Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

TOKYO, Japan, July 4 Kyodo - Japanese novelist Akira Otani delivers a speech in London on July 3, 2025, after winning the best translated crime novel prize for "The Night of Baba Yaga" at the Dagger Awards, becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing. (Kyodo)

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

The English version of Japanese novelist Akira Otani's crime novel "The Night of Baba Yaga" is displayed on a bookstore shelf in downtown London on July 3, 2025. Otani was given the best translated crime novel prize at the Dagger Awards, becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing.

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

The English version of Japanese novelist Akira Otani's crime novel "The Night of Baba Yaga" is displayed on a bookstore shelf in downtown London on July 3, 2025. Otani was given the best translated crime novel prize at the Dagger Awards, becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing.

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Akira Otani (R), alongside translator Sam Bett, meets the press after winning the best translated crime novel prize for "The Night of Baba Yaga" at the Dagger Awards in London on July 3, 2025, becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing.

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Akira Otani (C) is given the best translated crime novel prize for "The Night of Baba Yaga" at the Dagger Awards during an award ceremony in London on July 3, 2025, alongside translator Sam Bett (L), becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing.

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Akira Otani delivers a speech in London on July 3, 2025, after winning the best translated crime novel prize for "The Night of Baba Yaga" at the Dagger Awards, becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing.

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Otani wins U.K. award

Japanese novelist Akira Otani delivers a speech in London on July 3, 2025, after winning the best translated crime novel prize for "The Night of Baba Yaga" at the Dagger Awards, becoming her country's first to win the major British award for crime and mystery writing.

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai works at a motion capture workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai (R) and a motion capture crew member watch the replay at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai works at a motion capture workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai (R) adjusts his movements under the instruction of a motion capture crew member at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

A crew member adjusts the motion capture devices for Yin Kai at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai (L) communicates with motion capture crew members at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Spo

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai works at a motion capture workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai works at a motion capture workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai practices his movements at a motion capture workshop in Shanghai, east China, on August 26, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes mor

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

A motion capture crew member gives instruction on Yin Kai's movements at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai Unive

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai (L) adjusts his movements under the instruction of a motion capture crew member at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

A crew member adjusts the motion capture devices for Yin Kai (L) at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai (C) communicates with motion capture crew members at a workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Spo

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai works at a motion capture workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Motion capture workshop - Shenzhen

Yin Kai works at a motion capture workshop in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on August 28, 2024. Considered China's first homegrown high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone title, "Black Myth: Wukong" is deeply invested in the usage of cutting-edge motion capture technology to incorporate real-world martial arts into the game. Through the technology, the actions of professional stuntmen dressed in customized suits with reflective points are recorded from all angles, processed into virtual data and finally presented on in-game characters. Yin Kai, hailing from Shandong Province, is among the game's motion capture crew. He undertook the majority of the action work for the game's protagonist, a monkey character based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Inspired by TV stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Kong Fu enthusiast began practicing martial arts at the age of five and majored in martial arts performance at Shanghai University of Sport. To make the combat scenes

First childrens train carriage departs from Kharkiv

First childrens train carriage departs from Kharkiv

HARKIV, UKRAINE - AUGUST 8, 2024 - The monument to Father Fyodor, a character from The Twelve Chairs novel by Soviet authors Ilf and Petrov, is pictured in front of the first childrens train carriage launched by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia along the Kharkiv-Yasinia route as part of the N15/16 train, Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine.

Play "Les Miserables" staged to mark China-France ties

STORY: Play "Les Miserables" staged to mark China-France ties SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 27, 2024 DATELINE: March 1, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Les Miserables 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): JOAN VALADOU, Consul General of France in Shanghai 3. various of Les Miserables 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LIU YE, Actor STORYLINE: A drama based on Victor Hugo's celebrated novel "Les Miserables" was staged in Shanghai on Friday. It is to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. According to Joan Valadou, Consul General of France in Shanghai, the play is a good example of China-France cultural exchanges. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): JOAN VALADOU, Consul General of France in Shanghai "Culture has played a vital role in the relationship between France and China for a long time, which brings us a lot of things. In Shanghai, we have arranged many first-class cultural institutions to hold various cultural and artisti

China's Golden Rooster Awards winners announced

STORY: China's Golden Rooster Awards winners announced SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 4, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:33 LOCATION: XIAMEN, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the closing ceremony of the 2023 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival STORYLINE: Winners of the 36th Golden Rooster Awards were announced Saturday evening in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Winners of 20 awards for the best actor, actress, director and feature film, among others, were announced at the highly-anticipated closing ceremony of the 2023 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival. The fantasy epic "Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms" snatched up two trophies -- best feature film and best cinematography -- to become one of the biggest winners. The movie is the first installment of a trilogy based on the household Chinese fantasy novel "Investiture of the Gods," which features mythological stories taking place in ancient China's Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Actors perform during the award ceremony for the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 21, 2023. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- T. Kingfisher from the United States is awarded the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone" at the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 21, 2023. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Seanan McGuire is awarded the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go" at the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 21, 2023. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Oct. 21, 2023 shows the award ceremony for the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Oct. 19, 2023 shows a trophy for the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese author Hai Ya (L) speaks after winning the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter" at the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 21, 2023. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Oct. 21, 2023 shows the award ceremony for the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese author Hai Ya (C) is awarded the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter" at the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 21, 2023. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese author Hai Ya speaks during an interview after winning the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter" at the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 21, 2023. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (X

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-CHENGDU-WORLDCON-2023 HUGO AWARDS-CEREMONY (CN)

(231021) -- CHENGDU, Oct. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Oct. 21, 2023 shows the award ceremony for the 2023 Hugo Awards during the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, the world's top prizes for science fiction literature, were announced on Saturday night, with Chinese author Hai Ya taking home the Best Novelette award for "The Space-Time Painter." T. Kingfisher, from the United States, won the Best Novel award for "Nettle & Bone." Samantha Mills won Best Short Story for "Rabbit Test," while Seanan McGuire was named the Best Novella winner for "Where the Drowned Girls Go." The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious awards. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention, which is also responsible for administering them. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao)

China First Two-dimensional Cultural Mall in Shanghai

China First Two-dimensional Cultural Mall in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 24, 2023 - A comic book company displays a realistic model of science fiction novel Predator at Bailian ZX, China's first Two-dimensional cultural mall, in Shanghai, China, Aug. 24, 2023.

