Wilson, O’Sullivan, Trump, Selby – who will win World Snooker Championship?

This video is not playable.

JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.

  • 3 Comments

Halo World Championship

Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre Dates: April 19 to May 5

Can Kyren Wilson sever the “crucible curse”? Will Judd Trump win the elusive second world title?

What about John Higgins and Mark Selby as they attempt to win their fifth World Championship?

Ronnie O’Sullivan, who hasn’t played competitively since January, will obviously struggle to achieve his record eighth title in the modern era.

Wilson aims to end the “crucible curse.”

Since 1977’s relocation to the Crucible Theatre, no first-time winner has been able to keep the title.

Lei Peifan, the winner of the Scottish Open, will be Wilson’s first opponent on Saturday morning.

The 33-year-old Wilson has relished carrying the title of the reigning world champion, winning four ranking competitions this year and making the Masters and Championship League final.

A new era for the sport is being beckoned by a growing rivalry with Trump, who he has faced three times in this term’s finals. At the same time as the well-known trio of O’Sullivan, Higgins, and Mark Williams are in their 50s or are about to enter.

Trump, the world’s number one, has won three tournaments this campaign, including the Saudi Arabia Masters and the UK Championship, two of the sport’s four majors.

His earnings have increased to levels never before seen by a player in a single season, and the £500, 000 top prize would bring him close to the £2 million mark.

The 35-year-old has previously played it down, but he would adore receiving the World Championship trophy for the second time in his career to formally establish himself as one of the game’s greats.

Trump has the ability to essentially sweep his closest competitors away if he produces the scintillating, fast-paced snooker he is renowned for.

Can the “Class of 92” deliver once more?

Getty Images

O’Sullivan was surprisingly chosen as one of the bookmakers’ favorites to win the Crucible before even making his decision to participate.

The Rocket, who withdrew from his Championship League group because he was so irritated with his game, decided to withdraw from all five of his matches before going on the World Snooker Tour.

Even if Wilson and Mark Selby are on the same side of the draw, O’Sullivan would be foolish to discount him even though he hasn’t played in anything more than a best-of-seven since his first-round defeat by Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship in November.

Since becoming a professional in 1992, the Englishman has been a constant fixture at the tournament.

O’Sullivan, who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, famously won the trophy in 2013 after only one competitive match prior to the showpiece event.

The 49-year-old is more than capable of delivering a historic triumph, according to recent footage that shows him putting together a maximum 147 break in less than seven minutes of practice. He is also the author of seven titles.

Scotland’s Higgins is yet another player from the sport’s renowned “Class of 92” who deserves to be missed. He is up in the leader’s circle and is currently third in the world rankings.

Since winning his first ranking position at the World Open in March, the four-time champion has appeared revitalized.

Higgins returns after claiming a second championship victory over Selby in a top-notch final.

Higgins, who turns 50 in May, has the temperament and talent to win his first world title since claiming a fourth one in 2011 and has a proven record in the long format of the game.

Williams’ victory at the November Champion of Champions appears to have faded away, in contrast.

The “Welsh potting machine” has had eye issues in recent months and gave a mediocre assessment of his chances after falling 10-3 to Ding Junhui in Manchester and following last month’s Players Championship.

The 50-year-old said, “Whoever qualifies is going to be praying they draw me in the first round.”

Selby is confident and ready to strike?

Ben Woollaston, a friend and practice partner of Selby’s, and Ben Woollaston, a friend, are the two-time champions in the first round, making him a strong favorite to advance.

One of the game’s greatest players was significantly resurrected by victories at the British Open and Welsh Open.

Selby enters the tournament in a way that suggests he could win another four world titles, including victories over Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson earlier this month.

Shaun Murphy, the Masters winner from 2005, will relish his chance, having already won one Triple Crown this year.

The challenge of China

Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong weigh up shotsGetty Images

Ding Junhui’s chances of winning the Crucible’s four straight first-round defeat are undoubtedly uncertain.

China’s hopes of a first world champion are unreal, but the 38-year-old is far from resting on his shoulders.

