Wu Yize continued his fine form as he beat world champion Zhao Xintong 9-6 to reach the International Championship final in Nanjing.
The 22-year-old, who came into the all-Chinese semi-final on a 12-frame winning streak, lost the first frame but soon settled, opening up a 4-2 lead with a sparkling 140.
The pair went into the break level at 4-4 but Wu took control afterwards as he ruthlessly won the next four frames while notching his 10th century of the tournament.
Zhao rallied to take the match to 6-8 but it was in vain as Wu forced a number of mistakes from his 28-year-old opponent in the 15th frame to claim victory.
“I’m quite excited. I didn’t think I could actually beat him. In fact, as soon as the second session began, I felt a lot of pressure,” said Wu.
“He missed a brown ball I didn’t expect in the ninth frame. I was ready to go to the bathroom and prepare for the next frame. It came as a surprise. It was a turning point.”
Wu will face the winner between John Higgins or Stephen Maguire, who play in the all-Scottish second semi-final on Saturday.
The final takes place on Sunday, with Wu looking to win his first ranking title.
He was a losing finalist twice last season after being beaten by Neil Robertson in the English Open and Lei Peifan at the Scottish Open.
Wu Yize continued his fine form as he beat world champion Zhao Xintong 9-6 to reach the International Championship final in Nanjing.
The 22-year-old, who came into the all-Chinese semi-final on a 12-frame winning streak, lost the first frame but soon settled, opening up a 4-2 lead with a sparkling 140.
The pair went into the break level at 4-4 but Wu took control afterwards as he ruthlessly won the next four frames while notching his 10th century of the tournament.
Zhao rallied to take the match to 6-8 but it was in vain as Wu forced a number of mistakes from his 28-year-old opponent in the 15th frame to claim victory.
“I’m quite excited. I didn’t think I could actually beat him. In fact, as soon as the second session began, I felt a lot of pressure,” said Wu.
“He missed a brown ball I didn’t expect in the ninth frame. I was ready to go to the bathroom and prepare for the next frame. It came as a surprise. It was a turning point.”
Wu will face the winner between John Higgins or Stephen Maguire, who play in the all-Scottish second semi-final on Saturday.
The final takes place on Sunday, with Wu looking to win his first ranking title.
He was a losing finalist twice last season after being beaten by Neil Robertson in the English Open and Lei Peifan at the Scottish Open.
Talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan are at a deadlock, Islamabad said, a day after both sides accused each other of mounting border clashes that risked breaching a ceasefire brokered by Qatar.
The update on the talks by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday came after an Afghan official said four Afghan civilians were killed and five others wounded in clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border despite the joint negotiations.
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There was no immediate comment from Kabul about the Pakistani claim.
In a statement thanking Turkiye and Qatar for mediating the talks, Tarar maintained that the Afghan Taliban has failed to meet pledges it made with the international community about curbing “terrorism” under a 2021 Doha peace accord.
Tarar said that Pakistan “will not support any steps by the Taliban government that are not in the interest of the Afghan people or neighboring countries.” He did not elaborate further, but added that Islamabad continues to seek peace and goodwill for Afghans but will take “all necessary measures” to protect its own people and sovereignty.
Ali Mohammad Haqmal, head of the Information and Culture Department in Spin Boldak, blamed Pakistan for initiating the shooting. However, he said Afghan forces did not respond amid ongoing peace talks between the two sides in Istanbul.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Afghanistan initiated the shooting.
“Pakistan remains committed to ongoing dialogue and expects reciprocity from Afghan authorities”, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said.
The ministry said the ceasefire remained intact.
Andrabi said Pakistan’s national security adviser, Asim Malik, is leading the Pakistani delegation in the talks with Afghanistan. The Afghan side is being led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, director of general intelligence, according to Mujahid.
He said that Pakistan had handed over its demands to mediators “with a singular aim to put an end to cross-border terrorism,” and that “mediators are discussing Pakistan’s demands with the Afghan Taliban delegation, point by point.”