Japan imperial family on summer vacation

Japan imperial family on summer vacation

(from L) Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko take a stroll on the premises of an imperial villa in Nasushiobara in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Aug. 21, 2023, as they stay there for their summer vacation, the first time in four years after the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family on summer vacation

Japan imperial family on summer vacation

(from L) Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko take a stroll on the premises of an imperial villa in Nasushiobara in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Aug. 21, 2023, as they stay there for their summer vacation, the first time in four years after the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family on summer vacation

Japan imperial family on summer vacation

(2nd from L) Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at JR Nasushiobara Station in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Aug. 21, 2023, to stay at an imperial villa for their summer vacation, for the first time in four years due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Pool photo)

COVID-19 no longer int'l health emergency: WHO

STORY: COVID-19 no longer int'l health emergency: WHO DATELINE: May 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:45 LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) STORYLINE: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the WHO's highest alert level. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, made the announcement at a virtual press conference from Geneva. The WHO first gave COVID-19 its highest level of alert on Jan. 30, 2020, and a panel of global health experts has continued to apply the label ever since, at meetings held every three months. In March 2020, WHO characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic while the novel coronavirus continued to spread worldwide. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Geneva, Switzerland. (XHTV)

Carriage carries new ambassador to Imperial Palace

Carriage carries new ambassador to Imperial Palace

A horse-drawn carriage heads to the Imperial Palace from near Tokyo Station in the Japanese capital on March 8, 2023. The traditional procession to carry new ambassadors to Japan slated to submit their credentials to Japanese emperor is held for the first time in three years after the novel coronavirus-caused hiatus.

Carriage carries new ambassador to Imperial Palace

Carriage carries new ambassador to Imperial Palace

A horse-drawn carriage heads to the Imperial Palace from near Tokyo Station in the Japanese capital on March 8, 2023. The traditional procession to carry new ambassadors to Japan slated to submit their credentials to Japanese emperor is held for the first time in three years after the novel coronavirus-caused hiatus.

Carriage carries new ambassador to Imperial Palace

Carriage carries new ambassador to Imperial Palace

A horse-drawn carriage heads to the Imperial Palace from near Tokyo Station in the Japanese capital on March 8, 2023. The traditional procession to carry new ambassadors to Japan slated to submit their credentials to Japanese emperor is held for the first time in three years after the novel coronavirus-caused hiatus.

Xinhua Headlines: Top 10 China news stories of 2022

Xinhua Headlines: Top 10 China news stories of 2022

(221229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2022 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Dec. 27, 2022 shows a press conference held by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism. Top 10 China news stories of 2022 10. China adjusts COVID-19 response policies in science-based, targeted manner Putting people's lives and health first, China has been optimizing its COVID-19 response policies in a dynamic manner in the face of a constantly mutating novel coronavirus. On Nov. 10, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting, which discussed and arranged 20 measures to further optimize epidemic prevention and control work. On Dec. 7, China further adjusted its virus prevention and control policies with 10 new measures, shifting the policy focus from infection prevention to severe cases prevention. On Dec. 26, China renamed novel coronavirus pneumonia as novel coronavirus infection and decided to downgrade its level of COVID-19 management fr

Models find work off catwalk

Models find work off catwalk

TOKYO, Japan - Fashion model Moe Oshikiri speaks about her recently published first novel "Asaki Yumemishi" during an interview on Aug. 2, 2013 in Tokyo.

Haruki Murakami's new novel

Haruki Murakami's new novel

TOKYO, Japan - Copies of the new novel by popular Japanese author Haruki Murakami, titled "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage," are piled up at a bookstore in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on the morning of April 12, 2013, after its midnight release. It is Murakami's first novel in three years.

Haruki Murakami's new novel

Haruki Murakami's new novel

TOKYO, Japan - A signboard reading "Books Murakami Haruki" (top) to advertise a special corner for the new novel by popular Japanese author is set up at the entrance of bookstore chain Sanseido's main shop in Tokyo's Jimbocho district on April 12, 2013. The new novel titled "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage" was released at midnight on April 11. It is Murakami's first novel in three years.

Haruki Murakami's new novel

Haruki Murakami's new novel

OSAKA, Japan - A woman buys a copy of the new novel by popular Japanese author Haruki Murakami, titled "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage," at a bookstore in Osaka on the morning of April 12, 2013, after its midnight release. It is Murakami's first novel in three years.

Haruki Murakami's new novel

Haruki Murakami's new novel

OSAKA, Japan - A woman buys a copy of the new novel by popular Japanese author Haruki Murakami, titled "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage," at a bookstore in Osaka on the morning of April 12, 2013, after its midnight release. It is Murakami's first novel in three years.

Haruki Murakami's new novel

Haruki Murakami's new novel

OSAKA, Japan - A woman buys a copy of the new novel by popular Japanese author Haruki Murakami, titled "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage," at a bookstore in Osaka on the morning of April 12, 2013, after its midnight release. It is Murakami's first novel in three years.