SINGAPORE: Travelling with Singapore Airlines? On your way, you can now watch some of CNA’s top films and current affairs programs.  , An extensive selection of content produced by CNA is now available on SIA’s in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld, Mediacorp announced on Friday ( Feb 21 ). The programs willContinue Reading
Ne Zha, a famous baby warrior from Chinese myth, is frequently depicted as a rebel goddess who defies fate to determine his own destiny.
He struggles to find his own path and beat his destiny after being conceived as a demon, fearful of his mystical abilities, and just foreseeable in three years.
A fresh Chinese movie about the hero broke some box office records, including surpassing Pixar’s Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated movie ever.
A Chinese active fantasy journey film called Ne Zha 2. It might seem odd that it is breaking so numerous files. It’s a movie to a movie that didn’t do as well, it’s not National and it’s not in English.
However, it seems to be continuing its record-breaking work without a halt. Its success led to its debut during the Chinese Lunar New Year, which was followed by its success internationally in countries like wider Asia, North America, and Australia.
For years, Hollywood has dominated China’s package offices, but the discharge of Ne Zha 2 marks a major breakthrough in China’s visual and social development. Its unheard box office performance seems to indicate a shifting pattern in the world film business.
It demonstrates China’s ambivalence and ability to create world-class information that rivals European animation studios like Disney and Pixar. Additionally, it assists in boosting social trust and the projection of soft power, which President Xi Jinping has consistently stressed for years.
The history of Ne Zha, and its many adjustments, have much captivated Taiwanese people of all ages – including me. I fondly recall watching the 1979 type on a black-and-white Television with my family when I was small. The Ming dynasty’s Fengshen Yanyi ( Investiture of the Gods ) novel Fengshen Yanyi ( Investiture of the Gods ) is its source material, which has since been adapted into various literary and religious works.
Ne Zha’s rebellion against royal patriarchal authority is the central plot point. This conflict is centered on parental issues and even attempted patricide.
In contrast, the redefinition of the story portrays this mythologically unstable baby as a decent goddess who fights for his family’s interests by forging alliances, confronting foe factions, and challenging the existing purchase.
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In a culture where the economic downturn and rising unemployment are at odds with one another, it has adeptly tapped into the personal needs of modern Chinese audiences. Chinese audiences have a strong understanding of the themes of parental love and encouraging parenting, which offer both ethnic and sentimental reassurance in uncertain times.
The styles of Taiwanese technological advancement and social excellence have a strong resonance with local audiences. This has given Taiwanese people a strong sense of ethnic identity and regional confidence.
No words in China now seem to convey the emotions after watching the film more effectively than “pride” and a sense of patriotism, both because of the film’s graphically stunning graphics techniques and its portrayal of China’s wealthy cultural traditions.
But, the movie needs to be understood within the wider circumstances of China’s evolving international reputation and its home environment.
Beyond pleasure, Ne Zha 2’s victory fits within President Xi Jinping’s ideas on” social confidence”, which can be clearly defined as a world’s company belief in the strength and vitality of its own culture. Since the show’s record-breaking efficiency, state media and numerous state-owned outlets have been deliberately echoing this storyline.
Women’s Daily, the formal news of the Communist Party of China, equates Ne Zha to China’s cultural trust as a means to develop soft energy and explore unknown territory. This emphasis on cultural confidence, however, is not merely state-driven.
The film’s director, Jiao Zi, has expressed his confidence in China’s traditional culture, stating:” China’s stories don’t need to deliberately cater to the West”. Instead, he believes that traditional Chinese culture is a vast treasure trove of inspiration, which is interesting to all.
Ne Zha is not an isolated success in absorbing ideas from traditional Chinese culture. Last year’s Black Myth: Wukong, a record-breaking gaming blockbuster, gained global attention at the 2024 Game Awards ( the Oscars of the video games industry ).
Like Ne Zha, it’s based on another legendary 16th-century Chinese novel Xiyouji ( Journey to the West ). China’s official news agency, Xinhua, characterized the enduring popularity of these ancient tales as “part of a broader cultural renaissance”.