Strained ties
Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring armed groups, particularly the Pakistan Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP), which regularly claims deadly attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban deny sheltering the group.
Many Pakistan Taliban leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, further straining ties between the two countries.
Turkiye said at the conclusion of last week’s talks that the parties had agreed to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to maintain peace and penalise violators.
Fifty civilians were killed and 447 others wounded on the Afghan side of the border during clashes that began on October 9, according to the United Nations. At least five people died in explosions in Kabul that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan.
After starting his rugby journey in his beloved Tonmawr, new Wales head coach Steve Tandy will take charge of his country for the first time against Argentina this weekend.
As he prepares for probably the proudest moment of his career at the Principality Stadium, Tandy will not be alone.
On Sunday morning, seven coaches and 300 people will leave Tonmawr RFC dressed in the rugby club’s green colours as they support their favourite son.
Tandy’s Tonmawr
Welsh Brewers
Tonmawr is a small village in the Pelenna Valley, four miles outside of Neath, with the rugby club at its heart.
Almost 40 years ago, there was a similar exodus to Cardiff from the village when Tonmawr went to the old National Stadium in 1986 to win the Welsh Brewers Cup with a hard-fought 9-6 victory over Cardiff Internationals Athletic Club (CIACS).
On that special day in the club’s history, a certain six-year-old Tandy was mascot and his father Peter was coach.
“It was Tonmawr’s invincible season,” recalled Tandy. “It was a massive day out for the whole village and it’s amazing to still remember it.
“To see the trophy where it is in the rugby club is amazing, so I have great memories.”
Now Tandy is making his own history.
“There is a massive buzz around the club and the village,” said Tonmawr president Shaun Hutchings.
“Steve is a genuine good guy, very humble with zero ego.
“He has never forgotten his roots and has always engaged with the club. He was only up here last week with our under-16s. Rugby is in his blood.”
Hutchings has known Tandy since they were 12, with the pair playing junior and youth rugby together.
“Steve was always looking to go that extra mile and more committed than the rest of us,” said Hutchings.
“We always knew growing up Steve had aspirations and was going somewhere in rugby.
“Did I know then he was going to be Wales coach? No, probably not.
4 days ago
7 days ago
14 hours ago
Family affair
BBC Sport
Those family links are evident. Steve played for the club, as did his grandfather Jimmy, father Peter and brother Kevin, whose son – Steve’s nephew – Elliot currently captains the first team.
His father still helps looks after the pitch at Tonmawr and his best friend Ross coaches the under-16s.
“As a family we are so proud of him,” Elliot Tandy told Newyddion.
“Steve is a real driven and motivated person. He has made some huge sacrifices to get where he is today and get such a highly respected job.
“He is still so down to earth and comes up the club and has a good laugh with the boys. He loves being back at his local club with the people he knows.
“He has been a massive role model for me. He comes from this small village which he has helped put on the map.
“It shows to people here what you can achieve if you are willing to work hard.”
Former player Jamie Costain wells up with pride when talking about a man he has watched grow up.
“We are a small village and I would say practically everybody would have links to him and the family,” said Costain.
“It has been an amazing journey. Tonmawr is ingrained in Steven and the Tandy family after he started with the juniors, went through to youth and the senior side which he also coached.”
Tonmawr will always ensure Tandy remains grounded.
“The beauty of our game is that community feel,” said Elliot Tandy.
22 July
21 July
21 July
Finding himself
BBC Sport
Tandy, who started at Neath on the same day as former Wales and Lions wing Shane Williams, played more than 175 games for the Welsh All Blacks and Ospreys.
He started his coaching career with Ospreys Under-16s and spent time helping guide Tonmawr, before being appointed head coach of Bridgend.
Tandy was then thrust into the professional spotlight in February 2012 as Ospreys head coach, aged only 32. He took things in his stride by guiding his star-studded side to the Pro12 title that season.
