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Everything you need to know about the 2023 Academy Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood is gearing up for the 95th Academy Awards, where “Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes in the lead nominee and the film industry will hope to move past “the slap” of last year’s ceremony. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Oscars, including when they are, where to watch the live show and this year’s controversies.In this Feb. 21, 2015 file photo, an Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo: AP)When are the Oscars?The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST and be broadcast live on ABC.Can you stream the Oscars?The broadcast can be streamed with a subscription to Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and Fubo TV. Some of these services offer brief free trials. You can also stream the show on ABC.com and on the ABC app by authenticating your provider.Whos hosting?Jimmy Kimmel will host for the third time and his first time since 2018. That was also the last Oscars to feature a solo host. The show went hostless for several years after Kimmels last outing. Last year, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes hosted as a trio. In an ad for this year’s show styled after “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kimmel made his humble case for being the right person for the job while noting that he can’t get slapped because “I cry a lot.”Whats nominated for best picture at the 2023 Oscars?The 10 movies competing for best picture are: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Women Talking.” Heres a guide to how you can watch them.Whos presenting?The first announced round of presenters are: Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan...

Donnie Yen: Western media should showcase China's progress

(Photo: VCG)Hong Kong kung fu star Donnie Yen said he was proud to be Chinese in an interview about his role in John Wick: Chapter 4 with the UK GQ magazine.Born in Guangzhou, Yen, 60, star of Tiger Cage, In the Line of Duty IV and the Ip Man franchise, said he was amazed at the progress of his motherland during his lifetime.Most outsiders don’t see China’s modernization unless they visit, Yen was quoted as saying.“I have been in so many countries in the world, but it’s not even close,” he said. “The progress: the freeways, the architecture, the convenience of lifestyle.”Yen complained about bias in China coverage.“The BBC, CNN, they never talk about that,” he said. “They never mention the true side of it. But I’m there, you know?”(Compiled by Bai Yuanqi)

China to strike cultural artifact theft

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinas National Cultural Heritage Administration and six other authorities have jointly issued a plan to crack down on cultural artifact theft.File photo: CGTNThe three-year plan ordered sterner measures against criminal acts, including tomb robbery, theft of sculptures from grotto temples, illegal replication of ancient rock inscriptions and rock-cut artworks, theft from historic architecture, and museum theft.Besides, authorities will crack down on offenses by judicial persons that damage cultural relics or change their historical characters, said the plan.The plan also called for strengthening the security measures at cultural heritage sites and museums.

Tibetan Losar New Year an attraction for tourists

A rider picks up a khadak — a traditional ceremonial scarf that symbolizes high respect and purity for Tibetans — from horseback during the Tibetan Losar New Year holiday in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. (Photo: chinadaily.com.cn)Lhasa in the Tibet autonomous region witnessed a rebound in tourism during the seven-day Tibetan Losar New Year holiday, and visitors arrived to enjoy local culture.During the holiday from Feb 20 to 26, the city received more than 261,000 domestic and overseas tourists, an increase of 18 percent year-on-year, Lhasa Daily reported.The Losar New Year is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans. People who work in the government sector were given a seven-day holiday from Feb 20, but the celebrations can last for 15 days in rural areas.During the period, Lhasa took in tourism revenues of more than 183 million yuan ($26.7 million), up 17.3 percent year-on-year, according to the citys tourism development bureau."Of the total tourists, 193,000 chose a one-day trip tour, and more than 68,000 spent nights in Lhasa," Ngakwang Trinley, an official of the bureau, was quoted as saying by Lhasa Daily on Tuesday."The average occupancy rate of hotels was close to 32 percent, up 4 percentage points from a year earlier," he said.The Lhasa tourism development bureau also hosted various activities during the Losar holiday, including organizing tourists to experience local Tibetan customs and taking them to observe intangible cultural exhibitions.Tibet has launched a new round of its Winter Tour Campaign to attract more visitors to the region between Jan 1 and March 15, aiming to encourage more visitors to appreciate the scene in Tibet. It offers free entry to some of its scenic spots, and off-season winter prices on star-rated hotels and flights.The Winter Tour Campaign has attracted more tourists to the region in winter, and some choose to experience the atmosphere of local people celebrating their New Year.Zhang Feiyan, a t...

