Left speechless by Chinese youth

China's youth was speaking loud and clear at the telephone interview round of the "21st Century Scholastic Cup" speech contest, which I recently helped judge. They were saying, we are young and speak English better than you will ever speak Chinese.

The pros of poetry

He's notorious for writing off China's contemporary novelists, but few people know German Sinologist Dr Wolfgang Kubin has wonderful words for some of the period's poets.

Sports

Strachan is unimpressed but relieved to be through

MILAN: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insisted it was the overall result and not the performance that mattered after Celtic sneaked into the Champions League knock-out stages despite a 1-0 loss at the hands of reigning titleholders AC Milan.

Stoudemire's 42 points lead Suns past Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS: Amare Stoudemire scored 42 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 121-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

Sports

Pats stay perfect with thrilling win over Ravens

BALTIMORE, Maryland: The New England Patriots preserved their perfect record by a whisker on Monday as Tom Brady piloted yet another late-game scoring drive in a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Portland tastes 1st road victory

MEMPHIS, Tennessee: Travis Outlaw scored 21 points, including the winning six-foot runner as the buzzer sounded, to give Portland its first road victory of the season, 106-105 over Memphis on Monday.

Ferguson: Ronaldo victim of diving reputation

MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi of "conning" referee Rob Styles after two-goal Cristiano Ronaldo was booked for diving with a hat trick at his mercy during Manchester United's 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Warne says Murali's record will last forever

SYDNEY: Shane Warne has congratulated Muttiah Muralitharan on reclaiming the world record for most Test wickets, declaring that the mark will stand forever.

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