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Chloe Zhao's “Nomadland” won best picture at the Academy Awards and she became the first woman of color to win best director as a historically diverse group of winners took home awards. (April 25)

Chia-yi County (Taiwan) (AFP) – Taiwan is facing its worst drought in more than half a century. Rainfall has been less than 40 per cent of the usual rate during the first three months of 2021.

A senior official from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region says he expects foreign media can avoid biases, prejudices and negative preconceptions when reporting on the autonomous region, adding that Xinjiang welcomes all international visitors to come.

Best supporting actress winner Youn Yuh-jung waved off questions about Brad Pitt backstage at the Oscars, but shared her longtime admiration for the actor, whose Plan B company backed her film "Minari." (April 26)

With diversity at center stage, minority Oscar nominees took home many coveted golden statuettes, but the three major awards for best actor, best actress and best cinematography went to white nominees.

Beijing residents congratulate Beijing-born director Chloe Zhao on her history-making win at the Oscars. Zhao's "Nomadland" about marginalised Americans roaming the West in vans was honoured for best picture, director and actress for Frances McDormand, who now is in elite company with her third Academy Award.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia tells CNN's Dana Bash that he thinks Congress needs to pass legislation focused on traditional infrastructure and that everything else "should be separated" into a different bill.

Denpasar (Indonesia) (AFP) – Debris from the missing Indonesian Navy submarine, KRI Nanggala 402, has been on the seabed in waters off Bali, military officials say as they confirm all 53 crew members are dead.