Ospreys reached the league semi-finals on two more occasions during Tandy’s tenure but never cracked Europe, and he was let go in January 2018.
He made his way to Australia where he linked up as defence coach with Super Rugby side Waratahs, before being snapped up by Scotland following the 2019 World Cup.
Uncertainty remains
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Tandy returned to Wales after a seven-year absence when he was appointed national head coach by new Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin.
“Steve is an exceptional individual, he’s got brilliant relationship skills,” said Reddin.
“He is one of the best people connectors I’ve met and that’s going to give players safety in the way they’re able to go and express themselves and play.”
Tandy has become the first Welshman to have the job on a permanent basis since Gareth Jenkins in 2007.
New Zealanders Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Warren Gatland and Wayne Pivac have held the coveted role during the 21st century.
Wales have now turned to a homegrown coach by appointing Tandy to the top job in a Welsh rugby system which seems in perpetual crisis.
Just before Tandy’s first squad met up, the WRU announced plans to cut one of the four Welsh men’s professional teams, a move that will have created more uncertainty among the players.
What Tandy has changed
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Tandy has a no-nonsense element in his armoury.
“Steve is a man with thick skin and a tough attitude,” said Wales and Lions wing legend Shane Williams.
“He is a no-nonsense guy and exactly what Wales need. He will make the squad mentally tough, hard to beat.
“He needs to instil it in the squad they are good players, they need to forget about the past 24 months.
“It’s not an overnight fix and he’s realistic in what he wants to achieve. I have complete faith in him.”
Tandy’s style is also hands-on and he has created a relatable head coach figure.
Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn has talked about how Tandy has phoned players before squads have been announced to keep in touch.
Prop Archie Griffin says Tandy is “not a head teacher type”, who is trying to get more involved with the players and not have division.
Wales assistant coach Danny Wilson, who worked with Tandy in Scotland, described him as a “caring and relationship coach”, who had already “put his stamp on the environment”.
Tandy has also changed the squad’s working week.
“I’ve been lucky to have experiences in different environments so I was looking at things and seeking feedback on how players felt,” said Tandy.
“It’s not a reflection of the past, it’s more about where we want to go to just change things up and make it feel different.”
Tandy has also moved Wales’ changing room at the Principality Stadium, a home venue where Wales have not won in nine matches and more than two years.
“It isn’t about streaks, it’s more about the scope to redevelop and change that landscape and how we see that working,” said Tandy.
Can Tandy tenure galvanise Welsh rugby?
Huw Evans Picture Agency
So will those changes work?
The brutal truth is Tandy has taken over a side languishing 12th in the world rankings which had suffered a record 18-Test losing streak before a victory against Japan in Kobe in July.
Maybe the final word about whether Tandy’s tenure can be successful deserves to come from Tonmawr.
“Even though he has been out of the country for a few years, he knows Welsh rugby inside out and from the bottom up,” said Tonmawr vice-president Jamie Costain.
“Knowing Steven, he will put a big effort into putting Welsh rugby back where it belongs.”
After starting his rugby journey in his beloved Tonmawr, new Wales head coach Steve Tandy will take charge of his country for the first time against Argentina this weekend.
As he prepares for probably the proudest moment of his career at the Principality Stadium, Tandy will not be alone.
On Sunday morning, seven coaches and 300 people will leave Tonmawr RFC dressed in the rugby club’s green colours as they support their favourite son.
Tandy’s Tonmawr
Welsh Brewers
Tonmawr is a small village in the Pelenna Valley, four miles outside of Neath, with the rugby club at its heart.
Almost 40 years ago, there was a similar exodus to Cardiff from the village when Tonmawr went to the old National Stadium in 1986 to win the Welsh Brewers Cup with a hard-fought 9-6 victory over Cardiff Internationals Athletic Club (CIACS).
On that special day in the club’s history, a certain six-year-old Tandy was mascot and his father Peter was coach.
“It was Tonmawr’s invincible season,” recalled Tandy. “It was a massive day out for the whole village and it’s amazing to still remember it.
