also embrace your inner kid at the Thrill Waterpark, which does come at an extra cost.
Here, you can take on the third-highest waterslide on the planet.
This tube-slide is shockingly fast, with riders hurtling down at more than 30mph — taking just seconds to splash-land.
Which is a lot faster than it takes to climb the 255 steps to get to the top.
Back on the Wonder of the Seas, guests can take advantage of their last night at sea with the bars, pools and decks full of life.
With lots of fun things to see and do on board — and now with the Royal Beach Club giving you even more fun on land — a Royal cruise definitely offers the best of all worlds.
GETTING THERE: Virgin Atlantic fly daily to Miami from Heathrow with return fares from £548.
See virginatlantic.com.
ALL ABOARD: A three-night full-board sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas is from £343pp, based on departure from Miami on September 25, 2026.
Includes calls at Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
For details see royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en.
Dick Advocaat could make a surprise return as head coach of the Curacao national team after his successor Fred Rutten resigned just a month out from their World Cup debut.
Advocaat made history last November when he led the Caribbean island to the finals but stepped down three months later because of his daughter’s health.
Throughout Rutten’s short tenure, which included defeats to China and Australia in March, Curacao’s football federation (FFK) has been under pressure from players and sponsors to reinstate Advocaat.
On Friday, the FFK put its full support behind 63-year-old Rutten, stating he “will represent Curacao as national head coach during the World Cup”.
However, just three days later, following “open and constructive” talks, Rutten has departed, saying: “A climate that damages professional relationships among players and staff must not be allowed to emerge. It is prudent to step back. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward.”
Reports in the Dutch media suggest Advocaat, 78, is open to returning to his former role following improvements in his daughter’s health.
Should he return, he will become the oldest coach in World Cup history.
Curacao, the smallest country to qualify for a World Cup, face Germany on 14 June in their Group E opener, with further matches against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Voters in California may get a chance to remake the state’s open primary system in two years.
Political consultant Steve Maviglio filed an application Friday with state officials that seeks to alter California’s voting system by reverting to a traditional primary. Under the proposal, the top candidates from each party would advance to the general election in November.
The current system allows the top two candidates, regardless of party, to move on to the runoff. That has led to instances in which two Democrats or two Republicans have faced off in the general election.
The state’s gubernatorial election, for example, has prompted concern that two Republicans could shut out the Democratic candidates. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton have polled high in various surveys and are facing a large field of Democrats.
Democratic voters vastly outnumber Republicans in California, yet some political consultants said they feared there were so many Democrats running that voters wouldn’t coalesce around one candidate and the field would be split. Those fears have eased somewhat in recent months as some Democratic candidates advance from the pack.
The state’s top-two primary system has been in place since California voters passed Proposition 14 in 2010. The goal was to help end partisan gridlock in Sacramento and force candidates in primaries to appeal to a wider range of voters, rather than just those in their own party.
Proposition 14, as well as the state’s once-a-decade redistricting process, has led to some dramatic races, including the 2012 face-off between Democratic Reps. Brad Sherman and Howard Berman for a congressional seat in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Amid aspersions and attack ads, the pair nearly came to blows at a community debate.
Maviglio described the ballot measure as a simple repeal of Proposition 14, and said he was inspired by the governor’s race.
“It was extremely scary to envision the November ballot for governor with Republicans on it,” Maviglio said.
The New York Times first reported on the ballot measure proposal.
A news release from Maviglio states that the proposed repeal of Prop. 14 “is fueled by concerns that California’s primaries are disenfranchising a majority of California voters by limiting choice to candidates from one party.”
A website for the effort includes criticisms of the current primary system by Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks and Ron Nehring, former chairman of the California Republican Party.
Maviglio’s ballot initiative proposes to appear on the 2028 ballot and take effect in 2030.
Talk of changing Proposition 14 has been swirling in Sacramento for months.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber told reporters at an unrelated news conference last week that she had voted years ago against Proposition 14. She questioned whether it had actually succeeded in creating more diversity.
“I did not like the open primary,” Weber said. “I didn’t think it would solve any problems. They had a list of problems it would solve, and none of those have been solved.”
May 10 (UPI) — Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday the Trump administration is “open” to the possibility of suspending the federal tax on gasoline sales as prices spike amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Wright said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press he and Trump are “open to all ideas” to lower energy prices, including following the lead of some U.S. states in temporarily shelving taxes on gas at the pump amid the price surge.
“All measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans, this administration is in support of,” he said. “We are constantly looking for different ideas.”
Citing previous measures such as releasing oil from the U.S. strategic petroleum reserves and “revising federal regulations on summer gasoline blends to make it easier for American refineries to produce more gasoline,” Wright said the suspension of the 18-cents-per-gallon federal tax on gas is also on the table.
