37 h. ago US and China seek to project power with huge and expensive aircraft carriers

China launches £5.4bn ship capable of carrying 60 aircraft that Beijing values as much for maintaining its global influence as for its use in warfare In port, the 80,000-tonne Fujian aircraft carrier would be impossible to miss. More than 300 metres long and capable of carrying about 60 aircraft, the £5.4bn super-vessel places China second among the world’s navies, with three aircraft carriers, though still a long way behind the global leader, the US, which has 11.Yet for all the great power projection of the new warship, nearly 5,000 miles away from its home port another conflict appears to suggest size may not matter. In the Black Sea, Ukraine achieved an extraordinary military success by inflicting a “functional defeat” on Russia’s naval fleet using swarms of skilfully targeted sea drones. Continue reading...

Transport

50 h. ago Independent film festival in New York cancelled after China puts pressure on directors

Directors ask for their films not to be shown at IndieChina festival, which was due to launch this weekendAn independent film festival due to start in New York this weekend has been cancelled after several film-makers pulled out due to harassment from the Chinese authorities, raising concerns about transnational repression.The inaugural IndieChina film festival was planned to take place between 8 and 15 November. But on 5 November, the festival’s curator, Zhu Rikun, posted on Facebook that he had been forced to cancel 80% of the planned screenings because film-makers had pulled out. Continue reading...

Events

54 h. ago ‘Drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping’: the lawless rush for rare earth minerals in Venezuela

Guerrilla groups have seized control of mining areas, exploiting Indigenous people and fuelling environmental ruin on the border with ColombiaFor months, Brig Gen Rafael Olaya Quintero, commander of the Orinoco naval force, has been chasing tin and coltan traffickers across the waterways at Colombia’s border with Venezuela.His mission has become more urgent since the global shift towards clean energy has generated an unprecedented rush for rare earth elements and critical minerals. These materials are vital components in electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, fighter jets and guided missiles, with demand also driven by increased defence budgets in the EU, US and China, and throughout the world. Continue reading...

Events

54 h. ago China’s latest aircraft carrier enters service to extend reach into high seas

Experts say hi-tech Fujian will help expand country’s military influence and reach farther beyond its own watersChina’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier officially entered service this week, signalling a new era in Chinese military expansion after a ceremony overseen by the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, state media has confirmed.The Fujian is China’s first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, and the third for China’s rapidly expanding navy, which is already the world’s biggest by ship count. Continue reading...

Transport

65 h. ago Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner – other single mothers

Posts from women seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities are appearing on social mediaAs divorce rates rise and the cost of living bites, single mothers in China are searching for a new kind of partner: each other.Across social media are posts from harried mothers seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago China, world's top carbon pollutor, likely to overdeliver on climate goals. Will that be enough?

Experts say China is likely to exceed its modest climate goals, but question if it will be enough to help the world curb warming

Society

3 d. ago Trump brought up jailed media mogul Jimmy Jai’s case in meeting with China’s Xi ‘as he said he would’

Trump did not discuss a specific deal to free Lai but spoke more broadly about concerns surrounding the 77-year-old publishing mogul's health and well-being

Politics

6 d. ago Monday at the International Open Snooker: Prize money, order of play, format, results, when are Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins playing?

The world’s best snooker players are in China this week.

Politics

9 d. ago Donald Trump's nuclear move branded 'nonsensical' by former Navy officer amid WW3 fears

As President Donald Trump announces America's first nuclear tests since 1992, there are fears he could trigger a new nuclear arms race with China, Russia, and the rest of the world

Events

9 d. ago The Latest: Trump administration limits refugee admissions to mostly white South Africans

The Trump administration is restricting the number of refugees it admits into the country to 7,500 and they will mostly be white South Africans

Events

1 week ago International Open Snooker 2025: Prize money, schedule, format, is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing?

The world’s best snooker players are heading to China this week.

Politics

1 week ago Donald Trump eases China tariffs as nations agree trade war truce

The meeting on Thursday looked like an attempt to reset the U.S.-China narrative

Politics

1 week ago Trump orders restart of nuclear weapons testing moments before face

The American president said: ‘With others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also’

Events

1 week ago Trump calls China’s Xi Jinping ‘a tough negotiator’ ahead of meeting amid escalating trade tensions and fragile global markets

High-stakes sit-down follows months of tensions and tariff threats over China’s rare earth export controls

Politics

1 week ago ‘Why do we have to wait?’: Tony Popovic puts no limits on what Socceroos can achieve | Joey Lynch

The Australia head coach insists the time is now for the emerging side to rise above expectations and ‘go very far’ at a men’s World CupWhen Tony Popovic was finally able to assemble his first Socceroos squad, the new coach laid out a series of expectations. Most were clear and to the point – ideal given the upheaval surrounding his sudden arrival, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mentality to earn, or continue to earn, that honour. But there was another message. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago The Latest: Air strikes, ICE crackdown and shutdown continue with Trump in Asia

U.S. President Donald Trump has met with Japan’s newly elected, ultraconservative leader in Tokyo during one of the busiest days of his Asia trip

Events

1 week ago Mark Williams reveals why he won't move to Dubai like Judd Trump as he quits tournament

The three-time world champion has pulled out of the International Championship in China next month.

Politics

1 week ago Trump reveals where his relationship with Elon Musk stands after public falling

The president and former DOGE boss appear to have patched things up, months after a very public feud

Politics

1 week ago Trump interrupts Asia trip to go on new Tylenol and childhood vaccines rant

Trump’s furious post comes just a month after a national autism charity claimed that he was pedalling ‘pseudo-science’

Politics

1 week ago Trump meets with Japanese emperor and says he may sign China

The president’s Asia tour began on Sunday in Malaysia with a swirl of activity, including announcing another ‘historic peace deal plus U.S. sanctions on Russia and trade penalties against Canada

Politics