Village welcomes a 'living Lei Feng' from Luxembourg

Hansen Nico Rene (right), a retired policeman from Luxembourg, works as a volunteer in Zhadong village, South Chinas Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo: SCREENSHOT FROM XINHUA VIDEO)For generations, the longest distance that many villagers in Zhadong, South Chinas Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, could fathom was that of the journey between their village and Nanning, the regional capital.In 2018, the arrival of a man from Luxembourg expanded their horizons across continents."The first time I came to Zhadong village, I was overwhelmed by its natural beauty. The adobe homes fit perfectly with the green environment," recalls Hansen Nico Rene, a 63-year-old retired policeman."But when we entered the houses, we found people were poor. There was a fireplace, a table, and some chairs. The bathroom, if there was one, was in the pigsty. There was very little to suggest that they were living in the second millennium."The village Hansen visited is in a remote mountainous area in Guangxis Hechi city. Tucked away in the mountains, Zhadong village was known not only for its spectacular karst landscape but also its grinding poverty.Before coming to Zhadong, Hansen had settled in downtown Hechi for six years. What brought the retiree to Zhadong was a notice for recruiting volunteers to aid the poverty alleviation campaign in March 2018.In 2015, of some 600 residents in the village, over half lived under the national poverty line, meaning their per capita annual income was lower than 2,300 yuan ($331.7) at 2010 constant values, or $2.3 in terms of purchasing power parity per person a day. At the time of Hansens first visit, there were still some parts of the village that were not accessible by road.Villager Bi Yonghong, 41, remembers the first time he saw Hansen. "People flocked to see him out of curiosity. They took pictures of him with their phones, as it was the first time we had seen a foreigner in our village."During that...

Olive oil in coffee? New Starbucks line a curiosity in Italy

Putting olive oil in coffee is hardly a tradition in Italy, but that didnt stop Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz from launching a series of beverages that do just that in Milan, the city that inspired his coffee house empire.A Starbucks sign advertises the companys Oleato coffee in one of their coffee shops in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (Photo: AP)The coffee-olive oil concoction has provoked both amusement and curiosity among Italians. While it echoes the keto diet-influenced trend of combining coffee with fats, Starbucks line of five oil-infused drinks also adds a sugary or oat milk twist.Gambero Rosso, an Italian food and wine magazine, called the mixing of olive oil with coffee "a curious combination" but said it was reserving judgment, having not yet sampled the drinks.It did praise the staple of Italian kitchens becoming a featured ingredient, not just a condiment. It also noted the health benefits of consuming extra virgin olive oil, which many Italians do habitually straight from the bottle."Did we need coffee with extra virgin olive oil and syrups? Maybe yes, maybe no," wrote the magazines Michela Becchi. But the chance to promote Italian excellence is a valuable one, she added.Martina Lunardi, a student of cultural mediation, was sticking to her standard cappuccino on a recent Starbucks visit but said she wasnt offended by the olive oil combos and might even try one someday."Anyway, I know where to get a regular cup of coffee," Lunardi said.A view of the Oleatos menu at the Starbucks coffee shop in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (Photo: AP)Schultz came up with the notion of adding olive oil to coffee after visiting an olive oil producer in Sicily and teased the idea as a game-changer in his last earnings call. He worked with an in-house coffee drink developer to come up with recipes, the international coffee chain said.Schultz presided over the launch of "Oleato" — mea...