Zhang Anda, Xiao Guodong, Si Jiahui, Zhao Xintong, Zhou Yuelong, Fan Zhengyi, Pang Junxu, Lei Peifan, and Wu Yize are just three of the top 10 Chinese players in the tournament who have advanced to the top 10.

A first-round matchup with Zhao, the 2021 UK champion, and Wilson, the beaten finalist from 2024, will hardly appeal to Jak Jones, who has a chance to face off in the second round.

related subjects

  • Snooker

‘I tried Treatwell and it made booking hair and nail treatments a breeze’

We tested Treatwell to see if it’s as impressive as it appears since it’s the go-to app for booking beauty and wellness treatments.

The Treatwell app hosts countless salon visits.

We’ve got a list of apps for you if you enjoy getting yourself a pampering session, whether it’s a relaxing massage, a fresh manicure, or a fashionable haircut. as we tried out a pampering app that helps you find treatments.

Living in a big city, I am well aware of the difficulty of finding the ideal salon in such a hectic city, as are many city residents likely to do. Where do you even begin when there are so many options? Enter Treatwell .

A simple app called Treatwell, which aims to simplify the booking of beauty and wellness treatments. This app makes it incredibly simple to book a last-minute appointment, to find a top-rated salon near you, or to find the best deals on treatments.

READ MORE: Top-rated teeth whitening strips currently 30% off in ‘cheaper than Amazon’ Easter sale

READ MORE: GAP’s £75 denim bomber jacket is the perfect spring wardrobe staple

I was able to quickly browse through hundreds of salons, all filtered by location, service, and price after downloading it from the App Store. I was particularly struck by how quickly I was able to compare venues and read reviews, according to reports from Birmingham Live. The interface is sleek and user-friendly.

Although I tested it in London, the app is compatible with cities all over the UK. I quickly discovered my preferred salon and treatments. The app made it simple for me to book appointments, and I could schedule appointments as needed, which was very helpful for those with a busy schedule.

Treatwell app
The Treatwell app allows users to browse salons, filtered by location, service and prices(Image: Treatwell)

Additionally, Treatwell provides direct mail-to-your-mail gift cards up to £250. The present owner has the freedom to pick a salon and treatment of their choosing through this hassle-free option. While Treatwell in London was a pleasant surprise, fellow shopping writer Bethan Shufflebotham was less happy.

She discovered no salons in her area because she resides just outside Stoke-on-Trent. Therefore, keep in mind that options may be constrained and that you may need to make a later appointment than you anticipated.

Treatwell app
The app lets you book treatments at short notice, depending on your area(Image: Treatwell)
Continue reading the article.

Booking services for beauty and wellness like Booksy and Fresha are worthwhile for those who want to look into other options. Customers have a choice with these alternatives thanks to the numerous salons and specialists that have partnered with them.

Brooklyn Beckham breaks silence after he fails to wish mum Victoria ‘happy birthday’

Although two of Victoria Beckham’s children were notably absent from her 51st birthday celebrations this week, which included a meal with family and friends, were posted.

Brooklyn and Nicola were not at Victoria’s party(Image: Getty Images for Supergoop!)

Brooklyn Beckham, who was the only family member to deny his mother’s birthday, has broken his silence.

Victoria Beckham celebrated her 51st birthday in style on Thursday April 17, sharing photos from the occasion, which included a meal with family and friends, but two of her children were notably absent.

She was met with well wishes on social media, including from her husband David Beckham, 50. It has been reported that her eldest son Brooklyn Beckham, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham, 30, did not publicly mark the occasion though.

READ MORE: Donald Trump dealt major blow as Elton John makes huge announcement

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham on a boat trip together.
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham on a boat trip together.(Image: Instagram)
Continue reading the article.

The former Spice Girls member has since suggested that Brooklyn and his brother Cruz Beckham, 20, weren’t part of her birthday celebrations this week – with them not appearing in photos from the occasion. It’s unclear why they were absent. She’s revealed that she was joined by David and their other kids Romeo Beckham, 22, and Harper Beckham, 13, as well as some pals, though.