“To see the trophy where it is in the rugby club is amazing, so I have great memories.”
Now Tandy is making his own history.
“There is a massive buzz around the club and the village,” said Tonmawr president Shaun Hutchings.
“Steve is a genuine good guy, very humble with zero ego.
“He has never forgotten his roots and has always engaged with the club. He was only up here last week with our under-16s. Rugby is in his blood.”
Hutchings has known Tandy since they were 12, with the pair playing junior and youth rugby together.
“Steve was always looking to go that extra mile and more committed than the rest of us,” said Hutchings.
“We always knew growing up Steve had aspirations and was going somewhere in rugby.
“Did I know then he was going to be Wales coach? No, probably not.
4 days ago
7 days ago
14 hours ago
Family affair
BBC Sport
Those family links are evident. Steve played for the club, as did his grandfather Jimmy, father Peter and brother Kevin, whose son – Steve’s nephew – Elliot currently captains the first team.
His father still helps looks after the pitch at Tonmawr and his best friend Ross coaches the under-16s.
“As a family we are so proud of him,” Elliot Tandy told Newyddion.
“Steve is a real driven and motivated person. He has made some huge sacrifices to get where he is today and get such a highly respected job.
“He is still so down to earth and comes up the club and has a good laugh with the boys. He loves being back at his local club with the people he knows.
“He has been a massive role model for me. He comes from this small village which he has helped put on the map.
“It shows to people here what you can achieve if you are willing to work hard.”
Former player Jamie Costain wells up with pride when talking about a man he has watched grow up.
“We are a small village and I would say practically everybody would have links to him and the family,” said Costain.
“It has been an amazing journey. Tonmawr is ingrained in Steven and the Tandy family after he started with the juniors, went through to youth and the senior side which he also coached.”
Tonmawr will always ensure Tandy remains grounded.
“The beauty of our game is that community feel,” said Elliot Tandy.
22 July
21 July
21 July
Finding himself
BBC Sport
Tandy, who started at Neath on the same day as former Wales and Lions wing Shane Williams, played more than 175 games for the Welsh All Blacks and Ospreys.
He started his coaching career with Ospreys Under-16s and spent time helping guide Tonmawr, before being appointed head coach of Bridgend.
Tandy was then thrust into the professional spotlight in February 2012 as Ospreys head coach, aged only 32. He took things in his stride by guiding his star-studded side to the Pro12 title that season.
Ospreys reached the league semi-finals on two more occasions during Tandy’s tenure but never cracked Europe, and he was let go in January 2018.
He made his way to Australia where he linked up as defence coach with Super Rugby side Waratahs, before being snapped up by Scotland following the 2019 World Cup.
Uncertainty remains
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Tandy returned to Wales after a seven-year absence when he was appointed national head coach by new Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin.
“Steve is an exceptional individual, he’s got brilliant relationship skills,” said Reddin.
“He is one of the best people connectors I’ve met and that’s going to give players safety in the way they’re able to go and express themselves and play.”
Tandy has become the first Welshman to have the job on a permanent basis since Gareth Jenkins in 2007.
New Zealanders Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Warren Gatland and Wayne Pivac have held the coveted role during the 21st century.
Wales have now turned to a homegrown coach by appointing Tandy to the top job in a Welsh rugby system which seems in perpetual crisis.
Just before Tandy’s first squad met up, the WRU announced plans to cut one of the four Welsh men’s professional teams, a move that will have created more uncertainty among the players.
What Tandy has changed
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Tandy has a no-nonsense element in his armoury.
“Steve is a man with thick skin and a tough attitude,” said Wales and Lions wing legend Shane Williams.
“He is a no-nonsense guy and exactly what Wales need. He will make the squad mentally tough, hard to beat.
“He needs to instil it in the squad they are good players, they need to forget about the past 24 months.
“It’s not an overnight fix and he’s realistic in what he wants to achieve. I have complete faith in him.”
Tandy’s style is also hands-on and he has created a relatable head coach figure.
Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn has talked about how Tandy has phoned players before squads have been announced to keep in touch.
Prop Archie Griffin says Tandy is “not a head teacher type”, who is trying to get more involved with the players and not have division.
Wales assistant coach Danny Wilson, who worked with Tandy in Scotland, described him as a “caring and relationship coach”, who had already “put his stamp on the environment”.
Tandy has also changed the squad’s working week.
“I’ve been lucky to have experiences in different environments so I was looking at things and seeking feedback on how players felt,” said Tandy.
“It’s not a reflection of the past, it’s more about where we want to go to just change things up and make it feel different.”
Tandy has also moved Wales’ changing room at the Principality Stadium, a home venue where Wales have not won in nine matches and more than two years.
“It isn’t about streaks, it’s more about the scope to redevelop and change that landscape and how we see that working,” said Tandy.
Can Tandy tenure galvanise Welsh rugby?
Huw Evans Picture Agency
So will those changes work?
The brutal truth is Tandy has taken over a side languishing 12th in the world rankings which had suffered a record 18-Test losing streak before a victory against Japan in Kobe in July.
Maybe the final word about whether Tandy’s tenure can be successful deserves to come from Tonmawr.
“Even though he has been out of the country for a few years, he knows Welsh rugby inside out and from the bottom up,” said Tonmawr vice-president Jamie Costain.
“Knowing Steven, he will put a big effort into putting Welsh rugby back where it belongs.”
Princess Beatrice has been handed a huge new responsibility amid her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, stepping down from his position with the same organisation
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
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Princess Beatrice has been given a huge royal boost(Image: The Outward Bound Trust)
Princess Beatrice has been given a new role amidst her father’s fall from grace. The man formally known as Prince Andrew has, in recent days, been stripped of all his regal titles, including his Royal Highness and Prince status.
Earlier this week, an official registration confirmed that King Charles had removed Andrew’s remaining titles via Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm – a legal document authorised by the monarch. The document was published by The Gazette, the UK’s official public record, by the Crown Office and shows the former Duke of York is now legally Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
Six years ago, Andrew stepped down as Royal Patron of The Outward Bound Trust after his interview with BBC Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis, during which he addressed the allegations surrounding him and his close association with convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew denies all allegations made against him. But now, his eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, has been appointed Deputy Patron of the organisation, having served as a Trustee for six years. Alongside Beatrice’s appointment, her uncle, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, has joined the organisation as Royal Patron, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince Philip.
Beatrice, 37, has a longstanding connection to organisations with young people. The princess has always been an advocate for helping younger people develop their confidence, resilience and ambition.
Over the years, she’s raised money for Teenage Cancer Trust, Children in Crisis, and UNICEF. Speaking about Edward’s and Beatrice’s appointment, Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of Outward Bound Trust, said in a statement: “With The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, we’re embarking on a new chapter.
“One where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives.”
Beatrice and Edward will continue the royal legacy with the organisation, which has a history stretching back over 70 years, dating back to the late Prince Philip, who served as Patron from 1953 until 2019 and helped lay the foundations of the organisation.
The joyous news for Beatrice came just hours after a royal biographer claimed that her father may now have to bow to his daughter. With Andrew no longer a Prince or Royal Highness, his daughters, Beatrice and her younger sister, Princess Eugenie, rank higher than him due to their Princess titles and Royal Highness, which they have retained as the children of the son of a monarch.
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Andrew stepped down as a working royal in 2019 after he was accused by Virginia Giuffre of having sex with her in March 2001, when she was just 17. She alleged she had been trafficked by Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Virginia claimed that Epstein and his girlfriend had taken her to Tramp nightclub in London, where she met with Andrew and later had sex with him that night.
She claimed that Epstein had paid her $15,000 after sleeping with Andrew. During an interview with BBC’s Newsnight in 2019, Andrew vehemently denied the allegations and told host Maitlis he had no recollection of meeting Virginia. Andrew vehemently denies all allegations made against him.