“We are working every day to offset this rise in prices because of a critical conflict in Iran to drive prices down, and we’re open to all such ideas,” he said.
Wright’s comments came as the average national price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline stood at $4.52 per gallon as of Sunday, according to the Automobile Association of America.
U.S. drivers have seen sharp increases in pump prices in recent weeks after Iran blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway connecting Persian Gulf oil and natural gas producers with world markets.
The move came in retaliation to a wave U.S.-Israeli bombing attacks on Iran beginning Feb. 28, which Washington and Tel Aviv claim were necessary to prevent the imminent development of a nuclear weapon by Iran’s rulers.
The price of regular gas last week surged 25 cents for the second consecutive week to $4.55 — $1.40 higher than they were a year ago and marking their highest level since 2022, the AAA reported.
Crude oil prices have dipped below $100 per barrel while a fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran has been in place and negotiations to reopen the Strait have been ongoing. But with global oil supplies tightening, upwards pressure on pump prices continues.
In a separate appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday, Wright refused to predict were gas prices were heading.
“I don’t know the future of gas prices,” he said while admitting that “gasoline and diesel prices are up, and they will remain up while this conflict’s in place, and then they will come back down.
“And, ultimately, they’ll come back down lower than they were before.”
It’s hard to believe, as Matt Damon noted in his monologue in this week’s “Saturday Night Live,” that the actor of this summer’s “The Odyssey” has only guest hosted three times during his lengthy career. (In case you’re wondering, his frequent writing and acting partner Ben Affleck has hosted five times.)
That’s a shame because Damon checks all the boxes for what an A-list actor should do when they host the show: be super present, take every opportunity to do the silliest sketches without seeming uncomfortable, and bring at least some of their acting chops to bear to give otherwise lightweight sketches a little extra gravitas or emotion.
Damon did all that and helped start the show off with an extra jolt of energy by returning as Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the cold open, along with last week’s ringer, Aziz Ansari as FBI Director Kash Patel.
Not every sketch worked, like an early Godzilla parody set in a command center that was simply a series of increasingly anticipated spit takes on poor Mikey Day. Things improved when Damon played himself in a pre-taped sketch about a movie made just for moms ahead of Mother’s Day; mom’s fantasy? No conflict among the kids and a blissful marriage to Matt Damon.
Damon also played one of a trio of middle-aged men (including Marcello Hernández and Kenan Thompson) constantly getting beat up by “tough guys” who are sometimes just children. He also played a frustrated dad in a strange cat litter commercial, a substitute teacher trying to get a classroom of students to dance (unsuccessfully) and, memorably, an auctioneer in a fight with his auctioneer wife (Sarah Sherman). In these sketches in particular, Damon’s acting skills helped elevate the characters he played, grounding them in sadness or frustration. It definitely helped.
The “Odyssey” might turn out to be the summer’s biggest movie hit. If that’s the case, let’s hope Matt Damon isn’t kept from hosting “SNL” for so long after this week’s solid job.
Musical guest Noah Kahan performed “The Great Divide” and “Doors.”
At Martin’s Tavern in Washington, D.C., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Colin Jost) returned yet again to shout-bark at those around him, brag about the Iran War he claims he started and, of course, talk about drinking alcohol. But this time, he was joined by his apparent drinking buddy Kavanaugh, who held a gavel and immediately ordered a “six-three decision” (six beers, three shots of Jameson whiskey). Glowing in their victories, Hegseth bellowed, “Can you believe I just started a war?” Kavanaugh replied, “Can you believe I ended abortion? Your body, my choice!” Kavanaugh went on to show off what at first looked like a dinosaur-shaped district map for Tennessee before revealing it’s his field sobriety test, when he was asked to draw a circle. Kavanaugh bemoaned the male loneliness crisis just before they were joined by Patel, who cried, “Does this bar take Kaaaaash?” Patel showed off the bourbon that bears his name. (“Somehow this is a real thing that I, the FBI director, have made. This is real!”) Kavanaugh revealed a secret: that the court is going to let Trump do a third term. “Trump found the original Constitution and on the end, he wrote, ‘Psych!’ ” The three ended the sketch by singing Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumbing” with its callouts of their drink orders.
Damon previewed his upcoming film, even though he had to mention several times that “The Odyssey” won’t be out for another nine weeks. He also had to break the news that the lovely “SNL” tradition of bringing on moms of cast members wouldn’t be happening this year due to Spirit Airlines shutting down. It turns out, after an audience member (“SNL” writer Jack Bensinger) asks, that only Hernández’s mom was able to make it. Damon then recorded a video message to moms out there for anyone who didn’t get a gift for them. “You deserve a night out… nine weekends from now,” he said, suggesting the movie would make a great date night.