Though Cruz was also absent from the celebrations, Brooklyn was the only one who didn’t post a birthday message to his mother on social media. Fans first complained about the apparent snub on his last Instagram post, which marked his third wedding anniversary with wife Nicola Peltz on April 9. Instead of recognising Victoria’s 51st birthday on Thursday, Nicola then shared a publicity shot of Brooklyn having cupping treatment.

Yesterday, an hour after the ex-Spice Girl shared precious birthday snaps, her oldest son posted a series of photos of him and Nicola at the Coachella music festival in California last weekend. Taking to Instagram, Brooklyn uploaded a series of photos from his time at the festival, captioning the post: “Made amazing memories this year x [heart emoji].”

Victoria Beckham, Romeo Beckham, Harper Beckham and David Beckham sat on a boat together.
Victoria Beckham, Romeo Beckham, Harper Beckham and David Beckham sat on a boat together.(Image: Instagram)

Brooklyn and Nicola, 30, were also absent from the first of his dad David’s birthday bashes — held in Miami on March 30. Fans also pointed out that he and Nicola were also absent from designer Victoria’s most recent Paris Fashion Week Show, reports The Sun.

David Beckham shared a slew of sweet throwback photos as he paid tribute to Victoria on her birthday this week. Taking to his Instagram page, the footballer started his tribute with an old picture of them sharing a loving smooch in the swimming pool.

Continue reading the article.

In a 1999 photo of the two embracing on a yacht at a picturesque location, he also shared a photo of them smiling for the camera. A photo of the fashion designer and her four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper Seven, was not enough to complete the tribute. Posh Spice as a young child was the subject of his final post.

The Brookside cast now – from heartbreaking death to major X-Factor success

The ground-breaking soap Brookside shocked the UK for 21 years. Here are the country’s most recognizable stars, from tragic deaths to dramatic reinventions.

Brookside first aired in 1982 before wrapping up in 2003(Image: Mirrorpix)

The gritty soap created explosive drama in suburban cul-de-sacs, shocked the nation, and broken taboos.

Brookside was a typical soap that followed the everyday lives of its characters, from dramatic break-ups to shocking crimes that tackled real issues in the UK. First airing on Channel 4 on November 2 1982, the Liverpool-based soap ran for 21 dramatic years before its final episode aired on November 4, 2003.

From the UK’s first lesbian kiss on pre-watershed TV to tackling domestic abuse, incest, and even a body buried under the patio, Brookside, which was created by Phil Redmond, never looked back. What transpired after the show ended, however, regarding Brookside’s cast?

READ MORE: Prue Leith warns she ‘hasn’t got much longer’ as she soaks up time with TV star husband

What happened to some of the show’s biggest stars, from tragic losses to completely unanticipated career paths.

Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill)

Dean Sullivan
Dean died aged 68(Image: Getty Images)
Continue reading the article.

One of Brookside’s longest-running characters on screen, Jimmy was a troubled drug addict who later became a teacher. He appeared in significant storylines and was a member of the series since 1986.

Unfortunately, Dean battled prostate cancer, which he bravely shared just months before he passed away, and he passed away in 2023 at the age of 68. The actor had been receiving medical attention for a while in 2018.

Following his passing, fans and co-stars paid tribute.

Sue Jenkins (Jackie Corkhill)

Sue Jenkins arrives for Dean Sullivan's funeral
Sue Jenkins attends Dean Sullivan’s funeral(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Through many of the show’s most compelling plots, Jackie Corkhill, Jimmy Corkhill’s long-suffering wife, navigating his emotional spirals and schemes.

Actress Sue Jenkins has continued acting since the show ended, with roles in Coronation Street, Holby City, and Doctors. She also appeared in theatre productions and is now a vocal supporter of arts education.

Sue, who has three children, Richard, Emily, and Rosie, is married to David Fleeshman at the age of 66.

Anna Friel (Beth Jordache)

Anna Friel kiss
Anna Friel was one half of the UK’s first pre-watershed lesbian kiss(Image: Channel 4)

Beth Jordache’s storyline, which made international attention, became a cultural icon when she appeared in the first lesbian kiss on British television before it became a national holiday. Margaret Clemence was also portrayed by Nicola Stephenson in the episode, which first aired in January 1994.

