When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...
Category: Sports
A Post-American Shift Complicates Growth Strategies for the Global South
by Lukas Fiala and Chris Alden From the BRICS to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), members of recently expanding international fora are quick to point to a multipolar order as a hopeful imaginary of post-Western internationalism.
India’s Top Tennis Player Says Denied China Visa
India's top-ranked men's tennis player Sumit Nagal said China denied him a visa weeks before he was set to appear at an Australian Open qualifying tournament in southwestern Sichuan. "I am supposed to fly to China soon to represent India at ...
Chinese Mountaineer Dies on Pakistan’s K2
A Chinese mountaineer died while descending the world's second-highest peak, with Pakistani rescuers waiting on Thursday for weather conditions to improve to recover her body. Guang Jing was descending from the summit of K2 on Tuesday night when she was hit ...
Australia to Spend $385 Million on Papua New Guinea Rugby League Team With Eye on China
Australia will spend $385 million to establish a team from Papua New Guinea in its rugby league competition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, a move designed to help ward off China. Papua New Guinea has long lobbied for a side ...
Indian, Chinese Blue Helmet Troops in Sudan Face Off in Tug-of-War Competition
A rare display of military camaraderie took place this week between Indian and Chinese blue helmet soldiers stationed in Sudan, where the two sides faced off in a friendly tug-of-war competition (India won).
Beijing Half Marathon Runners Stripped of Medals After Controversial Finish
The top three in Sunday's Beijing half marathon have been stripped of their medals, organizers said, following an investigation into the finish that saw China's He Jie controversially win. He crossed the line first in a bizarre finish after the Kenyans ...
There’s a Simple Explanation Why Three Runners From Kenya and Ethiopia Allowed a Chinese National to Win the Beijing Half Marathon
The organizers of the Beijing half marathon said Monday they were investigating after footage, shared widely online, appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China's He Jie to win. Video clips of Sunday's race showed the Kenyans, Robert Keter and ...
Chinese Firm Wins Contract to Build New Sports Stadium in Tanzania
The Tanzanian government awarded China Railway Construction Engineering Group a $113 million contract to build a new soccer stadium in the northern city of Arusha. The stadium will be used for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals. While China has ...
China Fumes Over Messi, Cancels Argentina Friendly With Ivory Coast
Chinese authorities in the eastern city of Hangzhou are so upset with soccer superstar Lionel Messi that they've decided to cancel a match of his scheduled for next month. This follows the Argentinian forward's refusal to play during an exhibition match in Hong Kong last week, purportedly ...
Argentina and Ghana to Play a Friendly in Beijing Next Month
Argentina officially confirmed on Wednesday that it will play an international friendly against Ghana's Black Stars in Beijing on March 26th. China-Argentina relations have been wobbly since the recent election as president of China hawk Javier Milei, who withdrew the country ...
Ghanaian Winger Frank Acheampong Slaps Opponent in Chinese Super League Match in Response to Alleged Racial Insults
Ghanaian footballer Frank Acheampong apparently reached a breaking point on Friday when the Shenzhen FC winger slapped a member of the opposing team in response to alleged racial slurs. The 29-year was ejected from the match for violent behaviour, his first-ever ...
Messi Shouts Out Chinese Fans on Taobao
Argentinian football phenom Lionel Messi appealed to his Chinese fans in the most Chinese way possible: via a live appearance on the giant e-commerce platform Taobao. Flanked by Chinese e-commerce influencers, Messi wished Chinese fans a "happy Dragon Boat Festival." While ...