Doll's world: 'Japan's Barbie' casts spell over grown-ups

With her wide eyes and demure smile, Licca-chan is known as "Japans Barbie". And her appeal is spreading to all ages, with adults turning the doll into a social media superstar.Minami Murayama favors denim, which her husband helps her bleach and tear to achieve the "distressed" look. (Photo: AFP)One fan posts wry videos of the plastic poppet to over a million Instagram followers, while others painstakingly craft miniature clothes and share photos of their fashion shoots.Minami Murayama, a 34-year-old homemaker who once had ambitions of becoming a fashion designer, told AFP that her "dream has come true at one-sixth of the size" thanks to Licca-chan."If I see a stylish woman wearing something that I couldnt wear because of my age or body size, Licca-chan can still wear it and look good," said Murayama, who owns around 40 dolls and has hand-made over 1,000 outfits for them.Licca-chan has been a favourite of Japanese children since she appeared in toy shops in 1967, and manufacturer Takara Tomy has sold over 60 million of them.The companys official biography casts her as an 11-year-old girl with a Japanese designer mother and a French musician father.At 22 centimetres (8.5 inches) tall, she is smaller and less glamorous than Barbie, who Murayama describes as "a supermodel" compared with Licca-chans more "familiar" look.Murayama spends hours making clothes for her dolls and favours denim, which her husband helps her bleach and tear to achieve the "distressed" look.She has built a series of intricate sets, using tiny props to decorate mini cafes and fashion studios."There are lots of different jobs I would like to do, such as running a cafe or a bakery or being a fashion designer," she said."Of course, theres no way I could do them all in real life, but I can do them all in a dolls world."- She makes mistakes -Murayama is a fan of a popular so...

More youngsters choosing to dress with cultural confidence

Tourists clad in traditional hanfu pose for a photo in a tourist area inspired by the Tang Dynasty (618-907), in Qujiang New District in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in January. Photo/Xinhua BEIJING — Dressed in long robes, a crowd of young people wanders around pavilions and royal gardens, with their

The Oscar universe belongs to 'Everything Everywhere'

They dreamt up universes of hotdog fingers, googly-eyed rocks and "Raccaccoonie." But Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, in this world or another, never imagined the kind of runaway success "Everything Everywhere All at Once" would have on the Oscar trail.Daniel Scheinert, left, and Daniel Kwan, the directing duo known as the Daniels, pose for a portrait at the 95th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo: AP) For the past year, since " Everything Everywhere All at Once" debuted at SXSW, the filmmaking duo known as the Daniels has been living in what has sometimes felt to them like a parallel dimension. They never expected that their madcap multiverse tale would take them to the Oscars. They still, sometimes, dont believe it."It feels like were in our movie sometimes," Scheinert says. "At some point were going to get pulled out of this joke and be back to our own lives and be like, Oh, wouldnt that be cool? Too bad."Yet "Everything Everywhere All at Once" has emerged as the most improbable of Academy Awards heavyweights. An absurdist indie that pairs existentialism and everything bagels, released way back in March last year, is not just heading for a few possible wins at the Oscars on March 12. Its poised to steamroll.Its the favorite to win best picture, best director, best actress for Michelle Yeoh, best supporting actor for Ke Huy Quan and potentially best supporting actress for Jamie Lee Curtis. A movie with fanny-pack-styled kung fu about a middle-aged woman filing her taxes is on course to best blockbusters ("Top Gun: Maverick" ) and Spielberg ( "The Fabelmans" ), alike.If "Everything Everywhere All at Once" — nominated for a leading 11 Oscars and already a winner with the predictive producers, actors and directors guilds — wins best picture, it will be on...

Belarusians celebrate Maslenitsa to welcome spring

Maslenitsa, or pancake week, is a cheerful religious holiday during which people in Belarus bid farewell to winter and celebrate the beginning of spring.Women sing by a table during a celebration of the Maslenitsa festival in the village of Obchin, Lyuban District, Belarus, on March 1, 2020. The holiday celebrates the end of winter and marks the arrival of spring. (Photo: CFP)This old Slavic festival with its carnival-like atmosphere fell on Feb. 20 this year and lasts for one week. Each day of the holiday has different symbols and traditional rituals.Monday is known as Welcoming Day. On this day, people welcome Lady Maslenitsa, who represents winter, by baking some blini, a traditional pancake, and making effigies of Lady Maslenitsa out of straw. The first blini is offered to the poor and the effigy is placed on the main street, where it will stay until the end of the holiday.People carry an effigy of Lady Maslenitsa during a celebration of the Maslenitsa festival in the village of Obchin, Lyuban District, Belarus, on March 1, 2020. The holiday celebrates the end of winter and marks the arrival of spring. (Photo: CFP)Tuesday is Game Day, which is devoted to young people. Locals, especially young people, usually spend it outside playing games such as sleigh riding and sledding.Wednesday is Sweet Day. People usually treat relatives and friends to pancakes and cakes. Traditionally, women invite their sons-in-law to their homes to try their homemade pancakes.A woman takes part in the Maslenitsa celebrations held by the Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Lifestyle in the village of Ozertso on Feb. 29, 2020. (Photo: CFP)Thursday is Revelry Day. The effigy of Lady Maslenitsa is put on display as people carry her around while enjoying blini and outdoor activities including sledding, singing and dancing.Friday is called Mothers-in-law Evening. This is for men to show their appreciation to their mothers-in-law by making some blini for them.A woman swings ...