Anna has since established a huge acting resume on both sides of the Atlantic, playing roles in programs like Marcella, Marcella, and The Girlfriend Experience. She has also gained recognition as an award-winning actress and regular on the red carpet.

Anna, 48, has one child and has two previous marriages.

Claire Sweeney (Lindsey Corkhill)

Claire Sweeney
Claire Sweeney recently revisited the filming set(Image: WireImage)

Lindsey was a member of the troubled Corkhill clan, where she engaged in scheming, illicit business, and emotional upheaval. Lindsay was a recurring character at the beginning of the series, and in 1995 she was elevated to the cast’s standard.

Actress Claire became a household name post-Brookside, moving into musical theatre, releasing an album, and becoming a Loose Women panellist. She recently returned to soapland with a role in Coronation Street.

This week, Claire surprised fans of Brookside as she revisited the homes where the show was once filmed in West Derby. The 53-year-old took to Instagram with number of pictures and videos from the spontaneous trip down memory lane.

Claire mentioned visiting the area last year in the Instagram video, but she also pointed out a “beautiful little surprise” under the Brookside sign in honor of Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy in the movie.

Michael Starke (Sinbad Sweeney)

Michael Starke at Dean Sullivan's funeral
Sinbad was a fan favourite on the show(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Sinbad Sweeney had a heart of gold when it came to window cleaning. He became a household name when he joined the cast in 1984.

Michael Starke, an actor, later appeared in Coronation Street and The Royal, as well as in Benidorm. He has also become a fervent supporter of Liverpool’s arts scene and a regular performer on the pantomime circuit.

Now aged 67, his most recent appearance was in Hollyoaks as a taxi driver between 2021 and 2023.

(Emily Shadwick) Jennifer Ellison

Jennifer Ellison
Jennifer Ellison (left) during her time on the show(Image: Mirrorpix)

One of Brookside’s most shocking exits was Emily’s tragic window fall, which ended in heartache for her character.

Actress Jennifer turned to pop music, reality TV (Dancing on Ice, Hell’s Kitchen), and theatre, before opening her own dance academy in Liverpool. She also starred in the West End and lives a quieter life focused on family.

She and Rob Tickle have three kids together.

(Mick Johnson) Louis Emerick

Louis Emerick
Louis Emerick has continued acting(Image: Lime)

Mick Johnson, a direct-talking single father and strong moral compass, operated a minimart and left. The character’s first appearance was made in 1989, and he made his final appearance on August 22, 2001.

Actor Louis Emerick, 64, has continued to play in TV shows and soaps like Coronation Street and Doctors, and has taken part in UK theatre productions.

Continue reading the article.

The others are where?

Several cast members left the industry altogether – some moved abroad, others stepped away from the limelight. A few, like Ray Quinn (who briefly appeared in the later years), reinvented themselves entirely. Ray went on to become a singer and X Factor finalist, with a stage career.

READ MORE: ‘Life changing’ health app helps ‘morbidly obese’ mum shed almost 3 stone

‘I always come here’: The Indian tea shop that runs on trust

Ashish Bandopadhyay, 65, has ridden the 10 minutes from his home to a tea shop in Serampore, which is located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) away from Kolkata, on a warm morning in March.

Dressed in a pastel pink polo shirt, Ashish takes charge of the shop, declaring it’s his “turn” to run it today. As he works to make a fresh pot of cha (the Bengali word for tea), he smiles as he declares, “I don’t work here.” “I’m just an old-timer and a customer who enjoys volunteering,” I tell myself.

Located in the old part of the town, this hole-in-the-wall shop is locally known as Naresh Shomer cha er dokaan (Naresh Shome’s tea shop). The production and sharing of tea is a significant component of social bonds in India.

And that’s the focus of this tea shop. For a century, it has been a space for relaxation, conversation and shared moments. However, it expands the social bond by requiring customers to brew and serve tea as well.

Since he was ten years old, Ashish, who has since left his construction-related office job, has been stopping by this tea shop. It is where he meets friends to catch up over a cup of tea.

