Lunchtime in Beijing

For weeks, the United States and China have been lashing out at each other. The former has tightened tech-export restrictions and threatened higher tariffs; the latter has wielded sanctions and restrictions on rare earths. 

And believe it or not, Washington actually believes that they have the upper hand in this test of nerves and pain-tolerance. Scott Bessent (right), the treasury secretary, even mocks China as “weak”. 

But the reality is different. China is eating America for lunch!

Yesterday, Celtic beat Sturm Graz 2-1 to stage an admirable second-half comeback to earn their first UEFA Europa League win of the campaign. 

A stunning long-range strike in the fifteenth minute gave the Austrian side the lead. But the Scottish champs fought back and finally clicked into gear in front of an appreciative Celtic Park crowd, producing two goals (61, 64) in three minutes. 

Liam Scales cushioned a lovely finish into the far corner after Colby Donovan dragged a pass into the box. And then, Benjamin Nygren scored with a close-range header. 

Things, on a lot of fronts, haven't been going Celtic's way of late. Finally, they did at a vital time. On the balance of play, deservedly so, with yet more big challenges on the immediate horizon. 

That's next month with ties against Midtjylland and Feyenoord. But before that, on Sunday, Celtic are looking to reel in a Hearts side who enjoy a five-point lead in the Scottish Premiership.