Tony Blair’s “good body” and “piercing blue eyes” were too much for Wendi Deng, according to Vanity Fair.

Rupert Murdoch’s third divorce could become the most expensive in history.

As Hu Jintao steps down as Communist Party leader, he is the subject of rare and sharp criticism, writes Charles Hutzler

FORMER Prime Minister Tony Blair is godfather to one of Rupert Murdoch’s young children, sources said yesterday, raising fresh questions about British political links to the media mogul’s empire.

Two of Britain’s most powerful men faced a barrage of questions about phone-hacking yesterday — but perhaps the woman sitting behind them was the true power behind the throne.

France 0 China 1

France 0 China 1

A Chinese karaoke bar waitress who became a folk hero after fatally stabbing a Communist Party official who demanded sex was freed today, state media said.

Sudan needs help in developing its economy and attracting investment, not soldiers for peacekeeping, the country’s finance minister, Lual Deng, said today.

Two weeks ago China basketball star Yao Ming broke his left foot while playing for the Houston Rockets of the NBA, provoking hysteria among Chinese fans fearful the 7’ 6” centre will miss September’s World Championships. Michael Moynihan found out Yao was bred to carry the hopes of the nation from communism through to the free market.

A Sudanese teenager in Clarkston, Georgia has been charged with murder for stabbing his five-year-old nephew to death.

ZHAO Ziyang, the former Communist Party leader who helped launch China's economic boom but was ousted after sympathising with the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters, died earlier yesterday in a Beijing hospital. He was 85.

The World Health Organisation today declared that Vietnam the world’s first country to contain the deadly SARS bug.

CHINA closed theatres, internet cafes and other entertainment venues in an attempt to stop the spread of SARS as the Health Ministry yesterday reported nine new deaths from the flu-like illness nationwide.

Beijing’s government closed the city’s theatres, Internet cafes and other entertainment venues in an attempt to stop the spread of Sars as the Health Ministry today reported nine new deaths from the flu-like illness nationwide.

Theatres, cinemas, Internet cafes and other public entertainment venues in Beijing were closed today in an attempt to stop the spread of Sars as China’s health ministry reported nine new deaths from the disease.

Vice President Hu Jintao was appointed as leader of China’s Communist Party today, handing him the country’s most powerful position and making him a certain bet to replace Jiang Zemin as president next year.

They were never guerrillas, hiding in caves until they could make their move and build the China of their dreams.

Rupert Murdoch is to be a father for the fifth time at the age of 70, according to Australian media reports.

Rupert Murdoch is to be a father for the fifth time at the age of 70, according to Australian media reports.