Ashok Chakroborty, owner of the store, opens the store on a weekday morning and then departs for his office job.

“Until the time he returns in the evening, one of us assumes control over running the shop. Today was my turn”, Ashish says. Ten volunteers work in the shop seven days a week, total. None are compensated; the majority of them are volunteer customers who, like Ashish, have retired and have received pensions from their former employers.

Today, Ashish arrived at the shop at 9am and closed for lunch at noon. At 3 o’clock, he reopened. I prefer to stay here for the majority of the week, if not every day. After my departure, another person steps into my role”, he says.

“Whoever is free does it does it,” Ashish says, without a fixed rota. After using the money to purchase milk or sugar, we store it in a wooden box on the shelf. And there hasn’t been a single day without a caretaker”.

When Ashish isn’t helping out at the tea shop, he enjoys visiting with his friends [Diwash Gahatraj/Al Jazeera]

Naresh Chandra Shome’s legacy

Little has changed in the 100 years the five-by-seven-foot tea shop has been going – “except for a few whitewashes and a ceiling repair”, Ashish notes. The traditional coal-fired traditional clay stove’s exposed walls are dark with soot and smoke from despite the layers of paint.

With a refillable price of only five rupees (approximately $0.06), tea can still be consumed in both paper and clay cups.

The shop offers a modest tea menu with simple, straightforward options. Customers can choose between Kobiraji cha (black tea with spices) and milk tea, which is served plain or with lemon, or milk tea. The bakery’s offerings are completed by jars of biscuits.

Situated across from Chatra Kali Babu’s Crematorium, family members often come for tea after bidding farewell to loved ones.

Naresh Chandra Shome, a tea company with roots in India’s colonial era, founded the business. Shome’s current owner, Ashok, only knows about him because he left his job to fight for freedom in that time.

Following India’s independence from British rule in 1947, Shome joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and remained an active member until his death in 1995 at the age of 77. His tea shop has been a gathering place for comrades for his entire life, where they would meet, eat, and exchange ideas over cups of tea.

The current location of the tea shop is close to the local CPI (M) office. “Shome was a helpful man and was active in community service. His store was well-known at the time. He’s seen in a photo in the party office, claims 54-year-old Prashanto Mondal, a regular customer at the tea shop.

He recalls how he was first brought to the shop by a colleague during a lunch break 25 years ago.

The LPG gas delivery agent explains that Serampore has many tea stalls, but I frequently visit them because of the shop’s unique atmosphere and sense of camaraderie.

After Ashish has finished his tea, Prashanto rises to assist him in recharging the oven’s coal. Like Prashanto, most customers help with duties such as fetching milk from the nearby shop or filling water from the tap.

According to Ashish, “We have heard tales of Naresh Shome during his activist days.” He would frequently leave the store without warning because he needed to go to the community or be taken by the police, always asking his customers to take care of the place. I believe this legacy has endured – customers naturally take responsibility for the tea shop in the owner’s absence – the test of time”.

cash box 1-1743760351
Customers give cash for their tea in a small wooden box [Diwash Gahatraj/Al Jazeera]

From the colonial era to Bengali adda and chas

In about 1925, Shome opened the tea shop on the ground floor of the building owned by his aunt. The 350-year-old building on the banks of the Hooghly River also housed a number of different types of shops, including one that sold utensils, before becoming a gathering place for tea drinkers and conversationalists.

The ceiling’s exposed wooden beams appear to carry the weight of history. The thick limestone walls stand as silent witnesses to the many Bengali, Danish and English people who’ve passed through over the years. The shop faces Chatra Ghat, a riverside burial site where Hindus have for generations buried their dead. Traditional wood pyres are now replaced by a contemporary electric crematorium.

The town of Serampore, home to about 200, 000 people, predates the West Bengal capital of Kolkata by a few centuries and has been ruled at times by both the Danes and the British. From 1755 to 1845, the town was a Danish trading post known as Frederiksnagore until the British took control and remained so until 1947 when it gained its independence.