Yellow River - straddling cultural parks to boost ecology, tourism

The Yellow River is considered the mother river of the Chinese nation. For thousands of years, it has been the cradle of Chinese civilization, with the people living along its banks having nurtured an enduring culture that is rich and vibrant.View of the Yellow River. (Photo: CFP)In order to protect the ecological environment of the Yellow River, support the sustainable development of the surrounding areas, and showcase its cultural heritage, a project to create a series of parks along the rivers banks is now underway, involving nine provincial-level regions.Some museums are also planned to present the historical and cultural relics discovered here and promote the culture of the Yellow River, using AR, VR and other advanced technologies. Whats more, a series of activities will be arranged to protect and inherit the culture of those ethnics living along the river, demonstrating the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.A rainbow appears at Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, Shanxi Province, China. (Photo: CFP)The project incorporates archaeological research and the protection of cultural relics in these areas. This rich heritage serves as an important resource for the construction of the Yellow River National Cultural Park. The project will make full use of the existing archaeological sites, bringing these ancient relics back to life so they can tell their stories.View of the Yellow River in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, China. (Photo: CFP)Flood control and disaster prevention work will be carried out along the Yellow River to protect the environment and keep residents safe while these cultural parks are being built.They will be developed as a new kind of "intelligent parks" featuring advanced technologies and creative models to provide residents with some brand-new infrastructure.

'Everything Everywhere All at Once' dominates SAG honors

Harry Shum Jr., from left, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis pose in the press room with the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," at the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 26, 2023, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. (Photo: AP)LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The multiverse adventure "Everything Everywhere All at Once" grabbed the top ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, cementing its status as the favorite for the prestigious best picture prize at next months Oscars.The film, a hilarious sci-fi action adventure, not only took home the top prize, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, but also swept nearly every acting category.The films Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh made history with her win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, beating frontrunner Cate Blanchett.Michelle Yeoh poses with the awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role and Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture "Everything Everywhere All at Once" during the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City, California, on February 26, 2023. (Photo: AFP)"This is not just for me," Yeoh said in her acceptance speech, noting that the prize is "for every little girl that looks like me."Yeohs co-star Ke Huy Quan became the first Asian winner of the best supporting actor category, while there was a shock win for his co-star Jamie Lee Curtis in the supporting actress category."Everything Everywhere All at Once," a juggernaut in this Hollywood awards season, led nominees for the upcoming 95th Academy Awards, or the Oscars, with 11 nominations, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Ke Huy Quan kisses the award for outstanding Male Actor in a...

Cardiac disease likely cause of panda death

Le Le, the giant panda that died early this month at Memphis Zoo, may have succumbed to cardiac disease, according to an autopsy by zoologists from China and the United States.An image of giant panda Le Le and some floral tributes are pictured at the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, the United States, on Feb 4, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)After discovering a cardiac lesion, the experts preliminary judgment was that this was the cause of the death of the 25-year-old male panda, according to a media release from the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens on Sunday."But that judgment still needs to be confirmed through pathological examinations," it said.The autopsy was conducted following the arrival of a Chinese team at the zoo recently. Experts from both countries ruled out a number of common conditions, including an intestinal twist, a rupture of the aorta or a ruptured pyogenic liver abscess.Le Le died in his sleep on Feb 3 before he could be returned to China, according to the zoo."Over the last 20 years Le Le has delighted millions of visitors, served as an exemplary ambassador for his species and remains a shining symbol of conservation partnership with the Peoples Republic of China," it said in a statement on Feb 3.Le Le arrived in Memphis accompanied by a female giant panda, Ya Ya, in 2003. Last December, the zoo said that the famous duo would make the journey back to China within the next few months, as the current loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens was coming to an end.The Chinese team also examined Ya Ya, and checked her medical and monthly health reports, according to the Chinese association.Despite hair loss resulting from a skin disease, the female panda was found to have a good appetite and was maintaining a stable weight, it said, adding that no abnormalities were observed in its feces.Aside from holding a discussion with Memphis Zoo about Ya Yas skin condition, the group gave advice on how to feed ...