Ne Zha’s success is emerging as a key example of China’s growing cultural identity, aligning with the cultural confidence discourse. Ne Zha is described as” a new window for the world to see China,” according to a spokesperson for the foreign ministry.
Whether Ne Zha 2 achieves long-term success abroad is still up for debate. However, one thing is unmistakable: Chinese animation is no longer just for domestic audiences. The film’s popularity is a reflection of China’s wider plans to increase its soft power in addition to its expanding economic and strategic influence.
Ming Gao is research scholar of East Asia Studies, History Division, Lund University
This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
BBC News, Mumbai
BeerBiceps/YouTube” Dirty”. ” Twisted brain”. ” Disgusting”.
The Supreme Court of India used these words on Tuesday to grant a well-known YouTuber who has been a target of a national outcry in the past year.
The conflict started when Ranveer Allahbadia, whose YouTube channel BeerBiceps has eight million subscribers, posed the question to the contestant:” Would you rather see your relatives have sex every time for the rest of your life or visit in and stop it always”?
The remarks, made on the show India’s Got Hidden on 9 February, sparked huge anger, authorities situations and even suicide risks. YouTube immediately removed the event, but that did not stop the fervor against Allahbadia and the show.
In truth, the amount of attention the incident has received is mind-boggling: it has made regional headlines, been covered on primetime TV and some of India’s most popular news sites have also run live pages.
Not surprising, considering the star status of Allahbadia. He has interviewed federal ministers, top Bollywood celebrities, cricketers and Hollywood actors. And last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed him a” National Creators Awards” trophy.
Since the controversy erupted, Allahbadia and the show’s creator, Samay Raina, have apologised for the comments and Raina has taken down all previous episodes of the show. In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court forbade Allahbadia from sharing information on social media.
However, the incident is still in the news.
” It feels like the state is trying to make an example out of Allahbadia”, says Apar Gupta, founder of the Internet Freedom Foundation. Saket Gokhale, an opposition lawmaker, also condemned the targeting of Allahbadia and the show.
“Crass content can be criticised if it offends you. However, you cannot have the state persecute and lock up people for offending your ‘moral sentiments’,” he wrote in a post on X.
Popular comedian Vir Das also weighed in on the controversy and criticised news channels for their one-dimensional coverage of the incident and for taking a disparaging view of all digital content.
The controversy surrounding Allahbadia’s remarks and the subsequent backlash has sparked discussions about the need for viral content and the consequences for its creators when its content violates rules upheld by the very people who watch it.
Getty ImagesRaina’s show, which debuted in June, has been popular from the start, with each episode being viewed tens of millions of times on YouTube. Additionally, it hasn’t avoided starting up debates either.
The show has platformed some bizarre performances and judges and contestants have been seen making crass and crude comments more than a few times. Critics have accused the show of spewing misogynistic views and for body-shaming guests.
A popular fashion influencer once walked out of the show after a male contestant compared her to a former adult film actress while another asked her about her “body count” (a slang term for the number of sexual partners a person has had).
But it appears that the show’s appeal was also there.
Fans of the program have praised it for promoting “raw talent and unfiltered jokes.” Some people have expressed their liking for the roasts, a form of insult comedy, that was popular on the show.
Experts have underscored how, with the entertainment landscape exploding, digital content creators often feel compelled to push the envelope – even if it means resorting to the risqué and lewd – just to gain views and virality.
It’s safe to say that the show pushed the limits and the buttons of many. But then, it backfired.
Samay Raina/YouTube” A lot of comedy, especially of a certain masculine kind, is cruel and punches down on people. It has a violent undercurrent. So it’s not surprising if you contribute to that culture when it eventually comes back to bite you,” says filmmaker Paromita Vohra.
She goes on to say that a successful comedy requires a carefully tuned understanding of the audience for which it is being performed and what restrictions it can impose.
Interestingly, Allahbadia’s question, which sparked the furore, was almost identical to the question asked by the host of an Australian comedy show called OG Crew’s Truth or Drink. While the question didn’t spark outrage in Australia, it has in India.
