Capital of Sichuan, gateway to Western China
A Thought for the Day segment on BBC Radio 4 has fueled a clash over Christianity in China, after Catherine Pepinster’s remarks about religious freedom were challenged by broadcaster Ruth Roberts. The discussion touched on the history of Christianity, its global reach, and tensions with the Chinese state.
A 6.7 magnitude quake near Aniso in Ayacucho has caused damage to homes, schools and healthcare facilities. USGS data shows the quake on Thursday; Peru’s civil defence and local authorities report power outages and injuries, with authorities coordinating relief and emergency response.
The Guardian reports a new graphic novel by Melissa Chan and Badiucao imagines a dystopian future where China and the United States are at war in 2035. It foregrounds the experiences of the Chinese-speaking diaspora and argues authoritarianism everywhere is bad, while highlighting risks to journalists and artists who criticise Beijing.
Lian Yunzhi has become the only female speedcuber to average under 4.5 seconds, achieving 4.52 and 4.27-second averages at competitions in Wuhan and Guangzhou, according to CCTV. She has trained two to three hours daily, mastering over 1,300 algorithms. Her early results started from age four.
Two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, have been pledged to Zoo Atlanta as part of a long-running diplomatic program. Their arrival signals renewed US-China soft-power ties amid ongoing discussions on AI and trade during Xi Jinping’s state visit with President Trump. The animals will undergo quarantine before public viewing, with timelines for appearance at the zoo still unconfirmed.
Davidovich Fokina has defeated Zverev to reach the Shanghai Masters final, marking a major victory after a grueling match that featured late momentum shifts and fatigue concerns for the German. The Spaniard led 2-0 in the final set after clinching a 2-0 break, overcoming an exhausting schedule that has seen Zverev carry fatigue through the week.