3,500-year-old bone ice skates unearthed in Xinjiang tomb

Archaeologists have found 3,500-year-old ice skates made of animal bone in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, experts announced at a Xinjiang archaeological press conference on Saturday.

'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' tops North American box office for 2nd straight weekend

In this file photo taken on February 06, 2023, US actor Paul Rudd and his wife, writer Julie Yaeger, arrive for the World Premiere of Marvels "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California. (File photo: AFP)LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Disney and Marvel Studios superhero film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" topped the North American box office for the second weekend in a row, with an estimated three-day cume of 32.2 million U.S. dollars, showed figures from the measurement firm Comscore on Sunday.After 10 days on the big screen, the film has grossed 167.3 million dollars in North America, bringing the worldwide total to 364 million dollars.Directed by Peyton Reed, "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" is the sequel to 2015s "Ant-Man" and 2018s "Ant-Man and the Wasp." The film, starring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Universals comedy horror film "Cocaine Bear" opened in second place with 23 million dollars this weekend. Directed by Elizabeth Banks, the film stars Keri Russell, OShea Jackson Jr., Christian Convery-Jennings and Alden Ehrenreich among others.Inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runners plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, the film finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a forest, where the bear has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow and blood.Rounding out the top three, another newcomer, Lionsgates "Jesus Revolution" took in 15.5 million dollars on its opening weekend.

Six projects unveiled for '2022 New Archaeological Discoveries in China'

Six projects were listed as the "2022 New Archaeological Discoveries in China" at an archaeology forum on Wednesday in Beijing. The forum was held by the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.Six projects belonging to the "2022 New Archaeological Discoveries in China" are unveiled on February 22, 2023 in Beijing. (Photo: CFP) Shiyan Xuetangliangzi Paleolithic Site in central Chinas Hubei Province and Shangyi Sitai Neolithic Ruins in north Chinas Hebei Province both made the list, as did the Qingyang Nanzuo Neolithic Site in northwest Chinas Gansu Province.The Royal Tomb area and surrounding relics in the Yin Ruins dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.) in Anyang, central Chinas Henan Province, were also billed among the best new finds of last year, as was the Kunming Hebosuo Bronze Age Site in southwest Chinas Yunnan Province, and the Helan Suyukou Porcelain Kiln Site in Yinchuan, northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.Cultural relics unearthed from the Helan Suyukou Porcelain Kiln Site in Yinchuan, northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Photo: CMG) The event invited the leaders responsible for the selected projects to introduce the status of their archaeological excavations. The discoveries span from the Paleolithic Age to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).Aiming to promote academic exchanges and contribute to the growth of Chinese archaeology in the modern era, the Archaeology Forum of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was established in 2002 to provide a platform for experts to discuss the latest archaeological discoveries, share information, and discuss new developments in the field."New Archaeological Discoveries in China" selects six projects each year and has become one of the most important awards in the field of archaeology. By regularly announcing new archaeological discoveries, the story of mankinds origins spanning millions o...

