Oscars night: five things to watch

14 Sept 16:40 Key points summarised by AI

"Oppenheimer" Dominance: Christopher Nolan's atomic blockbuster is poised to win multiple Oscars, potentially setting records for the most wins since 2009 and becoming a top-grossing Best Picture winner.
"Barbie" Omnipresence: Despite few expected wins, "Barbie" will be a constant presence throughout the gala, featuring performances, host jokes, and numerous references to its cultural impact and perceived "snubs."
Tight Best Actress Race: The Best Actress category presents a nail-biting contest between Lily Gladstone ("Killers of the Flower Moon") and Emma Stone ("Poor Things"), with Gladstone potentially making history as the first Native American winner.
Scorsese's Potential Snub: Legendary director Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" faces the risk of going home empty-handed despite 10 nominations, a scenario he has experienced with previous highly nominated films.
New Presenter Format: This year's Oscars will feature five previous winners introducing nominees in each acting category, aiming to create more "human interaction" and memorable moments.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.