We learned about these dangerous batches of eels coming in from Indonesia and the Phillipines earlier this year harboring a dangerous brain-damaging parasite called gnathostoma spinigerum. Thankfully we've been reassured that Shanghai eels are clear of parasites, which can't be said for all neighboring provinces. In fact, it's not just our eels that might be safer. On Sunday, the major of Shanghai proclaimed that he plans to lead the country in food safety, adopting "the 'toughest' measures on food industry market access, supervision, law enforcement and punishment." more ›

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Say it ain't so! Current world no.3 and all-around pretty decent player Roger Federer has just announced that he won't be participating in the upcoming Shanghai Masters next month. It's the second time Federer's pulled out from competing in Shanghai, after the longtime world no.1 declined his Masters invitation in 2009. Current world no.1 Novak Djokovic is also unlikely to make it to Shanghai, as a recent back injury will require between three to six weeks to heal. It comes as little surprise that two of the top three players in the ATP Tour would miss out on the upcoming tournament in Shanghai, as the Masters follow both the U.S. Open (the year's fourth and last Grand Slam) and Davis Cup matches, two must-play events on the ATP schedule. Players have recently threatened to strike due to the grueling schedule set up by the International Tennis Federation, and will meet in Shanghai during next month's Masters to discuss the situation. more ›

Break out the sunscreen and parasols, because tennis season is imminent! The Shanghai Masters and Beijing's China Open kick off next month, giving local tennis fans their annual chance to see players like Nadal, Federer, Sharapova and the Williams sisters swing grunty backhand volleys in the flesh. The China Open will take place from September 30th to October 9th at the China National Tennis Center, while the Shanghai Masters will run from October 8th to the 16th at the Shanghai Qizhong Tennis Center. Schwing! more ›

• After six hours of surgery, a pair of 4-month-old conjoined twins were successfully separated yesterday at the Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The twins shared a liver and pericardium, but thankfully each had their own heart.
• Supposedly somebody somewhere is thinking about extending the 48-hour transit visa length in Shanghai. They wont tell us when or for who or how long, but hey, here's hoping!
• And hey, did you guys know we have a 48-hour transit visa on arrival in Shanghai?

Zeng Shaoxuan, a wildcard entry from China, upset Dudi Sela yesterday in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. Zeng, ranked 396th worldwide, defeated the 44th-ranked Israeli in an come from behind victory. Sela, who has reached a semifinal and two quarterfinals so far this season, started off strong with a five-game win string, but faltered through the second and third sets. Zeng said the enthusiasm of the crowd helped him win, and we cant' blame him: we imagine it was quite an uproar. Photo:Shanghai Daily more ›

What's with superstar athletes dropping out of Shanghai sporting events? First Usain Bolt doesn't show up to the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, and now the number one ranked tennis star Roger Federer has pulled out of the Shanghai Masters event next month. Federer, citing fatigue, pulled out of both the Shanghai event and the Japan Open, but had some nice words of consolation for both cities, stating "I am disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and Shanghai as they are two of my favorite cities in the world and the fans have been great to me over the years." We're sad we have to miss out on yet another superstar coming to Shanghai. Photo: swampa @ flickr more ›