” The internet has made it possible for content to reach spaces and audiences that it wasn’t naturally engaging with.” Unthinkingly appropriating content can have unexpected consequences”, she says.
She adds that it’s necessary to avoid making these issues morally questionable.
There is always the possibility of morality being used to punish those who violate what is accepted by society, she says, and it’s possible that morality is being increasingly ingrained into the legal framework of the nation, which can cause divisions.
Some critics claim that the government is using the controversy as a pretext to distract attention from pressing issues like pollution and unemployment. Some apprehensions are that the federal government will use it as justification for expanding the scope of content creation regulation.
After the controversy, a report by NDTV news channel stated that a parliamentary panel was considering making laws around digital content stricter. The Supreme Court too has pushed for more regulations around online content.
According to Mr. Gupta, the state already has” a tremendous amount of power” to prosecute those accused of breaking various data and content laws, and that while the state exercises its powers without restraint, content creators don’t have as many legal safeguards to protect them.
” Instead of tighter laws, we need more reform, existing legal standards need to be more tolerant of free expression”, he says.
” Young people should know where to go for their education, such as in education and digital learning, and use the internet only for entertainment,” he said.
At the International Finance Sustainable Finance Awards, Maybank has received numerous accolades. Among the awards, Maybank was named the Best Bank for Sustainable Financing in Emerging Markets ( Global &, Asia Pacific ), Best Bank for Sustainability Transparency ( Asia Pacific ), Best Bank for Sustainable Finance ( Malaysia ), and Best Bank for Sustainable Finance ( Indonesia ). In a press release, the bank said these accolades reflect its efforts to combat climate change and advance sustainable development in the ASEAN area.
In addition to these sustainability-focused prizes, Maybank was even recognized as the Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Malaysia. These achievements coincide with the company’s M25 technique, which emphasizes customer-centricity, online change, and sustainability leadership.
Continue reading at <a href="https://oursustainabilitymatters.com/maybank-earns-multiple-sustainability-awards-at-global-finance-sustainable-finance-awards/ “>https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/maybank-earns-multiple-sustainability-awards-at-global-finance-sustainable-finance-awards/  ,for t<a href="https://oursustainabilitymatters.com/maybank-earns-multiple-sustainability-awards-at-global-finance-sustainable-finance-awards/ “>he full article as DNA is transitioning our sustainability coverage to a standalone news site.
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Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker has been named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2024 after a global public vote.
The 22-year-old was recognised for her historic achievement in becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals at a single Olympic Games.
Bhaker became the first Indian woman to win an OIympic medal in shooting when she won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol in Paris.
Two days later she won a second bronze – alongside Sarabjot Singh in the mixed 10m air pistol.
Bhaker has previously won the BBC’s ISWOTY Emerging Athlete of the Year award.
On accepting her latest award, Bhaker said: “I have had a journey of ups and downs. I hope I can inspire women, all athletes and people with big dreams.
“Your journey doesn’t end if you are struggling. You write your own story.”
Her fellow shooter Avani Lekhara was presented with the BBC ISWOTY Para-sportswoman of the Year award.
The 23-year-old is the first Indian woman to win three Paralympic medals, with gold in Paris following a gold and bronze at Tokyo 2020.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu said: “I appreciate the entire team of the BBC for the praiseworthy initiative of organising BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year.
“The extraordinary athletes who have been recognised through this initiative have not only excelled in their sports but have also inspired young women to pursue their dreams fearlessly.”
BBC director general Tim Davie, who hosted the awards ceremony, said: “Manu Bhaker’s historic Olympic performance is a defining moment for Indian sports. Her journey from a promising young shooter to a record-breaking Olympian inspires athletes across the country and beyond.
“We are also honoured to celebrate Avani Lekhara as the Para-sportswoman of the Year. Her resilience and record-breaking success continue to pave the way for greater inclusion and excellence in Para-sports.
“The BBC’s commitment to audiences in India makes our relationship here a special one, and we are proud to celebrate the achievements of India’s incredible sportswomen.”