Once, horse-driven carriages once carried American officers and their families through the streets. Today, the bylanes bustle with motorbikes, electric rickshaws and cars. Tall apartment buildings built in the more recent years are juxtaposed by buildings of European style.

Indian Tea Shop
[Diwash Gahatraj/Al Jazeera] The tea shop sells about 200 cups of tea per day.

Local restoration activist Mohit Ranadip explains that the tea shop holds an important position in the cultural history of Serampore. The Serampore Heritage Restoration Initiative, a town-based citizen-led organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the town’s heritage, is led by Ranadip.

He claims that Adda and paraculture are still very relevant in the [Chatra] region and that is one of the reasons the tea shop is still so well-known.

In West Bengal, para culture loosely refers to a neighbourhood or locality, defined by a strong sense of community. Every para has its adda spot, whether it’s a park, street, or tea shop, invariably. West Bengalians are a fan of Adda, a beloved pastime. Markedly different from mere small talk or chatting, it is best described as an informal group conversation that’s long, fluid and relaxed in nature. These gatherings are always bound together by a cup of cha.

Naresh Shome’s tea shop, which is a focal point for this adda tradition, draws people from all walks of life to congregate and exchange their daily experiences over steaming cups of tea in the Chatra neighborhood.

Prashanto and his colleagues, Karthick and Amal, discussed the remaining gas cylinders they had to deliver by the end of the day. Some individuals made their own quick tea. Anima Kar, who came with her daughter to catch up with her brother, was one of the evening’s visitors, who was more at ease.

The state of West Bengal’s connection with tea also runs deep. The tea industry flourished in the Darjeeling hills during the British Raj, which is located 600 kilometers north of Serampore. Darjeeling and the surrounding area were the first to have commercial tea gardens. The emerald green tea estates of Darjeeling still produce some of the world’s most expensive tea.

Indian Tea Shop
In 1995, Ashok Chakroborty took over the tea shop’s operation [Diwash Gahatraj/Al Jazeera].

Ashok leaves his clerical job at around 6 o’clock in the evening. Wearing an olive green T-shirt, he takes over from Ashish, seamlessly continuing the shop’s daily rhythm.

Lakhirani Dakhi, the building’s owner, has son-in-law Ashok. Since Shome’s death, he has been in charge of the store.

“Today Ashish da (brother) gave me 400 rupees ($4.65) as the day’s income”, says Ashok, as he poured tea into clay cups. He claims that customers who refuse to pay their tea always always return the correct amount to the cash box or pay it back later.

He continues, “We sell about 200 cups every day.” &nbsp,

Indian Tea Shop
[Diwash Gahatraj/Al Jazeera] Anima Kar, who is red, has been visiting the tea shop since she was a child.

A “question mark” for the future

“I love the tea with masala (spice mixture) made by Ashok da”, says 50-year-old Anima, who has been a customer for years. This tea shop is our humble equivalent, according to the saying “If Kolkata has a coffee house where people meet for some quality time and adda, then.”

Anima recalls Shome fondly and used to accompany her father when she was a child. Now, she sometimes visits with her family. The tea shop is still a enduring symbol of tradition, community service, and a love of tea. People are drawn to tea every morning and every evening by a profound sense of belonging and shared history, according to Anima.

At 9pm, Ashok pours the last pot of tea for the four remaining customers and prepares to call it a day.

He has started to worry about the future of his recognizable store in recent months.

“I have no idea how the younger generation will carry on this cherished trust legacy. There are very few visitors from the younger generation who come and participate in the tea shop”, he says.

Ashok’s son, according to him, is an engineer and hasn’t shown much interest in the store.

Restoration activist Ranadip shares his concerns, saying, “The younger generation has little time for adda, which seriously skews the future of the store like this.”

China races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon

At Saturday’s Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing, robots competed alongside humans.

Over a 21 km (13 mile) course with slopes, turns, and uneven surfaces, 21 humanoid robots, created by Chinese manufacturers, competed alongside thousands of runners.

Some robots won the race, while others struggled right from the beginning. Before getting up and taking off, a robot fell at the starting line and lay flat for a while.