17 h. ago Xiao Guodong and Zhao Xintong continue Chinese charge at World Championship

Xiao followed compatriot Lei Peifan into the last 16 after completing a 10-4 victory over qualifier Matt Selt.

Politics

17 h. ago Zhao Xintong is new Stephen Hendry and WILL be a world champion say snooker heroes

Whirlwind Jimmy White has been blown away by the Cyclone on his return to the Crucible

Politics

30 h. ago Kyren Wilson crashes out at Crucible as Lei Peifan leads Chinese charge

Defending champion loses first-round thriller 10-9Debutant Lei and Xiao exemplify China’s fine startKyren Wilson became the latest victim of snooker’s Crucible curse after a shock defeat on the opening day of the World Snooker Championship at the hands of Chinese sensation Lei Peifan – underlining the belief many have that this could finally be the year China crowns its first champion of the world.Not since snooker’s most prestigious event moved to Sheffield in 1977 has a first-time winner of the event gone on to successfully defend the title. Wilson is now the 20th man on that list after his defence came to a shuddering halt within hours of this year’s tournament beginning, after the world No 39 produced a magnificent comeback victory. Continue reading...

Events

34 h. ago Xiao Guodong leads Chinese charge as snooker’s balance of power tilts

Xiao’s fine start against Matthew Selt serves notice of China’s strong presence at the Crucible this yearThere are few sports as synonymous with one place as snooker is with Sheffield. For two weeks every year, this city becomes the beating heart of the sport, with supporters from across the globe descending upon South Yorkshire – but this year there is a distinct feel of significant change on the horizon.That is not to suggest that the future of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible is any more under threat than usual: there have been almost annual murmurings about the event being moved from its spiritual home, though there is hope a new deal can be agreed to keep it here beyond the end of the current deal in 2027. It is more on the baize this year where there is the potential for a seismic shift. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago Revealed: London universities' ties to Chinese military research despite security concerns

Defence experts have expressed concerns that UK institutions continue to expand their collaboration with Chinese engineering universities,

Events

40 h. ago Championship club sack manager and make Arsenal legend Aaron Ramsey boss for relegation fight

Cardiff City have sacked manager Omer Riza with the club currently second-bottom and one point from safety in the Championship and named an Arsenal legend to take charge

Sport

43 h. ago Zhao Xintong learned Ronnie O’Sullivan’s opinion of him before huge snooker ban

Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the greatest snooker players of all time, and he has never been shy to praise a talented player - though few have earned his admiration like Zhao Xintong

Politics

47 h. ago Why was Zhao Xintong banned from snooker? Rising star's fall from grace explained ahead of Crucible comeback

After serving his time away from the table the Chinese superstar is set for a return to the biggest stage in snooker

Events

62 h. ago Ken Doherty sends out warning about World Snooker Championship star who served huge ban

Zhao Xintong will return to the Crucible Theatre for the first time in three years after qualifying for the World Snooker Championship, and Ken Doherty has backed the Chinese star to go all the way

Events

3 d. ago Snooker hot head taking advice from John Terry after leaving opponent furious

Matthew Selt is set to take on Xiao Guodong in the first round of the 2025 World Championship at the Crucible this weekend and has received some advice from a Chelsea icon

Politics

4 d. ago Disgraced snooker star qualifies for Crucible as AMATEUR after match

Snooker star Zhao Xintong has qualified for the World Snooker Championship as an amateur player after serving a ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal that saw 10 players suspended

Politics

7 d. ago Xi Jinping seeks to strengthen economic ties during tour of south

President’s first stop is Vietnam as China urges US to end trade war and return to ‘right path of mutual respect’The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, will visit Vietnam on Monday as he begins a tour of south-east Asia where he will seek to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries amid an escalating trade war.Xi will visit Vietnam from Monday, before travelling to Malaysia and Cambodia, a high profile tour that Chinese officials have described as being of “major importance”. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago US markets close with steep losses as Trump tariffs branded ‘worst self

Wall Street stocks tumbled again as investors remain jittery while former US treasury chief criticises Trump’s economic policyChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago US tariffs on China now 145%, as Trump’s policy branded ‘worst self

Total combines Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs of 125% and the 20% fentanyl levy, while former US treasury chief criticises Trump’s economic policyChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Former US treasury secretary slams Trump tariffs as ‘worst self

Janet Yellen, who also is a former Federal Reserve chair, says Trump’s economic policies increase likelihood of recessionRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Wall Street opens lower despite hopes that ‘well advanced’ trade talks will yield deals

Ursula von der Leyen says EU “want to give negotiations a chance”, by pausing countermeasures for 90 daysRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Wall Street to fall back despite hopes that ‘well advanced’ trade talks will yield deals

Ursula von der Leyen says EU “want to give negotiations a chance”, by pausing countermeasures for 90 daysRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago ‘Do you want to show strength here?’: Russia’s ads recruiting Chinese mercenaries

More than 150 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, recruited via videos on social mediaThe videos are across Chinese social media. Some are slickly produced Russian propaganda about being “tough” men; some sound more like influencer advertisements for a working holiday. Others are cobbled-together screenshots by regular citizens about to leave China. But they all have one thing in common: selling the benefits of becoming a Chinese mercenary for Russia.On Tuesday, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced that two Chinese nationals had been captured in the eastern Donetsk region and accused Moscow of trying to involve China “directly or indirectly” in the conflict. A day later, he said the men were among at least 155 other Chinese members of Russia’s armed forces. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Euro strengthens as EU delays retaliatory tariffs against US by 90 days in response to Trump’s pause – business live

Ursula von der Leyen says EU “want to give negotiations a chance”, by pausing countermeasures for 90 daysRead the latest full reportUS-China trade war intensifies as Beijing’s tariffs come into effect after Trump pauseChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago China’s new tariffs on US goods take effect as Asian markets rally after Trump’s tariff reversal – business live

China’s 84% retaliatory tariffs on US goods, announced on Wednesday, are due to come into effect on ThursdayRead the latest full reportChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Economics