A sketch as gimmicky as this one — in which the premise is two auctioneers (Damon and Sherman) are having a marriage-ending fight — only works if the performers are up to the task, and luckily both Damon and Sherman navigated the super-fast dialogue expertly and without looking like they were eyeing cue cards the entire time. The two went back and forth, auctioneering a discussion about weight, infidelity, drinking, their sex life and, eventually, terms of their divorce in front of their four young sons (who, adorably, hold up little numbered signs. Yes, they were played by adult cast members.). Even for “SNL” and for the last-sketch-of-the-night slot, it was a bold sketch for live TV and Damon and Sherman expertly walked the tightrope on this one.
“SNL” is no stranger to spiky sketch comedy takes on motherhood: remember “Mom Jeans?” For this year’s Mother’s Day take, it presented “Mom: The Movie,” a film devoid of conflict or dramatic tension because “Moms have enough stress. Why not let them feel good for a day?” Ashley Padilla plays the mom in the film, enjoying argument-free time with her kids (Jeremy Culhane, Tommy Brennan and Veronika Slowikowska), who only deliver good news. She’s married to Matt Damon, making her Rhonda Damon, and they met when he noticed her giant turquoise necklace after a movie screening. The film is streaming where moms are expected to find it: on HomeGoods Plus.
This week’s “Update” featured three guest segments. Hernández and Day played kamikaze dolphins who work for the government, giving them a sense of porpoise (their joke, not mine). Jane Wickline expressed her anger at people caring that she’s always late in a funny musical rant. But Culhane’s return as Tucker Carlson continued a dead-on impersonation that covered several topics, including the Met Gala’s wild outfits, the new Michael Jackson biopic, and why eating round bananas is less gay than eating traditionally shaped ones. Culhane’s impression is a thing of beauty, and this time it leaned harder into Carlson’s tendency to express things from a very white point of view. In describing ASAP Rocky’s pink robe from the Met Gala, he said the performer was, “Wearing my least favorite color … African-American.”
The waterpark has a huge variety of slides(Image: Splashdown Waterpark Quaywest )
With its twisting maze of colourful slides that overlook the sea, Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark looks like it could be part of a Mediterranean resort.
But you don’t need to head to the airport to enjoy the resort’s 18 waterslides, heated pool, or kid-friendly splash park. You’ll find it perched on the sands of the English Riviera. Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark is set on Goodrington Sands in Paignton, Devon, a hugely popular seaside resort that often has milder weather than the rest of the UK thanks to the Riviera’s microclimate.
From twisting tyre rides to the 65ft vertical Devil’s Drop, the waterpark has a wide variety of rides to try, depending on how brave you are. The Screamer is a short yet intense slide that pushes you through like a bullet at a 60-degree angle, while Wild Kamikaze is 60-metres long and has three steep drops one after another, which is bound to get your adrenaline going.
For younger kids, there’s Shipwreck Island, a pirate-themed interactive water play zone that has seven gentle waterslides, a tipping bucket, and lots of other kid-friendly features. There’s also a 20 metre long heated swimming pool, cafés, and restaurants, so there’s everything you need for a day out.
The waterpark re-opened last weekend, and at the moment is only open for weekends. However, it’ll be open daily from 10am to 5pm during half-term, and for extended hours in July and August. You can book tickets in advance for slots from two to four hours, or all-day admission from £31 for an adult ticket.
Many visitors combine their trip to the waterpark with some time on the beach at Goodrington. This Blue Flag beach has a stretch of soft golden sand that goes on for half a mile, and its waters are clear and shallow for paddling and swimming. Its promenade is part of the popular South West Coast Path, and you’ll find stalls selling pastries and ice cream, pubs, and hotels along this stretch.
Follow the path north and you can walk along Roundham Head, a popular coastal walking spot offering spectacular views of the English Riviera and pretty parkland trails. Further on, you’ll get to Paignton Beach, another Devon destination attracts the crowds on sunny days. Take a trip to Paignton Pier for wholesome family-fun such as fairground rides, noisy amusements, and dinosaur-themed adventure golf.
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Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is another fun day out for families, and is home to over 1,600 animals including giraffes, flamingos, tigers, and gorillas, all housed in enclosures that match their natural habitat. It also features a vast colourful botanical garden with over 1,600 species of plants that change with the seasons making it an incredible place to visit year-round.
From Paignton, you can also hop on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and chug along the coast in a vintage train. Combine your train ride with a trip on an old-fashioned paddle steamer and you can explore the coast from dry land before heading to sea to spot sights such as waterfront castles and Agatha Christie’s former holiday home which overlooks the River Dart.
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