China welcomes panda Eimei and twin cubs back home from Japan

CHENGDU, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Giant panda Eimei, together with its twin cubs Ouhin and Touhin, born in Japan, arrived home in southwest Chinas Sichuan Province on Wednesday night.Giant panda Eimei eats bamboo at the Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, Japan, Feb. 14, 2019. Eimei, 26 years old, received a cushion made of fresh bamboo and gunny bag written Japanese words "We love Eimei", and heart-shaped ice as Valentines Day gifts. (Photo: Xinhua)The plane carrying the three pandas landed at the provinces Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 11:10 p.m. Wednesday.They will be kept in quarantine for a month at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.Eimei, or Yong Ming in Chinese, was born in Beijing Zoo in 1992, and was sent to Japan under cooperative breeding programs in 1994. With age the human equivalent of 90, Eimei was the oldest giant panda living in Japan and has fathered a total of 16 panda cubs.The twin sisters, Ouhin and Touhin, who returned to China with Eimei, were born in 2014.Before their arrival, Japan-born female giant panda Xiang Xiang returned to China on Tuesday.

Chinese official endures harsh cold to promote her hometown

An official of Tahe county, Heilongjiang province, drew the attention of Chinese netizens recently when a short video starring her began circulating the internet, China Youth Daily reported on Wednesday.Screenshot from Internet To promote the tourism industry of her hometown, Du Bo, the 44-year-old director of the culture and tourism bureau, shot videos of herself walking outside in the harsh winter cold wearing ethnic clothing.In the video, Du can be seen walking through a birch tree forest while wearing an elegant white dress. She is also wearing a headpiece decorated with deer antlers designed to make her look like a "white deer fairy"."At that time, the temperature was lower than minus 20 degrees Celsius. We only had one afternoon and there was no time to find professional cameras or makeup crews," said Du."Once the sun set, it would be too late, so the whole shooting was done in a hurry."Du recalled that by the end of the whole endeavor, both of her arms were already going numb due to the searing cold."After the video shoot, I drank two whole pots of boiled ginger soup to warm up,"said Du.Raising many peoples interest in the local fashion and sceneries, the video racked up millions of views on short-video platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou."The cloth used in the video is a high-quality dress designed with Orogen ethnic elements. We thought we should let more people see the beauty of Orogen dresses, so we made the video," said Du.Despite the videos success, there were also those who questioned her motives of making such a video, calling her out on attention seeking and using government expense to promote her personal image.However, these accusations were short-lived, as it was soon made clear that the dress was borrowed from the designer while all recording and post processing were done by Du and her co-workers with no government expense involved.Du also explained why she was casted in the video, sta...

Milan Fashion Week opens with celebrity stardust, industry growth

Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and Missoni are among Italys top labels showing at Milan Fashion Week starting Wednesday, with the industry buoyed by bumper sales results despite war-fuelled economic uncertainty.Models present creations of Ermenegildo Zegna during the Autumn-Winter 2023-2024 Mens fashion show as part of the Milan Fashion Week on January 16, 2023. (File photo: AFP)American megastar Kim Kardashian is expected to bring some celebrity stardust at an event hosted by D&G to celebrate her Ciao Kim line, which had its debut in the northern Italian city in September.Renowned brands such as Etro, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Bottega Veneta and Moschino are also among showing their autumn/winter 2023-2024 collections, with 59 catwalk shows on the official schedule between now and February 27.Also on the sidelines will be exhibitions by US video artist Bill Viola, and the late French fashion photographer Guy Bourdin, whose show is curated by Giorgio Armani.Meanwhile, the first Black Carpet Awards will take place on Friday, a gala evening organised by the Afro Fashion Association to celebrate diversity -- the lack of which has long been an issue in Milan.Despite the energy crisis and global uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine, which erupted almost exactly one year ago, the major luxury brands are flourishing.French giant LVMH, whose Italian brands include Fendi, Bulgari and Loro Piana, reported a 23 percent increase in sales and 17 percent rise in net profit in 2022 -- both new records for the group.- Exceptional year -Meanwhile, rival Kering reported a 14 percent rise in its net profit, with sales up 15 percent, despite poor performances by flagship brands Gucci and Balenciaga.Figures from Italys national fashion chamber (CNMI) confirm the positive trend, with the sector recording better-than-expected revenues of 98.3 billion euros ($104 billion) in 2022, up 18 percent on the previous year."Growth like that of 2022 was excepti...

Japan fans bid panda farewell at airport

Large crowds gathered at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Tuesday to say goodbye as Xiang Xiang, the first giant panda naturally bred and raised in Japan, was flown home to China.

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