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Archer Sheetal Devi won the Emerging Athlete Award after becoming India’s youngest Paralympic medallist.
The 18-year-old added a bronze medal at the Paris Games to two golds and one silver at the 2022 Asian Para Games, and a silver at the World Para Archery Championships.
Mithali Raj was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for her record 18-year captaincy of the Indian women’s cricket team.
Raj, 42, led the team from 2004 to 2022 and is the longest-serving captain in international cricket history.
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The Collective Newsroom produced and managed the fifth edition of BBC ISWOTY.
Rupa Jha, CEO of Collective Newsroom, said: “I am delighted to see the impact these awards have been bringing to Indian women in sports – amplifying their achievements, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations.
“These awards are not just about recognition but about creating a lasting impact on the sporting landscape of India and beyond.”
This year’s theme – Champions’ Champions – highlighted the unsung heroes who have supported and shaped medal-winning athletes.
A special documentary featuring the guide runners of blind athletes is available on the BBC’s six Indian language platforms as well on its English outlets.
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Oh Butterfly, a story drama created by Storybots Asia, won the Best Drama Series honor. Additionally, DS Kaiswarya from the film’s put was named Most Promising Artiste.
For its heartfelt sound Neethaney, Vaan Varu Vaan, a Tamil romantic drama, won the Best Original Track honor. Jaya Ganesh Isuran, a cast member, even received the award for best supporting actor for his outstanding achievement.  ,
Ethiroli, Mediacorp’s long-running current affairs initiative, emerged as the Best Info-Ed / Docu-drama Series. Now in its 20th season, its host Sivaranjaniy was awarded Best Host ( Information ) for presenting complex topics with clarity and empathy.
The performance by Shabir Sulthan and singer Yung Raja, which combines song and song, surprised the audience as well. This was the first time the two have collaborated.  ,
Wee Wai Lin, a veteran Mediacorp executive, has been appointed head and chief editor of the company’s Chinese news and current affairs division, according to a report released on Wednesday ( 12 February ) from 8World. Ms. Wee was formerly the Taiwanese current affairs unit’s deputy director for 35 times.Continue Reading
Schooling , won Singapore’s first silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the 100m moth type, beating his childhood idol Phelps. His 50.39-second snorkel even broke the 100m moth record held by Phelps and set a then-Olympic history. Phelps, Romanian swimmer Laszlo Cseh, and South Africa’s most decorated Gymnast,Continue Reading
Pradhana Vizha, Mediacorp’s American entertainment honors service, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this February.  , With the concept of Unravelling Desires, this year’s event will provide 20 honours and celebrate classic milestones from the previous.
Pradhana Vizha 2025 will get place , on Feb 15 at The Theatre at Mediacorp, with many awards up for grabs including best crisis line, best radio programme, most convincing artiste and more.
A glittering red carpet sector may set off the festivities. Fans will also be able to examine well-known figures and unforgettable moments that have influenced Singapore’s Indian celebrity scene over the years. A medley of wins and shows from Pradhana Vizha, from its annual release in 1996 to the present, will be displayed along the red floor.
The life awards show will emerge in three thematic parts: Legacy &, Influence, Tomorrow’s Triumphs and , Envisioning Tomorrow.
Fans can even cast their ballots on this website  from February 1 through February 15. The most popular male and female personalities are also available for voting.
In a speech, Mediacorp’s chief information officer Virginia Lim said:” With guests from different periods and shows by artistes spanning years, this week’s Pradhana Vizha reflects the different skills that has shaped its reputation over the years. It promises to be a spectacular tribute to imagination, engagement, and the lively group that has defined this memorable awards show. We look forward to bringing this incredible evening to our audience.
Catch the main display for Pradhana Vizha 2025 , live on mewatch, Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube, and Vasantham from 9pm to 11.45pm on Feb 15.  ,
Ichiro was 27 when he made his debut with the Mariners in 2001, becoming the first Chinese position person, as opposed to a cup, to perform in the United States major teams. He won both American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors that month, going onContinue Reading
